{"product_id":"book-product-listing-copy-1","title":"The Covenant Volume 1 — James A. Michener First Edition Historical Epic Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Covenant by James A. Michener is an epic historical novel tracing 15,000 years of South African history from the earliest inhabitants through colonial settlement—a sweeping narrative that became Michener's signature style of character-driven history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis first edition from 1980 follows the Bushmen, the Dutch, and the English through the South African landscape, with detailed maps and historical context that make this 526-page novel feel both intimate and monumental.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's the kind of book collectors choose when they want to understand a place through fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eItem:\u003c\/strong\u003e Novel, hardcover with dust jacket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Covenant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e James A. Michener\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Random House, New York\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1980\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdition:\u003c\/strong\u003e First Trade Edition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardcover, Volume I\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 526\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maps by Jean Paul Tremblay, chapter illustrations in Bushmen style by Lois Ericson, genealogical charts, author photograph, historical notes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, illustrated with baobab tree illustration in yellow oval on black background\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yellow-orange cloth with gold lettering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\" H × 6\" W × 1\" D\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition Grade: Good\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePositives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterior pages clean and well-preserved with no markings or tears\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eText readable throughout with clear illustrations and maps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBinding solid and secure, pages intact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDust jacket present with original artwork and design intact where visible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA complete first edition copy in working condition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssues \/ Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDust jacket shows visible wear, scuffing, and at least one tear along edges (primary condition factor)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExpected shelf wear to cloth boards and spine from age and handling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYellow binding shows light aging consistent with 40+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSee all photos for detail — sold as pictured.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Grade Key\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNear Fine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery Good:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood:\u003c\/strong\u003e Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFair:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCollector's Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichener spent years researching South Africa before writing this novel, visiting the country multiple times to understand the landscape, people, and history that shaped it. The Covenant was one of his most ambitious projects—a complete social and historical narrative of an entire nation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/collections\/vintage-classic-books\" title=\"fiction collection\"\u003eThis is the book for readers who love historical fiction with real substance.\u003c\/a\u003e Not a light read, but the kind that stays with you and teaches you something true about the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVolume I sets the foundation from ancient times through the Dutch settlement era. The maps and illustrations support the narrative throughout, making it easier to follow the sweeping timelines and multiple storylines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA significant historical novel from Michener at his most ambitious, and the kind of epic fiction that belongs on a serious reader's shelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhoto-verified condition (\u003ca title=\"shipping policy\" href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/shipping-policy\"\u003eno surprises\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePacked with our protective packaging standard\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShips in 1 business day\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDisclaimer\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—\u003ca title=\"about reading vintage\" href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/about-reading-vintage\"\u003eplease review them carefully, as they are part of the description. \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare and Handling:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHandle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Orders $35+ Ship Free","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48687766896895,"sku":"G4 – T4 – 2900","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2503\/7976\/files\/8D1DFFB6-2B91-408A-8E8F-3070972576EC.jpg?v=1781535867","url":"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/products\/book-product-listing-copy-1","provider":"Reading Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}