Super Short Summary

Centennial by James A. Michener explores the history of Centennial, Colorado, through various eras, starting from its geological formation, the lives of indigenous Arapaho people like Lame Beaver, and the arrival of European settlers and fur traders. The novel captures the evolution of the region, the struggle over resources, the establishment of the beet industry, and the Dust Bowl's impact on agriculture, culminating in a modern reflection on the region's future by descendant Paul Garrett. The book includes themes of violence towards native peoples and environmental degradation.