The High Chaparral Apache Way

by Steve Frazee

Vintage children's book

Genres: Westerns

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Steve Frazee was born in Salida, Colorado. He began making major contributions to Western pulp magazines with stories set in the American West as well as a number of North-Western tales published in Adventure. Not surprisingly, many of Frazee's novels have become major motion pictures.

Reviews

[Tim Deforest · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whitman TV tie-in novels from the 1960s were uniformily good. Though the series was marketed towards kids, there is no sense that the authors wrote down to their audience. Their are nearly always strong plots and good characterizations backed up with straightforward prose.

This one involves two of the members of the Cannon family getting captured by Apaches. But it is more than a simply rescue/escape story. Differences in white and Apache cultures are respectfully presented to us, with good guys and bad guys on both sides. A desire to release the prisoners by one chief is complicated by a feud with another band of Apaches, while the two prisoners initially survive brutal treatment before gradually coming to respect their captors. There's a great twist at the end as Apaches and former captives must team up to rescue yet another pair of prisoners from that rival band.

Great storytelling that can be appreciated by adults and kids both.

[S. Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good children's book, but too simplistic in wording for the average adult. Decent plot, and no cuss words.

[Rick Bavera · Rating 3 out of 5]

The was an enjoyable and quick read.

I remember, vaguely, seeing some of the High Chaparral shows on TV way back when, but I think I often get them muddled up with The Big Valley, another show I occasionally watched.

At any rate, this was a fun read of a book from the time when I was growing up. The writing style (as with many book adaptations of TV shows) seems to be geared toward easy reads and/or teen/young adult level of reading. Which is fine.

Recommended if you were ever a fan of any of the TV Westerns from the 1960s.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. It was definitely intended for younger audiences and had very little actual violence in it. Blue and Manolito are captured by Apaches early in the book and the rest of the work really takes place among the Apaches. There wasn't a lot of action but generally the settings and characterization were good. If you liked the TV show you'll probably enjoy this one.

[CarolynAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 This was a quick, easy read for young adults - I read it as a teenager b/c I enjoyed the TV show on which it was based.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This used to be one of my favorite shows but when I watch it now it seems slow an outdated. This didn't weather well as some shows from that era.
Still it's a good book if you love the old westerns.