Legacy

by James A. Michener

In this sweeping novel inspired by the Iran-Contra affair, master storyteller James A. Michener conjures the triumphs and tragedies of one family and their dynamic role in the history of the United States and its founding document. Over a tense weekend of reflection, Major Norman Starr of the National Security Council prepares to appear before a congressional committee to publicly account for his covert actions. Hoping to learn something from his proud, troubled heritage, Starr looks for guidance in the lives of his ancestors: all-Americans who weren't always right. From a framer of the Constitution to a slave owner, from a Supreme Court justice to a courageous suffragist, each recalls an important legacy that Starr must somehow reconcile with his own perilous dilemma.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, American History, Politics, Historical, Classics, Novels

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

James Albert Michener is best known for his sweeping multi-generation historical fiction sagas, usually focusing on and titled after a particular geographical region. His first novel, Tales of the South Pacific , which inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific, won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Toward the end of his life, he created the Journey Prize, awarded annually for the year's best short story published by an emerging Canadian writer; founded an MFA program now, named the Michener Center for Writers, at the University of Texas at Austin; and made substantial contributions to the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, best known for its permanent collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and a room containing Michener's own typewriter, books, and various memorabilia.

Michener's entry in Who's Who in America says he was born on Feb. 3, 1907. But he said in his 1992 memoirs that the circumstances of his birth remained cloudy and he did not know just when he was born or who his parents were.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick trot thru the history of our documents that shape our government. Very informative for such a short book! This would be a good book to read in high school after some government history to put it in a people perspective and a time frame.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care much for the story itself. However, I have to applaud Michener for including the US Constitution at the end of this book. It's great that a best-selling author, in 1987, presents this great document which all American citizens need to know and understand.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

People seem mostly on the fence about this one, which is understandable. At 150 pages of story, it barely qualifies as a novel. Certainly, it's a far cry from the epic doorstops Michener is best known for. Nor is there much of a plot as such. Our protagonist is a military veteran who finds himself caught up in Reagan's Iran-Contra scandal. His strategy for beating down the treason charges leveled against him is to expound on his family's proud, patriotic legacy--a legacy that dates all the way back to the time of Shays' Rebellion.
The plot mainly exists as an excuse to depict the origins of the American Constitution, to explore its genius and its failings, and to reflect on its continuing importance in modern society. In fact, the Constitution is so pivotal to this book, a copy of it is even provided in the back (because, hey, why not?).
In recent years, historical "creative nonfiction" has become a popular genre thanks to guys like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill O'Reilly, who all engage in it to one degree or another. Interesting that Michener was doing something very similar all the way back in the 1980's.
The cool thing about LEGACY is that it spoon-feeds you historical information in well-written prose, without being all dry and academic about it. I could definitely see giving this to my son once he reaches middle school. Not only do I think he will be entertained and educated by it, I also think it will show him that the U.S. has always existed on rather precarious footing--by no means did political chaos first originate with Donald Trump.

[Bettie · Rating 1 out of 5]

VERDICT - This was so laid back, it fell over. At least it was a short one.

My copy is in excellent shape of cleanliness and presentation - love ex library copies because they take the time to shield the dust-cover in plastic. So this particular is stamped WITHDRAWN FROM KENT COUNTY COUNCIL LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES. No dedication however there is this instead:

It does not matter that my house is rather small;
One cannot sleep in more than one room:

It does not matter that I have not many horses;
One cannot ride on two horses at once:

As fortunate as me among the people of the world
possibly one would find seven out of ten,

As contented as me among a hundred men
Look as you may, you will not find one.

AD 835 - CHINESE POEM TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR WALEY

Glossary
Introduction

Opening - The old-fashioned key turned an oiled lock.

Details from amazon: A legacy of a house and a box full of papers. The small house in a sought-after Yorkshire village should have sold quickly but did not. Missing her busy life in Scotland, where her husband runs the family farm, the narrator finds that writings left by her late aunt help pass the time. They tell of a more innocent age, when Aunt Mary was a child, a teenager and a young woman. A meeting with an old work colleague leads to suspicion that the fiancé lost at sea in the Second World War was not the only love of young Mary's life. A bundle of letters could hold the key to the mystery.


Charlotte Grey lives in a Yorkshire village, having spent many years farming in Aberdeenshire, which she described in her three previous books with Book Guild Publishing: No Fancy Life, Tric-Trac and Doon the Road.

