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West of The Big River
West of the Big River: Boxed Set of Eight Western Novels
Eight West of the Big River novels, a series with an action-packed blend of history and fiction. West of the Big The Lawman By New York Times bestselling author James Reasoner, the first novel in a new series from the Western Fictioneers, West of the Big River. The Lawman features William M. "Bill" Tilghman facing perhaps his greatest and most dangerous challenge. West of the Big The Avenging Angel Award-winning author Michael Newton spins an action-packed, historically accurate yarn about Orrin Porter Rockwell who is more than just a deputy United States marshal and a deadly gunfighter. He's a member of the Mormon Danites, the group of enforcers known as the Avenging Angels West of the Big The Artist Acclaimed author Jackson Lowry spins as entertaining a tale as any of those from Charlie Russell himself in this superb new historical novel. West of the Big The Ranger James J. Griffin, noted for his fine stories of the Texas Rangers, joins the West of the Big River stable with THE RANGER, a short novel featuring real-life Ranger Sergeant J.S. Turnbo. West of the Big The Forty-niners Charlie Steel's story of courage, romance, and danger is based on historical incidents of the California Gold Rush, and vividly illustrates a compelling chapter in American history, recreating a lawless era that exemplifies both the best and the worst in a vital young nation! West of the Big The Bandit Sam Bass was just a farm boy from Indiana, but he wound up in Texas and became one of the most notorious outlaws in the history of the Old West. Jerry Guin's historical novel THE BANDIT takes an unflinching look at the life and times of Sam Bass, from his almost accidental incursion into a life of lawlessness to his ill-fated end, and provides a vivid portrait of this violent era. West of the Big The Doctor In Tombstone, Arizona Territory, the town too tough to die, Dr. George Goodfellow is known as the Surgeon to the Gunfighters. Friends with the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday, his services as a doctor are needed in the aftermath of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Goodfellow is handy with a gun and his fists, too, and he needs those skills to survive! An all-new, exciting novel based on actual historical characters and incidents by acclaimed Western author Clay More. West of the Big The Sheriff Outlaws ran wild in Apache County, Arizona Territory, until the day a long-haired, straight-shooting cowboy with the unlikely name of Commodore Perry Owens pinned on the sheriff's badge and set out to rid the county of lawlessness. Owens would need every bit of his gun skill just to stay alive as he cleaned up the territory! Acclaimed Western author Chuck Tyrell brings the illustrious career of Commodore Perry Owens to vivid life in THE SHERIFF. Don't miss this great buy, eight based on fact western tales that will give many hours of great reading in one boxed set.
- GenresWesterns
839 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2016
228 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 27, 2023
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: July 7, 2016
Publisher: Western Ficioneers
Language: English
ASIN: B01I5T0LVA
822 pages
I purchased these books as an eight volume set but I am also reviewing each book separately as I read it.
THE LAWMAN James Reasoner
The Lawman is a decent western not a great western. Fictionalized exploits of the legendary lawman Bill Tilghman are not something one comes across every day and it was a nice change. It is hard to believe that a person who has written so many westerns has so little knowledge of western era firearms. Winchester did not chamber their products in .45 Colt. Only in modern times, after the rim dimensions of the cartridge were changed, did various companies offer lever action rifles and carbines in .45 Colt. They are quite common now but did not exist in the 1800's. The earlier thin rim did not offer reliable extraction from a lever action. If you write westerns and don't know nineteenth century firearms, avoid offering specifics.
THE AVENGING ANGEL Michael Newton
The Avenging Angel is an easy to read actioner. Porter Rockwell was a real Mormon lawman and enforcer for the LDS. A member of the famous or infamous Danite order founded to protect the LDS (Later Day Saints). Rockwell is a controversial figure in the History of the West. Author Michael Newton delves into this and some Mormon history as the novel progresses. How accurate that history is, I am not sure. It fits generally with what I know but I don't know specifics of Mormon history and don't have enough interest in it to research all of the details in this novel. Accurate or inaccurate history aside, the story is exciting, easy to read and a good western tale. Although some of the writing is a little sloppy. For instance: "Striped trousers below, with shoes on small feet polished to a gleaming shine.". Polished feet huh?
THE ARTIST Jackson Lowry
The Artist is a pretty good story based on the life of Western artist Charles Russell. This one takes place in his younger years as a wrangler before he became famous. Russell and his fellow cowboys deal with rustlers and blizzards but there is not a lot of excitement. Two of the cowboys are more than friends, they are really close. This doesn't seem to even raise an eyebrow among the others. I don't know how accurate that portrayal of homosexuality among cowboys really is. At this late date with political correctness and revisionist history abounding, research to uncover the truth would be too time consuming for me with my very limited interest in the subject.
