Looking for really good multi-generational historical fiction series. (Besides Michener.)

[hippywife]

I've read and absolutely loved Ivan Doig's Montana Series: Dancing at the Rascal Fair, English Creek, Ride with me Mariah Montana and Mountain Time. The first two in this series were exceptionally good.

Any other really good series in this genre anyone else has loved and can recommend?

Edited to add (Besides Michener) in the thread title since I've read nearly all of his books already, some many times.

[razorman]

1. Much of James Michener's work might fit your criteria, although they

are not actually series. Rather, they are large novels that cover characters over generations. "Centennial" and "Alaska" are a couple of my favorites. Also, John Jakes' "Kent Family Chronicles" series is good, starting with "The Bastard". Hope this helps.

[Cleita]

3. LOL! We were both posting on James Michner at the same time. n/t

[razorman]

17. He was an obvious choice, although I don't think he wrote any series, as such.

Hell, most of his novels were so large that they could have been broken up into small series. Still, I liked the way he would write about a geographical area, like Alaska, and take you from its prehistoric past down to the times of his main characters and their families.

[hippywife]

5. I guess I should have mentioned

that I've read nearly everything Michener has written...some of them multiple times. :rofl:

[Cleita]

7. Well, I guess you know what you like. LOL.

[tortoise1956]

67. Me too

His books were almost like a history lesson. I enjoyed every one of them - up until the last 20 pages or so (the man couldn't seem to learn how to write an ending!)

As a matter of fact, I may have to dig up my two-volume set of "The Covenant" and re-read it...

[tortoise1956]

68. The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov

Interesting social commentary. Pretty fast reads, too.

[Cleita]

2. Have you ever read any James Michner?

I especially liked "Hawaii" which tells the story of Hawaii from its settlement by Polynesians from Tahiti, through the whaling and missionaries settling in it up to it becoming a state. His books aren't series but probably could be broken into three book series, because they are very thick. His book "Centennial" was about the settling of the Colorado and the push to open the West. He's a good story teller and weaves the history through his fiction.

[flor-de-jasmim]

4. I didn't realize I was also thinking of Michener, UNTIL I consulted wikipedia:

The Source (novel)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Author James A. Michener
Illustrator Jean-Paul Tremblay
Country United States of America
Language English
Genre(s) Historical novel
Publisher Random House
Publication date 1965
Media type Print (Hardback & Paperback)

The Source is an historical novel by James A. Michener, first published in 1965. It is a survey of the history of the Jewish people and the land of Israel from pre-monotheistic days to the birth of the modern State of Israel. The Source uses for its central device a fictional tell in northern Israel called "Makor" (Hebrew: "source").

A parallel frame story set in modern-day Israel supports the historical timeline. Archaeologists digging at the tell at Makor uncover artifacts from each layer, which then serve as the basis for a chapter exploring the lives of the people involved with that artifact. The novel begins with a Stone Age family whose daughter begins to realize that there is a supernatural force, then leads us to the beginnings of monotheism, the Davidic kingdom, Hellenistic times, Roman times, etc. The site is continually inhabited until the end of the Crusades when it is destroyed by the victorious Mameluks (as happened to many actual cities after 1291—and is not rebuilt by the Ottomans.

The Book follows the story of the Family of Ur from the age of cavemen to modern times, with its descendants now living in the Galilee—though, naturally, they themselves are not aware of the ancient antecedents revealed to the reader by the all-knowing writer.


I read this book AGES ago and loved it.

[Cleita]

6. It was the second Michner book I read after Hawaii.

After that I was addicted.

[razorman]

18. I have "Hawaii" on my bookshelf, as well as the movie on DVD.

As yet, I haven't gotten around to either one. I guess I'll try to do it soon.

[hippywife]

8. This book was my first Michener.

My favorites ended up being Alaska and The Covenant.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[razorman]

20. "Alaska" is my favorite. Haven't read "The Covenant" yet.

I particularly enjoyed his accounting of what the early settlers had to endure to get to Alaska during the gold rush. They were amazing people.
BTW, wasn't a movie made of "The Covenant"? If so, was it any good?

[hippywife]

22. I have no idea about a movie

but the book was a very eye-opening read at the time. :hi:

[razorman]

23. There is a movie called "The Covenant". I don't think it is based on the Michener novel, though.

It appears to be a horror movie. I just looked it up on IMDb.

[asjr]

9. Michener was my long time love and I still

reread all his books. Hawaii and Centennial are my two favorites.