[Doris Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was short and thought-provoking.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

To read is to learn: this little book of Michener's is a provocative and informative interpretation of the mutual protection of both country and citizen that the US constitution was intended to provide.
At the time of the infamous Oliver North affair in the 1980s, Michener seemed to be questioning Americans' application/exploitation of the country's guiding document. As a non-American, it seems that even more so today Americans are exploiting the document for personal/political advantage rather than understanding it as a personal obligation to society.
On a recent trip to the US an acquaintance, on learning we were from Australia, asked "Do they hate us?" It seems the country still has a faint conscience.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our history, our legacy.

[Philippe Tremblay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lu en français. L'histoire de la constitution américaine vue à travers une famille fictive. Lecture facile et instructive.

[Suzanne Mundy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical Michener book, but one that highlights the American Constitution. In this political season, the book caused me to appreciate being an American. I am glad to have read it. And for the record, it was short too!

[Ron Scheese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Michener

I wanted to read some James Michener before taking on one of his longer sagas.  At 125 pages, "Legacy: A Novel" hit the mark..

"Legacy" weaves a captivating tapestry of American history through the lens of one family's interaction with the US Constitution. In classic Michener style, he skillfully navigates triumphs and tribulations across generations of the fictional Starr family..

A Michener intricately explores the complexities of patriotism, ethics, and the enduring legacy of the Constitution. With the Iran-Contra affair as the  looming backdrop, Major Norman Starr's introspection draws the reader into a thought-provoking exploration of family heritage and national identity. Michener brings to life the struggles and achievements of Starr's ancestors, from framers of the Constitution to advocates for social change, offering a rich tapestry of historical drama.

With classic Michener attention to detail, "Legacy" confronts the challenges of a changing world and stands as a testament to Michener's legacy as a master educator and storyteller.

Check it out.

[Rodger Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I traveled to Annapolis for a wedding and took this book along because a small portion of it is set there. it took much longer than necessary to finish it (a) because I was also reading an academic book for an awards competition; and (b) it's not particularly compelling or well-written.

Additionally, some major characters are racists and/or misogynists -- featured here as family members across generations. Not all of the people are remembered fondly and some of their ideas are challenged even by other family members, but the vibe of the book is politically conservative. Some parts are even reactionary.

There's not much of a novel built around the remembrances. The author assumes that the reader has some knowledge of the Iran-contra affair and does not say much of interest about it, frankly. I rarely want books to be longer, but this storyline is thin.

[rumbledethumps · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shallow characters with no development whatsoever, and historical characters that sound like they're living in the 20th century. And no real resolution. Maybe in his longer doorstop books he does a better job with character development and storytelling, but this one just fell flat.

[Janine Toomey]

Legacy is one of Michener's shorter engagements. The main character's family was present in the making of America and her foundational documents. The book contains The Constitution at the end, but I didn't read it because I was on vacation in Mexico and wasn't motivated :-)

