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A Distant Trumpet
A magnificently sweeping tale of the American West in the aftermath of the Civil War that is heroic in scale, rich in dramatic action, and filled with brilliant characterizations. Horgan's three-dimensional pageant of the daring and dangerous frontier life has been termed "the finest historical novel in American literature" (Gorham Munson) and "the finest novel yet on the Southwest" (New York Times).
Originally published in 1960—selling half a million copies at the time—and first reissued as a Nonpareil paperback in 1991, this immensely popular work of fiction has attracted, informed, and been embraced by a whole new generation of readers.
"A monumental work by a monumental writer."—San Francisco Chronicle
"In the years to come our children will open this book with the same sense of discovery that kept me reading into the night. . . It deserves a permanent place in our literature."—Miami News
629 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1960
8 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Paul Horgan
111 books32 followersPaul Horgan was an American author of fiction and nonfiction, most of which was set in the Southwest. He received two Pulitzer Prizes for history.
The New York Times Review of Books said in 1989: "With the exception of Wallace Stegner, no living American has so distinguished himself in both fiction and history."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Ho...
The New York Times Review of Books said in 1989: "With the exception of Wallace Stegner, no living American has so distinguished himself in both fiction and history."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Ho...
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 18, 2016
I don't think I can do this book justice here . . . but I'm gonna try anyway. It's AMAZING. It's one of the best historical novels I've ever read, period. It's fabulous, and it needs to be more widely known.
Full disclosure here: It's also about 600 pages long . . . and complicated . . . and "heavy" . . . and kind of graphic at times . . . and, basically, not for everybody. But if you're a mature reader and you like historical fiction (particularly American historical fiction), you really, really, REALLY need to give this one a try. It's kind of like "Les Miserables" or "War and Peace," only for America instead of for Europe.
Guys, I learned SO MUCH from this book. It's one of those "life cycle" stories, in that it covers a span of about twenty years, so you get to watch all the main characters (not just 1 or 2--about 6 or 8) grow from children to adults, or mature from young adults to older people. And you get to watch the effects of their choices play out in their lives--good choices, poor choices, wise choices, unutterably stupid choices. And it's not just the "bad guys" who make the mistakes here--not by a long shot. That's one of the things I love most about this story; it was one of the first truly "grown-up" novels I read in which even some of the GOOD characters had real faults and committed serious transgressions . . . and had to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. "A Distant Trumpet" really brings home the truth that we live in an imperfect world; but it never gives up hope that this world can be made better, either.
It does a beautiful job illustrating history, too--as a good historical novel should. It's set in the latter half of the 1800s, during the conflict between the U.S. Military and the Native Americans in the Southwest, and believe me, by the time you finish this book you'll be pretty much an expert on the period. I've heard that Paul Horgan did research for 10 years before writing this book . . . and it shows.
The story itself is just so . . . POWERFUL. You'll never be able to forget the characters--Matthew and Laura, Colonel Prescott and his wife Jessica, General Quait, White Horn, Olin Rainey, Brian Clanahan. When they laugh, you laugh with them, and when they cry . . . boy, oh boy. Let's not even go there. Not going to say much else, because of spoilers--but THAT ENDING, THOUGH.
Fun fact: I borrowed my online pseudonym, Jessica Prescott, from one of the main characters of "A Distant Trumpet." If you've read this book and you're a fellow Jessica fan, leave me a comment so's we can talk about how fantastic she is :-)
Full disclosure here: It's also about 600 pages long . . . and complicated . . . and "heavy" . . . and kind of graphic at times . . . and, basically, not for everybody. But if you're a mature reader and you like historical fiction (particularly American historical fiction), you really, really, REALLY need to give this one a try. It's kind of like "Les Miserables" or "War and Peace," only for America instead of for Europe.
Guys, I learned SO MUCH from this book. It's one of those "life cycle" stories, in that it covers a span of about twenty years, so you get to watch all the main characters (not just 1 or 2--about 6 or 8) grow from children to adults, or mature from young adults to older people. And you get to watch the effects of their choices play out in their lives--good choices, poor choices, wise choices, unutterably stupid choices. And it's not just the "bad guys" who make the mistakes here--not by a long shot. That's one of the things I love most about this story; it was one of the first truly "grown-up" novels I read in which even some of the GOOD characters had real faults and committed serious transgressions . . . and had to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. "A Distant Trumpet" really brings home the truth that we live in an imperfect world; but it never gives up hope that this world can be made better, either.
It does a beautiful job illustrating history, too--as a good historical novel should. It's set in the latter half of the 1800s, during the conflict between the U.S. Military and the Native Americans in the Southwest, and believe me, by the time you finish this book you'll be pretty much an expert on the period. I've heard that Paul Horgan did research for 10 years before writing this book . . . and it shows.
The story itself is just so . . . POWERFUL. You'll never be able to forget the characters--Matthew and Laura, Colonel Prescott and his wife Jessica, General Quait, White Horn, Olin Rainey, Brian Clanahan. When they laugh, you laugh with them, and when they cry . . . boy, oh boy. Let's not even go there. Not going to say much else, because of spoilers--but THAT ENDING, THOUGH.
Fun fact: I borrowed my online pseudonym, Jessica Prescott, from one of the main characters of "A Distant Trumpet." If you've read this book and you're a fellow Jessica fan, leave me a comment so's we can talk about how fantastic she is :-)
August 2, 2015
This is one of those wonderful gems of historical fiction that does not the attention it deserves. A beautifully written epic story of life in the US Cavalry in the 1880s, particularly on a fort in the desert of Southwestern Arizona as the army tries to track down the last of the Apache raiders. The author really gets us involved by taking us through the history of each major character and showing us how each ended up at Fort Delivery. The story is based on fact, but, of course, the characters are all fictional. Apparently at the time it was first published in 1960, excerpts from General Quait's autobiography were so authentic-sounding, people wrote to the author wanting to know how to obtain copies of the book! I was impressed by the non-judgmental attitude of the author. No one was demonized; no one was glorified as the superior soldier or culture. Warriors on both sides respected each other, although it was fascinating to read about the naivete (ignorance) of the citizens back East. Women back East, of course, were presented as being required to conduct themselves as "ladies", but officers' wives were realistic, competent, and inventive. (How could you not be living the those conditions!) This is a long book, but it doesn't feel long while reading, and when the end comes, it's sad to have to leave those characters who have become so real! Not surprisingly, the ending is sad, considering the fact that this is a very tragic and sad time in our history, but I was still left with a feeling of regret at saying goodbye to all the characters.
September 17, 2013
About 25 years ago, I was getting ready to leave after visiting a friend, and asked if she had a paperback for me for airplane reading. She presented me with a small selection, and I chose, fairly randomly, one called _Things As They Are_ by Paul Horgan, a small, intimate family drama and coming-of-age story. I was stunned and astonished by the beauty of it. I passed it on to another friend, who also said, "Wow!" I wondered why I had never heard of Paul Horgan. How strange that such a gifted writer seemed to have vanished from public consciousness.
A couple of weeks ago, sorting books as a Friends of the Library volunteer, I happened on this book, and remembering the author's name, promptly bought it for a buck.
It's entirely different from _Things As They Are_. This one is a historical novel set in Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico during the late 19th century as the U.S. Cavalry in the southwest is warring with the Chiricahua Apaches. The main characters are the few officers with their wives and one troop of enlisted men serving at tiny Fort Delivery, the closest Army presence to the Mexican border, as well as several notable Apaches and the Commanding General of the Arizona Territory, the real historical Alexander Upton Quait.
Each of the main characters is described in leisurely fashion with a fairly lengthy biography, leading to a depth of character and character development rarely found in more modern novels (Trumpet was published in 1951) except for perhaps the protagonist's bio. Most of the characters are very likeable, and a few rather pathetic, but each with his or her own quirks and idiosyncrasies. I found their interactions very realistic and always interesting.
A 1964 movie was made from the book, with (miscast IMO) Troy Donahue and Suzanne Pleshette. It too seems to have vanished; Netflix doesn't have it, anyway.
The New York Times Book Review said of Horgan in 1989: "With the exception of Wallace Stegner, no living American has so distinguished himself in both fiction and history." High praise indeed, especially if one knows Stegner at all well. I haven't read any of Horgan's histories, but _Trumpet_ reads like exceptionally well-informed fictionalized history. I loved it from beginning to end.
A couple of weeks ago, sorting books as a Friends of the Library volunteer, I happened on this book, and remembering the author's name, promptly bought it for a buck.
It's entirely different from _Things As They Are_. This one is a historical novel set in Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico during the late 19th century as the U.S. Cavalry in the southwest is warring with the Chiricahua Apaches. The main characters are the few officers with their wives and one troop of enlisted men serving at tiny Fort Delivery, the closest Army presence to the Mexican border, as well as several notable Apaches and the Commanding General of the Arizona Territory, the real historical Alexander Upton Quait.
Each of the main characters is described in leisurely fashion with a fairly lengthy biography, leading to a depth of character and character development rarely found in more modern novels (Trumpet was published in 1951) except for perhaps the protagonist's bio. Most of the characters are very likeable, and a few rather pathetic, but each with his or her own quirks and idiosyncrasies. I found their interactions very realistic and always interesting.
A 1964 movie was made from the book, with (miscast IMO) Troy Donahue and Suzanne Pleshette. It too seems to have vanished; Netflix doesn't have it, anyway.
The New York Times Book Review said of Horgan in 1989: "With the exception of Wallace Stegner, no living American has so distinguished himself in both fiction and history." High praise indeed, especially if one knows Stegner at all well. I haven't read any of Horgan's histories, but _Trumpet_ reads like exceptionally well-informed fictionalized history. I loved it from beginning to end.
December 15, 2016
I read this book mainly because it is my sister (jessica prescott)'s favorite novel ...
It's very long. I can't say that I read EVERY SINGLE WORD. Of course Jessica and Hiram were darlings. I did feel several times like throwing chairs at Laura and Matthew's heads. La de da. That's how it goes in a western I suppose. My favorite character was Clanahan
It's very long. I can't say that I read EVERY SINGLE WORD. Of course Jessica and Hiram were darlings. I did feel several times like throwing chairs at Laura and Matthew's heads. La de da. That's how it goes in a western I suppose. My favorite character was Clanahan
October 15, 2012
ASIN B000AMSKIW - I shuffled this book to the bottom of the pile twice before I caved in and read it. It is touted, currently, as a Western, and on the cover of the older editions, it is said to be a love story. Turns out what it is, is a book that I plan to add to my keeper shelf, that shelf of books that ought to get 6 stars minimum, once I get a copy that stays in one piece. The glue on the spine of the 1962 paperback from Crest/Fawcett seems determined to dry out and let go of the pages.
When Abraham Lincoln rolls through town, Matthew Hazard is one very, very determined boy: he's going to meet Lincoln! He does, of course, and their meeting sets Matthew's life on a path to the Arizona Territory, via West Point. Hazard's determination is one of his greatest characteristics. It brings him everything he has in his life, including his wife Laura, whose mother was none too keen on her daughter marrying a man who would drag her to the end of civilization and beyond. Their life is full of the sort of adventure that makes up the best and bravest, and the worst and saddest, in our history.
The first surprise for me was that this really is a love story. And the second was that it isn't. There are several stories of couples here, and most of them are love stories, but they're more than that. Who the characters are in their relationships - romantic and otherwise - defines who they are when the chips are down, and the chips are down often out west at that time. Many, many books weave sub-stories in and out, some successfully, some predictably. A Distant Trumpet is far more successful than others. What a wonderful surprise this book turned out to be!
