I admit it - when it comes to studying history, I'm pretty lazy. If it makes the front page of the paper, I'm forced to take a class about it, or someone brings it up in conversation (and is willing to explain it to me), I'm all for learning about history. But actually take it upon myself to read history for pleasure? Perish the thought.

I bought a book entitled the History of America that became so dust-covered that I fear I left it in my old house prior to my move. I've read Anna Karenina, but please don't ask me to read Russian history. And the closest I've come to understanding the antebellum south is by reading historical romance novels.

Yes, it is shameful to admit that much of my knowledge of history comes from reading fictionalize accounts of it, but it is what it is. Even if what it is is pretty pathetic.

And that, my friends, is why I love James Michener. No longer do I have to hide my shame behind camoflouged book covers or pretend I'm really interested historical England (instead of romance) when I read Jane Eyre. James Michener is my own personal history professor in disguise! He's done all the reserach for me, written about all the highlights and served it up in a juicy volume numbering hundreds of pages for my education. I've read a number of books by him, but the ones that stand out the most are 'Journey' (who knew the Klondike Gold Rush took place in Alaska?), The Covenant (from which I learned more about the settling of South Africa, Boers and Afrikaaners than I ever thought possible) and Hawaii (who knew a whole culture had been wiped out?).

James Michener is my ticket to understanding places and events which I'd never normally have any interest in. If you, like me, have little interest in reading history, studying history or even typing words with history in them, I would suggest you pick up one of his books. Next on my list are 'Caribbean', 'Centennial', 'Poland' and 'Texas'