James Michener has published nearly a dozen volumes of fiction, but such is his versatility that he has published more than an equal number of volumes of nonfiction, and more than one hundred articles in periodicals. He does, however, think of himself primarily as a novelist, and his narratives-- often of unusual length and detail--have been widely popular both in America and in many other countries of the world. He is a master reporter of his generation, and his wide and frequent travels have given him material for colorful evocation of the lives of many characters in international settings in periods going back to earlier millennia. Most of his novels have been best-sellers and all his works, even studies of Japanese prints, are currently available. As a literary craftsman Michener has labored to entertain. Many of his books, however, also appeal to the thoughtful reader and are laden...