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The Last Mountain Man #15
Power of the Mountain Man
When Smoke Jenson receives a cryptic letter that tells of skulduggery by gold barons and railroad magnates in San Francisco, he suspects the message is from his old friend Francie. But when he gets to the city, he finds out Francie is mysteriously dead and learns of a plot to take over the gold fields.
254 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
166 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,390 followersWilliam W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 15, 2016
This entry in the Mountain Man series is, to me, a great stumble. The intent is a brash battle of many entities in a sprawling story that takes in real historical events. What is read is a non-stop predictable chase that reads more like a Matthew Riley novel. Even wonder if he was the ghost writer for this book.
Something else that happens in Riley novels happens in this book: The bad guys fold too easy. This makes a chase easier, but unrealistic. The train chase is also very Riley-ish and preposterous. This is the first Mountin man book to reach toward Science Fiction, including a number of nods to the supernatural.
The characters are standard and way below par for a Johnstone book, which I can't recall having happened in the nearly 60 Johnstone novels I've read. The settings are really lacking. A good part of the book takes place in California sometime in the 1860s or so as indicated by Smoke jensen's age mentioned. The settings are essential to understand the story/battles. Yet, the descriptions are slight and hollow. I happen to be writing this after reading the Mountain Man novel that follows this that, obviously, has a different writer that accomplishes scene writing that this writer does not.
Bottom line: i don't recommend this book. 4 out of ten points.
Something else that happens in Riley novels happens in this book: The bad guys fold too easy. This makes a chase easier, but unrealistic. The train chase is also very Riley-ish and preposterous. This is the first Mountin man book to reach toward Science Fiction, including a number of nods to the supernatural.
The characters are standard and way below par for a Johnstone book, which I can't recall having happened in the nearly 60 Johnstone novels I've read. The settings are really lacking. A good part of the book takes place in California sometime in the 1860s or so as indicated by Smoke jensen's age mentioned. The settings are essential to understand the story/battles. Yet, the descriptions are slight and hollow. I happen to be writing this after reading the Mountain Man novel that follows this that, obviously, has a different writer that accomplishes scene writing that this writer does not.
Bottom line: i don't recommend this book. 4 out of ten points.
December 14, 2019
I can't recommend this book to anyone. It doesn't even feel like a Jensen novel. The bad guys are wimps and give up, the descriptions are nowhere near as vivid and detailed as usual and the ending is very abrupt and leaves the reader a bit unfinished.
What I especially didn't like was the weird almost sci fi piece of it. Definitely not a story that is like past Jensen novels.
What I especially didn't like was the weird almost sci fi piece of it. Definitely not a story that is like past Jensen novels.
January 13, 2025
I thought this was definitely a good read. For a while i was expecting Egg Chen to come out and talk about Smoke like he was Jack Burton. Seeing the Tongs brought up in a story was really cool. people forget that the Triads have been around for quite a bit. I want to Know the rest of what happened to the partner of the guy who almost assaulted Sally. I look forward to the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2025
"Power of the Mountain Man" is a thrilling western adventure packed with action, as Smoke Jensen battles gold barons and Chinese tongs in San Francisco. The fast-paced plot and vivid historical details make it a gripping read. Having Kung Fu fighters along with blazing guns adds fuel to the fire. A roller coaster action ride.
December 24, 2017
Outstanding!
Another great Western by the Master writer. It is an exciting and interesting tale with evil loosing again. We need these guys around today to take care of our evil politicos!
Another great Western by the Master writer. It is an exciting and interesting tale with evil loosing again. We need these guys around today to take care of our evil politicos!
October 11, 2022
Two good stories...
In this book. I enjoyed it. But, at times it reminded me of JUrassic Park movies. The good guys keep getting in trouble, then getting out of trouble, then getting into trouble... You know what I mean. Good book but too many trouble spots.
In this book. I enjoyed it. But, at times it reminded me of JUrassic Park movies. The good guys keep getting in trouble, then getting out of trouble, then getting into trouble... You know what I mean. Good book but too many trouble spots.
August 7, 2023
Power of the Mountain Man
This story is one of Johnstone's better novels. Bring on more of these Smoke and Preacher stories. I have read most of their books and don't want to see the last one.
This story is one of Johnstone's better novels. Bring on more of these Smoke and Preacher stories. I have read most of their books and don't want to see the last one.
May 13, 2024
The Power of the Mountain Man
Another story of Smoke Jensen and his friends. Lots of action between those three in
power at San Francisco and farmers and miners. Also the action filled fights between the Tongs and priests of old China.
Another story of Smoke Jensen and his friends. Lots of action between those three in
power at San Francisco and farmers and miners. Also the action filled fights between the Tongs and priests of old China.
May 15, 2024
Johnstone always writes a great Yarn
Another in a long line of stories, that combine fiction,historical sites and facts to every story. You can get lost in his stories for hours even days
Read,enjoy,and pass on to someone else who will enjoy it.
Another in a long line of stories, that combine fiction,historical sites and facts to every story. You can get lost in his stories for hours even days
Read,enjoy,and pass on to someone else who will enjoy it.
December 2, 2017
Just a good, old fashioned Western!
A lot of action. Straight-forward plot, good vs. evil. Much like the dime store novels about Smoke Jensen that kindled his reputation.
A lot of action. Straight-forward plot, good vs. evil. Much like the dime store novels about Smoke Jensen that kindled his reputation.
January 24, 2018
Smoke Jensen saves the day again, along with life long friends. William W. Johnstone once again holds my interest a real page turner
March 15, 2018
Good read
Exciting story and hard to put down. The Last Mountain Man series is fun to read. I highly recommended to.
Exciting story and hard to put down. The Last Mountain Man series is fun to read. I highly recommended to.
May 8, 2018
Too long.
Story dragged on . Took too much time on chase before ending. Got bored before story got to climax. Good characters.
Story dragged on . Took too much time on chase before ending. Got bored before story got to climax. Good characters.
May 12, 2018
Both the hubby and I love a good western. This story starts it all and we are glad we could get the book and enjoy the beginning of the series. Thanks for great entertainment.
January 11, 2019
This was not my most favorite Johnstone book. The portion dealing with the Chinese Tong was too far from the western storylines I've come to love from the Mountain Man series.
July 28, 2019
Enjoyed the 15 book of the series. Enjoyed him going in San Francisco and now becoming part owner of a brothel.
September 24, 2019
Helped
It was ok . This story was not as exciting as the other smoke Jensen stories. But I do look forward to the next book.
It was ok . This story was not as exciting as the other smoke Jensen stories. But I do look forward to the next book.
December 28, 2020
Good
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April 12, 2022
more bad guys!
This book had a bit more fighting than I could deal with. it is still good, but I prefer the shorter Notre humorous ones.
This book had a bit more fighting than I could deal with. it is still good, but I prefer the shorter Notre humorous ones.
September 30, 2022
excellent
The story was exciting and entertaining. I was captured by the suspense and was not able to put it aside.
The story was exciting and entertaining. I was captured by the suspense and was not able to put it aside.
March 7, 2011
so far i'm really enjoying this book. smoke is getting up in his years along with his friend and the sherif of big rock monte carson. even though i'm only on chapter 4 i still think this book is going to get interesting there has already been a fist fight of two on four. there has also been a gun fight about a poker game on a train headed for san fransisco.
3/3/11 problems, actions, outcomes
problem
smoke is getting up in his years but still isn't afraid to help an old friend in need.
the famouse smoke jensen recives a letter that tells him that one of his old friends is in danger and needs help in san fransisco.
action
so smoke begins the long journey to california from his huge ranch the sugar loaf in the high lonesome mountains of colorado by train.
outcomes
3/7/11
problem
cal is trying to break a horse on smoke jensons ranch the sugarloaf.
actons
cal is holding on to the saddle just trying not to get bucked off.
outcomes
cal gets bucked off and lands in a pile of horse apples.
3/3/11 problems, actions, outcomes
problem
smoke is getting up in his years but still isn't afraid to help an old friend in need.
the famouse smoke jensen recives a letter that tells him that one of his old friends is in danger and needs help in san fransisco.
action
so smoke begins the long journey to california from his huge ranch the sugar loaf in the high lonesome mountains of colorado by train.
outcomes
3/7/11
problem
cal is trying to break a horse on smoke jensons ranch the sugarloaf.
actons
cal is holding on to the saddle just trying not to get bucked off.
outcomes
cal gets bucked off and lands in a pile of horse apples.
December 5, 2016
I can't stand books that repeat someone's name over and over, way too many times on one page. In this case it was either Murchison or Quo. Just poor writing. Also shouldn't call Asians by the name of Tong or Chinamen.
February 9, 2016
Very good western series. The story of Smoke Jensen, trained by the last of the mountain men as a boy. If you like men's adventure and westerns then you will enjoy the series. Recommended
November 30, 2022
Another great book by William Johnston
This is another riveting story, I will be reading it again, and again in the future. Thank you Mister William W. John stone.
This is another riveting story, I will be reading it again, and again in the future. Thank you Mister William W. John stone.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews