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Go West, Young Man #2
The Oregon Trail
JOHNSTONE TRUST IN THE LORD—SOMETIMES HE’S ALL YOU GOT.
From national bestselling authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone, a pioneering journey into the raw beauty and untamed dangers of the unsettled West, where the legendary American spirit is fired in true grit and bold determination . . .
THE OREGON TRAIL
Wagon Master Clayton Scofield has led countless families across the dusty, wide-open territories of the West, helping the brave, sometimes reckless pioneers settle into new lives brimming with the promise of good lives. Accompanied by his nephew Clint Buchanan riding as scout and cook Spud Williams, Scofield’s latest trail finds him guiding a train of thirty wagons from Independence, Missouri, to the distant dream of Oregon.
It isn’t long before the pioneers fall prey to the hazards of the countryside—both natural and man-made. The rough currents of the Kansas River tears a family apart. A fur trapper threatens Scofield in a foolhardy attempt to win the affections of an uninterested lady. Kill crazy Lakota Sioux warriors attack wagon train and slaughter without mercy.
Scofield can’t remember the trail ride ever being this treacherous and unforgiving—and he knows there’s even worse things awaiting them along the far-reaching miles before they reach their destination . . .
From national bestselling authors William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone, a pioneering journey into the raw beauty and untamed dangers of the unsettled West, where the legendary American spirit is fired in true grit and bold determination . . .
THE OREGON TRAIL
Wagon Master Clayton Scofield has led countless families across the dusty, wide-open territories of the West, helping the brave, sometimes reckless pioneers settle into new lives brimming with the promise of good lives. Accompanied by his nephew Clint Buchanan riding as scout and cook Spud Williams, Scofield’s latest trail finds him guiding a train of thirty wagons from Independence, Missouri, to the distant dream of Oregon.
It isn’t long before the pioneers fall prey to the hazards of the countryside—both natural and man-made. The rough currents of the Kansas River tears a family apart. A fur trapper threatens Scofield in a foolhardy attempt to win the affections of an uninterested lady. Kill crazy Lakota Sioux warriors attack wagon train and slaughter without mercy.
Scofield can’t remember the trail ride ever being this treacherous and unforgiving—and he knows there’s even worse things awaiting them along the far-reaching miles before they reach their destination . . .
- GenresWesterns
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 23, 2024
229 people are currently reading
2252 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,034 books1,392 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 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 23, 2024
Another fun wagon train!
4.5 stars rounded up to five. Fun book from start to finish. I’ll definitely be reading more of William Johnstone’s books! Highly recommended to any fan of the Old West!
4.5 stars rounded up to five. Fun book from start to finish. I’ll definitely be reading more of William Johnstone’s books! Highly recommended to any fan of the Old West!
January 31, 2024
This is the second book in the Go West, Young Man series and it's a great western, probably one of the best I have read about wagon trains. The Oregon Trail by William W. Johnstone and J. A. Johnstone has all that you want when it comes to some of the struggles people endured trying to make a fresh start out west. I must thank Kensington books , Pinnacle and Netgalley for letting me read this advance copy.
March 10, 2024
Not every reader will enjoy, as I did, the details and timeline of traveling The Oregon Trail. For example, a wagon train would follow the Big Sandy River to its confluence with the Green River, circa 70 miles which would take five to five-and-a-half days. There were many rivers to be crossed; some easy, some difficult, and quite dangerous. The Snake River had to be crossed multiple times.
[Image of the map of Oregon Trail] ~~ Source: Wikipedia, Oregon Trail
While the book doesn’t specify the year this trip was made — and the last one for the wagon master, it was after 1864. A reference is made to Fort Hall which was washed away and rebuilt after a flash flood that year.
Did you know that several of the rivers that were crossed had ferries that could be used for a fee? Remember that $5 or $10 in those days was much more. In 1865, $5 is equivalent to $94.61 today (thanks Google). And there was a Barlow Road toll gate that cost $5 for each wagon and 10 cents a head for livestock. The road was much better than using boats to travel to the next stop. The wagon master made sure everyone was aware of these tolls and that people verified they had the money to pay them.
Or that there was more than one place where people left their names and the date they were there? Or the travelers tied their wheels so they would slide down those tall mountain passes?
I found this fascinating highlighting in my Kindle each one. No, my ancestors never traveled to Oregon. But I always value when authors make these kinds of effort in a novel.
