Creatures of the Kingdom: Stories About Animals and Nature

by James A. Michener

"DRAMATIC...ENTHRALLING...EXPERTLY CRAFTED...Michener treats each of these creatures with fundamental respect, and in many cases, admiration and awe, if not outright love."
—The Virginian-Pilot & The Ledger-Star
In these sixteen wonderful stories, bestselling author James A. Michener lights up nature's most awesome and beguiling handiwork—from the sublime shaping and reshaping of earth's land and seas to the ridiculous armadillo whose assault on a bit of Texas real estate paid off handsomely. Chosen from Michener's most popular books—including one story never before published in paperback—these mini-masterpieces take us deep into the secret lives of animals and the hidden world of nature. In them we hear the music of the spheres and feel the heartbeat of creation.
"Contain[s] the dramatic elements of a life—the wonder of birth, rites of passage, lots of conflict, much of it physical and bloody, and death...As characters in a Michener novel, a beaver can know loneliness, a buffalo can bide his time, a salmon can feel encouraged, and a woolly mammoth can 'luxuriate' in the ecological rewards of a plains fire."
—Boston Sunday Herald
"Delightful...Nature writing at its most fluid and involving."
—Booklist

Genres: Fiction, Nature, Animals, Historical Fiction, Short Stories, Audiobook, Short Story Collection

281 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

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

[Karen]

Years ago, it wouldn’t be surprising to find me immersed in one of James A. Michener’s sprawling novels (885 – 1,000+ pages), mesmerized by the locations, history, and unforgettable characters he brought to life. Thankfully, this 1993 collection comes in at a far more manageable 281 pages.

When this book was recently donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I was surprised to discover that it is actually a collection of sixteen stories drawn from Michener’s already published works. For readers unfamiliar with his storytelling, this serves as an excellent introduction to his writing style and wide-ranging imagination.

Here, the focus shifts to the secret lives of animals and the hidden world of nature. Readers will find themselves following a lonely beaver, journeying alongside a salmon, or imagining the long-forgotten world of woolly mammoths.

The stories are at times charming, whimsical, and even a little silly, yet they all reflect Michener’s remarkable ability to give wildlife and the natural world both personality and dignity. Beneath the simplicity of some tales lies the meticulous research and narrative depth that made his historical novels so beloved.

For longtime Michener fans, this collection offers a nostalgic return to the author’s distinctive storytelling voice. For newcomers, it is a gentle and engaging way to experience the work of a classic writer whose novels once transported readers across centuries and continents.

[Arlene]

I finished Creatures of the Kingdom. It was a collection of animal stories, mostly from his longer books. There were stories from Alaska, Centennial, Chesapeake, The Covenant, Hawaii and Texas. I recognized several of the stories. I think my favorite was the last story, "the Colonel and Genghis Khan" about a squirrel who keeps invading the bird feeder in the retired officer's back yard. I don't think that this one was in any of his other books.

[Marygrace]

Like visiting an old friend. I read quite a few Michener book in the past. This book I got from the parents grab bag. The title caught my attention. It is a bunch of short stories that are taken from his other books. Some I had read and enjoyed revisiting. The beginning of his books he goes thru geological history of a region and talks about the evolution of different animals. If you enjoy Michener I think you would like this book. I am going to pass it on to Clay eventually. If anyone want to read it first let me know.

[Ethan Conn]

3 stars. One for the beaver chapter, one for the hyena, and one for the geese.

The other chapters were just uninteresting but those three were delightful.

[Pa]

Selections about animals and nature from various of Michener's novels. Some are fairly good. Others are rather dated. The dinosaur story (though presumably OK at the time it was written) is now seriously outdated and inaccurate (in light of our current knowledge).

[Beakerkin]

It is an excellent book for kids. I read all of the stories in their original. There is one classic bonus story that does not appear anywhere else. It is actually the most memorable in the set.

[Koduvayur Harikrishnan]

This is a kind of planned deja-vu for Michener fans. Here is an opportunity to relive the magic of one of the greatest storytellers of our time. The only piece not from any of his earlier mega books,
"The Colonel and Genghis Khan", was the essence of my presentation of this book in our Book Club last week.

Having read all the source books (and all else) of the master, I was able to relate to each of the stories in this book with the prior knowledge of the main story. Yet, when I read the epilogue involving Elly Zahn (The Eagle and the Snake, Chapter 9, extracted from Centennial), I could hardly contain my emotions. Oh, how I hated Michener so many years ago for this cruel twist in the story! Decades older now, I am able to relate-if only partly-to his reasoning. But it still hurts. I guess that is the hallmark of great authors - they leave an indelible impression on one's psyche. Which is why Centennial is out of the bookshelf, and all engagements cancelled for the next week or so - I am off on a journey to the unexplored West!

If you are not yet a Michener fan, I strongly suggest reading this book, then jumping into Centennial or Hawaii for an everlasting journey into the best historical fiction out there.

[Kathleenalford]

This was a great read! I am not usually fond of short stories, but I really enjoyed these chapters that Michener wrote personifying animals. Each chapter tells the life story of a different animal. Most, if not all, of these short stories come from his novels. This book is an animal lovers' delight. Not only will you learn about the life cycle of different animals, but you will also gain even more respect for each species. This is perfect reading when you have short bursts of time to read.

[Darren Cormier]

My first exposure to reading Michener. I always viewed him as "those long, boring books on Dad's bookshelf." I liked it overall, but the further along I got into it, the less enamored of it I was.
The writing and stories were still excellent, but I liked the stories without people better. (Perhaps that says more about me than it does Michener.) I preferred those that were strictly about nature and animals more than those that involved people.

[James Biser]

This book is amazing. I have been searching for texts that teach the prehistory, particularly the natural prehistory of the world. This volume is the group of lessons I have been pursuing. Michener is a fine writer who maps out the natural history of the world with excellent insight and knowledge. This book is fantastic.

[Russ Jarvis]

A convenient collection of delightful vignettes that takes the reader across time and into the lives of the non-human creatures of planet earth ("the Kingdom"). Life and death play out in ways that inspire appreciation for all living things. Life matters, however long it is enjoyed and each life contributes to the Kingdom in ways often overlooked and never fully discerned.

[Dawn Lofink]

A collection of the beginning chapters in some of Michener's best selling books, focusing on the creation and evolution of life and animals. Featuring chapters from Centennial, and Hawaii amongst others. It showcases the authors love of animals, and using them as characters in their own right.

[Susan Krupski]

I usually love James Michener's books, but this one was not quite as interesting as his others. The good thing about this book is that it's made up of short stories s it's convenient to read in small bites.

[William A Stussie]

The basics of animals on our planet

He takes through evolution of life as on earth. Species by species. He concentrate s North America, but with a little more. Tedious at times because it doesn’t appear to be one story, but many. But it all comes together.

[Elizabeth]

This compendium of animal stories from James Michener's novels reinforced what a good writer he was. Although some of the early stories got bogged down in geology, overall the stories were well written and informative. My bird club book club read this book.

[Bonnie Staughton]

I've read most of James A. Michener's books but this one started out really SLOW. I just couldn't get interested in the dinosaurs. I guess it's because I have heard their stories so many times. At about the halfway point, things picked up and I enjoyed the rest of the book.

[Red]

I enjoyed this book a lot. It has stories of animals from the authors books. Being able to see how rough life can be for an animal, and they're just trying to survive. The stories are short and interesting in variety.

[Csrabb]

Leaving out a major religion in the development of man is disgusting. I'll never read another Michener book.

[Charlie Shaw]

Typical Michener - wonderful research and fantastic description of animals learned from research performed over his career in the writing of all his novels.

[Lillian]

What I remember. This is a second read and still love Michener's style. So enjoyable.

[Backoff51]

16 wonderful stories from one of America's greatest writers. I came close to giving this book five stars. Not my usual type of book, but very, very enjoyable. I recommend it highly.

[John Somers]

11/20.

[RJ]

All but one (last) chapter previously published in earlier novels.

[Barry N Horton]

A compilation of animal stories from a number of excellent Michener novels. It is wonderful.

[Laura Duffield Biegger]

Fun collection of excerpts from various of Michener's books.

[Mark]

Entertaining Michener.

[Sharon]

I Love Short Story collections. And what’s not to Love about the Master Storyteller James A Michener! His characters be they snake, squirrel, dog or Man are intriguingly crafted by history and humor!

[TessTalarico]

i did not read this as it didn't hold my interest

[Jewett]

Interesting in part but too bad so much is lifted from his other books.

[Kabyl Utley]

3 1/2 ⭐️: Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. It was engaging and some of the stories were very interesting to read. The story of the salmon was my personal favorite.