Using extensive research and his own journeys as the basis for his work, James Michener has a bibliography with hundreds of titles, including magazine articles, forewords and of course his numerous books. His longer works are geographically based epics that stretch, in some cases, to over 1,000 pages. Michener was equally adept at creating non-fiction works about a variety of countries and islands, documenting his own appreciation of their art and culture.
Michener's first major novel came in 1947 and was based on his experiences working as a naval lieutenant during the war. Tales of the South Pacific was an immediate hit, winning the Pulitzer Prize. It was also adapted by Rodgers and Hammerstein into their ever popular musical, South Pacific. As his debut, and probably most famous, work, first editions of Tales of the South Pacific are popular amongst collectors.
The title with the most interest amongst collectors, perhaps surprisingly, is The Modern Japanese Print: An Appreciation, published in 1962. The book included ten original wood block prints and was a limited run of just 510 copies. First editions can reach in excess of $3,000 at auction.
Michener achieved fame during his career with various bestsellers. But his legacy lives on today, not just in his works, but with a number of scholarships, bequests, museums, societies and even restaurants and hotel suites bearing his name. As well as the musical screen adaptation of South Pacific, more than a dozen films have been adapted from his novels. James A. Michener has left behind him a significant legacy for collectors.
Michener, James A. Tales of the South Pacific. Macmillan, New York (1947).
Michener, James. Fires of Spring. Random House, New York (1949).
Michener, James A. Tales of the South Pacific. The Macmillan Company, New York (1949). Later printing
Michener, James A. Tales of the South Pacific. Macmillan and Co., New York (1950). Booksellers Edition of 1500 copies signed by author
Michener, James. Tales of the South Pacific. Macmillan, New York (1950). Later printings
Michener, James. Return to Paradise. Random House, New York (1951). More tales from the South Pacific
Michener, James A. The Voice of Asia. Random House, New York (1951). Stated first printing
Michener, James A. The Bridges at Toko-ri. Random House, New York (1953).
Michener, James A. Floating World. Random House, New York (1954). Stated first printing
Michener, James. Sayonara. Random House, New York (1954). A Japanese-American Love Story; Stated first printings
Michener, James A. Sayonara. Tuttle, Japan (1954). A Japanese-American Love Story; First Japanese printing
Michener, James A. Rascals in Paradise. Secker and Warburg, London (1957). A. Grove Day (coauthor); True Tales of High Adventure in the South Pacific; First UK Edition
Michener, James A. Rascals in Paradise. Random House, New York (1957). A. Grove Day (coauthor); True Tales of High Adventure in the South Pacific
Michener, James A. The Bridge at Andau. Random House, New York (1957).
Michener, James A/. The Hokusai Sketch Books. Tuttle, Japan (1958). Katsushika, Hokusai (illustrator); selections from the Manga; Illustrated with 187 full-page plates plus text decorations; Japan edition
Michener, James A. The Hokusai Sketch-Books. Charles E Tuttle and Co, Vermont (1958). Katsushika, Hokusai (illustrator); selections from the Manga; Illustrated with 187 full-page plates plus text decorations
Michener, James A. Hawaii. Random House, New York (1959). Limited first issue 400 numbered copies signed by Michener
Michener, James A. Japanese Prints. Charles E. Tuttle Company, Rutland, Vermont (1959). From the Early Masters to the Modern. Notes on Prints by Richard Lane; 257 plates, 55 in full colour
Michener, James A. The Hokusai Sketchbooks. Charles E. Tuttle, Rutland, Vermont (1959). Katsushika, Hokusai (illustrator); selections from the Manga; Illustrated with 187 full-page plates plus text decorations
Michener, James A. Japanese Prints. Charles E. Tuttle, Tokyo (1960). From the Early Masters to the Modern. Notes on Prints by Richard Lane; 257 plates, 55 in full colour
Michener, James A. Report of the County Chairman. Random House, New York (1961).
Michener, James A. Modern Japanese Print. Tuttle, Rutland Vermont (1962). With Ten Original Prints by Hiratsuka Un'Ichi, Maekawa Sempan, Mori Yoshitoshi, Watanabe Sadao, Kinoshita Tomio, Shima Tamami, Azechi Umetaro, Iwami Reika, Yoshida Masaji, Maki Haku; 1st edition of 510 numbered copies signed by Michener and all artists; wooden splicase
Michener, James. Caravans. Random House, New York (1963).
Michener, James A. The Source. Random House, New York (1965). Illustrated with maps
Michener, James A. Iberia. Random House, New York (1968). Spanish travels and reflections; illustrated with black and white photographs by Richard Varva; a limited issue of 500 numbered copies signed by Michener
Michener, James A. Presidential Lottery. Random House, New York (1969). The Reckless Gamble in Our Election System
Michener, James A. Facing East. Maecenas Press, NY (1970). Part I: text by Michener and 4 original lithographs and 1 woodcuts by Jack Levine; Part II: Sketchbook by Levine-54 hand coloured plates; 2500 numbered copies signed by author and artist
Michener, James A. The Quality of Life. Girard Bank, Philadelphia (1970). Illustrated by James B Wyeth with 9 reproduction of paintings; commissioned by Girard Co.;
Michener, James A. Kent State. Random House, New York (1971). What Happened and Why
Michener, James A. The Drifters. Random House, New York (1971). Limited first edition of 500 numbered copies signed by author
Vavra, Robert (Forward by James A. Michener). Bulls of Iberia. Robert Vavra, Sevilla, Spain (1972). Foreword by Michener; black and white photography by Robert Vavra; Life and Death of the Fighting Bull; Subscriber's Edition
Michener, James A. Centennial. Random House Inc, New York (1974). Limited issue 500 numbered copies, signed by author
Michener, James A. Chesapeake. Random House, New York (1978). Limited issue 500 numbered copies, signed by author
Michener, James A. Japanese Prints. Charles E.Tuttle Company, Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo, Japan (1979). Notes on prints by Richard Lane; From The Early Masters To the Modern; later printing
Michener, James A. The Covenant. Random House, Inc., New York (1980). First Trade Edition; limited slipcase edition of 500 numbered copies signed by author
Michener, James A. Space. Random House, New York (1982). Limited first edition issue of 500 numbered copies signed by author
Michener, James A. Poland. Random House, New York (1983). Limited first edition issue of 500 numbered and signed copies with slipcase
Michener, James A. Texas. Random House, New York (1985). Limited first edition of 1000 numbered and signed copies in slipcase
Michener, James A. Texas. Univiversity of Texas Press, Austin, Texas (1986). black and white illustrations by Charlie Shaw; Sesquicentennial Edition of 400 copies signed by author and artist; 2 volumes
Michener, James A. Alaska. Random House, New York (1988). Limited first edition of 1000 numbered and signed copies in slipcase
Michener, James A. Centennial. Easton Press, Norwalk (1988). 5000 copies; 2 volumes
Michener, James A. Caribbean. Random House, New York (1989). Limited first edition of 1000 numbered and signed copies specially bound
Michener, James A. Centennial. The Easton Press, Connecticut (1989). Illustrated by Jeff Fisher; new intro by Michener; Collector's edition; reprint; 2 volumes
Michener, James A. Chesapeake. The Easton Press, Connecticut (1989). Illustrated by Alan Phillips; new intro by Michener; Collector's edition; reprint; 2 volumes
Michener, James A. Journey. Random House, New York (1989).
Michener, James A. Space. Easton Press, Connecticut (1990). Illustrated by Bob Eggleton; 2 volumes
Michener, James A. Texas. Random House, New York (1990). Limited edition of 1000 numberd and signed copies
Michener, James A. The Covenant. Easton Press, Connecticut (1990). Illustrated by Richard Sparks; 2 volumes
Michener, James A. The Eagle and the raven. State House Press, Austin, Texas (1990). Illustrated by Charles Shaw; Limited edition of 350 numbered copies signed by author and artist
Michener, James A. Mexico. Random House, New York (1992). Limited First Edition of 400 numbered and signed copies
Michener, James A. South Pacific. Gulliver, HBJ, New York (1992). Illustrated by Michael Hague; Limited edition of 250 numbered copies signed by author and illustrator
Michener, James A. South Pacific. Gulliver's Books, San Diego, CA (1992). Rodgers, Richard
Michener, James A. The World Is My Home. Random House, Inc., New York (1992). A Memoir; Limited edition of 500 numbered copies signed by author
Michener, James A. Recessional. Random House, New York (1994). Illustrated by Franca Nucci Haynes; 500 specially-bound, numbered copies signed by Michener
Michener, James A. Recessional. Franklin Library, Franklin Center, PA (1994). Special Limited Edition – Leather Bound; signed by author
Michener, James A. Ventures in Editing. James Cahill Publishing, California (1995). Limited Edition; 26 deluxe lettered copies signed by Michener; total edition of 300
Michener, James A. James A. Michener. State House Press, Austin (1996). A Bibliography Compiled by David A. Groseclose; limited 100 copies signed by Groseclose and Michener
Michener, James A. A Century of Sonnets. State House Press, Austin, Texas (1997). Published in celebration of James A. Michener's 90th Birthday.; Limited deluxe edition of 250 numbered copies signed by author