August 2026: Hibner to present at Michener Society Conference

Perry Hibner, author of the book Centennial Revisited: An Oral History of the Epic TV Miniseries, will present at the annual James A. Michener Society Conference, which this year is scheduled to take place Sept. 24-27 in Greeley, Colo.

Hibner will present to members during their evening program on Friday, Sept. 25. He will discuss his book and share stories. Hibner interacted with a handful of Michener Society members when he presented at the LINC Library in April in Greeley. Hibner will have completed more than 25 presentations, Q&As and book signings by that time.

Among those interviewed and included in Hibner’s oral history book is Ed Gambs, who is a former president of the Michener Society.

The Michener Society was formed in the fall of 1998 and is composed of people who share a common interest in James Michener's life and work. The first conference was held in Greeley in 1999 and locations selected have a connection to Michener or his works. Each year, a book Michener wrote is the focus of the conference. This year’s book discussion will be on Centennial, which was published in 1974 and is Michener’s best-selling novel.

At its peak, there were 225 Michener Society members in 2007, but by 2025 it had declined to 43 members.

Hibner and his colleague, Eric Nelson, attended last year’s Michener Society Conference, which took place in mid-October in the Philadelphia area.

Hibner’s book contains more than 75 interviews with cast, crew, extras, locals, experts, and fans. Among those interviewed were Gregory Harrison (Levi Zendt), Barbara Carrera (Clay Basket), Cristina Raines (Lucinda McKeag Zendt), Cliff DeYoung (John Skimmerhorn), William Atherton (Jim Lloyd), Stephen McHattie (Jake Pasquinel), Kario Salem (Mike Pasquinel), Mark Harmon (Captain John McIntosh), and John Wilder, who adapted the James A. Michener best-selling novel for television and was the main producer. The book also includes excerpts from more than 60 primary sources.

Centennial Revisited was published by Dorrance Publishing and released on March 11. The hardcover and e-book are available on the Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites along with in bookstores. The hardcover, paperback and e-book are also available on the Dorrance Publishing website.