[hippywife]

58. Mine, too.

They are definitely worth re-reading. :hi:

[Ozymanithrax]

10. "The Bastard" launched the genra...but not sure if you'd call it "really good."

[hippywife]

11. Yeah, I read the Jakes books, too

very long ago.

And The Rich are Different followed by Sins of the Father, both by Susan Howatch, many decades ago. Along with many of her other books. Looks to be nearly all of those, too.

Thanx, tho. :hi:

[razorman]

19. You're probably right. The title is cool, though.

[razorman]

21. Maybe it wasn't as good as I recall. It has been about 30 years since I read "The Bastard".

My tastes weren't as refined then as they are now. I had not yet become the educated, sophisticated and modest individual that I am today.

[CanisCrocinus]

12. "Masters of Rome"

I'd recommend the "Masters of Rome" series by Colleen McCullough. It's a 7-volume set beginning with the generation before Julius Caesar and ending a decade of so after Caesar's assassination with Octavian maneuvering into position as Rome's first emperor. Not only is it a good multi-generation series of novels -- it's also a great political read. McCullough's grasp of day-to-day Roman politics is amazing, and her subject is that fascinating period of Roman history when in the space of a few generations, Rome was transformed from a republic with a complex series of checks and balances preventing power being concentrated in any one individual or group to essentially a monarchy with all power gathered to one person. No novel (nor history textbook, for that matter) can claim absolute historical accuracy, but her account of the period is in-depth and reliable. Just reading her glossaries alone (extensive glossaries are included in each volume) is like a college-level course in Roman history and culture. The series begins with "The First Man in Rome":

http://www.amazon.com/First-Man-Rome-Colleen-Mccullough/dp/0061582417/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268580424&sr=8-1

[hippywife]

13. LOL. Did that one, too.

This is why I'm having such difficulty. This is MY genre, historical fiction, so I've covered all the obvious and usual suspects.

Thanx! :hi:

[hippywife]

14. This one looks somewhat interesting.

Anyone ever read it?

The River Wife

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-River-Wife/Jonis-Agee/e/9781615538171/

[hippywife]

46. I just finished this one tonight.

It was really pretty good. Hard to put down. :thumbsup:

[enlightenment]

15. Have you read Edward Rutherford?

He's often compared to Michener. The first of his I ever read was "Sarum" - it was fantastic. He's also done one about London; one about Russia; another about Dublin; and one about the New Forest. All are rich, detailed, and cover a healthy passage of time.

[hippywife]

16. I'm seeing that one while

browsing Barnes & Noble. I googled multi-generational fiction and came up with a list on their site.

Thanx for the recommendation. :hi:

This one also just caught my eye:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/In-Search-of-Satisfaction/J-California-Cooper/e/9780385467865/

[hippywife]

26. Okay...

I've requested this one and The River Wife from the library. :hi:

[enlightenment]

28. Hope you enjoy them - finding a good book is often

a challenge!
:)

[hippywife]

42. I picked up Sarum today from the library.

What a huge book! I guess I didn't look at the details on the library website when I requested it. LOL I do like a long book as long as it's really good and draws me right in.

My husband saw it and said it ought to last me a couple of days. :rofl: I do want to read the shorter ones I picked up today first, though.

Thanx again for the rec. :hi:

[hippywife]

47. I am so bummed!

I read The River Wife first and a couple of cookbooks and was getting ready to start Sarum. I needed to renew it and can't because someone else is waiting for it. I will check it out again when it's available.

[MaineDem]

24. "Trinity" and the subsequent "Redemption" by Leon Uris are pretty good

Another two book series (long books though) is Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End."

[hippywife]

25. Read all of those, too.

Like I said, not going for the obvious choices because chances are I've already read them. :hi:

[applegrove]

27. Rutherford did books on London and The New Forest. They were both good.

[raccoon]

29. R.F. Delderfield. nt

[hippywife]

30. Thanx.

Are all of his novels and series centered around war?

[raccoon]

32. I wouldn't say they were centered around war. In GOD WAS AN ENGLISHMAN

trilogy, the protagonist was in a war, IIRC. WWI takes place but most of the books' action is on the home front.

Oh, another series, THE CAZALETS. There again, war is going on. Guess even in fiction, you can't get away from it.

[hippywife]

34. Yeah, that was my concern.

I like reading fiction for the very reason that I can take a break from reality. :hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

31. Although this one is a trilogy, I've read only the first book:

Kristin Lavransdatter is a trilogy about a spirited young woman in medieval Norway.