- AnnaLovesBooks
When Abraham Lincoln rolls through town, Matthew Hazard is one very, very determined boy: he's going to meet Lincoln! He does, of course, and their meeting sets Matthew's life on a path to the Arizona Territory, via West Point. Hazard's determination is one of his greatest characteristics. It brings him everything he has in his life, including his wife Laura, whose mother was none too keen on her daughter marrying a man who would drag her to the end of civilization and beyond. Their life is full of the sort of adventure that makes up the best and bravest, and the worst and saddest, in our history.
The first surprise for me was that this really is a love story. And the second was that it isn't. There are several stories of couples here, and most of them are love stories, but they're more than that. Who the characters are in their relationships - romantic and otherwise - defines who they are when the chips are down, and the chips are down often out west at that time. Many, many books weave sub-stories in and out, some successfully, some predictably. A Distant Trumpet is far more successful than others. What a wonderful surprise this book turned out to be!
- AnnaLovesBooks
October 7, 2018
A nice to surprise to find this book in a thrift store with zero prior knowledge of the author and end up with a great reading experience. Too many 'westerns' or at least books set in the west of the frontier are the Louis L'amour or Ralph Compton variety, they may be ok but are a little one-dimensional. I won't throw Elmer Kelton under that bus, he's too good! But A Distant Trumpet on the other hand is a long book with a fully developed set of interesting and complex characters and is a portrait of a slice of America at that time not likely to be bested. I'm surprised this is not on a list of the best books about the American West, at least the few I checked out. I've read a few that are on such lists and this surpasses most entirely. Will definitely be looking for something else by Paul Horgan, as I learned he was a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History (and it shows in this book!). Interestingly, he was also friends with J. Robert Oppenheimer. Those must have been some interesting conversations!
April 3, 2025
Paul Horgan creates a magnificent epic saga of life in Southwest in the latter part of the 19th century during the wars between the US Calvary and the Chiricahua Apaches. This is truly one of the greatest historical fiction novels written of this time of US expansion. Horgan’s description of life in the US cavalry, as well as in the Apache tribes was fascinating. This novel acknowledges atrocities on both sides while seeking a path to peace. Horgan creates characters with many dimensions that reveal both human virtues and failings. Through these characters, the author shows us both what it is to be a person with courage, integrity and faithfulness regardless of the consequences versus those who display cowardice and deceit. The relationship between Matthew Hazard and his scout, White Horn is among the most touching friendships I’ve ever read.
November 13, 2011
This sweeping tale of a post-Civil War American West will either get you addicted or bored. I seem to have landed in the middle spot, seesawing between interest one day and apathy the next day. There is no denying that this is a book of epic proportions, I just never thought the American Southwest was all that intriguing.
This is a trade paper edition, and due to the large size, you might wear down your thumb and pages as you read. All in all, a decent read, but not a book I would peruse again.
Book Season = Summer
This is a trade paper edition, and due to the large size, you might wear down your thumb and pages as you read. All in all, a decent read, but not a book I would peruse again.
Book Season = Summer
March 18, 2016
Jingoistic but well researched account of the American Cavalry's final defeat of the Apache people in Arizona.
October 1, 2014
Paul Horgan’s “A Distant Trumpet” is a delightful chronicle of the old southwest fashioned into a fine piece of historical fiction. The storyline revolves around a distant U.S. Army garrison (Fort Delivery) in post-Civil War Arizona, at the farthest reaches of the unsettled frontier. The tale involves the final submission of Native Americans to the will of the U.S. Calvary sent there to relocate them in Florida. This sprawling grand narrative of the final opening of the southwest had big screen written all over it, and four years after publication A Distant Trumpet was made by Warner Bros into a movie starring Suzanne Pleshette and Troy Donahue.
Horgan was a prolific author of both fiction and nonfiction who published A Distant Trumpet in between earning two Pulitzer Prizes for history. One of Horgan’s strengths is the time he takes to develop characters, none of which gets superficial treatment. The first 245 pages (Book One) were magnificent – five star stuff as Horgan sets the characters in their time and place, with full description of how they arrived; wonderful characterizations in setting the stage. In an overall strong story, the only weak part was a contrived jealousy between two of the characters. It became a bit of a distraction, but once past this – which probably was anything but a distraction for Hollywood – the narrative regains its high style and moves strongly through the end. If you are looking for a great western filled with cavalry and Indians, this should be your next book.
Horgan was a prolific author of both fiction and nonfiction who published A Distant Trumpet in between earning two Pulitzer Prizes for history. One of Horgan’s strengths is the time he takes to develop characters, none of which gets superficial treatment. The first 245 pages (Book One) were magnificent – five star stuff as Horgan sets the characters in their time and place, with full description of how they arrived; wonderful characterizations in setting the stage. In an overall strong story, the only weak part was a contrived jealousy between two of the characters. It became a bit of a distraction, but once past this – which probably was anything but a distraction for Hollywood – the narrative regains its high style and moves strongly through the end. If you are looking for a great western filled with cavalry and Indians, this should be your next book.
November 18, 2017
This book was well worth a second reading. It's an absorbing tale of the Arizona territory and its inhabitants in the 1880s. Extreme climate, relentless landscape, and merciless Apache warriors impact the lives of American soldiers and their wives at the remote Fort Delivery. Readers get to follow the development from childhood of each of the main characters, the better to understand how they are brought either to self-centered and sometimes destructive reactions or to heroic actions that bring out what is best in themselves and others. The story is so absorbing and the characters so believable that after 629 pages I would happily have reached for a sequel.
August 31, 2020
Paul Horgan was a distinguished writer of both fiction and history (note his award-winning histories: The Rio Grande in North American History and Lamy of Santa Fe). He was a man of letters, cultured and artistic. A Distant Trumpet must surely be the finest novel written on the American Southwest.
I have read this book every few years since the 1960s.
Why is he so neglected and not commented on in literary circles today?
I have read this book every few years since the 1960s.
Why is he so neglected and not commented on in literary circles today?
December 14, 2025
Fabulous! My mother gave this to her father in 1961, the year of the book’s publication. There is an inscription “To Dad-–Father’s Day….” I know my grandfather would have enjoyed this book because he fought in World War I. I would be remiss if I didn’t write at least a simple review to describe my thoughts about this 500-page book. It is a western, a love story, a history book, and a moral compass. If you have ever wondered about the Apache Indian skirmishes with US soldiers in the 1880s and how those battles came to an end, this accurate account with fictional characters, will enlighten you. And the story will knock your socks off!
April 30, 2020
There is an old fashioned feel to the prose, so I doubt many readers would appreciate it today so many years from its publication date. I gather it was inspired by an actual event. Compelling portrayal of life on a remote military outpost in the western territory after the civil war.
July 5, 2019
1860-1880 Arizona Army post
July 11, 2020
Epic tale of Army life at a remote post in Arizona territory in the 1880's. Richly drawn characters collide in this historical novel.
October 11, 2020
Written in 1961 the story is an interesting perspective on how the apaches were promised peace but got the white mans lies.
September 9, 2009
I read a review once that called this "the best American historical novel" and while I'm cautious about saying something is "the best", I haven't read one yet that I liked better.
The main character is Matthew Hazard, whose childhood ambition is to be a soldier. He attends West Point and is sent to Fort Delivery in Arizona, the farthest west outpost of the U.S. Army. The climax of the story deals with Matthew’s deliberations with an Indian chief to urge the Indians to surrender peaceably instead of going on the warpath (in the 1870’s). The Army General in the story is patterned after General George Crook. Crook, who was considered by many of his contemporaries and historians alike to be the U.S. Army’s most skilled Indian fighter, respected Native Americans as valiant foes who deserved to be treated fairly and humanely in defeat. One thing I particularly liked about the book was that when Horgan introduced any new character, he included a few pages of biography about that person. Thus, one really gets to know Major Prescott, the commander of Fort Delivery, and his wife Jessica, the useless Lt. Mainwaring and his insecure wife Kitty, Hazard’s Apache Indian guide White Horn, and Hazard’s own wife Laura. I believe the book was made into a movie some time ago, but from what I could read on the web about the movie, it was quite different from the book. (So, what else is new?)
The main character is Matthew Hazard, whose childhood ambition is to be a soldier. He attends West Point and is sent to Fort Delivery in Arizona, the farthest west outpost of the U.S. Army. The climax of the story deals with Matthew’s deliberations with an Indian chief to urge the Indians to surrender peaceably instead of going on the warpath (in the 1870’s). The Army General in the story is patterned after General George Crook. Crook, who was considered by many of his contemporaries and historians alike to be the U.S. Army’s most skilled Indian fighter, respected Native Americans as valiant foes who deserved to be treated fairly and humanely in defeat. One thing I particularly liked about the book was that when Horgan introduced any new character, he included a few pages of biography about that person. Thus, one really gets to know Major Prescott, the commander of Fort Delivery, and his wife Jessica, the useless Lt. Mainwaring and his insecure wife Kitty, Hazard’s Apache Indian guide White Horn, and Hazard’s own wife Laura. I believe the book was made into a movie some time ago, but from what I could read on the web about the movie, it was quite different from the book. (So, what else is new?)
June 20, 2014
I give this book a 5-star review. It is a very interesting book. I never thought I would like to read the Indian conflict. I have read so many war books but so far this one I could not put down. It is very readable. I went through the whole 629 pages in a week which is quite remarkable.
The story of a young boy who lost his father during the Civil War and his meeting with Pres. Lincoln which inspired him to be a soldier, his time at West Point, his life in the Arizona Territory, all the human frailties, the war with the Indian, his love for his family and the sacrifice he made for his country and the loyal friendship between him and his Indian Scout.
I have to agree that it is a great American historical novel.
The story of a young boy who lost his father during the Civil War and his meeting with Pres. Lincoln which inspired him to be a soldier, his time at West Point, his life in the Arizona Territory, all the human frailties, the war with the Indian, his love for his family and the sacrifice he made for his country and the loyal friendship between him and his Indian Scout.
I have to agree that it is a great American historical novel.
April 9, 2010
Just finished this book although it was in an earlier edition with the old library binding. More than a good adventure story, albeit peopled by improbably characters and situations, there are several references to Catholics and Catholicism throughout the book; they almost seem to be throwaway references but there they are. The book originally was published in 1960 (pre-Vatican II), so these references should not come as a surprise.
December 30, 2024
This is an excellent book which tells a great story. The author knows how to keep the reader interested. I read this book in the early 1960s and picked it up again to re-read. I was not disappointed. I recommended to anyone who loves historical fiction. Paul Horgan is an excellent writer and I'm going to seek out his other books and read them also. With two Pulitzer prizes, I'm sure I'll be happy with his other works.
July 20, 2009
Lieutenant Matthew Hazard is assigned to serve at the far western outpost of Fort Delivery, Arizona, where he will battle nature, Apache Indians, inept commanders, troop training, and surprisingly--women. An epic story of the settlement of the west, detailing the struggle between Indians and Whites for land usage and rights.
March 15, 2010
Oddly affecting 1951 story of fort life, campaign, and betrayal at the close of the indian wars. A romantic air concerning the frontier, with no illusions as to the justice of U.S. hegemony at the SW border.
January 20, 2007
The highest praise I can give a book is that I wish I could read it again for the first time. Since with this book I can't, I re-read it annually.
July 31, 2009
This is a must read. The writing is excellent. The plot lines are good. The best part is the book transports you to Arizona territory in the late 1880's and the military presence.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews