The Tracker: A Western Story

by Max Brand

Tom Fuller‚ a scrupulously honest fellow of extraordinary physical strength‚ is generally regarded as a half-wit. He has been fired from every job he has ever had. When he is hired on as a blacksmith's assistant by Boston Charlie‚ it is a job that he can do‚ and his spirit soars. However‚ when Oliver Champion stops at the smithy and recognizes Tom Fuller as the son of a renowned gunfighter‚ Boston Charlie is outraged and fires Tom. Champion asks Tom to join him‚ proposing that Tom‚ who in addition to his physical strength is also an excellent shot‚ should become his bodyguard. Not having any alternative‚ Tom accepts Champion's offer. It is a decision made in haste‚ and Tom soon learns that Champion is new to the West‚ that he is an escaped convict from a prison in the East‚ and that he has come as far as he has because he is in pursuit of a master criminal‚ Henry Plank.

270 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2014

About the author

Frederick Schiller Faust (see also Frederick Faust), aka Frank Austin, George Owen Baxter, Walter C. Butler, George Challis, Evin Evan, Evan Evans, Frederick Faust, John Frederick, Frederick Frost, David Manning, Peter Henry Morland, Lee Bolt, Peter Dawson, Martin Dexter, Dennis Lawson, M.B., Hugh Owen, Nicholas Silver

Max Brand, one of America's most popular and prolific novelists and author of such enduring works as Destry Rides Again and the Doctor Kildare stories, died on the Italian front in 1944.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max Brand (1892-1944) was called “The Shakespeare of the Western Range.” Max Brand was a pseudonym for Frederick Schiller Faust. Faust was a prolife writer and wrote under at least a dozen pseudonyms. He wrote in many genre and many of his books were made into movies such as “Destry Rides Again” and “Dr. James Kildare” being two famous books/movies. The copyright on most of his works has run out and his family and other publishers are re-publishing much of his work under new copyrights in print/e-book/audio book formats. This book “The Tracker” was a magazine serial from the 1920s and was republished as an e-book and audio book.

The protagonist is Tom Fuller, an honest fellow of extraordinary physical strength and generally regarded as a half wit, which he is not. Fuller obtains a job as blacksmith assistance. Along comes Oliver Champion and recognizes him as the son of a renowned gunfighter so he loses his job. Champion hires him as a body guard as he is also an excellent shot. Champion is from the east and has never been west. He is in pursuit of a master criminal Henry Plank.

The book is fast paced and full of action and excellent dialog. The book is well written with an interesting plot. The story was written in the days authors were paid by the word so there are lots of descriptions in the story to add words. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible.
Barry Press narrates the book.

[Daniel Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was ok. It was hard for me to get into as if the story was capturing me. I felt it moved slow but it did draw me in as it reached the conclusion. In the end, I didn’t like the way it ended. Too simple for me with no type of twist

[Sarah Grass · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good old western classic. Max Brand is one of the nine pen names of Frederick Faust. He was heralded as the Shakespear of the west and wrote over 500 books during his short life so I wanted to give him a try. I found the writing beautiful and insightful. Certainly different from a standard Louis L'Amour novel. The introduction of a girl toward the end had me rolling my eyes a bit but I found the story enjoyable.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just randomly downloaded this audiobook because it was available and i was feeling a western. I wasn't expecting too much and was pleasantly surprised. There were some really beautifully written lines. The evolution of Tom Fuller was quite interesting, mostly in the difference of his self-perception and the way other characters view him.

[Bonnie Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a good wrestern once In a while, Mac Brand is a very good author to read. he is not ruin of the mill sing song louis l'amour. loved this book. i read this as audio book.it's very fast pace and didn't want to put it down. has a little twist at the end.