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Rivers West #6
The Arkansas River
Rivers West is one of the most exciting frontier series of our time… tales of mountain men and intrepid women, pioneer families and Native American warriors. Here is the story of North America in all its awesome splendor.
The Arkansas River
Eastward, as far as the eye could see, stretched the Great Plains. Westward rose the Rockies, snow-capped shadows against the sky. In the middle flowed a mighty river—silent, glistening, and turbulent—the bloodline of a wide and wild land. Three hard, tough men staked their claims on its potent shores; Jake Stonecipher, pioneer merchant, seeking his fortune—yet finding a war. Will Burke, a mountain man as savage as the wilderness itself. And Francisco Serrano, determined to carve a fertile ranch out of the stubborn soil. Three men blazing trails, forging a future… building lives as bold—and treacherous—as the Arkansas River.
The Arkansas River
Eastward, as far as the eye could see, stretched the Great Plains. Westward rose the Rockies, snow-capped shadows against the sky. In the middle flowed a mighty river—silent, glistening, and turbulent—the bloodline of a wide and wild land. Three hard, tough men staked their claims on its potent shores; Jake Stonecipher, pioneer merchant, seeking his fortune—yet finding a war. Will Burke, a mountain man as savage as the wilderness itself. And Francisco Serrano, determined to carve a fertile ranch out of the stubborn soil. Three men blazing trails, forging a future… building lives as bold—and treacherous—as the Arkansas River.
873 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1991
169 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Jory Sherman
170 books14 followersJory Sherman was born in Minnesota and grew up in West Texas, Louisiana, and Colorado. He was a magazine editor for a time and had some of his work published, including some poetry, short stories and articles. Sherman had a friend who owned a publishing company and asked him to write a novel for the company. From that offer came five more novels, all written in one year. He wrote the supernatural mystery series, "Chill," which was somewhat revolutionary for the times, but which earned him an eight book contract. He then came up with the idea for "Rivers West," a series which had each book written by a different western author. Then came the "Baron Saga," the first of which was "Grass Kingdom" which earned Sherman a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize in Letters. Sherman has also won the Spur Award for his contribution to Western Literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 27, 2017
Western Pioneers
You have to love an author who tries not to modernize historical fiction. Tell it like it was. Superb characters with plentiful action and multiple cross plots. Very enjoyable reading with time sensitive wording. You feel the cold of the mountains with the smell of the Arkansas. Nothing like it. Looking forward to the follow up.
You have to love an author who tries not to modernize historical fiction. Tell it like it was. Superb characters with plentiful action and multiple cross plots. Very enjoyable reading with time sensitive wording. You feel the cold of the mountains with the smell of the Arkansas. Nothing like it. Looking forward to the follow up.
December 25, 2016
Three pioneers, Jake Stonecipher, Paco Serrano, and Will Burke were the first to camp near the Arkansas River and begin to settle the area. This is an interesting story of the pioneers, the women, and the Indians who all wanted the territory.
This was a good historical fiction story
This was a good historical fiction story
May 5, 2019
A great story
I’ve always been impressed with immigrants. The hard life it brings to travel, settle and learn a new way of life. Across our country they fought to create a new home.
This is an incredible story.
I’ve always been impressed with immigrants. The hard life it brings to travel, settle and learn a new way of life. Across our country they fought to create a new home.
This is an incredible story.
June 30, 2018
A good read that gives you insight into the people that lived in this era
You feel as if you are there in the middle of it all rather than just reading about how they lived.
You feel as if you are there in the middle of it all rather than just reading about how they lived.
November 10, 2022
Tale of the earliest white men to settle along the Arkansas river in Colorado. This could have been so much better. 2.7 stars.
October 30, 2023
enjoyed most of it but it just fizzeled out, do not remember one single character
September 27, 2023
I'm torn over reviewing this book. I rated it three stars because—at the end of the day—it is a well-told story. And, at the end of the day, it should have been so much more.
I was excited to listen to this story. I have lived most of my adult life in Summit County and spend a good deal of time in Leadville, the headwaters of the Arkansas. Living in southern Colorado now (near the Sand Dunes) I travel along the Arkansas regularly on drives back to Summit. Additionally, I came here from Taos and knew that stretch of the Santa Fe Trail would be a part of the book.
This book would provide the visual on those drives and take me back to mid-century 1800s.
It is an enjoyable, (fairly) historically-accurate story. The fort in the story did exist (under another name, of course). The Ute Indian Chief Blano in the story did exist. The real fort was abandoned after a massacre by Chief Blanco. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Pu...). Historically this book was educational (taking the story as fiction woven into documented history).
I was simply (very) disappointed the characters and travels never seemed to make it much past what is now Texas Creek, Cotopaxi and the Wet Valley, where Westcliffe is now. Maybe a little less time sparking other mens' wives and more time exploring could have helped.
If this book was a trilogy it would have allowed for further explorations upstream, through the Arkansas Valley (Chaffee County), ultimately reaching Leadville. The tie between Leadville, Poncha Pass and travels south to Taos are well-documented.
I was excited to listen to this story. I have lived most of my adult life in Summit County and spend a good deal of time in Leadville, the headwaters of the Arkansas. Living in southern Colorado now (near the Sand Dunes) I travel along the Arkansas regularly on drives back to Summit. Additionally, I came here from Taos and knew that stretch of the Santa Fe Trail would be a part of the book.
This book would provide the visual on those drives and take me back to mid-century 1800s.
It is an enjoyable, (fairly) historically-accurate story. The fort in the story did exist (under another name, of course). The Ute Indian Chief Blano in the story did exist. The real fort was abandoned after a massacre by Chief Blanco. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Pu...). Historically this book was educational (taking the story as fiction woven into documented history).
I was simply (very) disappointed the characters and travels never seemed to make it much past what is now Texas Creek, Cotopaxi and the Wet Valley, where Westcliffe is now. Maybe a little less time sparking other mens' wives and more time exploring could have helped.
If this book was a trilogy it would have allowed for further explorations upstream, through the Arkansas Valley (Chaffee County), ultimately reaching Leadville. The tie between Leadville, Poncha Pass and travels south to Taos are well-documented.
May 17, 2015
Excellent writing and accurate history
This book represents excellent writing skills, detailed character and scene development, and accurate historical information. I was taken with this story of three varying, fictional families that settled near the southwest Rockies along the headwaters of the Arkansas River.
Most impressive is the ability of our author to develop a character and make him come alive. I felt as if I began to know and understand each of these characters and empathize with their challenges. Kudos to Jory Sherman for offering such a brilliant yet almost unknown work. This is one of those hidden treasures reminiscent of "On Sarpy Creek", "Dismounted Liberty", "Blind Your Ponies", Tears in the Darkness", or "Giants in the Earth". Highly recommended!
This book represents excellent writing skills, detailed character and scene development, and accurate historical information. I was taken with this story of three varying, fictional families that settled near the southwest Rockies along the headwaters of the Arkansas River.
Most impressive is the ability of our author to develop a character and make him come alive. I felt as if I began to know and understand each of these characters and empathize with their challenges. Kudos to Jory Sherman for offering such a brilliant yet almost unknown work. This is one of those hidden treasures reminiscent of "On Sarpy Creek", "Dismounted Liberty", "Blind Your Ponies", Tears in the Darkness", or "Giants in the Earth". Highly recommended!
January 12, 2015
This is the first book I have read in the Rivers West series, and I will definitely read more.
Three pioneer men, Will Burke, Jake Stonecipher, and Francisco (Paco) Serrano carve out their home along the Arkansas River during the time when this New Mexico land was both open for settlement by the US government and still owned by Mexico. The Ute and Arapaho also held claim to the land, raiding white and Mexican settlements alike. The harsh winters and greed for gold and women also play a part in this pioneer western set in and near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Three pioneer men, Will Burke, Jake Stonecipher, and Francisco (Paco) Serrano carve out their home along the Arkansas River during the time when this New Mexico land was both open for settlement by the US government and still owned by Mexico. The Ute and Arapaho also held claim to the land, raiding white and Mexican settlements alike. The harsh winters and greed for gold and women also play a part in this pioneer western set in and near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
June 15, 2015
I rate this Book a 4.6 because of technical errors in spelling, otherwise, this is an excellant five star historical fiction of the buildup of the west along the Arkansas River from south of Denver, CO to Santa Fe, NM.
I am a huge fan of historical fiction because it's based on historical fact. It's real.
THIS particular story has a very possible scenario with conversations that logiclly follow.
If you can ignore the the technical errors, I strongly recommend this book to you.
I am a huge fan of historical fiction because it's based on historical fact. It's real.
THIS particular story has a very possible scenario with conversations that logiclly follow.
If you can ignore the the technical errors, I strongly recommend this book to you.
January 15, 2015
good western tale
This novel is a little different than many westerns in that it includes some love stories and how men, rough men, behave when in love. Prejudices come up from both white and Indian sides. Some get so,bed ant others not. The trails include Mexican and American destinations. Some of the western entrepreneurial spirit is on display. An enjoyable read.
This novel is a little different than many westerns in that it includes some love stories and how men, rough men, behave when in love. Prejudices come up from both white and Indian sides. Some get so,bed ant others not. The trails include Mexican and American destinations. Some of the western entrepreneurial spirit is on display. An enjoyable read.
October 15, 2015
The Arkansas River
The Arkansas River (Rivers West Book 1) is an interesting look at the struggles of early pioneers. It explores both the discord and the peaceful relations between the Mexicans, the Spaniards, various Indian tribes, and the European settlers during the settlement of the Arkansas River territory.
The Arkansas River (Rivers West Book 1) is an interesting look at the struggles of early pioneers. It explores both the discord and the peaceful relations between the Mexicans, the Spaniards, various Indian tribes, and the European settlers during the settlement of the Arkansas River territory.
May 18, 2015
I really enjoyed sections of this book; other sections, not so much.
The author, Jory Sherman, has potential but it appears to me this book would have been better had a professional editor been involved.
The author, Jory Sherman, has potential but it appears to me this book would have been better had a professional editor been involved.
Want to read
April 8, 2016I really can't rate the book as I didn't read it because I don't want to start a series; instead I deleted from kindle. Sorry to anyone who loves the series...I've got to get a handle on the books I want to read!
July 6, 2015
Ok history; missing some pages
Interesting history of Pueblo, Colorado. Missing some key pages, though, in the middle of the book. Worth the read, but you have to infer an important point (finding gold in the mountains).
Interesting history of Pueblo, Colorado. Missing some key pages, though, in the middle of the book. Worth the read, but you have to infer an important point (finding gold in the mountains).
September 8, 2014
Fun to read
I live in Pueblo, Colorado, and it was a great deal of fun figuring out the geographic realities presented in this story.
I live in Pueblo, Colorado, and it was a great deal of fun figuring out the geographic realities presented in this story.
September 9, 2014
Fabulous Frontier Story. I enjoy reading about mountain men, pioneer women and Native American warriors.
October 24, 2014
was ok...got a bit boring at times
October 2, 2014
Interesting river
Most certainly enjoyable parts about the river, early settlements and terrain, characters were so-so and for me a little to much explicit sex
Most certainly enjoyable parts about the river, early settlements and terrain, characters were so-so and for me a little to much explicit sex
March 27, 2015
Somewhat poorly written and poorly edited. Sort of read like a first draft, but the storyline was interesting.
May 18, 2015
Great read!!!
Full of adventure, fun, vibrant descriptions. Must read if you love railroad the frontiers. Ill be reading the entire series.
Full of adventure, fun, vibrant descriptions. Must read if you love railroad the frontiers. Ill be reading the entire series.
May 31, 2015
The old west
Great history as well as a good read. I think all will enjoy. I would read his other books that follow this one.
Great history as well as a good read. I think all will enjoy. I would read his other books that follow this one.
July 10, 2015
liked the historical facts...and enjoyed the relationship fiction
July 21, 2015
Sherman takes on the tough genre of a saga. Tough steps to follow when one has read Mitchner and Jakes. Okay story but not as good as others I have read.
November 28, 2015
Great book
Great book ,,loved the descriptions of the land,,,very real to me,,would like to read the whole series,,my kind of life,,,
Great book ,,loved the descriptions of the land,,,very real to me,,would like to read the whole series,,my kind of life,,,
November 29, 2015
GREAT BOOK!!
If you love westerns, you would love this book. It has everything in it from Indians, Mexicans and white settles.
If you love westerns, you would love this book. It has everything in it from Indians, Mexicans and white settles.
November 30, 2015
Rivers West
This is good reading if you like American history about the settlement of the American west. This book has a lot of misspelled words.
This is good reading if you like American history about the settlement of the American west. This book has a lot of misspelled words.
December 2, 2015
Really Great Western
I truly enjoyed this wonderful story! The historic aspect of the tale added to my interest in the book. Loved it!
I truly enjoyed this wonderful story! The historic aspect of the tale added to my interest in the book. Loved it!
January 10, 2016
book started off ok but got slower as it moved on.
Read
January 7, 2017Geographic details are mostly accurate. Decent read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews