The Colorado

Rivers West #3

by Gary McCarthy

The American West is there to be conquered by Isaac Beard, a brazen pioneer superman who defies Nature herself to carve an empire for his sons from the Colorado wilderness

Genres: Westerns, Native Americans, Historical Fiction

314 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1989

About the author

Gary McCarthy is the author of fourteen American historical novels and thirty-four westerns published by many of New York's major publishing houses. He has over three million books in print and continues to research and write his Canyon Country novels.

Growing up with horses and living in California, Nevada and Arizona, Gary is well suited to writing about the American West. He received his B.S. degree in Animal Science and an M.S. in Agricultural Economics. He has a keen interest in Native American cultures, especially the Hopi, Navajo, Havasupai and Haulapai who live in Northern Arizona.

Gary and his wife Jane live in Arizona and have often ridden horses and hiked in the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests. Gary is always looking for new stories set in the American West and considers the research to be among his most favorite pursuits.

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm torn about this book which had some very interesting parts and historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I realize that since it is told from the perspective of white men in the 1800's, it will have some generalizations and lack political correctness regarding Native Americans and the "westward" movement and exploration by non-native persons and the role of women (Native and Caucasian). The American West has never been one of my favorite reading topics and I picked this book simply because I needed a book set in the state in which I was raised for a library summer reading program. This author has written prolifically about the Southwest and lives in Arizona which does show in the amount of historical knowledge displayed in this story.

[Bryan Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really excellent book. A father has a son and he leaves to make the family fortune while his wife is pregnant with his second son. Before he can get back his wife dies and his sons grow up hating him. He heads back to the mountains and eventually his sons follow him. A very interesting and historical book. I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Masina Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerous Journeys

A fictional Western based on actual events that happened during exploring the Colorado River and much of the area around it. Well written and fast moving. I highly recommend this author.

[Eleanor Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Colorado River

Well written story of adventure and a bit of history too. I like how he wrote about all three main characters weaving history and the settlement of the west all in a superb story line. Goo work

[scott horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps your attention

Really enjoy reading western,mountain man books .Very well written and enjoyable. Will look for more books by this author. Great reading

[Agnes Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

River is wild

This book keep me interested and was a bit off beat. Reading something different iis really good for the mind

[Ken schlueter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special

This was one great book
. You could feel the people live and die...great story telling .good writer ...read this book

[Michelle Schulten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I think I'll get the rest of them!

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be my third book from McCarthy. Previous two are River Thunder and Grand Canyon. This read seems much better than the previous two. I'm very familiar with the areas he writes about.

River Thunder: I've been in Havasupai Canyon twice in '81 and '83. Great story...though he could have gone much deeper on the flying and WW1. The ending was predictable.
Grand Canyon: I have not been down the Canyon...but have done multiple trips from Desolation Canyon to the Convergence of the Green and Colorado...both white water boats and my expedition canoe. I found it difficult to let go of the fact that Dunn died with the others. However, once I was able to completely let go of this (major) historic manipulation it was a fun read.

The Colorado River speaks to me. It's well written and engaging. I know the areas fairly well. I've been living in Summit County since 1988 and have multiple trips along these stretches of the Colorado...from Kremmling to Grand Lake so it's easy to visualize. I enjoy McCarthy's writing of places I've explored and this is, so far, the best.

~ fotomatt in Colorado

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Isaac Beard leaves his wife and children to seek fortune in Rockies fur trapping in early 1800s. He plans to be gone a year but stays twenty. He goes back for his family but finds his wife has died and his two sons hate him, so he returns to the Rockies. Son Nathan follows him but son Matthew goes on to adventures in California and Arizona. Final part has Nathan a member of Powell's exploration of the Colorado. Good start, weak ending.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good tale of mountain men and the Colorado River. It is actually three separate stories loosely interconnected between a father and two sons. If you like frontier stories you will probably like this one. Recommended!

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

read some time in 1990

[DocHolidavid · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Colorado is a good yarn.

But the narration of the audio series I selected is mediocre and the novel runs on and on toward an unfulfilling end.

DocHolidavid

[Michelle Schulten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Older book but very interesting. I love the history.