The Scalp Hunters; a Thrilling Tale of Adventure and Romance in Northern Mexico

by Thomas Mayne Reid

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Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Classics, Childrens

482 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1860

About the author

"Captain" Reid wrote many adventure novels akin to those written by Frederick Marryat and Robert Louis Stevenson. He was a great admirer of Lord Byron. These novels contain action that takes place primarily in untamed settings: the American West, Mexico, South Africa, the Himalayas, and Jamaica.

Reviews

[Ernest Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the search for and rescue of a scalp hunter's yellow-haired daughter from blood-thirsty, Quetzalcoatl-worshiping "Navajoes" almost gets lost in delirious descriptions of a lush, fantastic American West in this proto-western masterpiece.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Western adventure.
When Haller meets up with the mysterious Seguin after picking up with some praire merchants he instantly falls in love with his daughter Zoe.
The innocent romance progresses to the point that he wishes to ask for her hand in marriage but when approached Seguin says that he will allow it if Haller helps him to rescue his other daughter Adele from the Indians.
So starts a rollicking adventure across the Western plains in pursuit of the Navajo Indians who abducted her when just a child.
Up against them as their main foe they also have to do battle with the elements, hunger, thirst and wild animals.
Fast paced from start to finish this exciting story will appeal to all old style Western fans everywhere.

[John Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teddy Roosevelt read this book

I first came across this book in Teddy Roosevelt's autobiography. It intrigued me that he had read this as a boy. The book is very brutal and the whole tale is a bloodthirsty account of frontier life. Some parts reminded me of Fenimore Cooper's Hawkeye books, while the tale was similar to John Houston's epic movie, "The Searchers."

As a Western yarn the book was enjoyable with the usual stereotypes. It took a while to read which is why I gave it four stars.

[tyler pellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterpiece!

Best Western I have read....which predates the heyday of the American Western novel. But all the elements are there which make a true Western. Some of the story comes off a bit cliche, but you must keep in mind that it was released in 1851. Many of these scenarios became cliche later.
Better than Blood Meridian, which was obviously inspired by this book. More brutal than much of the pulp that came later. It has a grittiness to it that you don’t see in say Zane Grey (whom I also enjoy).

[Douglas Wingert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story and well written. Although the story is written from a educated 'civilized' point of view, it does tell a complete story of the early history of the differences between the eastern settlers and the American Indian and the clashes of difference between what it thought to be right or wrong. Of course history is primarily painted by the prevailing party.

[Barrett Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

a step back in time

At times brilliant, other times overly descriptive and long-winded. Definitely worth taking the ride. High drama throughout and an overall original and poetic work

[Бямбадорж Хонгор]

full of adventure

[Ангел Томов · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

[Edgar Cañizales · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites, but I've read it when I was about 16. Therefore, I'm not sure more grown people would find it that amazing.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

El Salvaje Oeste. Eso, y solo eso. No busca lo artificial sino que simplemente nos muestra una cacería.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an audiobook from LibriVox.

https://librivox.org/laughter-limited...