The personnel on the train are introduced nicely, with no dumping of characters. As the weeks go by, some become more interesting than others. Everyone eventually notices that Thorton’s wagon is much heavier than everyone else’s. What *does* he have in there? And Leach. Leach travels with the Thortons and is a huge, brutish man. Quiet, rarely attends socials. And some unkindly call him the “ape”. That character started intriguing me and it turned out I was right to be so interested.
I became partial to Clint Buchanan, wagon train scout, and nephew to Clayton Scofield, wagon master. But not appointed because of the family association — Clint was very good at his job. This was not his first trip with his uncle but it would be the last since his uncle had made it clear he wouldn’t be traveling the Oregon trail again.
Of course, there is a bad apple amongst the people on the train. And that one woman who has an opinion on everyone and everything. Wagon masters could legally perform a marriage. And also handled funerals.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book but as I stated earlier, I was intrigued by the timeline & details of each stopping place. Not all readers would be. So I do recommend it and if you are researching ancestors who traveled to Oregon by wagon train, the descriptions of the distances, stops, rivers crossed, and forts would be helpful. Just remember, this *is* a novel. Whether readers will find the sub-plots have enough substance to keep them entertained throughout … Thus, the rating is 3.5 stars but rounded to 3 stars for websites showing only whole numbers.
It should be noted that William W. Johnstone has passed away and his family is working with a writer to take the many notes and partially finished manuscripts and create completed works. This book, The Oregon Trail, “was inspired by Mr. William W. Johnstone’s storytelling.”
I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of The Oregon Trail via NetGalley from the publisher, Kensington Books. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Rating: 3.5 stars but 3 stars on sites that can only display round numbers.
Series: Go West, Young Man #2
Cover: Total miss. Does not fit the book at all. Instead, the cover would better fit a book about a gunslinger.
Pages: Unknown at the time of this review but will be over 200 pages.
Publish Date: 23 Apr 2024
#TheOregonTrail #NetGalley #WilliamWJohnstone
[Image of the map of Oregon Trail] ~~ Source: Wikipedia, Oregon Trail
While the book doesn’t specify the year this trip was made — and the last one for the wagon master, it was after 1864. A reference is made to Fort Hall which was washed away and rebuilt after a flash flood that year.
Did you know that several of the rivers that were crossed had ferries that could be used for a fee? Remember that $5 or $10 in those days was much more. In 1865, $5 is equivalent to $94.61 today (thanks Google). And there was a Barlow Road toll gate that cost $5 for each wagon and 10 cents a head for livestock. The road was much better than using boats to travel to the next stop. The wagon master made sure everyone was aware of these tolls and that people verified they had the money to pay them.
Or that there was more than one place where people left their names and the date they were there? Or the travelers tied their wheels so they would slide down those tall mountain passes?
I found this fascinating highlighting in my Kindle each one. No, my ancestors never traveled to Oregon. But I always value when authors make these kinds of effort in a novel.
The personnel on the train are introduced nicely, with no dumping of characters. As the weeks go by, some become more interesting than others. Everyone eventually notices that Thorton’s wagon is much heavier than everyone else’s. What *does* he have in there? And Leach. Leach travels with the Thortons and is a huge, brutish man. Quiet, rarely attends socials. And some unkindly call him the “ape”. That character started intriguing me and it turned out I was right to be so interested.
I became partial to Clint Buchanan, wagon train scout, and nephew to Clayton Scofield, wagon master. But not appointed because of the family association — Clint was very good at his job. This was not his first trip with his uncle but it would be the last since his uncle had made it clear he wouldn’t be traveling the Oregon trail again.
Of course, there is a bad apple amongst the people on the train. And that one woman who has an opinion on everyone and everything. Wagon masters could legally perform a marriage. And also handled funerals.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book but as I stated earlier, I was intrigued by the timeline & details of each stopping place. Not all readers would be. So I do recommend it and if you are researching ancestors who traveled to Oregon by wagon train, the descriptions of the distances, stops, rivers crossed, and forts would be helpful. Just remember, this *is* a novel. Whether readers will find the sub-plots have enough substance to keep them entertained throughout … Thus, the rating is 3.5 stars but rounded to 3 stars for websites showing only whole numbers.
It should be noted that William W. Johnstone has passed away and his family is working with a writer to take the many notes and partially finished manuscripts and create completed works. This book, The Oregon Trail, “was inspired by Mr. William W. Johnstone’s storytelling.”