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

parts were of interest , parts were not, the Iran contra parts a bit too much

[Eddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a different book genre. It was supposed to be historical fiction but the book read more like historical non-fiction/fiction. A short fast read (audiobook) that teaches the reader some history and more important the Constitution. The last part of the book is the actual Constitution. This book is a good primer to learn about the Constitution. For that reason it's a worthwhile book despite the fiction aspect's premise was slightly implausible rendering the book essentially plotless.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of in awe of this. It's a virtually plot-free novella of sorts where the protagonist, a Major in the U.S. Army, is about to head to a Senate hearing for his involvement in friggin' Iran-Contra. (The role is never explained whatsoever, but we know that our boy has done some major war crimes because all he'll say about it is stuff like "I believed I had full authority to do what I did" and "I was motivated entirely by the love I had for my country." Real psycho shit, you know?) But it turns out he's got a pedigree that dates all the way back to the American Revolution and a family tree full of (fictional) historical figures. His family has signed the Declaration of Independence, served on the Supreme Court, fought in the Civil War and World War II - and it's on this basis alone that his lawyer suggests, "they can never lock you up when you point out your family's proud legacy of patriotism and service." Cool, sure. So then the rest of the book is just this good old boy (who may have personally armed or commanded Central American death squads) recounting the very American deeds of his great-great ancestors, and oh my God it is an embarrassing parade of authoritarian yes-men. The first one died trying to put down Shay's Rebellion. The next one died in a duel defending Alexander Hamilton's honor. The next one served on the Supreme Court and the narrator-protagonist openly derides him as a stupid man who didn't understand legal theory but served as a lapdog of sorts to John Marshall. They're all slave-holding Viriginians, by the way, and the next one fights for the Confederacy in the Civil War after turning down a promotion in the U.S. Army, citing his displeasure with "radical abolitionists." Major Contra's grandfather bankrupts his family through poor financial decisions in the 1920s and still has the gall to blame FDR for his personal failure. The whole thing reads like a who's who of, I dunno, "the wrong side of American history at every goddamn turn." Now, some necessary context here, lest anyone think I just picked out an obscure title by a vehemently conservative author to dunk on thirty years later - I've read two Michener titles before this one and enjoyed them both. His historical fiction is among the most varied and detailed I've read, and I figured this would be a easy and enjoyable story about American military history. Hell no! I have no idea what Michener was even doing here. Dude was a Pennsylvania Quaker who ran for congress as a Democrat in the 1960s - almost assuredly a New Deal Democrat, almost assuredly not prone to Lost Cause mythology. Why did he write this? There's genuinely no story, just a recounting of a fictional family's horrible history. They say that perfect satire is indistinguishable from that which it satirizes, but I don't think that's what's going on here because the characters, in spite of everything I've said so far, are painted with care and nuance and even occasional contrast from one another. The best sense I can make of any of this was that in the late '80s, the very old and accomplished Michener was asking himself, regarding then-current events, "what kind of deranged sicko would sell arms to the Iranians after the hostage crisis, and then use the proceeds to fund a red purge in Nicaragua?" and then thought, "ah, I can probably invent such a monster and flesh out his whole sordid family history in 150 pages." But that doesn't seem very likely, does it? Anyway, glad I read this and I'll never forget it.

[Tien · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book opens with Major Norman Starr troubled with the thought of having to appear before a congressional committee about one of his covert actions in serving his country in the Army. For most the book, Major Norman Starr pondered on the history of his family, 5-6 generations back, on each individual who had taken it on to see that the Constitution of the United States is being held up rightly. This book has a very patriotic voice, of keeping true to the Constitution and unity of the states. It encourages for action to be taken, if something has veered off from the spirit of the Constitution but also to utilise these laws that were put in place as they were meant to.

[Geo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.
Short and believable story ...
... around historic facts.
It teaches you how the US Constitution was put together, how it is incomplete, and why it needs an urgent upgrade and eliminate the archaic "school of electors".
The book should be part of high school curriculum reading.
In fact ... all US citizens should read it.

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a tough read. only 179 page but the history of america and its constitution. mitchener is such a great writer who told it in a interesting narrative style

[Jerry Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great peek into a family history and a good explanation of the value of the constitution

[Jo Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting look at US history and, for a Michener novel, a rather light read.

[Varad · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first thing you notice about this book, one of Michener's last, is how slim it is compared to the earlier historical opuses he was known for. Caribbean, the only other one of his novels I've read (some thirty years ago) clocks in at nearly 700 pages; this one doesn't hit 100.

Legacy is an odd book. Michener uses the Iran-Contra scandal as a springboard to discuss the history of the Constitution from its creation to its gradual expansion to cover more and more Americans. The main character, Maj. Norman Starr, is a staffer on the National Security Council. He's been summoned to appear before the Iran-Contra committee. His lawyer advises him to spend the weekend before he testifies brushing up on his family, a distinguished but fairly unknown group several members of which were present at crucial moments in the Constitution's evolution.

One member was signed the Declaration of Independence. His son was a member of the Constitutional Convention. His son was a Supreme Court justice who was an ally of John Marshall. Another was a key lieutenant of Robert E. Lee. A female Starr was a notorious suffragette. And so on.

Michener sketches out his history well, but it can't help feel potted at times, especially with the need for him to weave his fictional creations into the real history. Hence the Starr who was at Philadelphia in 1787 conveniently never spoke during the debates, though he was a involved in informal discussions outside Independence Hall. The Confederate officer Starr manumitted his slaves before 1861 and turned them into sharecroppers, inspired by fellow Virginia plantation owners to do so. That such manumissions happened before the Civil War is probably true (Michener knows his history too well to make such a thing up). But it, too, is convenient in that it exculpates his protagonist and his ancestor from the guilt of having fought to defend slavery.

In what can only be described as a serendipitous coincidence, Norman Starr's mother, Rachel, is a political scientist who became an expert on the malapportionment of legislative districts. This is an issue that went all the way to the Supreme Court in the 1960s in the form of several cases, including the one that established the rule of "one man, one vote." The issue has come to the fore again in debates about the supposed malapportionment of the Senate and gerrymandering. I was not expecting a technical discussion of the issue in a James Michener novel, but he does get into some nuts and bolts in the mouth of Rachel Starr. An example, perhaps, of Michener's liberal sympathies.

Michener is clearly a democrat in the small- and large-D senses. But he is so in the senses that prevailed in the post-WWII era of American liberalism. His attitudes are not what one would call progressive, at least not by today's standards. Indeed, in 2021 he'd probably be considered fairly retrograde for his evident reverence for the Constitution. Norman Starr greatly admires the Constitution. And so does James Michener. That's an attitude we could well do with a lot more of, on both sides of the political spectrum.


Thursday 8/19/21

[John Desaulniers, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I liked Legacy or not, and that makes me perhaps like it more. Written in 1987 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the US Constitution, Michener wove fictitious characters into our American history who affected the Constitution, directly and indirectly, in ways I might favor and ways I might not. And perhaps that was Michener's point.

A smarter reader than I could probably peg James Michener's political persuasions, but I think (s)he would need to be quite clever. I think rather Michener wanted to blend a reluctant Confederate officer and awkward suffragette into the same family to leave the reader wondering which values were Michener's. And I don't think he wanted us to know. I think he wanted to paint a landscape of the Starr family as a metaphor for the Constitution itself.

I wanted to see what the contemporary narrator of his own family history would be like for the story. At times I think it weakened the emotion of the scenes and prevented depth of character. This is my first Michener novel (one of his smaller), yet one of his later books. Could the size of his book and his fame have conspired to allow him to slack off from better narrating? Perhaps. It wasn't terrible, but I had high expectations. At some point, I too would like to write a narrated family history book (different topic), so I was perhaps more dissecting in my reading as well.

A while ago I read another book aimed at telling a story that defined debates about the Constitution. What irritated me about that book was the story for me was lost in excessive sexuality. This story seemed more normative of average Americans, but whether its averageness took away from the story, I don't fully know. The sexuality of the other story didn't win me over. In that way, this one is far superior.

I can't say I'd highly recommend this book. It's a bit too instructive, a little distant. But the presentation of differing characters from one family was intriguing, as I have plans if my own for multiple generations. What do you think?

[Irishcoda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually I really enjoy books by James Michener but I have to say I was very disappointed with this one. Several times I was tempted to just put it down but it’s such a slim book I hated to just give up on a book written by a favorite author.

The basic story is set around the time of the Iran-Contra scandal and hearings, 1987. The main character, Norman Starr, has been subpoenaed to appear at the Senate and testify about his role in the mess.

The next main character is the Constitution and the various Starrs that had what-all to do with it. Starr’s attorney felt that Norm’s best strategy was to bring up all these patriotic relatives of his.
That leads to my biggest issue with the book. Reading it, I felt like I was seeing Forrest Gump’s family and the making of U.S. History. The Starr men mostly were military men. One signed the Declaration. One helped write the Constitution. One served with General Robert E. Lee and struggled with the slavery issue. There was a suffragist trying to get the 19th Amendment passed. Yawn.

Each chapter provided a sketch of the Starr characters and a lot of dull reading about their involvement with whichever document or part of the Constitution they with which they were concerned. It might have been more interesting with a little more character development, I guess.

And why should so many members of one family have to do with the Constitution? I guess so that the Norman Starr story would make more sense but it just seemed phony. And superficial.

Oh well. I still love his other books!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction (full disclosure) is my favorite. This novel pays tribute to the ancestors of a fictional Washington-based U.S. Army Officer who has been summoned to a congressional committee to provide answers regarding what has come to be known as “the Iran-Contra affair.” His military experiences had included contact with non-fictional Ollie North (Col., U.S. Army) during the mid-1980's.
The story provides a requirement by his lawyers for him to trace the actions of some of his distinguished ancestors that would cement his patriotic ancestry. As a result, the reader is treated with a review of several key events that took place in American history from the days of the Declaration of Independence and the framing of the U.S. Constitution through the decades of conflicts, both political and warfare in nature, leading up to 1984 and the Congressional review of "Iran-Contra."
Though not a teacher myself, I can see this novel being assigned for reading or a book report in a U.S. history class. It would reinforce in any reader’s mind the significance of the U.S. Constitution and its amendments. An entertaining way to learn history and appreciation for democracy as provided by our Founding Fathers, after hours and hours of debating and compromising to arrive at the final Constitution and allowance for subsequent amendments. 5 Stars
March 15 – 25

[Nathan Velson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is presented as some profound meditation on the Constitution and our relation to it throughout history. To me it feels more like the outline of a Michener epic he never bothered to fill out. It has all the parts of a classic Michener: A modern day protagonist who actually doesn't feature much in the book, but serves as a vessel for recounting the past over multiple generations through stories of his ancestors. Caught up in the Iran-Contra scandal, the main character recalls his illustrious "patriot" ancestors who have played a key role in the founding and governing of the country as he prepares to testify to Congress.

I've never been able to nail down Michener's politics through his writing, as it seemed to vary from book to book, but aspects of this book have a fairly conservative, at times almost reactionary tone, and a grudging acknowledgement of progress. I don't know if that's just his characters, or Michener himself talking, but it does sour the book somewhat for me. Nonetheless, the book does give a nice crash-course in key points in American history, and providing the text of the Constitution at the end is a nice touch. Written towards the end of his life, not one of Michener's best works in my opinion.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norman Starr, West Point graduate and Army Major, has learned that he will be called before the Senate to explain his involvement in the Iran/Contra affair. Starr knew of Oliver North but was not a part of his group. Starr calls upon a friend and fellow West Point graduate, now a well placed attorney, to help in his defense. As the two friends plan their upcoming appearance they turn to the history of the Starr family dating back to the early 1700's. Among Norman's eminent ancestors were men who attended the Continental Congress, fought beside Robert E. Lee, worked hand in hand with Supreme Court Justices, and a fiery woman who fought for women's voting rights. With this distinguished legacy of brave Americans behind him, Starr is certain to face his accusers with complete honesty. His lawyer advises that Starr plead the 5th and now Norman is uncertain which way to go.

This short novel is certainly long on American patriotism. I can't say I am a fan of the ending but it was an interesting story.

[Deane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most interesting and easy read about the development and the changes to the Constitution of the United States narrated by fictional Major Norman Starr who is being called before a congressional committee regarding past service in the Central America region. Most of the work he did was secretive and much of it he can't or won't speak of but all had been ordered by more senior officers.

His family has always been connected to the formation of the Constitution and its changes; one large change being slavery ended which of course triggered the Civil War in the 1800's and women being allowed to vote in the early 1900's. The Starrs were fictional but the other characters were real....I checked several online.

Norman tells the story of his ancestors starting with Jared Starr in 1726 - 1787.

[Debby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect from this book. A friend loaned it to me and it was a Michener book I had not heard of before. I was told it was about the Iran-Contra affair during the Reagan administration. I felt I needed do a bit of research prior to reading the book, a refresher so to speak of the affair. Once I started the book I realized that it wasn't necessary to kn0w much about Iran-Contra. The book is a history (very abbreviated) of the formation of America. Told by the fictitious Norman Starr, it chronicles his ancestors and the roles they played, including his role in Iran-Contra. Interesting, but nothing like any other Michener book I've read. At only 176 pages you don't get much detail. The best thing about the book is the research I did prior to reading it! I have a much better understanding of Iran-Contra now for what that's worth...

[Paula Galvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legacy (almost a short story) begins with Major Norman Starr being called to appear before a congressional committee to explain his covert military operations during the Iran-Contra affair. While preparing for his questioning, he and his wife, Nancy, refresh themselves on the patriotic history of the Starr family. Michener uses their walk down memory lane to give the reader a fascinating journey through America’s history, beginning with the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, through the trials of writing the Constitution, and up to the 1933 amendment giving women the right to vote. As a surprise bonus, the author includes a copy of the actual Constitution at the end of the book. This is a must-read for all historical buffs. Although brief, I found it very interesting and informative.