THE RANGER James Griffin
Reading this novel, it's pretty clear that author James Griffin put some effort into researching Sgt. Turnbo, the Texas Rangers and the West. It is a pleasure to read a modern western by an author who knows his subject. In addition, the story is well written and interesting. I recommend this one if you have an interest in the Rangers or just enjoy good westerns.
THE FORTY-NINERS Charlie Steel
The Forty-Niners is one if the best written and more entertaining novels in this eight book set. My only real problem with the book is a combination of unlikely and inaccurate firearms history. As usual, I read the author's bio information. In Mr. Steel's case it is quite impressive and I hesitate to challenge his firearms knowledge but I collect mid 19th through early 20th century firearms. Among other things, I found the following: When Lance and Fast Eddie first meet Horse in May or June 1849, Horse is holding a Sharps Model 1849 rifle. That rifle was produced in very limited quantities in 1850. At that time Horse refers correctly to his Colt Dragoon revolver. A few pages later his three revolvers are called Colt Walkers. The Colt Walker was a dragoon but the Colt Dragoon series were not Walkers. The revolvers are called Walkers through the remainder of the story. The Walkers were made in 1847, early enough for this story, but only a thousand were made for the military and a hundred for the civilian market. They had problems which is why Colt produced the improved Dragoon models almost immediately. I have noticed that several modern westerns have their characters using Walkers for some reason. Several pages later, Horse has a Spencer. The Spencer repeater was not developed until 1859.
THE BANDIT Jerry Guin
This is a well researched account of western outaw Sam Bass. It is fictionalized to the extent of adding conversations and small details to incidents in the lives and activities of Bass and his criminal associates.
I am retired after a career in law enforcement mostly as an intelligence analyst and investigator. Based upon my experience and knowledge of history, I would call Sam Bass a small time criminal who got lucky on his first, rather haphazardly planned, train robbery. He and five other robbers got away with $60,000 in newly minted $20 gold pieces which I read somewhere would be the equivalent of more than a million dollars today. Apparently the robbers had no idea such a treasure was on that train. He and the others attracted attention by carelessly spending the new gold coins.
Bass' other robberies, before and after, scored but very small amounts of loot. Many produced less than $100. I think the most successful one netted about $3000.
This is a pretty well written, straight forward story which would probably appeal to those who like to read western history. As a novel it isn't very exciting, particularly if you already know Bass' story.
THE DOCTOR Clay More
Dr. George Goodfellow, known as the gunshot physician, was also a man of science who was published nationally and internationally. He developed what were then, innovative surgical procedures, particularly in the treatment of gunshots.
He treated the survivors of the OK Corral gunfight. Both factions though he was a friend of the Earps. His postmortems helped clear the Earps of murder charges afterwards.
The action in this book takes place a few years after the OK Corral fight. As important as the work was in the later development of bullet resistant vests, the book drags a little with the lengthy delving into Goodfellows' observations and experiments concerning the properties of silk in stopping bullets. It soon picks up again with his self experimentation in the toxicity of Gila Monster bites. The later part of the story mixes the western with a crime story/mystery solved by the doctor. A pretty good book of frontier medicine and life in Tombstone.
THE SHERIFF Chuck Tyrell
This is at least one of the top three novels in the eight book set, WEST OF THE BIG RIVER. It is a well researched story of legendary Arizona lawman, Commodore Perry Owens whose father was Oliver H. Perry Owens, named for a famous U. S. Naval officer. Owens mother came up with the name Commodore Perry for their son. Throughout this book Owens is called CP.
The story is told through the device of a young reporter interviewing Owens who relates stories from his career. Owens doesn't brag, he just tells things as they happened. One of the things he tells is why he wore shoulder length hair when he was a young man. If any Indian could take his scalp, he would take home a fine trophy.
Good novel based on the life of an interesting western character. The Owens in this book didn't drink or smoke and seldom cursed. Accurate with his revolvers using either hand and a dead shot with a rifle, the Owens in this novel practiced two hours a day. Few of us bring that kind of dedication and work ethic to the table. Just for the record, I don't believe that the Model 1876 Winchester was available in .44-40.
Publication date: July 7, 2016
Publisher: Western Ficioneers
Language: English
ASIN: B01I5T0LVA
822 pages
I purchased these books as an eight volume set but I am also reviewing each book separately as I read it.
THE LAWMAN James Reasoner
The Lawman is a decent western not a great western. Fictionalized exploits of the legendary lawman Bill Tilghman are not something one comes across every day and it was a nice change. It is hard to believe that a person who has written so many westerns has so little knowledge of western era firearms. Winchester did not chamber their products in .45 Colt. Only in modern times, after the rim dimensions of the cartridge were changed, did various companies offer lever action rifles and carbines in .45 Colt. They are quite common now but did not exist in the 1800's. The earlier thin rim did not offer reliable extraction from a lever action. If you write westerns and don't know nineteenth century firearms, avoid offering specifics.
THE AVENGING ANGEL Michael Newton
The Avenging Angel is an easy to read actioner. Porter Rockwell was a real Mormon lawman and enforcer for the LDS. A member of the famous or infamous Danite order founded to protect the LDS (Later Day Saints). Rockwell is a controversial figure in the History of the West. Author Michael Newton delves into this and some Mormon history as the novel progresses. How accurate that history is, I am not sure. It fits generally with what I know but I don't know specifics of Mormon history and don't have enough interest in it to research all of the details in this novel. Accurate or inaccurate history aside, the story is exciting, easy to read and a good western tale. Although some of the writing is a little sloppy. For instance: "Striped trousers below, with shoes on small feet polished to a gleaming shine.". Polished feet huh?
THE ARTIST Jackson Lowry
The Artist is a pretty good story based on the life of Western artist Charles Russell. This one takes place in his younger years as a wrangler before he became famous. Russell and his fellow cowboys deal with rustlers and blizzards but there is not a lot of excitement. Two of the cowboys are more than friends, they are really close. This doesn't seem to even raise an eyebrow among the others. I don't know how accurate that portrayal of homosexuality among cowboys really is. At this late date with political correctness and revisionist history abounding, research to uncover the truth would be too time consuming for me with my very limited interest in the subject.
THE RANGER James Griffin
Reading this novel, it's pretty clear that author James Griffin put some effort into researching Sgt. Turnbo, the Texas Rangers and the West. It is a pleasure to read a modern western by an author who knows his subject. In addition, the story is well written and interesting. I recommend this one if you have an interest in the Rangers or just enjoy good westerns.
THE FORTY-NINERS Charlie Steel
The Forty-Niners is one if the best written and more entertaining novels in this eight book set. My only real problem with the book is a combination of unlikely and inaccurate firearms history. As usual, I read the author's bio information. In Mr. Steel's case it is quite impressive and I hesitate to challenge his firearms knowledge but I collect mid 19th through early 20th century firearms. Among other things, I found the following: When Lance and Fast Eddie first meet Horse in May or June 1849, Horse is holding a Sharps Model 1849 rifle. That rifle was produced in very limited quantities in 1850. At that time Horse refers correctly to his Colt Dragoon revolver. A few pages later his three revolvers are called Colt Walkers. The Colt Walker was a dragoon but the Colt Dragoon series were not Walkers. The revolvers are called Walkers through the remainder of the story. The Walkers were made in 1847, early enough for this story, but only a thousand were made for the military and a hundred for the civilian market. They had problems which is why Colt produced the improved Dragoon models almost immediately. I have noticed that several modern westerns have their characters using Walkers for some reason. Several pages later, Horse has a Spencer. The Spencer repeater was not developed until 1859.
THE BANDIT Jerry Guin
This is a well researched account of western outaw Sam Bass. It is fictionalized to the extent of adding conversations and small details to incidents in the lives and activities of Bass and his criminal associates.
I am retired after a career in law enforcement mostly as an intelligence analyst and investigator. Based upon my experience and knowledge of history, I would call Sam Bass a small time criminal who got lucky on his first, rather haphazardly planned, train robbery. He and five other robbers got away with $60,000 in newly minted $20 gold pieces which I read somewhere would be the equivalent of more than a million dollars today. Apparently the robbers had no idea such a treasure was on that train. He and the others attracted attention by carelessly spending the new gold coins.
Bass' other robberies, before and after, scored but very small amounts of loot. Many produced less than $100. I think the most successful one netted about $3000.
This is a pretty well written, straight forward story which would probably appeal to those who like to read western history. As a novel it isn't very exciting, particularly if you already know Bass' story.
THE DOCTOR Clay More
Dr. George Goodfellow, known as the gunshot physician, was also a man of science who was published nationally and internationally. He developed what were then, innovative surgical procedures, particularly in the treatment of gunshots.