I received a complimentary DRC (digital review copy) of The Oregon Trail via NetGalley from the publisher, Kensington Books. A positive review was not required; the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Rating: 3.5 stars but 3 stars on sites that can only display round numbers.
Series: Go West, Young Man #2
Cover: Total miss. Does not fit the book at all. Instead, the cover would better fit a book about a gunslinger.
Pages: Unknown at the time of this review but will be over 200 pages.
Publish Date: 23 Apr 2024
#TheOregonTrail #NetGalley #WilliamWJohnstone
April 24, 2024
The Oregon Trail is the second book in the go west young man series by the John stones The book is about the Calhoun family living in willamette Valley in Oregon in the second book it is mainly about Clint uncle Clayton Clayton‘s brother spud the cook for the wagon train that uncle Clayton is leading from independence Missouri back to the Willamette Valley. For the most part the people on the wagon train are nice and get along and even have celebrations every night that’s not to say they don’t run into trouble one young refugee Will Will lose his own family in an unconventional wagon train like way they will be chased by Indians Clint becomes a horse thief there is an impromptu marriage and lots more in the great book by the John stones not to mention one or two gun fights. I do want to say I didn’t like this one as much as I like the other ones also Clint being Native American I found it odd that unlike most other Johnstone books that wasn’t brought up hardly at all even when he became said horse thief. Having said that this is still a Johnstone country western and all that entails so I will definitely be reading the next installment in the Go West Young Man series. I want to thang Kensington books for my free arc copy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
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January 30, 2025‘The Oregon Trail (Go West, Young Man #2)’ by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone was one of, if not the best western book I have ever encountered. This story gave a realistic account of what it would’ve been like to travel in a wagon train to settle in the Wild West as a pioneer in the 1800’s. The story had lots of action, some romance, tragedy, and even a bit of mystery all while embarking on a perilous journey to start the new lives of many families. The characters were a big part of why I enjoyed the book so much as they were entertaining but also relatable. This is a new favorite and I would highly recommend to anyone who’s a fan of westerns or historical fiction. I look forward to looking into the many other books by these authors!
#GoodreadsGiveaway
#GoodreadsGiveaway
March 27, 2025
This is the second book in the series finding the wagon master Scofield and his nephew Clint Scofield on what is to be the uncle's last declared trail. He wants to raise cattle and horses on his family ranch. Ruby from the last trip is staying behind. The family was hoping for a love match for Clint.
30 wagon trains start out for the Oregon territory but not without delays and mishaps.
At the first river crossing, a young infant is thrown from a mother's arms and does not survive. In her grief she kills her son and then turns the gun on herself.
A horse stealing man and his sons tie up the guard and then tries to kill Clint when he goes after them to rescue his uncle's stolen horse.
Indian raids are also a problem and Clint rescues a young woman after her family is killed. She was traveling to Oregon to meet her arranged groom. The indians attack again and Clint is thought to be dead. She has the unpleasant task of telling the rest of the group and his uncle. His uncle wants to see his body and discovers Clint still alive. Everyone is joyful.
The young woman shares a wagon with the recently widowed man and they become married.
Uncle Scofield is also feeling romantic and proposes to Lula Bell from the road side eatery who he visits on every wagon train.
Clint is once again shot at when he goes with his maudlin cook for whiskey because the man that was killed last year was the owners brother in law.
An extremely heavy wagon causes delays and when they cross the river the back of the wagon breaks sinking something to the bottom. Turns out that the man was transporting money engraving plates that were stolen. He told Scofield that he was going to run a newspaper business. When the authorities catch up to them, the plates cannot be found and the man decides its a sign to lead an honest life.
Newlywed and happy, Clint return home with his uncle and declares his love for Ruby, stating he thought about her everyday.
30 wagon trains start out for the Oregon territory but not without delays and mishaps.
At the first river crossing, a young infant is thrown from a mother's arms and does not survive. In her grief she kills her son and then turns the gun on herself.
A horse stealing man and his sons tie up the guard and then tries to kill Clint when he goes after them to rescue his uncle's stolen horse.
Indian raids are also a problem and Clint rescues a young woman after her family is killed. She was traveling to Oregon to meet her arranged groom. The indians attack again and Clint is thought to be dead. She has the unpleasant task of telling the rest of the group and his uncle. His uncle wants to see his body and discovers Clint still alive. Everyone is joyful.
The young woman shares a wagon with the recently widowed man and they become married.
Uncle Scofield is also feeling romantic and proposes to Lula Bell from the road side eatery who he visits on every wagon train.
Clint is once again shot at when he goes with his maudlin cook for whiskey because the man that was killed last year was the owners brother in law.
An extremely heavy wagon causes delays and when they cross the river the back of the wagon breaks sinking something to the bottom. Turns out that the man was transporting money engraving plates that were stolen. He told Scofield that he was going to run a newspaper business. When the authorities catch up to them, the plates cannot be found and the man decides its a sign to lead an honest life.
Newlywed and happy, Clint return home with his uncle and declares his love for Ruby, stating he thought about her everyday.
December 2, 2023
William Johnstone's The Oregon Trail (Kensington 2024) is a full bodied story of the immigrant journey across the North American continent to the Pacific Ocean and what became known as the Oregon territory. In this rendition, twenty-eight wagons set out under the leadership of Clayton Schofield guided by his scout and nephew, Clint, a white man raised by Indians. As they travel, we get a full range of stories about their adventures from the usual fording of overflowing rivers to fighting savage Indians, internecine squabbles, and secrets fellow travelers prefer would stay hidden. This is one of the best stories of the Oregon trial I’ve read and I’ve read many. William Johnston has outdone himself.
May 12, 2024
What a wonderful Western story. I could almost imagine following a map while reading the trail this Wagon Train took. It had hardship, humor, family, deception, criminal behavior, secrets, Indians, fights. I felt as though I was among one the immigrants on this adventure of the western frontier. First time reading a western and thoroughly enjoyed it. I will be looking for more titles by these authors. Would of given more stars if could. Thank you!
June 28, 2024
Johnstone is usually accurate and fun to read. Not this one. first. outside of an bad opening, Nothing happens from then on, Nothing!.. bad guy gets away, some Indians are shot,, but no excitement.
and....He makes errors on the guns. the Henry is a ...44 not a .45, and it does NOT have a Cylinder to load. Even the pistol on the cover is wrong. Where is the detail he is used to giving.
NOPE. not this one.
and....He makes errors on the guns. the Henry is a ...44 not a .45, and it does NOT have a Cylinder to load. Even the pistol on the cover is wrong. Where is the detail he is used to giving.
NOPE. not this one.
October 19, 2024
Hard to put this book down!
Characters come to life from the beginning! Being a fan of old Western movies and TV series I quickly made connections with certain characters on a certain TV series from the 1950's/1960's. See if you do the same. All of the obstacles these folks had to overcome to find a new and better life paved the way for future generations. My first dive into a William Johnston book series. Now I have to go back and read book one!
Characters come to life from the beginning! Being a fan of old Western movies and TV series I quickly made connections with certain characters on a certain TV series from the 1950's/1960's. See if you do the same. All of the obstacles these folks had to overcome to find a new and better life paved the way for future generations. My first dive into a William Johnston book series. Now I have to go back and read book one!
April 14, 2025
Oregon Trail.
Great story. I'm sure lots more happened on that voyage of 2000 miles that wasn't in the
book but only so much room. I'm sure the story line was as close to reality as you could imagine and the cast of characters were as real as it gets. We don't know what true hardship is compared to what the pioneers dealt with on a daily basis. They were tough people and most with high morale values.
Great story. I'm sure lots more happened on that voyage of 2000 miles that wasn't in the
book but only so much room. I'm sure the story line was as close to reality as you could imagine and the cast of characters were as real as it gets. We don't know what true hardship is compared to what the pioneers dealt with on a daily basis. They were tough people and most with high morale values.
May 26, 2024
Not usually a big Western-based reader but I will definitely be reading more from Mr Johnstone. I won this book & have to say it is as an amazing tale based around traversing the Oregon Trail & all the trials and pitfalls this entails. Never felt dull to read & flows brilliantly with characters you want to see what happens. Highly recommend.
September 8, 2024
A very good and entertaining story of the movement West.
The author has written a very intriguing and action packed story of the adventures of early emigrants as their wagon train moves across the country to their final destination in Oregon. Full of the adventures of hardships that will entertain and excite you.
The author has written a very intriguing and action packed story of the adventures of early emigrants as their wagon train moves across the country to their final destination in Oregon. Full of the adventures of hardships that will entertain and excite you.
October 27, 2024
You must read this series!
You must read this series! It’s my favorite series of all the books. And that’s saying something, because I Love Preacher & all the other amazing series’s. But these really grab your heart. You feel like you’re on the trail with these amazing characters. I can’t wait till the next installment.
You must read this series! It’s my favorite series of all the books. And that’s saying something, because I Love Preacher & all the other amazing series’s. But these really grab your heart. You feel like you’re on the trail with these amazing characters. I can’t wait till the next installment.
November 24, 2024
3.5 stars ...
It was fine but pretty much a carbon copy of the first book ... at least the same outline with a few of the names changed. Hopefully, the next book in the series will be more original.
It was fine but pretty much a carbon copy of the first book ... at least the same outline with a few of the names changed. Hopefully, the next book in the series will be more original.
June 24, 2025
A good read. Nothing but day to day travel on a later day wagon train. A strong look of some hardships and dangers with a slight dash of skullduggery along the way. Smooth and continuous historical fantasy.
May 12, 2024
This was a good story about the perils of the journey west to Oregon. It pointed out some of the pitfalls along the way. It had some intersting characters that made the story flow. A good read.
May 20, 2024
This was a great book! I enjoyed the adventures on the Oregon trail. This book reminded me of the old wagons west series. Everything one would want in an old fashioned western.
July 4, 2024
Disappointing. Slowwwwww read.
July 6, 2024
so far a great book as is all Wm Johnstone westerns
July 6, 2024
I enjoyed the book. I love history. I thought it was a good story with lots of facts. It is definitely worth reading.
September 4, 2024
Very good
Surprises, guessing to find you were wrong. Action and a
Great book I thought. This I say thanks and enjoy
Surprises, guessing to find you were wrong. Action and a
Great book I thought. This I say thanks and enjoy
March 12, 2025
Same wagon Master and his guide as first book take different people on another trip from Missouri to Oregon. More trouble, more romance, more of people's lives.
October 19, 2025
This was terrible…bad writing, incomplete thoughts, and HORRIBLE prose with severe lack of descriptive and no imaginative writing- stay away from these two writers!🤦🏻♂️🙄
September 16, 2024
Great storyline, wonderful hero's and angst along the trail that keeps you reading. Both hubby and I enjoy the westerns written by this author and recommend the many book that have been published. This tale of the travels west is no exception to stories told and written about the Oregon Trail. Through blood, sweat and many tears, the ancestors of the west coast of the country, settled farms, raised families and worked long hours to build communities. Many of those that traveled in the wagon trains, didn't make it. Whether it was accidents or Indian fights, they died, and others moved on toward their dreams of land. Thanks for great writing and we enjoyed the travel west.
July 5, 2024
"The Oregon Trail" by William W. Johnstone is a continuation of the Go West, Young Man series. The second installment follows a group of pioneers as they travel along the Oregon Trail in search of a better life. Johnstone's writing style stands out among other Western novels for its rich historical detail and vivid descriptions that bring the pioneer experience to life. Unlike many Western novels that focus solely on action and gunfights, this book delves into the personal struggles and growth of its characters, adding depth and complexity to the story.
April 24, 2024
At the same time that this book is coming out another one by the Johnstone Clan is coming out, 'The Forty-Niners'. Both are similar stories. Just different parts of the country. One is going from the mid-west going west, which is /'The Forty Niners'. The other is going from the north part of the U.S. going west, 'The Oregon Trail'. Both are of different time periods somewhat. The trouble is having two like books come out at the same time. Not to mention the many the Johnstone Clan has produced over the decades.
Both going west. Similar encounters. Similar characters. That's where comparisons ends. This one is weaker to 'The Forty-Niners'. Unlike the typical strong Johnstone characters, this one has weaker ones. There's also sloppy writing. Situations can be expected. The ending could've been better considering all that happens before.
This very long book could have been broken into another Johnstone series. I realize there is a requirement of length. Again, maybe there should be two-in-one, like the current combining earlier Johnstone books into one.
The Johnstone Clan of writers have strong series that are suffering from these constant extensions into a vast array of similar series and series of the past. Time to pull in the reigns.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 5 out of 5 points.
Both going west. Similar encounters. Similar characters. That's where comparisons ends. This one is weaker to 'The Forty-Niners'. Unlike the typical strong Johnstone characters, this one has weaker ones. There's also sloppy writing. Situations can be expected. The ending could've been better considering all that happens before.
This very long book could have been broken into another Johnstone series. I realize there is a requirement of length. Again, maybe there should be two-in-one, like the current combining earlier Johnstone books into one.
The Johnstone Clan of writers have strong series that are suffering from these constant extensions into a vast array of similar series and series of the past. Time to pull in the reigns.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 5 out of 5 points.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews