I was in awe reading about the adventures of Smoke Jensen and Preacher The action was fast and brutal, a real page-turner. You can almost smell the gunsmoke! I'm glad I finally discovered Mr. Johnstone.

The book The Last Mountain Man is about an 18 year old boy named Smoke, who swears to get revenge on the men who killed his father and brother. Smoke lives with a mountain man named Preacher, who teaches Smoke everything he needs to know about the west. I would recommend this book to any one who like westerns and/or action books.

"The Last Mountain Man" is the beginning of the Smoke Jensen story. Smoke is a raw naive kid, who learns fast, and won't take any crap from any outlaw murdering thief. If you like the Western genre you'll LOVE William W. Johnstone's "Mountain Man" series. Smoke Jensen is genuine.

This haunting mystery has to be The Great American Novel. I see echoes of Faulkner, Hemingway, McCullers, Kesey, Warren, Rawlings, etc. The author, R. E. Mather, is one of the best writers of our times, and as a personal acquaintance of the characters involved, she gives special insights into these unsolved suicides or murders. This mystifying story of small-town life during World War II will remain in my memory for a long, long time.

Once I read the first page of this mystery novel, I was hooked, couldn't let it go till I finished. It's unusual for an engrossing mystery to also recreate an accurate picture of a fascinating historical era, in this instance World War II. Mather's style of writing and the honesty of the content remind me of Hemingway. I'd be willing to bet I know the remote little town that is the setting of these murders, or possible suicides, because every colorful detail rings true.

A great read for mystery fans. I could not put the book down. But in one way this book is different than most mystery novels. I felt a strong emotional connection to the main characters. To me, the losses suffered by the Lincoln family were symbolic of the loss of the American family.

Ann Ellis is the real deal! She's raw American...living, working, loving, and raising children in the gruelingly hard world of the mining towns of the Rocky Mountains, years before the amenities that we American women take for granted today...things like running water, ample heating, and doctors always available for very sick children.But Ann is tough and savvy, witty, and has a great sense of fun, even in the toughest of times. Her life is richly-laden with deep emotion.Her descriptive style is pure and simple, but takes us right to her heart. She never complains...only explains.You read the book with a great sense of admiration for these strong women who raised strong families,loved their men, had dreams and joyful aspirations, even in times when they were struggling to find their way in this sometimes brutal world of their husbands' lust for gold and silver.This lady was a true pioneer in every sense of the word. Her story should be shared with anyone who finds strength in true accounts of brave American men and women.

With ingenuous humility, Anne Ellis recounts the first phase of her difficult life as if it were a cakewalk. Several passages convey such emotional impact that I remember them months later. A great read for anyone wishing to understand how women really lived in mining towns of the American West around the turn of the century.

No matter what your own life experience has been you will find things in this great book that you identify with. This true life experience is from a woman who lived a heroic experience from penniless poverty to being elected to public office, rising above all her own expectations, A wonderful book full of comedy, tragedy, drama, supence, you won't be able to put this book down.

This book was put together really well. Everything had an order and only once or twice did you feel like you were jumping back and forth between years(which is what I think is the problem with most books on history). I really enjoyed the time the author took to describe things like the sidesaddles themselves or all the stages of syphlis. The Whitmans were portrayed in a completely different light than what most children are taught in school. In a time when the women were all but ignored; I find it amazing that this author could find so much information about them so that we could finally read about who they were beyond the wives of missionaries. Thank you Laurie Carlson for all the hard work you put into this one. It was worth your time and dedication.

Carlson has written an absorbing and poignant account of these brave ladies. In addition to giving readers a good sense of these women as real people--not simply stoic helpmates in a great historical drama perpetuated by their missionary husbands--Carlson provides many telling details about aspects of frontier life, such as feminine hygiene, childbearing and sanitary practices, that previous historical accounts have overlooked. This book is a wonderful example of history from a woman's point of view, and it does a fine job of bringing the past vividly to life. Highly recommended.--Paul Slimak, in The Bookcase, Victorian Decorating & Lifestyles, February, 1999.

