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Jackson Speed Memoirs #1
Jackson Speed: The Hero of El Teneria
Meet Jackson Speed: The 19th Century adventurer whose exploits carry him from the Mexican-American War to the California Gold Rush to the hills of Gettysburg and finally into the history books where he is remembered as one of America’s greatest legends. “The Hero of El Teneria” who wears the Congressional Medal of Honor, don’t ye know.
But now, meet the real Jackson Speed: A 19th Century reluctant adventurer, adulterer and confessed coward. Speed’s recently discovered memoirs unveil the true character of the man who bluffed his way into the history books.
In this first volume of the Jackson Speed Memoirs, Speedy:
• Recalls the real reason the Scull Shoals mills burned in 1845 and the married woman’s bed he was in just before things got hot;
• Confesses all he did to avoid charging the battlements at Monterrey with Jefferson Davis;
• Farts his way into Santa Anna’s camp with Texas Ranger Ben McCulloch.
• Introduces the women he conquered with his “Ol’ Speedy grin,” from his red haired Southern Belle to his Spanish Lady.
But now, meet the real Jackson Speed: A 19th Century reluctant adventurer, adulterer and confessed coward. Speed’s recently discovered memoirs unveil the true character of the man who bluffed his way into the history books.
In this first volume of the Jackson Speed Memoirs, Speedy:
• Recalls the real reason the Scull Shoals mills burned in 1845 and the married woman’s bed he was in just before things got hot;
• Confesses all he did to avoid charging the battlements at Monterrey with Jefferson Davis;
• Farts his way into Santa Anna’s camp with Texas Ranger Ben McCulloch.
• Introduces the women he conquered with his “Ol’ Speedy grin,” from his red haired Southern Belle to his Spanish Lady.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
228 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2012
98 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Robert R. Peecher Jr.
26 books15 followersRecently a friend asked me why I write Westerns.
The simple answer is that I love Westerns. I love the history of the 19th Century, and I love the themes of classic Westerns. I write Westerns because I am a fan of Westerns.
But I think there is a deeper reason why I enjoy Westerns, and I’d love to explain it to you.
I am drawn to Westerns because it is the only genre that embodies the ideals that I consider to be truly American: Ideals of freedom, of rugged individualism, and of independence of spirit.
The heroes of Westerns are men and women who understand that justice and the law are sometimes two different things. They are people who make their own way by their own means, they are prideful and stand by what they say.
Readers of Westerns, I think, typically hold dear those same values.
They are “my people,” and I consider it a privilege to write stories for them.
No time or place better exemplifies these ideals than the American West of the 19th and early 20th Centuries. This is why I love reading Westerns, and this is why I love writing Westerns.
When I write Western novels, I’m very aware that these principles are not simply tropes in a genre but dearly held beliefs of a certain caliber of people, Americans generally, Westerners specifically, and me individually.
I strive for historical accuracy in a created world. Typically, my stories start with inspiration from actual events. I read old newspapers and non-fiction, and when I find a true story that moves my imagination, that’s where creation often begins.
Even as a young child I was drawn to Westerns. In preschool I wore a Lone Ranger costume to school every day, and I would only respond if people addressed me as “The Lone Ranger.” Kids in my class told their parents they went to school with the Lone Ranger.
I like to think there’s a bit of that kid still with me.
To be sure, the Old West is part myth and legend, and often my characters are larger than life. Their aim is truer, their horses are faster; the men are tougher, the women are prettier, and the outlaws are meaner. Even so, in my novels a six-shooter only has six rounds (and sometimes just five), and I try to avoid miraculous feats of travel.
Tougher, prettier, and meaner though they are, my characters also tend to be flawed. I want them to be as real as they can get.
But the Old West is not all legend. Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Dangerous Dan Tucker, Charley Parkhurst, Seth Bullock, Billy the Kid, Jesse James and hundreds of other cowpunchers, lawmen, outlaws, buffalo runners, and other individuals great and small were all real people who really did the things that made them famous.
So I try to write novels that exist somewhere between the real and the legend.
I write with a map and a history book beside me.
If you like fast-paced Westerns full of adventure, I hope you’ll enjoy my novels. If you do and you want to connect with me on social media, I’d encourage you to follow me on Facebook and Twitter and to visit my website at robertpeecher.com.
So cinch up your saddle, strap on your gun belt and enjoy the ride in my classic Westerns.
https://twitter.com/PEECHtweets
https://www.facebook.com/RobertPeeche...
The simple answer is that I love Westerns. I love the history of the 19th Century, and I love the themes of classic Westerns. I write Westerns because I am a fan of Westerns.
But I think there is a deeper reason why I enjoy Westerns, and I’d love to explain it to you.
I am drawn to Westerns because it is the only genre that embodies the ideals that I consider to be truly American: Ideals of freedom, of rugged individualism, and of independence of spirit.
The heroes of Westerns are men and women who understand that justice and the law are sometimes two different things. They are people who make their own way by their own means, they are prideful and stand by what they say.
Readers of Westerns, I think, typically hold dear those same values.
They are “my people,” and I consider it a privilege to write stories for them.
No time or place better exemplifies these ideals than the American West of the 19th and early 20th Centuries. This is why I love reading Westerns, and this is why I love writing Westerns.
When I write Western novels, I’m very aware that these principles are not simply tropes in a genre but dearly held beliefs of a certain caliber of people, Americans generally, Westerners specifically, and me individually.
I strive for historical accuracy in a created world. Typically, my stories start with inspiration from actual events. I read old newspapers and non-fiction, and when I find a true story that moves my imagination, that’s where creation often begins.
Even as a young child I was drawn to Westerns. In preschool I wore a Lone Ranger costume to school every day, and I would only respond if people addressed me as “The Lone Ranger.” Kids in my class told their parents they went to school with the Lone Ranger.
I like to think there’s a bit of that kid still with me.
To be sure, the Old West is part myth and legend, and often my characters are larger than life. Their aim is truer, their horses are faster; the men are tougher, the women are prettier, and the outlaws are meaner. Even so, in my novels a six-shooter only has six rounds (and sometimes just five), and I try to avoid miraculous feats of travel.
Tougher, prettier, and meaner though they are, my characters also tend to be flawed. I want them to be as real as they can get.
But the Old West is not all legend. Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Dangerous Dan Tucker, Charley Parkhurst, Seth Bullock, Billy the Kid, Jesse James and hundreds of other cowpunchers, lawmen, outlaws, buffalo runners, and other individuals great and small were all real people who really did the things that made them famous.
So I try to write novels that exist somewhere between the real and the legend.
I write with a map and a history book beside me.
If you like fast-paced Westerns full of adventure, I hope you’ll enjoy my novels. If you do and you want to connect with me on social media, I’d encourage you to follow me on Facebook and Twitter and to visit my website at robertpeecher.com.
So cinch up your saddle, strap on your gun belt and enjoy the ride in my classic Westerns.
https://twitter.com/PEECHtweets
https://www.facebook.com/RobertPeeche...
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 16, 2018
A wonderfully funny novel
One of the best written “historical” accounts of the man Jackson Speed. Chapter one had me laughing out loud and I didn’t stop for long throughout the entire effort. What a refreshing story told and written by a master. I could go on an on but I am dying to get into the next installment. This sexy, hellaciously funny book is a must read.
One of the best written “historical” accounts of the man Jackson Speed. Chapter one had me laughing out loud and I didn’t stop for long throughout the entire effort. What a refreshing story told and written by a master. I could go on an on but I am dying to get into the next installment. This sexy, hellaciously funny book is a must read.
May 21, 2020
The true, or not, memoirs of Jackson Speed. Kind of the Forrest Gump of the Old West. Given credit when none was due and self proclaimed coward. Big, strong and handsome, it was his womanizing that kept him on the run. Lots of situations where he was lucky to survive with his life. Plenty of humor and action.
December 20, 2018
Pretty good.
March 5, 2025
Sub standard RIP off of the Flashman books without any acknowledgement to George McDonald Fraser for the idea. Read the originals, they are a thousand times better.
October 25, 2012
This book was my first exploration into the genre of historical fiction, and now I can't wait to read more. The quick and engaging dialogue pulled me in from the first couple of sentences, and the compelling, well-paced style in which the action scenes were written kept me always eager to see what would happen next. Jackson Speed was fun to explore as a character; his voice is playful and a bit mysterious as he invites the reader into his memories. I also feel like I learned a lot about the Mexican-American War and the events, people and politics of the time around it. I'm watching for the next installation--I think I'm a new fan of historical fiction!
September 8, 2012
I find the inner monoluges of how he rationalizes his behaviors not only to him self, but to the reader, to be the very heart of this book. These dialogues are what set it apart for me and make me want to turn the page no matter what hour of night it is. A very fun and adventurous read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews