The Works of James A. Michener Quiz

Answer: Tales of the South Pacific

Michener's first book, "Tales of the South Pacific", won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Based on his wartime experiences in the Solomon Islands during World War II, it was later adapted as the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, "South Pacific".

Answer: The Covenant

"The Covenant", which chronicles the history of South Africa and its peoples is set in the area that becomes that nation. "The Source" is primarily set in the Middle East as it traces the history of the Jewish people and their faith. "Caravans" is set in Afghanistan in the years immediately following World War II. "The Novel" is set in the area of Pennsylvania known as "Pennsylvania Dutch country".

Answer: Poland

Published in 1983, "Poland" follows the stories of three fictional families--the Counts Lubonski, the Bukowskis, and the Buks--over the course of eight centuries. Chapters six, seven and eight are "The Golden Freedom," "Mazurka" and "Shattered Dreams".

Answer: Hawaii

Michener started many of his books describing the physical landscape of the place where the forthcoming story would be set. In "Hawaii" he started by describing how the islands themselves were formed. The first paragraph continues: "It was a mighty ocean, resting uneasily to the east of the largest continent, a restless ever-changing, gigantic body of water that would later be described as pacific."

Answer: Congo

"Chesapeake", "Poland" and "Alaska" are all novels by James A. Michener and focus on the history of the place in the title. "Congo" is actually by Michael Crichton.

Answer: 10 years

Michener established residency in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1949. After four years of preparation and three years of writing, the novel was published ten years later in 1959.

Answer: Chesapeake

Every other chapter in "Chesapeake" is another voyage in another time. From "Voyage One: 1583" to "Voyage Fourteen: 1978" the book covers a panorama of history that encompasses the stories of American Indians, early settlers, Revolutionary War patriots, slave traders, and more.

Answer: False

Locations in "Return to Paradise" include Polynesia, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia, but not Hawaii.

Answer: Iberia

"Iberia" is non-fiction, part history and part travel guide, relating Michener's personal experiences and observations on Spain. "Sayonara," "The Drifters" and "Caribbean" are all works of fiction.

Answer: Centennial

"Caravans" was a 1978 movie starring Anthony Quinn, Christopher Lee and Joseph Cotton. The film "Sayonara" (1957) starred Marlon Brando and Miiko Tako with Red Buttons and James Garner. William Holden and Grace Kelly starred in the 1954 film "The Bridges at Toko-Ri". "Centennial" was a 1978 made-for-television, 12-part mini-series with a "cast of thousands" including Richard Chamberlain, Robert Conrad, Lynn Redgrave, Stephanie Zimbalist, Dennis Weaver, and many more.