The three volumes are The Bridal Wreath, The Mistress of Husaby, and The Cross.

I have the movie (from Netflix) on right now. It was made in Norway in the 1990s.

[hippywife]

36. Are those more fantasy

than historical fiction?

Thanx for the suggestions, Lydia. :hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

37. No, they're realistic fiction

The only fantasy elements have to do with the beliefs in trolls, etc. that were prevalent at the time, but it's not by any means a sword and sorcery epid.

[hippywife]

38. Cool.

Thanx, Lydia.

I think I've got some really good suggestions to go on now.


Appreciate everyone's help. :hi:

[raccoon]

39. I didn't know there was a movie! I'll have to get hold of it.

I read the series ages ago.

[japple]

33. I really enjoyed Louise Erdrich's books about families, beginning

with The Beet Queen, and Love Medicine.

If you haven't already read them, you might like Chaim Potok's books, The Chosen, The Promise, and several others.

Susan Straight's multi-generational series that starts with I Been in Sorrow's Kitchen and Licked Out All the Pots is wonderful and one of the later books has an episode set in Oklahoma.

Have you read Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove or Berrybender Family series?

[hippywife]

35. Thanx, j!

I love the title of that Susan Straight novel. I'll have to check that out in the next round of books from the library.

:hi:

[hippywife]

57. Since you and I seem enjoy some of the same books lately...

I went ahead and requested Love Medicine and The Beet Queen from the library to start with.

And I left a little note for you here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=208&topic_id=21231&mesg_id=21301

:hi:

[Biker13]

40. Alexandra Ripley

wrote a fun series revolving around Charleston, VA.

Also, Anne Rivers Siddons wrote another series, starting with I believe "Foxes Earth"

Yeah, I went through a "Southern Novel" stage! So I did John Jakes "North and South" series as well!

Biker's Old Lady

[hippywife]

41. Thanx.

I did read some of Anne Rivers Siddon a long time ago. Can't remember which ones. They were pretty light reading. :hi:

[Mz Pip]

43. The Forsyte Saga

is certainly multi-generational. There are 6 books beginning around 1879 ending in sometime in the 1920s. It's historical in that it deals with the changes that come to British society (both upper and lower class) during the industrial revolution. Some of the events include the Boer War and the General Strike.

It's one of my favorite works of literature. IT was written by John Galsworthy and he won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1934 the year after he died.

There are 4 additional books that revolve around some periperal characters that are also very good. One is a collection of short stories about the early lives of the various elderly Forsytes and 3 are novels about a family of Forsyte cousins.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

50. I'm gradually watching the 1967 TV series based on the books

I got all 12 VHS tapes for $15 a while back.

Historical footnote: This series was broadcast in the U.S. on public television and was so popular that PBS imported more British costume dramas, eventually setting up Masterpiece Theatre.

[MicaelS]

44. James Clavell's Asian Saga

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Clavell

The Asian Saga consisting of six novels:

* King Rat (1962): Set in a Japanese POW camp, 1945
* Tai-Pan (1966): Set in Hong Kong, 1841
* Shōgun (1975): Set in feudal Japan, 1600
* Noble House (1981): Set in Hong Kong, 1963
* Whirlwind (1986): Set in Iran, 1979
* Gai-Jin (1993): Set in Japan, 1862

Tai-Pan and Shogun are the two best, followed by Noble House. Shogun was made into a great mini-series in 1980 starring Richard Chamberlain.

[yellowdogintexas]

48. read them all twice, best read in order of the setting dates

so start with ShoGun

There is a postumous sequel to Whirlwind, about the Finnish guy

[Brother Buzz]

45. Louis L'Amour's Sackett family series

The novels trace much of the history of the family through individual members of the family as they move across the Atlantic from England, settle in the Appalachians, and then move west to the Great Plains, the Rockies, and California. Unlike novels by such writers as James A. Michener, these stories do not trace the rise and fall of the fortunes of a clan or extended family, but simply tie together significant and minor characters in several of the Western novels.

Not great books, but stock-in-trade reading. I read all of them, and not in order; it doesn't matter as L'Amour didn't write them in sequence.

[yellowdogintexas]

49. Try Dorothy Dunnett.

there are two long series:

The Lymond Crawford series and the Niccolo series.

complex, intriguing and great!!!!

Start with The Game of Kings for the Crawford books and Niccolo Rising for the others

[hippywife]

52. David Blixt who wrote Master of Verona

responded to an email I sent him and also recommended her books. I'll probably check them out at some point.

Thanx! :hi:

[cayanne]

51. The Emma Harte Series

Woman of Substance, To Be the Best, Just Rewards, Unexpected Blessings and Emma's Secret by Barbara Taylor Bradford
I love this series.

[Enthusiast]

53. I have really enjoyed the series by

Allan W Eckert-The Wilderness War, The Frontiersman, The Conquerors ETC. Highly recommended by me. :hi:

[grasswire]

54. dunno if this qualifies as "series" but what about Anya Seton books?

I read "The Winthrop Woman" many years ago. Her other books are Avalon, Devil Water, Dragonwyck, Foxfire, Green Darkness, The Hearth and Eagle, Katherine, My Theodosia, and The Turquoise.

[hippywife]

55. Not a series maybe, but

those sound right up my alley. Thank you! :hug:

[clyrc]

56. ok

In addition to seconding recommendations for Sigrid Undset and Dorothy Dunnett, I will add books by Susan Howach, The Jewel in the Crown series by Paul Scott, and the Cairo trilogy by Naguib Mafouz.

[bikebloke]

59. Wilbur Smith's African Series

He's created a whole genealogy over the years.

[TexasProgresive]

60. The story of the Dabney family of a fictious Mississippi county

Their story was written by James H. Street. The opening volumn is "O Promise Land" taking place around the war of 1812. The next is "Tap Roots" which occurs during the American Civil War. The county that is home to the Dabney lands succeeds from the Confederacy. They buy up cotton from southern farmers and run the blockade to the north in exchange for iron that the south desperately needs to build the iron clad ship "Alabama."

There is another book that takes up the battle of Vicksburg, MS with the characters connected to the Dabneys. There is one that takes place during the Cuban drive for independence from Spain without becoming a colony of the U.S.

I'm sorry I cannot remember all the titles but Mr. Street made these people come alive for me and made the early history of our country real. My guess is that you would have to try your library as they are out of print. I'm sure that all of them can be gotten by interlibrary loan.

BTW there were several counties that succeeded from the Confederacy.

[hippywife]

64. Pssst.

The word is secede. ;)

Thanx for the recommendations. :hi:

[SheilaT]

61. The Town House series by Norah Lofts.

The Town House
The House at Old Vine
The House at Sunset

It's about a particular house and the families that occupy for about a thousand years. Really, really good.

[hippywife]

70. Ah! There you are!

I just commented in the weekly thread that I'm reading the final book in the series and love them all.

Thank you for the great rec! :hi:

[Curmudgeoness]

62. Ken Follett---Pillars of the Earth and continues in World Without End.

Historical during the cathedral building in England. Pillars is one of my all time favorite books.

[hippywife]

63. Read them both

when they first came out. Very good reads. :hi:

[LostHighway]

65. The Bible is a good place to start

I kid, I kid.

[raccoon]

66. Gwen Bristow's Plantation Triology.

Consists of:

Deep Summer (1937) shows how pioneering white settlers came from the southeast and from New England to the east bank of the Mississippi River.

The Handsome Road (1938), set in Civil War times, centers around an aristocratic young woman and a poor white girl, whose lives parallel each other in a number of aspects. Both are deeply hurt by the war and Reconstruction, although in different ways. Their growing enmity symbolizes the gulf between the classes they represent.

This Side of Glory (1940), set around World War I, tells of the marriage between a young man from the aristocratic family and a young woman from the poor white (now middle class)one.

http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/aww_01/aww_01_00146.html


See also: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=208x22382

[MaineDem]

69. Ken Follett has a new book out that begins a historical trilogy

"Fall of Giants" is set before and during World War I. The subsequent books go through WWII and the Cold War. I can't wait for the second one but I think it'll be 2012 before it's published.

[DUgosh]

71. Multigenerational series - sort of

I have enjoyed Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilt Novels which are set in the present day but often backtrack several generations following the history of a quilt or quilter.

Also Andrew Greeley writes an Irish/Catholic series staring Nuala Anne Mcgrail who is fey and often solves the mysteries of a long dead relative. Nuala residing in Chicago sometimes interacts "the little Bishop" from one of Greeley's other series staring Father Blackie.

[BonnieJW]

72. A Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

It's just been relased and is the first of a trilogy.