The Man from Waco

The Man from Waco #1

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

Meet John Bannack. Jailed for a crime he didn’t commit. Busted out of a Texas State Prison.  Running for freedom and gunning for justice. They call him . . .THE MAN FROM WACO.

As a young man, John Bannack worked hard on his brother’s farm—until times got tough and his brother grew desperate. Desperate enough to rob a bank. Unfortunately, John’s brother left a trail that led straight to the Bannack farm. When a posse showed up to make an arrest, John made a fateful He confessed to his brother’s crime. Sacrificed his freedom for the sake of his brother’s family. And doomed himself to a hard, hellish life in a rat-hole state prison . . . 

A man’s got two choices in a place like Get tough or get killed. For John Bannack it means this will be a one-way trip to Hell. 

Bannack is on a work detail outside the prison. On the way back, Judge Wick Justice, who sentenced Bannack, tags along with the prison wagon, only to find he has involved himself in a planned prison break. When a gang ambushes the wagon and frees the prisoners, they bullet-blast the guards—and the judge takes a hunk of lead himself. But Bannack finds the judge alive and takes him to safety. In return, the judge releases him from prison and employs him as his bodyguard and avenger. 

Johnstone Country. A New Texas Legend.

Genres: Westerns

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2024

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

[_Blanca_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg jakie to było dobre. Nie spodziewałam się takiego poziomu po książce znalezionej w Walmart.

I need moooore

[Shirley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth it.

Whoever are writing these books now, does not seem to know how. Very little storyline. Almost like a school essay. Extremely disappointing.

[Jason Bergsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Bannack, who becomes to be known as The Man from Waco, takes the fall for his brother who was facing arrest for armed bank robbery. Bannack skirts the lines of good and evil while in prison and garners a reputation for himself. What follows is an adventurous journey of right and wrong and of course justice.

I really enjoyed the story of this book. But I think the writing was lacking at times and could have used a little more editing. I did notice some typos in the book and some of the descriptions just fell flat to me.

Overall it's an enjoyable read and a classic western, but certainly not anything to write home about. I'd definitely still give the second book in the series a try in the future.

[Mykle Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one actually. Don't normally read Westerns (not that I don't enjoy them - it's just not typically a genre that I jump for). Picked this up at a thrift store simply and soley because of its title having lived near Waco in my childhood. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I feel this was a well-written story with great character development and relatability to the lengths we go to to protect the ones we love.

If you have any other recs from this author, I'd be willing to check out another of his works.

[Ivon Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

No good deed goes unpunished

John Bannock takes the fall for his brothers dumb move and is sentenced for 20years by a crooked judge, in prison he has a reputation for not speaking much but is formidable but still a gentleman. He saves the life of a traveling judge then the old past cones to call. Very good western book and entertaining.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good story. A little slow in some areas, but I still enjoyed the book.

However, it says on the back of the book and on here says about the story that Judge Wick Justice sentenced the main character of the story, John Bannack. That is incorrect. It was Judge Raymond Grant who sentenced him. Wick Justice got John Bannack out of prison to be his bodyguard.

[Jkane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a first-rate western, and the best book that I've read from the Johnstone family. It would be very hard not to like the protagonist, or the justice that is ever-present throughout this novel. I've already moved onto the second book.

While it's not Lonesome Dove, that just makes it the second best western I think I've ever read.

[Sam Spade · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a decent workman's job with a lousy "to be continued" ending. Riding off into the sunset without wrapping up the story stinks. Now I've got to read the next novel to see how it turned out. Throwing in a preview of another novel at the end instead of writing a satisfactory ending is just a crappy marketing ploy. What genius thought this would be a good idea?

[Mikeposey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought I had read every possible plot for a western novel, along comes Man From Waco. This is a great read and should not be missed. This is called “Book One”. I have looked everywhere for Book 2 and the closest I could find was a recorded reading. Hopefully Book 2 will appear soon as a kindle book.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the life of John Bannack from being a farmer on his brother's farm, to being accused of a crime, to prison and released to work for a Judge. All this in an entertaining story of old times in the west. Loved the story and look forward to the next book. I can hardly wait to see what happens to the man from Waco. He sounds like a great guy with a busy life to just survive.

[Louis N. Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read

I started this book as a change of pace from what I usually read. I enjoyed every minute of it. The story flowed well and before I knew it I was a the end. Don’t know if the ending leads to a sequel, but I will be on the lookout for it. Highly recommend this book. And hats off to the Author.

[Roger Leihy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good story and prospective readers should takes no notice of the introduction on the back as it has more inaccuracies than those noted by Nolan. It is a five star read until the last few pages as noted by Sam, that ends with Bannack “riding into the sunset without wrapping up the story”.

[Truitti · Rating 5 out of 5]

24-48. Great story about a good man trying to do his best in bad circumstances. Hope there's a sequel. I borrowed this e-book from the Sacramento Public Library through the Libby app.

[Jana Leah]

enjoyed

[Gabriel A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. Interesting enough to keep going. A little repetitive.

[Mike Bajorek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story … I haven’t read a western in probably 25 years and really enjoyed it!

[Frodo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for those who enjoy a western. Nothing particularly special.

[Linda Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author and I love these books. This book did not disappoint. If you like old westerns and action this has it very nicely written and hard to put down. I highly recommend.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great storyline!

There's always good reading by these two authors and this one didn't fail to fit the pattern! Great storyline and what a ending!

[Margean S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

[Michael Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine. A little unbelievable how many times John gets shot and survives

[Robert D Sulon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big John !

Good. Read. Let’s hear more of John’s adventures.
Have him meet Preacher? Your novels are most always my “go to’s “

[Larry A. Disbrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Western

Great page turner. Keeps the interest up while the pages just keep turning! I’ll be reading more J.A. Johnstone books.

[Marcus R. Schuchs Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book to read

A western from a different viewpoint. It leaves you wanting more . It flows well. Like the characters and the story line.

[Deborah J. Pardue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

This book kept my interest the entire time. Would have liked to find out what John did after he left.

[Greg Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

teaser book

Man from Waco was a good read but the next book was not on the kindle unlimited plan, I guess it is good business to offer one at a discount then upsell the next one

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Western

Good storyline. Believable characters. Can see more books with this man. Lots of possibilities of where things can go. Interested to see what's next.it's

[Francie Latham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love This Book

Strong story line and characters. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Rachel-Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/3.5
A little too "right place at the right time" for me but still a pretty good book.

[jamesr.dinkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book One in anew series !

A new series to add to your reading list,The Man From Waco .Sit back for a fun read and another great western set in Texas just after the Civil War.You going enjoy the new unlikely hero.