He treated the survivors of the OK Corral gunfight. Both factions though he was a friend of the Earps. His postmortems helped clear the Earps of murder charges afterwards.
The action in this book takes place a few years after the OK Corral fight. As important as the work was in the later development of bullet resistant vests, the book drags a little with the lengthy delving into Goodfellows' observations and experiments concerning the properties of silk in stopping bullets. It soon picks up again with his self experimentation in the toxicity of Gila Monster bites. The later part of the story mixes the western with a crime story/mystery solved by the doctor. A pretty good book of frontier medicine and life in Tombstone.
THE SHERIFF Chuck Tyrell
This is at least one of the top three novels in the eight book set, WEST OF THE BIG RIVER. It is a well researched story of legendary Arizona lawman, Commodore Perry Owens whose father was Oliver H. Perry Owens, named for a famous U. S. Naval officer. Owens mother came up with the name Commodore Perry for their son. Throughout this book Owens is called CP.
The story is told through the device of a young reporter interviewing Owens who relates stories from his career. Owens doesn't brag, he just tells things as they happened. One of the things he tells is why he wore shoulder length hair when he was a young man. If any Indian could take his scalp, he would take home a fine trophy.
Good novel based on the life of an interesting western character. The Owens in this book didn't drink or smoke and seldom cursed. Accurate with his revolvers using either hand and a dead shot with a rifle, the Owens in this novel practiced two hours a day. Few of us bring that kind of dedication and work ethic to the table. Just for the record, I don't believe that the Model 1876 Winchester was available in .44-40.
December 31, 2023
West of the Big River is a Boxed Set of 8 Westerns with fictionalized accounts of the legendary figures of the Old West written by disparate, well-known western writers. I have read and written separate reviews of every single one of these westerns included. They are not all great stories, but the entire set is a fantastic collection, well-worth the price (less than a dollar.)
The first book is called The Lawman by James Reasoner and it's about William M. "Bill" Tilghman. Then there's The Avenging Angel by Michael Newton writing about Orrin Porter Rockwell and the Mormons of Utah. The Artist is written by Jackson Lowry concerning Charlie Russell. The Ranger by James J. Griffin is about Ranger Sergeant J.S. Turnbo. The Forty-niners is Charlie Steel's story of courage, romance, and danger during the California Gold Rush.
The Bandit by Jerry Guin is about how Sam Bass became a notorious outlaw. Clay More writes The Doctor about Dr. George Goodfellow whose presence at the OK Corral may have saved lives. Finally, Chuck Tyrell writes The Sheriff about Commodore Perry Owens. Great collection. Highly recommended to all aficionados of westerns with a great price, as well.
The first book is called The Lawman by James Reasoner and it's about William M. "Bill" Tilghman. Then there's The Avenging Angel by Michael Newton writing about Orrin Porter Rockwell and the Mormons of Utah. The Artist is written by Jackson Lowry concerning Charlie Russell. The Ranger by James J. Griffin is about Ranger Sergeant J.S. Turnbo. The Forty-niners is Charlie Steel's story of courage, romance, and danger during the California Gold Rush.
The Bandit by Jerry Guin is about how Sam Bass became a notorious outlaw. Clay More writes The Doctor about Dr. George Goodfellow whose presence at the OK Corral may have saved lives. Finally, Chuck Tyrell writes The Sheriff about Commodore Perry Owens. Great collection. Highly recommended to all aficionados of westerns with a great price, as well.
May 5, 2017
West of the Big River: Boxed set of eight western novels
If you're a fan of the old west, then you're in for a treat. I'm glad to say that I learned a few things about parts of the old west that I didn't know before. The action is not always fast paced, but will keep your interest. The characters are typical of the period, often just like most people who are in the same boat, just doing their best to Survive another day. Great reading.
If you're a fan of the old west, then you're in for a treat. I'm glad to say that I learned a few things about parts of the old west that I didn't know before. The action is not always fast paced, but will keep your interest. The characters are typical of the period, often just like most people who are in the same boat, just doing their best to Survive another day. Great reading.
October 4, 2017
Some are good, others a little slow
2 or 3 of these books are very good and you can find those for yourself. The other books were a little bit slow for me but none of them were bad. I recommend this collection and you enjoy them as they are.
2 or 3 of these books are very good and you can find those for yourself. The other books were a little bit slow for me but none of them were bad. I recommend this collection and you enjoy them as they are.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews