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Buchanan #6
Buchanan On The Prod
Completed by Robert Silverberg.
- GenresWesterns
Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
20 people want to read
About the author
Jonas Ward
67 books7 followersA pseudonym used by William Ard. House name from 1960 to 1986.
In 1956, hardboiled writer William Ard turned his pen westward and introduced one of the genre’s most enduring characters: Thomas Buchanan, better known as just “Buchanan,” a drifter as likeable as he is deadly. The first novel in the series was called The Name’s Buchanan and appeared under the pseudonym “Jonas Ward.”
Only the first 6 books in the series were written by Ard, and the last, Buchanan on the Prod, was completed by Robert Silverberg.
After Ard's death in 1960 "Jonas Ward" became a house name. Brian Garfield did one and then William R. Cox took over the series and it continued until 1986.
In 1956, hardboiled writer William Ard turned his pen westward and introduced one of the genre’s most enduring characters: Thomas Buchanan, better known as just “Buchanan,” a drifter as likeable as he is deadly. The first novel in the series was called The Name’s Buchanan and appeared under the pseudonym “Jonas Ward.”
Only the first 6 books in the series were written by Ard, and the last, Buchanan on the Prod, was completed by Robert Silverberg.
After Ard's death in 1960 "Jonas Ward" became a house name. Brian Garfield did one and then William R. Cox took over the series and it continued until 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 25, 2024
One bit of Ward's writing remains consistent, the Buchanan books open with a wandering soul. From there all goes wrong and one had to come to the rescue...reluctantly. Ward does it again with a great Buchanan tale.
This one has a particular plotting that left me wondering how Ward would navigate Buchanan into the one trouble or send us elsewhere. The plotting done is woven through troubles skillfully to suddenly find the reader in the same mess Buchanan is written into. Ward then further winds troubles round and round and soon it's not clear how on earth Ward will get us all out of it. Great writing by Ward, as he titled himself, while he is living in Clearwater, Florida.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 10 out of ten points.
This one has a particular plotting that left me wondering how Ward would navigate Buchanan into the one trouble or send us elsewhere. The plotting done is woven through troubles skillfully to suddenly find the reader in the same mess Buchanan is written into. Ward then further winds troubles round and round and soon it's not clear how on earth Ward will get us all out of it. Great writing by Ward, as he titled himself, while he is living in Clearwater, Florida.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 10 out of ten points.
June 11, 2024
The last of the William Ard as Jonas Ward Buchanan novels,
Pure classic western fun,
But I did notice that the Buchanan character is very similar to the currently loved character of Lee Childs, Reacher, just a bit of time travel...
Pure classic western fun,
But I did notice that the Buchanan character is very similar to the currently loved character of Lee Childs, Reacher, just a bit of time travel...
August 23, 2011
As a teen, I read the Buchanan series almost religiously. I can remember purchasing the books as they came out and wondering why Jonas Ward never wrote any others.
Okay, I picked up a copy at a used book sale and one of the first things that happened was I happened to look at the copyright page, noting the 1960 year and it appeared that the copyright was owned by Eileen Ard, a woman. This was disconcerting to me, so I ran an internet search to find out who she was...
SHOCK!!!!!!
I ran across a page where the renowned Science Fiction author (among other stuff) Robert Silverberg stated that he had written the last part (final chapter) of this particulare novel after the death of William Ard, who bagan the series.
From there, I discovered that the reaminder of the series had been written by other authors using the Jonas Ward Pen Name. Brian Garfield, perhaps most famous for "Death Wish" was the author of
"Buchanan's Gun" and prolific Western Author Willaim R. Cox wrote the remaining novels.
As I read this novel, I wondered why I had ever really liked it. It is corny pulp western at its corniest and pulpiest. By the end of the third chapter, Buchanan has killed a whole bunch of guys. My recollection of Buchanan is a drifter who tried to avoid trouble (keeping his gun in his saddlebag most of the time) who was amiable. In this instance, he starts out that way, but turns into a character who, once he is crossed, goes out of his way to wreck vengeance on the offending party. He is gravely wounded, but even though he is stabbed and shot, manages to get out of bed and go down and track the bad guys in a ridiculous conclusion.
Did I enjoy it? Despite its basic plot and lack of realism-- (more people die in this novel than in the real life Lincoln County War) the speech patterns, slang, and cowpoke colloquialisms kept me turning pages. The wit of the hero and the folks he joins up with was clever.
The wrap up? Awful! Stupid! Rushed!
Will I read the other books of this series I picked up at the same time. YOU BET!
Okay, I picked up a copy at a used book sale and one of the first things that happened was I happened to look at the copyright page, noting the 1960 year and it appeared that the copyright was owned by Eileen Ard, a woman. This was disconcerting to me, so I ran an internet search to find out who she was...
SHOCK!!!!!!
I ran across a page where the renowned Science Fiction author (among other stuff) Robert Silverberg stated that he had written the last part (final chapter) of this particulare novel after the death of William Ard, who bagan the series.
From there, I discovered that the reaminder of the series had been written by other authors using the Jonas Ward Pen Name. Brian Garfield, perhaps most famous for "Death Wish" was the author of
"Buchanan's Gun" and prolific Western Author Willaim R. Cox wrote the remaining novels.
As I read this novel, I wondered why I had ever really liked it. It is corny pulp western at its corniest and pulpiest. By the end of the third chapter, Buchanan has killed a whole bunch of guys. My recollection of Buchanan is a drifter who tried to avoid trouble (keeping his gun in his saddlebag most of the time) who was amiable. In this instance, he starts out that way, but turns into a character who, once he is crossed, goes out of his way to wreck vengeance on the offending party. He is gravely wounded, but even though he is stabbed and shot, manages to get out of bed and go down and track the bad guys in a ridiculous conclusion.
Did I enjoy it? Despite its basic plot and lack of realism-- (more people die in this novel than in the real life Lincoln County War) the speech patterns, slang, and cowpoke colloquialisms kept me turning pages. The wit of the hero and the folks he joins up with was clever.
The wrap up? Awful! Stupid! Rushed!
Will I read the other books of this series I picked up at the same time. YOU BET!
June 22, 2015
I think this was the first Buchanan book I ever read. I liked it quite a bit, although after rereading it later in life it didn't seem to hold up as well. This is the 6th book in the series, and the last to be written fully by William Ard, the original author of this series. The Ard books seem to be the cream of this particular series.
July 27, 2016
Not as good as the others but still fun to read
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews