The Brothers O'Brien

The Brothers O'Brien #1

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

Four Brothers. One Dream. From William W. Johnstone, the master of the epic Western, comes a bold new series set in the harsh, untamed New Mexico Territory--where four bravehearted brothers struggle to work the land, keep the peace, and fight for the dream of America.

The Saga Begins. . .

The War Between the States has ended. Now, driven from Texas by carpetbaggers, former CSA Colonel Shamus O'Brien sets off for a new frontier--New Mexico. Here, where land is cheap, bandits shoot to kill, and rustlers rule the night, it takes more than one man to run a ranch. So he offers a partnership to his eldest son, Jacob, with equal shares going to his sons Sam, Patrick, and Shawn. Together, the brothers O'Brien will defend their homestead, the Dromore, in this violent, lawless land. . .and when necessary, administer their own brand of frontier justice.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Historical Fiction

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2013

About the author

William 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.

Reviews

[Bill Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre at best. I was expecting a unique take on a classic western tale, instead I got average characters that were hard to get invested in and therefore I just. Oils get interested in the overall plot.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good many Western novels I've read have been atmospheric and rather slow paced. "The Brothers O'Brien" is atmospheric in addition to delivering the cowboy goods, so to speak. How patriarch Shamus O'Brien and his bride pioneered the New Mexico Territory to buy the land for their home from money he made driving a herd of cattle up from Texas. Surviving the challenges of a brutal 189o's environment of hostile Apache's to cattle rustlers, murderers and thieves jump started a bold saga of a great family. I liked this book very much and consider it on a par with my favorite Western; "Lonesome Dove".

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh and exciting

I am a long-time western novel reader. This book, however, was fresh and interesting. I looked forward to every session I had with the brothers, since I did not have the time to read uninterrupted. Can't wait to start book 2.

[Jacob Middaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, never a dull moment!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

May have found a replacement for Louis Lamour. Having read most of Lamour's westerns over the years, I find that the Johnstone novels are a close rival for action and storytelling. Good characters, too.

[Carol Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again

I am always caught up in the story as tendered by the Johnstones and the Brothers O'Brien met my expectations. I especially enjoy the descriptive language such as given in comparing the featured farmhouse to a Currier and Ives print, so easy to picture.

[Kaelene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like the story line that much. It just wasn't for me. I think I cared more about the cat in the story than the rest of the characters...

[Steven Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new series

Great new series by a great author, looking forward to reading more about the brothers O'Brien. Great storytelling in the style of Louis Lamour.

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

A great tale as are all of this Author’s Novels. It goes without saying that it is well written and edited.

[Kathleen Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Much

I usually love William W. Johnston’s westerns. When I want a western he is my go to writer. This book just left me wishing for the end.
The beginning seemed like a different story than the last half. Didn’t warm up to most of the characters in the first half, but I did like Jacob.
The beginning was great then it got boring until the last few chapters of the book.
Thanks for writing so many good books.

[Francie Latham · Rating 5 out of 5]

very different

I’ve read over 50 books by Johnstone and this is very different than any of their books. I don’t know really what to think. It was a book I could not put down once I started reading it. Like the Family and know the area very. Good to excellent read; but, again different

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, ending was a surprise and I am rarely surprised. Thoroughly enjoyed this western.read it in 2.5 days, hard to put down. Everything one wants in a western: action, true to themselves characters, descriptive..

[rick incremona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very good. I could never quite tell how i felt about the O'briens, but that there is a western for you. Ironside is by and far my favorite person in the entire book. Ornery, yet gentlemanly all the same. I will read the next in the series for sure.

[John Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different kind of story

The storyline was definitely different and filled with intrigue. The action was fast-paced and the characters were well developed. I am getting ready to start book two.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never really read westerns, but found this entertaining. They did take themselves rather seriously, but if you can get through that, it is quite an adventure.

[Jack Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series. It's fun to read about the west and the way it was or we wished it was.

[Richard Wright]

Great read

Good story with plenty of western action and archtypes. I enjoyed the family saga. The locations were rendered in fine detail.

[Ted Cartier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to a new series.

[Ollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beginning .. Next

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liking this author the more I read him ... well narrated and an interesting plots (all so far).

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty of action in this one.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story!

This was a amazing story and I hope it turns into a series! Brilliant writing that not many can compare to!

[Fraser Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poor example of a western. Grim and taking itself too seriously. The classics such is the works of Jt Edson, or the brilliant Cassidy novels if Clarence E Mulford had a spark of humour, humanity and soul. This book has an ugly right wing political edge to it. I was looking forward to reading a new Western Series. I will keep looking.

[Karen Coady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love westerns.

[Catherine]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12911220

[Mauricio]

Entertaining read. The author places a Muslim suicide bomber back in the 1800s, I wonder if influenced by the current news.