A GOOD READ by Barbara Buxton

If you are interested in history, nothing is quite so satisfying as a good historical saga. Many writers have taken up the challenge to bring the past alive to readers, some with a single book and some with a series.

A number of writers have used the technique of following a genealogical line or a particular place across the centuries. One of the first and most prolific of these was James Michener. Covering much of the western world and timelines back to the prehistoric, Michener has brought us Hawaii, Alaska, Poland, Mexico, The Source (about Israel) and even Space, as well as many others — all tracing the history of the place through vibrant characters and excellent plots.

A more recent writer doing similar work is Edward Rutherfurd, who uses both place and genealogy to trace several families through many generations from prehistoric to modern times in The Forest, about the New Forest in England, London and Sarum, about the past and current city of Salisbury, England. He also wrote two books about Ireland’s stormy past: The Princes of Ireland and The Rebels of Ireland. Going further afield, he has written Ruska: The Novel of Russia and, coming out in November, New York.

A Canadian historical novel that follows the same pattern is Vancouver by David Cruise and Allison Griffiths, the story of the people who built the city, from the first nomadic wanderers to the business leaders of the modern day.

In The Blessing Stone, instead of using place or family, Barbara Wood follows the destiny of a piece of a meteorite that falls to Earth millions of years ago in Africa and moves through the ancient world to Europe and eventually to the 19th century American West.

Some writers have chosen to tell their stories in a series of novels.

Morgan Llywlyn has a wonderful series about the Irish fight for freedom from England in the 20th century, titled with dates of significance: 1916, 1921, 1949, 1972 and 1999. She has also written several historical novels about ancient Ireland.

Another wonderfully entertaining series is by Jack Whyte about King Arthur, beginning with Skystone, which tells us of Merlin’s father and the forging of Excalibur. Whyte's more recent trilogy is an exciting story about the Knights Templar, beginning with Knights of the Black and White.

Another writer who follows the life of King Arthur through a series is Bernard Cornwell, beginning with The Winter King. For those who like military history, Cornwell has a second series about Britain’s war with France during the 1800s, beginning with Sharpe’s Gold.

Other historical writers cover shorter time frames but are epic in scope nonetheless.

Beverly Swerling wrote City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan, a well-plotted tale about early Manhattan and the beginnings of medical science.

In Cape Cod, William Martin follows a family from the Mayflower through several generations to modern times. Cecelia Holland has written a number of historical epics, including Pillar of the Sky, about the early tribes of England; The Sea Beggars, about the Netherlands in the 16th century; The Witches Kitchen, about the Vikings; and others.

Anna Lee Waldo, using both history and legend, tells the fascinating story of Madoc, a Welsh tribesman of the 12th century who travels to the new world in Circle of Stones and Circle of Stars.

A couple of family sagas from earlier writers are also well worth mentioning.

R.F. Delderfield, author of Brideshead Revisited, also wrote a series about a family during the industrial revolution in England. Beginning with God is an Englishman, the reader follows the twists and turns of the Swann family, which builds a successful cartage business as railroads develop in England.

And in Canada, the books of Mazo de la Roche have been bestsellers since 1927, when Jalna began a series of books about the pioneering Whiteoak family in southern Ontario. These books are now being reprinted for a new generation of readers.

Historical fiction fans can find all these titles and many more in their local public libraries.

A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published every Wednesday. Barbara Buxton is head of adult services with Port Moody Public Library.