Welcome to the
official
web site of the
The
James
A.
Michener Society
was formed in the fall of 1998 and is composed of people who share a
common
interest in James Michener's life and work. The following words,
excerpted from a letter by the late John Kings, James Michener's
long-time
friend and literary assistant, describe the purpose of the James A.
Michener
Society...
The
Purpose of the Society is to:
* preserve the intellectual legacy of James A. Michener as a writer,
teacher,
historian, public servant, patriot and philanthropist;
* ensure that future generations have full access to all his writings;
* promote the exchange of ideas and information about his writings;
* encourage fellowship among readers of his writings;
* inform devotees and members of the Society about recent publications
and
critiques of his writings.
The
Society accomplishes this through a number of
activities. A Newsletter is published
periodically.
An annual meeting of members is held at locations closely associated
with the
life of James Michener. In the past, they have been held at the
University of
Northern Colorado in Greeley, home of the James A. Michener Library and
Archives; Austin, Texas, where Michener was associated with the Writing
School
and lived the last years of his life; Doylestown, Pennsylvania,
Michener's
childhood home and the location of the Michener Art Museum; and Easton,
Maryland, where Michener lived while writing Chesapeake.
Society activities provide the occasion for sharing of memories and
anecdotes
that illuminate the Michener books and other writings in a special
way.
Eventually, the Society expects to sponsor seminars, lectures and other
events
that will provide opportunities for fellowship among members and a
forum for
the discussion of James Michener's writings and the many facets of his
life.
[The Society operates under the aegis of the University of Northern
Colorado Foundation. All funds are deposited with the Foundation for
the use of the Society and all contributions are deductible by donors
since the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.]
If
this
brief description of the Society and its activities has
piqued your interest, you are invited to print out and complete the membership
application
and to submit it to the Treasurer of the Society (P.O. Box 1126,
Lyndonville,
Vermont 05851).
$12 for calendar year (please add $3 surcharge for overseas mailings)
$18 for a couple at the same address...(single Newsletter subscription)
$10 for a Gift Membership (1st year) from a member, for an individual or a couple
$50 for an Institutional Membership (includes 10 copies of each Newsletter)
(Dues are based on the calendar year, so a new member will receive any previously published newsletter for the year in which dues are first paid.)
$500 for a Lifetime Membership*
$2500 to become a Benefactor*
(*) New Life Members and Benefactors will receive signed First Edition copies of James A. Michener: A Bibliography
A limited number of copies are also available for sale (cf. "The Bibliographers" link below)
James A.
Michener
Biography
Michener Autobiographical Interview (with
audio)
James A. Michener Centennial Celebration
The
Bibliographers: Roberts & Rhine...and Groseclose
The
Michener Collection at the University of Northern Colorado
Society
Officers for 2008
President....Richard
E. Gibboney - Greeley, CO
Vice-President.....Edwin
P. Gambs - Logan, IA
Secretary........Joy
V. Bliss - Albuquerque, NM 
Treasurer..A.
Richard Boera - Lyndonville, VT
Directors
Mercer
Bristow -
State College, PA
Don Conover - Newtown, PA
John Dietz - Greeley, CO
Arthur Giffin - Castle Rock, CO
David Groseclose - Phoenix, AZ
Robert Guthmann - Greeley, CO
Honorary
Directors
Deborah
Brothers, - Austin, TX
Walter Cronkite - New York, NY
Owen Laster - New York, NY
Stan Musial - St. Louis, MO
Robert Vavra - El Cajon, CA
Newsletter
Editors.....Joy
Bliss & Gay
Dybwad
Parliamentarian.....Dorothy
Roberts -
Greeley, CO
Historian.....Kacy
Guill - Loveland,
CO
To view a
sample Newsletter...just
click here
>>> 
Newsletter
all-time
index (chronological)>>>
Newsletter
all-time index (by
author)>>>
For
further
information about the Society, please click on one of the mailboxes
above.
James A. Michener Art Museum
The NASA Connection - "Why Man Explores"
"My Dialysis Calendar" - and JAM Tribute
JAM Obituary
Stephen May's great new Michener Biography
Working with Michener: The Making of The Covenant - Errol Lincoln Uys
JAM Photos & Comments - Roger Bansemer
The Charitable Legacy of James Michener
and finally...,
...if James Michener has "hooked" you on Japanese woodblock prints...after reading his
1962 essay, you might want to browse the rest of this "dangerously distracting" web site:
When Does Education Stop?
(Click on
image to
enlarge)
Matador
Michener
Medal of
Freedom
Our
Hero
"Texian"
"Boy, I
can tell a story. I can get a person, with moderate interest in what I
am
writing about, and if she or he will stay with me for the first one
hundred
pages, which are very difficult, and I make them difficult, he will be
hooked. He will want to know what's happening on the
next
story and the next story and the next. That I have. And that's a
wonderful
gift. That's storytelling. And I prize it. I try to keep it cleaned up.
I try
to keep it on
focus." JAM...in
response to an interviewer's question)
just published by the University Press of Colorado? Its 141 pages of unique photos,
43 pages of fascinating reminiscences, and 15 pages of 'Michener in his own words'
comprise a treasure trove that belongs on the current reading table of every Society
member...even if you're not a JAM collector. Incidentally, charter member Vavra was
elected an Honorary Director of the Society at our 2007 annual meeting in Greeley.
past president of the American Philatelic Society...a prime mover in making it come true
On May 12th (coincident with the date that new postal rates go into effect), a 59¢ definitive stamp will be issued to honor James Michener as part of the Distinguished Americans series...printed in small panes of 20. (59 cents will pay for first class mail
up to 2 ounces.) Here's a preview of the design
U.S. Navy lieutenant during WWII. The stamps and/or a first day cover can still be ordered on-line.
the next Newsletter or a special mailing.
Here's
to you,new member!
Web site created 10/22/05...Dick Boera
Updated
3-18-08