The characters seemed quite real. I was drawn to them in spite of their obvious human frailties. They were much like modern peace corps workers, idealistic but not very practical. Dedication to their individual faiths gave them both motivation and courage. The depictions of the characters lives in New England before their journey were disturbing. The severity of their lives made it easy to understand why they would choose such a dangerous path. Depictions of the Indian tribes concerned were historically accurate, but possibly not politically correct. I greatly enjoyed this example of Mrs Carlson's work. I look forward to seeing further work by this author.

David Hays, author of this book and editor of The Bugle, captures the spirit of wildness in his essays and captured my heart from the first page. With each essay I felt his passion for the land he loved and his homage to simplicity. Those who find respite in the wonderous western outdoors will feel their hearts swell as each essay is read. This author and his cat enjoyed a life that many of us can only dream of....but then, David Hays taught us that the dreams we have neatly boxed away are meant to be taken off the shelf and lived.

This is a real surprize for anyone unfamiliar with the author or with rich essays that were once part of a newpaere column. They are full of wisdom, humor, and mystery.

David, I am sorry I didn't tell you how much I liked "Passion below zero." I had been meaning to flirt with you more often. Know that I will flirt more often, and wisely, and I will think of you while I do so.

I read and enjoyed the book it seems to portray the behavior of the wild stallion and his herd very well. Good readablity factor.

This is a delightful, moving and insightful book for kids and adults of ALL ages. The print is big enough and the reading level easy enough for young children of reading age but the never before seen photography and insightful understanding shared by the author will thrill adults as well.

No one has ever observed and recorded the real life of any of America's precious, bold, highly intelligent and majestic Wild Horses as Kathren's does in this book. Their evolved social order and sometimes difficult but natural lives are fascinating to get a close look at. I would expect most people to keep this where guests to their home or offices would see it for years to come. This book makes a great gift for many occaisions. The only way this view can be enhanced is to go see the wild horses for oneself. If interested to ride to see the wild ones, contact the American Horse Defense Fund ... and see about taking the ride of your life to see other wild horses.

Ginger Kathrens book Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies captures the spirit of our love affair with wild horses and the trials of this long relationship. They have epitomized the American spirit and image yet suffered terribly from our ignorance and disregard all the while maintaining their magnificence. Kathrens book, through vivid images and heartfelt writings, allows the reader both young and old, from east or west to those who have never seen a horse in person or someone that has had the bliss to feel their aura, to all experience the wild horse. This is certainly a book for all ages.

Rarely do we get to enjoy the uniqueness of an animal such as we do with Cloud. People tend to write and think about animals as though they don't have lives of their own, but that is a serious and devastating human shortcoming. As the bumper sticker says, "Humans are not the only species on the planet, we just act like it." Yet from when we first see Cloud as a wobbly-kneed young foal, struggling to keep up, but persevering, we know he is a special and unique soul. This does not waiver all the way to when he is a strong young stallion facing the challenges of nature and man. We can only hope that Kathrens book (and accompanying documentary) will help us again recapture our respect for these magnificent animals before it is too late. Because if wild horses like Cloud disappear, so does the American spirit.

When I first started reading this book I thought it was good and interesting, but nothing major was really happening. Then about 3/4 of the way through I was completely shocked at the turn of events. I just sat there staring at the pages in complete disbelief that this author had the courage to do something this extreme and drastic. Now, obviously I can't tell you what she did, but I can tell you that it will make your eyes glued to the pages until the end of the book. This is an awesome series to read. I just started the fourth book and the plot makes your heart race starting from the first few pages. You won't regret reading this series.

This book is very well-written,and with a surprising plot. I was totally surprised at the events in this story. Kristen Heitzmann really likes to catch you off guard. I'm not going to give any of it away but believe me you'll be surprised like I was. Great character development and I can feel myself being sucked right into the characters'lives. I like surprises and Kristen Heitzmann didn't disappoint me with hers. I don't like books that are too predictable and same old boring plotline. Read it! You won't be disappointed.

This is a great book. Abbie has to face the worst tragedy of her life. I love these books I hope there will be alot more coming. Keep it up Kristen!

Smoke Gets a Letter from a cousin asking for help. Smoke nevers turns away people in need, and definetely not family. So Smoke packs up and heads for Montana. On the way he looks up some old tough mountain men friends. He knows the battle will be tough and he might even loose. But if he did how would we be able to read another book? Maybe he will win!!

In a review that I read on the book The last mountian man(where Smoke Jensen first comes into play) he is known as Kirby Jensen.
Not untill later on in the book is he referd to as "smoke".Also Preacher didnt take Smoke under his wing after Smokes father had been killed.Preacher had taken Smoke to teach him about being a mountianer and and teach him how to hunt and fight,basicaly train him in living in the mountians.Befor that winter Smokes' father was killed and Smoke spent the winter with Preacher praticing on pulling those 45's in a blur.Also it never mentioned that Smoke was a big man even when he was just a boy.
The only thing that the person got right on his review was start from the beginning and read all the books it will make everything come into play when you get to where you are going.

William W. Johnston writes the best, hardest to put down series I've ever read. His books are facinating. They talk about men that my dad talked about when he'd tell his growing up stories.He could have been an old mountain man. This particular book, JOURNEY OF A MOUNTAIN MAN was the first one of the series I read.It takes place in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Since I was born and raised in Montana and lived in all the rest of these states made the books even more readable.Then when I finished the book I went to the used bookstore I trade at and found many more of the series that had come before. I have not went wrong with any book Mr. Johnston has written. He has several series out such as THE BLOOD BOND SERIES, and THE EAGLES SERIES, and THE LAST GUNFIGHTER SERIES. They are all great reads. I just loved them all. They talk about the magnificent West and the totally magnificent men that populated it. The books display humor (in some),honor,courage, and chivilary. This is what being a man is all about as far as I'm concerned. My husband even read all the ones I found, too. He was a strictly a Louis LAMour reader. I was thrilled to have found something he could read and enjoy that was not a repeat. Myself included.

An enjoyable tale of adventure in one of the most beautiful areas on the planet. Readable and enjoyable.

Mr. Marty's first book should be required reading for anyone venturing into the resplendent Rocky Mountains of Canada. His vivid style and humourous, at times startling, observations are in themselves worth the effort. Mr. Marty's book will leave you with fond memories of places few of us have visited. As a result the reader may begin craving a visit to this superlative domain. Bravo! It is worth mentioning that his second book, "Leaning on the Wind", is marvelous and insightful as well. He is a true Albertan treasure...

I read this book on a camping trip in the Kananaskis. I looked forward to my lunch breaks on a rock by a lake or at the top of a rock scree so that I could continue my reading.

Marty takes you with him as he explores and cares for his territory. He teaches you what he can, but the lessons only sneak up on you...like the time I rounded a corner on a narrow trail and found myself face to face with a moose and her calf...'never get between a grizzly and her cub, that's when you're in trouble'...the lesson seemed applicable in this case, so I slowly made my way past rather than reaching for my camera.

I find I value the parks much more after reading Marty's book and hope for their future.

Johnstone's Mountain Man novels are so fast-paced and exciting, you have to catch your breath. This is classic writing!

SMOKE JENSEN LOST HIS FIRST WIFE AND CHILD TO a small group of worthless hired guns. It was quite some time ago but felt like only yesterday when he rode into a town named BURY, a town he believed the 3 bandits now resided. If it did the population was going to decrease just as soon as Smoke found the cowards.

I Enjoyed the return of the Mountion man The Preacher,Was one tought &very cool Man .that didn't take any Fool Hartedness
He would try walk away .But the Bad guys would not have any of that walking away,So they keep on pushing

striker1