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The First Mountain Man #14
Preacher's Showdown
He came west to the Rockies as a young runaway and grew into a legend among the already legendary frontier mountain men. Now, Preacher is the only man with the skills to lead a wagon train on the last leg of the rugged Oregon trail. And Preacher is determined to get the pilgrims through safely.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
80 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 10, 2017
Huge disappointment and colossal waste of time. Once the name CORLISS kept appearing too many times--to the point of 5 times on one page--ick, I was disgusted. This book went right downhill, and didn't have much to offer in the first place.
April 12, 2015
I finished this book in one day, so it was a quick read. It is a straightforward adventure story about a mountain man guiding a group of greenhorns through the wilderness 200 years ago. The plot was predictable, but entertaining. Indians, bad guys, dissension in the ranks were all plot elements that kept things moving along quickly. The hero, "Preacher", is a likable but highly capable personality who would prefer to be out in the wilderness by himself. The story involves him getting dragged into other people's issues. I liked this book.
March 5, 2009
Time before the Oregon Trail. Preacher leads a small group out of St. Louis to start a Trading Post around South Pass area.
Interesting reading in that it continued the preacher series and that preacher is a man of his word.
Johnstone is Different writer from Louis L'Amour.
Enjoyable lite reading.
Interesting reading in that it continued the preacher series and that preacher is a man of his word.
Johnstone is Different writer from Louis L'Amour.
Enjoyable lite reading.
September 25, 2018
I admit as I close in on reading 100 Johnstone Clan books that the stories are getting very similar. This one is treading ground done in it's own series and others, too. Conclusions nearly identical, also.
The writing is standard Johnstone further cutting into the value. The characters, from bad guys to children, are particularly familiar. No surprises in the story and encounters are typical Johnstone. There are some really nifty turns these books could make, but it seems the publishers don't want to mess with what sells. That's one of the great things involving the Johnstone ghost written Flinlock stories that veers off from other Johnstone stories.
I do grade the books with the knowledge that each book is being picked up for the first time of a series.
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 6 out of 10.
If you're reading all Johnstone books: This one can be skipped.
The writing is standard Johnstone further cutting into the value. The characters, from bad guys to children, are particularly familiar. No surprises in the story and encounters are typical Johnstone. There are some really nifty turns these books could make, but it seems the publishers don't want to mess with what sells. That's one of the great things involving the Johnstone ghost written Flinlock stories that veers off from other Johnstone stories.
I do grade the books with the knowledge that each book is being picked up for the first time of a series.
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 6 out of 10.
If you're reading all Johnstone books: This one can be skipped.
August 19, 2019
Hmmm ... I thought I'd written one and it's probably out there somewhere. So again, I really like these stories about Preacher. This one has him agreeing to lead a wagon train west. Two cousins are taking supplies with the idea of setting up a trading post. There are two other main characters that help stir the plot ... a 10 year old boy named Jake, and a lady named Deborah who is engaged to one of the cousins (there are no other women at all). Preacher has his hands full keeping the two cousins and Deborah sorted ... but things settle down until they run into Indians and outlaws. Very entertaining.
February 11, 2024
Preacher puts himself in the position of helping a small wagon train head west after he beats their hired guide to within an inch of his life. Before even making it to that part of the story there is so much action that happens to the man named Preacher, he survives two attempts on his life, and a whore he is spending time with is killed by the same guys who tried to kill him early in this adventure. The pilgrims that Preacher is guiding slowly learn the ways of the West, but do the lessons sink in before they all are killed by a ruthless gang of cutthroats?
July 5, 2019
And quite a showdown it was!
Lots of action and bloodletting which is a part of Preachers life. We come to expect these things. Those of you reading in order already know this and those just joining us, hold onto your hats!
Lots of action and bloodletting which is a part of Preachers life. We come to expect these things. Those of you reading in order already know this and those just joining us, hold onto your hats!
December 12, 2020
Keep Em Coming!
I Love Your writings of Preacher! I can't ever wait to start the next one, as I'm finishing one! I would most Definitely refer Your books to anyone who Loves reading Western books!
I Love Your writings of Preacher! I can't ever wait to start the next one, as I'm finishing one! I would most Definitely refer Your books to anyone who Loves reading Western books!
October 29, 2021
Easy reading
Johnstone has a style that is easy the get absorbed in the story. Next thing you know you’re at the end. His character “Preacher” is an epic hero. I root for him in every episode. I learn more about the frontier in each story.
Johnstone has a style that is easy the get absorbed in the story. Next thing you know you’re at the end. His character “Preacher” is an epic hero. I root for him in every episode. I learn more about the frontier in each story.
March 20, 2022
A real page turner
The characters came to life as I read. I found myself concerned, cheering, praying and relieved many times and looking forward to continuing the adventure in the next book.
The characters came to life as I read. I found myself concerned, cheering, praying and relieved many times and looking forward to continuing the adventure in the next book.
October 22, 2022
Enjoyable and great reading.
I always enjoy reading Johnstone. He makes great readings. The land sounds ready for us. His characters are so real. Keep them coming. Now on to the next one.
I always enjoy reading Johnstone. He makes great readings. The land sounds ready for us. His characters are so real. Keep them coming. Now on to the next one.
September 9, 2024
Great ending to an awesome story.
June 13, 2015
William W. Johnstone sure knows how to create characters that one can really learn to like and want to get to know better. The character of Jack was one of them and I hope we get to learn more about him in future novels. Having a child written into the stories really makes Preacher more human and lighthearted. The feuding between minor characters sometimes gets to be too much book after book but life is just like that I suppose and in no way does it change the way I feel about this series.
April 20, 2015
Another great book from a great man with imagination of how it was moving west.
This is a very good read on how the western movement may have taken place. It may be fiction but it does give a reader of what hardships the actual settlers faced.
This is a very good read on how the western movement may have taken place. It may be fiction but it does give a reader of what hardships the actual settlers faced.
June 10, 2016
Excellent series
If you like stories of the old west and mountain men, this is an excellent series. It even has a bit of romance from time to time and all the action and adventure you could possibly want. A great read.
If you like stories of the old west and mountain men, this is an excellent series. It even has a bit of romance from time to time and all the action and adventure you could possibly want. A great read.
February 15, 2015
Eyes
Good story life of a family braving the elements of the wilderness character are great hard to find places today
Good story life of a family braving the elements of the wilderness character are great hard to find places today
April 11, 2015
Very good book
It was a very good story line. It was full of twists and turns. A interesting plot. Full of adventure and mayhem. Kept the plot going.
It was a very good story line. It was full of twists and turns. A interesting plot. Full of adventure and mayhem. Kept the plot going.
June 8, 2016
Suspence to the last, but the details get wrapped up. ;-)
August 3, 2008
Phill convinced me to read this. Not my favorite read, but fun book nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews