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This Noble Land: My Vision for America
In such modern classics as Chesapeake, Centennial, Hawaii, Alaska, and Texas, James A. Michener proved time and again that his understanding of and love for his country was unparalleled. This Noble Land is Michener’s most personal statement about America, an examination of the issues that threaten to fragment and undermine the nation—racial conflict, the widening gulf between rich and poor, the decline of education, the inadequacies of our health care system—as well as a thought-provoking prescription for sustaining our “outstanding success.” Infused with the wisdom and passion of a lifetime, This Noble Land stands as a wake-up call for a troubled era.
Praise for This Noble Land
“A book-length essay on the often worrying, often inspiring course of America in the nine decades of Michener’s life.” — The Washington Post
“Michener is more interested in fixing the problems than in fixing the blame.” — The Dallas Morning News
“Michener’s are the beach books that, unlike most other beach books, leave you smarter than you were when you started reading. Each delivers the product of all that research, doled out to the reader at just the right rate. You know right away who the bad guys are—the petty ones, the stingy ones. The heroes are generous and energetic and smart and, above all, unprejudiced. The real-life villains in This Noble Land are the people Michener perceives as ‘petty, mean and vengeful.’” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Stirring . . . an admirable effort to define what has made our country great and how to preserve what is best about it.” — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for This Noble Land
“A book-length essay on the often worrying, often inspiring course of America in the nine decades of Michener’s life.” — The Washington Post
“Michener is more interested in fixing the problems than in fixing the blame.” — The Dallas Morning News
“Michener’s are the beach books that, unlike most other beach books, leave you smarter than you were when you started reading. Each delivers the product of all that research, doled out to the reader at just the right rate. You know right away who the bad guys are—the petty ones, the stingy ones. The heroes are generous and energetic and smart and, above all, unprejudiced. The real-life villains in This Noble Land are the people Michener perceives as ‘petty, mean and vengeful.’” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Stirring . . . an admirable effort to define what has made our country great and how to preserve what is best about it.” — Kirkus Reviews
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
54 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
James A. Michener
524 books3,636 followersJames 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 29, 2024
Published in 1996, Michener comments on the strengths and weaknesses of the United States and provides recommendations for improvements. He covers a wide variety of topics including economics, politics, art, education, race relations, heroes, health care, class divides, and much more. It is interesting to look back at how many issues he identified and trace the trajectory of what has happened since that time. He made several predictions that have come to pass. Some issues have become even more pronounced in the intervening years. He comments on the importance of education and the arts, the widening gap between the rich and poor, and other trends. It is well-written and structured. It will appeal to those interested in the history of social, political, and economic issues in the US.
July 26, 2011
This book was written fifteen years ago and it was intended as a look forward to the opportunities and challenges America was facing then. Unfortunately many of the risks that Michener saw America facing have been realized and many of the choices our "leaders" had the chance to make were done for their own gain rather than the long-term good of the nation.
At the time it was written, this was an excellent reveiw of the state of the nation from his perspective, and he had some wise things to say, and some that now seem short-sighted. All in all, the book left me somewhat depressed about the chances we have to improve, given the self-serving ("get me re-elected") attitude of the leaders we have elected.
At the time it was written, this was an excellent reveiw of the state of the nation from his perspective, and he had some wise things to say, and some that now seem short-sighted. All in all, the book left me somewhat depressed about the chances we have to improve, given the self-serving ("get me re-elected") attitude of the leaders we have elected.
August 24, 2013
Reading any work by James Michener is an education and a vocabulary lesson. Every Michener book I have read has been a complete delight, CENTENNIAL and CHESAPEAKE being my favorites. THIS NOBLE LAND is a different genre, non-fiction, focusing on the cultural, political, economic environment of the United States during the mid-1990's. He made numerous observations on various issues of health care, race relations, education and public welfare. During this time period was the Republican party's "Contract with America" and the conservative right's "Contract with the American Family." Michener being a moderate Democrat raised concerns over both political initiatives and its potential harm to America. He made interesting statements and predictions that did not happen but some were realized to a certain degree. One prediction he made is that the United States of America will be a declining political influence on the world stage by 2050. James Michener passed away not very after THIS NOBLE LAND was published. It would have very enlightening to have him comment on the current political, social and economic climate of today. WOULD HE MADE A CHANGE TO HIS 2050 PREDICTION?
May 19, 2016
3/5 because I equally agreed with some things he had to say and disagreed with others. Overall, I liked the book as a personal essay of life, observation and experience and even the parts I disagreed with, the more liberal views, I could learn how I feel on my own, how I would answer the question or feel how passionately I felt otherwise that I can solidify my own positions by ruminating on them and, thereby, learn - which is the goal.
March 25, 2023
Throughly enjoyed this book. While somewhat being dated for the suggestions for the path forward for America in relation to certain issues - being that it was written over 2 decades ago. Some of the failures of America brought forward still to this day have not had suitable solutions. There were disagreements on the view on some of America’s problems and the remedies. That being said I love the beauty and admiration Michener still has for the country as a world traveler with a unique perspective, and his love of country he believes we can continue to grow, improve, and be a place of hope.
July 10, 2021
Wow! I have read so many of this author's books but did not know that he was so progressive. What an admirable person. I think he would have been happy to see Barack Obama elected as president had he lived and the passage of the Affordable Care Act. I also think he we bemoan the damage the filibuster is doing to the country and moral decline of the Republican party under Donald Trump. He was definitively a visionary.
October 9, 2025
About America
April 29, 2013
This was published in 1996 and I do wish it was updated for the past 17 years! The best chapter is Ch. 11 The Young Colonels. What a wake up call! I love his mastery of history and current events. As I read it, I kept updating it in my mind for the recent events. Chapter 9 "Our Macho Society" is spot on what with all the gun control issues going on today (April, 2013)
May 20, 2009
A little outdated (OK, I admit it was published in 1996) but interesting to read Michener's take on issues and challenges facing our country.
October 5, 2023
I love Michener's novels. I've read most of them. This non-fiction book is typical of Michener's writing, positive when possible and gentle when criticism is made. I very much enjoyed learning about his vision for America. Like most well-meaning citizens Michener wants the best for everyone. Unfortunately some of his ideas about how the best is to be obtained are unrealistic and/or unreasonable.
Like some Americans with their credit cards, he believes the United States can use its borrowing power to provide benefits for its citizens whether those benefits can be afforded or not. Many of our politicians seem to have this same attitude. I had to laugh when Michener wrote that if the government debt could be reduced to zero and he was in charge, he would immediately borrow $100 billion dollars and use it to revive the countries infrastructure. A hundred billion? The interest the United States now has to pay yearly is over $700 billion dollars with a total debt in excess of $33 trillion. This incurred by well-meaning politicians who want to provide things the country cannot afford. Now I realize that Michener indicated that a "reasonable" debt was okay for the country to incur. I suspect he would be appalled at the debt we have today, but that debt is incurred by people like Michener who believe a "reasonable" debt can and should be incurred by a country as rich as the United States.
Another item I have a hard time understanding is Michener's approval of affirmative action programs. Why race-based discrimination against one group should be solved by race-based discrimination again another group makes no sense to me.
Like some Americans with their credit cards, he believes the United States can use its borrowing power to provide benefits for its citizens whether those benefits can be afforded or not. Many of our politicians seem to have this same attitude. I had to laugh when Michener wrote that if the government debt could be reduced to zero and he was in charge, he would immediately borrow $100 billion dollars and use it to revive the countries infrastructure. A hundred billion? The interest the United States now has to pay yearly is over $700 billion dollars with a total debt in excess of $33 trillion. This incurred by well-meaning politicians who want to provide things the country cannot afford. Now I realize that Michener indicated that a "reasonable" debt was okay for the country to incur. I suspect he would be appalled at the debt we have today, but that debt is incurred by people like Michener who believe a "reasonable" debt can and should be incurred by a country as rich as the United States.
Another item I have a hard time understanding is Michener's approval of affirmative action programs. Why race-based discrimination against one group should be solved by race-based discrimination again another group makes no sense to me.
March 14, 2023
Its nice to read other people's opinions sometimes and I respect Michener as an author.
I can't believe he was almost 90 when he wrote this! (Using data from 1994, he wrote the book in '95, published it in '96, and then he died in '97.) I found it interesting to read, especially after just reading the cultural summations in The Nineties. Just to see what his concerns were for our nation in the 90s and what he wished to see for the future of our nation.
While he talked about many things, his four main concerns for the future were: race relations, the wealth gap, education, and healthcare. It's amazing (and perhaps kindly) that he didn't see how far we've fallen in all of those categories. I mean, if he thought it was bad in the 90s - yikes!
I think, perhaps the most interesting parts of the novel for me were not so much his thoughts and concerns (although they were important), but instead all the things I learned about Mitchener himself. Like how he grew up poor, without a father, left home at 14, traveled around, enlisted in the Navy, married a Japanese woman, and all sorts of other things I didn't expect. Although, its no doubt that these experiences are what make his writing so realistic and enjoyable.
I can't believe he was almost 90 when he wrote this! (Using data from 1994, he wrote the book in '95, published it in '96, and then he died in '97.) I found it interesting to read, especially after just reading the cultural summations in The Nineties. Just to see what his concerns were for our nation in the 90s and what he wished to see for the future of our nation.
While he talked about many things, his four main concerns for the future were: race relations, the wealth gap, education, and healthcare. It's amazing (and perhaps kindly) that he didn't see how far we've fallen in all of those categories. I mean, if he thought it was bad in the 90s - yikes!
I think, perhaps the most interesting parts of the novel for me were not so much his thoughts and concerns (although they were important), but instead all the things I learned about Mitchener himself. Like how he grew up poor, without a father, left home at 14, traveled around, enlisted in the Navy, married a Japanese woman, and all sorts of other things I didn't expect. Although, its no doubt that these experiences are what make his writing so realistic and enjoyable.
November 16, 2018
This has slight air of "you kids get off of my lawn," to it, but it also has many solid points. Michener was in his late 80s when he wrote it and it was published in 1995, so it was dated when I read it in 2018. However, I think old people often know a few things, and it was interesting to see how things he thought were problems in 1995 have turned out in 2018. Sadly, most of the problems he identified have only grown worse in the intervening years.
I thought he had a few insights that were prescient for his time. He identified in the Gingrich republican revolution the seeds of Trumpism. He also sensibly identified American problems with education, race relations, and healthcare, but those were non-obvious even then. I liked it, and it was a quick read, but it is too out of date for me to strongly recommend it to anyone but a die hard Michener fan.
I thought he had a few insights that were prescient for his time. He identified in the Gingrich republican revolution the seeds of Trumpism. He also sensibly identified American problems with education, race relations, and healthcare, but those were non-obvious even then. I liked it, and it was a quick read, but it is too out of date for me to strongly recommend it to anyone but a die hard Michener fan.
June 10, 2021
This Noble Land: My Vision for America by James Michener written in 1996 is his concept for what he believed needed to happen in America to deal with the issues of 1996. He identified and examined American issues like deep racial conflict, the widening divide between the rich and poor, and our health care system and access to it were examined and proposes interventions and change.
Reading this book in 2021 was eye opening. 25 years later we are comforted with many of the same challenges. The sobering reality how slow change can be becomes absolutely obvious. Combined with that was an awareness of how incremental suggested interventions or solutions often are.
In this year I found this book to be a thought-provoking stimulus. We continue to have a lot of work to do to achieve the possibilities of This Noble Land!
Reading this book in 2021 was eye opening. 25 years later we are comforted with many of the same challenges. The sobering reality how slow change can be becomes absolutely obvious. Combined with that was an awareness of how incremental suggested interventions or solutions often are.
In this year I found this book to be a thought-provoking stimulus. We continue to have a lot of work to do to achieve the possibilities of This Noble Land!
September 19, 2023
I’ve recently gotten back to Michener, because he was huge when I was growing up, and at the age of 10, I would never been able to attack his books that were huge, thick books on my mother’s shelves.
However, now I’m enjoying his style of writing and the epic stories appearing within. But this nonfiction book, that was published in the late ‘90’s. Michener really gives some insight into what this country would fracture into, and pretty much predicts the situation that we’re in right now.
I don’t agree with all of his suggestions to correct the ship, but they definitely could help the discussion.
If you haven’t read this, I’d recommend it strongly, although I really like his historical fiction much better.
However, now I’m enjoying his style of writing and the epic stories appearing within. But this nonfiction book, that was published in the late ‘90’s. Michener really gives some insight into what this country would fracture into, and pretty much predicts the situation that we’re in right now.
I don’t agree with all of his suggestions to correct the ship, but they definitely could help the discussion.
If you haven’t read this, I’d recommend it strongly, although I really like his historical fiction much better.
May 5, 2024
The book is clearly dated, only some of which stands the test of time. Maybe I would have given it a higher rating if I had read it in 1997.
I was disappointed that Michener's writing style seemed stilted and at times pedantic. He attempted to help us understand what makes a nation great and how the United States was living up to his ideals. Some of his insights feel almost prophetic, but much of it was biased by his own life story. I would have hoped for more insight from him.
I was disappointed that Michener's writing style seemed stilted and at times pedantic. He attempted to help us understand what makes a nation great and how the United States was living up to his ideals. Some of his insights feel almost prophetic, but much of it was biased by his own life story. I would have hoped for more insight from him.
February 14, 2026
The book is clearly dated, only some of which stands the test of time. Maybe I would have given it a higher rating if I had read it in 1997.
I was disappointed that Michener's writing style seemed stilted and at times pedantic. He attempted to help us understand what makes a nation great and how the United States was living up to his ideals. Some of his insights feel almost prophetic, but much of it was biased by his own life story. I would have hoped for more insight from him.
I was disappointed that Michener's writing style seemed stilted and at times pedantic. He attempted to help us understand what makes a nation great and how the United States was living up to his ideals. Some of his insights feel almost prophetic, but much of it was biased by his own life story. I would have hoped for more insight from him.
April 22, 2018
A cautionary tale! Written during Bill Clinton's tenure, Michener looks at the political and social trends of that time and predicts... well, we're there today, and beyond it in some ways. I was skeptical as I was reading, because Michener is obviously of the WWII generation, but if you can get past some of his innate generational biases, I found him to be sincere and on point.
August 31, 2018
On point
I think Michener makes very good points in this interesting book. It is just as relevant today as when it was written. Some ideas didn't turn out but most are still valid. I have the same fear of where we are headed and feel we have lost the ideals that started this grand experiment
I think Michener makes very good points in this interesting book. It is just as relevant today as when it was written. Some ideas didn't turn out but most are still valid. I have the same fear of where we are headed and feel we have lost the ideals that started this grand experiment
July 22, 2019
Interesting reflections from a wonderful writer. His liberal views are sometimes strained, "the government should solve all social problems" is a bit beyond my comfort level though. Sadly so many problems, especially racial, all races, socio-economic problems identified find their root in the loss of moral foundation and turn from religion.
November 22, 2021
Even though this book was released in 1996, it is still very relevant, about our country 25 years later. He talks about race relations, taking care of our disadvantaged citizens, gun control, the need to invest money in our country, the lack of a national health care system, as well as how or government runs. I've loved his fiction books but this was an excellent non-fiction.
November 1, 2024
Not a story, just his opinions on life
I was expecting a story, but it was all just facts and opinions about what would make things better.
I agreed with his outlook, but it got boring. I couldn't finish it.
I was expecting a story, but it was all just facts and opinions about what would make things better.
I agreed with his outlook, but it got boring. I couldn't finish it.
May 7, 2017
Interesting.
December 18, 2019
Opinion about the future of the US.
May 20, 2020
Bless Michie, his worries for future America don’t seem to be nearly as unrelentingly hopeless as the ones little American peeps have today.
November 14, 2020
Do not agree with his political posture.
October 31, 2022
If you read nothing else, read "The Young Colonels" chapter. Written in the mid-1990s, it is eerily prescient. Same stuff, different decade.
July 29, 2024
Good insights, but dated
February 18, 2025
Written in 1996 and was interesting to see many of his predictions and observations materialized.
May 18, 2013
He is a great novelist, but I am very much disappointed in this "Vision for America." Although he makes some profound points about our problems, his "solutions" are no more than statements about what he things should ideally happen. Moreover, he takes a generally liberal approach while admittedly not knowing exactly how these ideas will work. Toward the end, he reveals that this book was inspired in response to the "Republican Revolution." In fairness, James Michener has seen a lot of history and experienced as many cultures as just about anyone. So he has a right to comment on the topic. He does adequately refute anyone who calls him "un-American" because of his agenda. And I do see validity in his points about the impending malaise of our economic status in the international market, as well as the strong probability of major racial upheaval in the next century. However, the other policies he advocates seem to lack a basis in logic. Universal health care is in principle a good thing, but I do not believe an unfounded criticism against he profit-seeking health care industry is the answer. His advocacy of gun control is based on commonly misused statistics and unrepresentative of the founding principles Michener understands well. He does make a powerful argument for the value of the social safety net, but against a stark picture of an ever-growing welfare culture, a something-must-be-done-and-surely-some-economists-can-do-it attitude is inadequate for the task at hand. Michener sees a noble land and no one portrays it better than he does. While he did affect my thinking in some areas, he does not have the answers.
January 27, 2012
Michener’s love of America and deep concern for our nation’s future drove him to write “This Noble Land” (Random House, 1996) the year before he died. The author was very astute in identifying the real issues that plaque our nation today. For a man who loved America as much as I do, I disagree with many of his recommendations and solutions to achieve a path forward to a common goal. I’ll remember him most for his very fine historical novels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews