Fun Facts Friday: James A. Michener

James A. Michener (3 February, 1907 – 16 October, 1997) was an American author and Pulitzer Prize winner.

Books by James A. Michener

1)      Mr. Michener did not know his biological parents or where he was born. He was raised by his adoptive parents in Doylestown, PA.

2)      After graduating from college he became a high school English teacher.

3)      During World War II Mr. Michener served in the US Navy. He traveled all of the South Pacific Ocean on different assignments which he was given by his commanders who mistakenly believed he was related to Admiral Marc Mitscher.

4)      He was assigned as a Navy historian in the South Pacific, his start in a writing career.

5)      In 1962 Mr. Michener tried to run as the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from PA, but did not get elected.

6)      Mr. Michener turned his notes and impressions as a Navy historian into his first boo, Tales of the South Pacific, published in 1947.

7)      He won the Pulitzer Prize for Tales of the South Pacific a year later, 1948, the book was turned into a successful Broadway musical and feature film called simply South Pacific.

8)      During his lifetime, Mr. Michener sold over 75 million copies of his novels worldwide.

9)      Mr. Michener was known to do meticulous research for his novels.

10)   Mr. Michener was also known as a very generous philanthropist, donating more than $100 million to educational, cultural, and writing institutions.

Books by James A. Michener

Zohar – Man of la Book