Sweeny's Honor

by Brian Garfield

Maverick officer Lieutenant Thomas Sweeny is given the challenging task of defending Yuma Crossing from the intrusion of hostile and determined Yuma Indians, with only a handful of undisciplined men on his side

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Brian Francis Wynne Garfield was a novelist and screenwriter. He wrote his first published book at the age of eighteen, and gained prominence with 1975 his book Hopscotch, which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. He is best known for his 1972 novel Death Wish, which was adapted for the 1974 film of the same title, followed by four sequels, and a remake starring Bruce Willis.

His follow-up 1975 sequel to Death Wish, Death Sentence, was very loosely adapted into a film of the same name which was released to theaters in late 2007, though an entirely different storyline, but with the novel's same look on vigilantism. Garfield is also the author of The Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for History. Garfield's latest book, published in 2007, is Meinertzhagen, the biography of controversial British intelligence officer Richard Meinertzhagen.

Brian Garfield was the author of more than 70 books that sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, and 19 of his works were made into films or TV shows. He also served as president of the Western Writers of America and the Mystery Writers of America.

Pseudonyms:
• Bennett Garland
• John Ives
• Drew Mallory
• Frank O'Brian
• Brian Wynne
• Frank Wynne

Reviews

[Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a western story that has the U.S. Cavalry in 1850 opposing the Yuma Indians near the Arizona/California border. The Colorado River is the border between those states and a ferry service that provides for river crossing is mired in an ownership dispute. Originally the Yuma’s owned and managed that ferry service. It was taken away from the Yuma Indians by unscrupulous white men. The Indians took it back by force and then the Cavalry was sent to regain the ferry service for the white businessmen. The Cavalry then created and garrisoned a fort there to protect the ferry service for migrants traveling to the California gold fields. Problems with being resupplied at this desert fort has resulted in most of the Cavalry being pulled back to San Diego leaving just 12 men to garrison the fort and keep the peace with the Yuma Indians. The remaining Cavalry soldiers still have superior fire power, but they are just 12 men facing approximately 400 warriors; plus, the unrelenting desert heat. The Cavalry men left behind feel abandoned. There was and is tension between the two lieutenants left behind and the major who assigned them to this post. The lieutenants had previously filed charges of corruption against the major who left them behind in hopes that the Indians would overrun the fort kill the lieutenants before the court marshal charges came to court. So, how these men handle their near suicidal mission is the bulk of the story. It is a good western story based upon a real event (the ferry service).

[Tim Deforest · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fictionalized account of a real-life event from the early 1850s, this enthralling novel is about a one-armed army officer named Tom Sweeny, who must defend a remote ferry crossing against potentially hundreds of Yuma Indians with ten ill-disciplined men, no supplies and a single cannon.

The prose is vivid and the characterizations are wonderful. Sweeny cracks down on his men to keep them in line, though this in turn is risking a possible mutiny. The question of whether Sweeny's honor and his refusal to compromise will prove to be his saving grace or his doom is asked throughout the novel, adding even more tension to a desperate situation.

[Bob Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story

Not your usual Western the story here is how one man tried to destroy a man under his command. There is a bit of soldiers versus Indians, but most of the story is about Sweeny and how he turns the dregs of an outpost into real soldiers. The characters in this book were an interesting group of people for the 1850's that is what drew into the story more and more. My only complaint with this story is the true enemy got away free.

[Jules · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Will you rape the hell out of me tonight, Edward?"....seriously? With jarring, disturbing choice of language and a storyline that makes the reader unable to connect with any of the characters, it's a wonder anyone even likes this book. I only finished it because I finish what I begin. Good historical idea. Dreadful execution.

[Rick Farlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One man, Lt. Sweeny is assigned to protect a ferry boat crossing from hundreds of Indians intent on reclaiming what was rightfully theirs. Sounds impossible, and certainly impractical, but with skill and determination they are able to endure until help arrives. It’s a good storyline and if you enjoy westerns, it’s worth the time invested. (Biggest negative: excessive profanity!).