James A. Michener's masterly chronicle of South Africa is an epic tale of adventurers, scoundrels, and ministers, the best and worst of two continents who carve an empire out of a vast wilderness. From the Java-born Van Doorn family tree springs two great branches: one nurtures lush vineyards, the other settles the interior to become the first Trekboers and Afrikaners. The Nxumalos, inhabitants of a peaceful village unchanged for centuries, unite warrior tribes into the powerful Zulu nation. And the wealthy Saltwoods are missionaries and settlers who join the masses to influence the wars and politics that ravage a nation. Rivalries and passions spill across the land of The Covenant, a story of courage and heroism, love and loyalty, and cruelty and betrayal, as generations fight to forge a new world. Praise for The Covenant "A prodigious endeavor . . . Nowhere else could an American reader unfamiliar with South Africa get so full an understanding of its problems in so engaging a form."--The New York Times Book Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition. Editorial Reviews Review "A prodigious endeavor . . . Nowhere else could an American reader unfamiliar with South Africa get so full an understanding of its problems in so engaging a form."--The New York Times Book Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition. From the Inside Flap With his unique ability to brilliantly portray a land and its people, James A. Michener has taken on the establishment of modern-day South Africa and, in this bold and boisterous novel, made it his own. In this epic tale of struggle and adventure, peopled with missionaries, tribesmen, adventurers and scoundrels, we learn of the sweeping passions and intense rivalries that play an important part in the development of a flourishing empire. From the Java-born Van Dooms, whose descendants become the first Treknoers and Afrikaners, to the Nxumalos, who help to forge the powerful Zulu nation -- this is a stow of love and loyalty, cruelty and betrayal, adventure and heroism, from the mind of a master storyteller. Look for other titles by James A. Michener available from Random House AudioBooks, including Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico and Texas. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.