What do you think?
Rate this book
Smoke Jensen #1
The Beginning
An epic account of a boy born into a struggle for survival on the harsh and unforgiving American frontier from the greatest Western writer of the century. On the eve of the Civil War, Kirby Jensen is the youngest of three children living on a hardscrabble ranch in Southwestern Missouri. But in 1861, shots are fired in Charleston harbor, and Kirby’s father and brother go to war. Smoke The Beginning follows the Jensen clan during these volatile years, from Civil War battles to border state raids to the kind of frontier justice achieved only by bullets and blood. William W. Johnstone chronicles the early years of Kirby Jensen—soon to be nicknamed Smoke—as he journeys from boyhood innocence into a manhood shaped by violence and a young man’s thirst for justice. Filled with actual historical events and legendary characters, the story of Smoke Jensen’s early years is a powerful, brutal and amazing American saga—the crowning achievement of America’s most popular living Western writer. Praise for the novels of William W. Johnstone “For most fans of the Western genre, there isn’t a bet much surer than a book bearing the name Johnstone.”—True West “[A] rousing, two-fisted saga of the growing American frontier.”—Publishers Weekly on Eyes of Eagles “There’s plenty of gunplay and fast-paced action as this old-time hero proves again that a steady eye and quick reflexes are the keys to survival on the Western frontier.”—Curled Up with a Good Book on Dead Before Sundown
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2015
700 people are currently reading
663 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,389 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
June 14, 2019
Johnstone went back to tell the early life of Kirby (Smoke) Jensen and his family. The story begins in 1860-1961 on a ranch in southwestern Missouri. This was a violent time and place in American history.
The book is well written and what I like best about Johnstone’s books is the amount of research done to make an accurate historical novel. The book is full of historical events and facts. I do not feel the books are the same quality as when William Johnstone was writing them, but they are still easy to read and enjoyable.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and three minutes. Jack Garrett does a good job narrating the story. Garrett is an actor and voice-over actor. He is a well-known audiobook narrator.
The book is well written and what I like best about Johnstone’s books is the amount of research done to make an accurate historical novel. The book is full of historical events and facts. I do not feel the books are the same quality as when William Johnstone was writing them, but they are still easy to read and enjoyable.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and three minutes. Jack Garrett does a good job narrating the story. Garrett is an actor and voice-over actor. He is a well-known audiobook narrator.
February 8, 2024
5.0 stars ...
So the legend begins ...
A thin finger of smoke lifted from the barrel of the Navy .36 Kirby held in his hand. Preacher smiled and spat tobacco juice. “You’re some swift with that hogleg. Yep. Smoke will suit you just fine. So Smoke it’ll be.”
“Sir?” Kirby asked.
“Smoke,” the old man repeated. “That’ll be your name from now on. That’s what I aim to call you. Smoke.” Preacher took another .36 Navy Colt from one of the dead Indians, then tossed it to Kirby. “I seen the way you handled that pistol. Ain’t never seen no one your age that good with a handgun."
From another Indian, Preacher took a long-bladed knife in a beaded sheath and handed that to him, as well. “Any man worth his salt out here needs hisself a good knife, too. Most especial someone who calls hisself Smoke.”
“I don’t call myself Smoke.”
“You will.”
“Why should I?”
“All famous men needs ’em a moniker, a name other ’n the one they was borned with. I’ve knowed some right famous men in my day, and Smoke sounds good to me.”
“But I ain’t famous.”
“You’re goin’ to be, Smoke. Ain’t no doubt in my mind. No doubt at all. You’re goin’ to be a famous man someday, the kind of man folks writes books about.”
“I doubt that,” Kirby said, but already he was beginning to think of himself as Smoke. He smiled. Yes, he liked that name.
So the legend begins ...
A thin finger of smoke lifted from the barrel of the Navy .36 Kirby held in his hand. Preacher smiled and spat tobacco juice. “You’re some swift with that hogleg. Yep. Smoke will suit you just fine. So Smoke it’ll be.”
“Sir?” Kirby asked.
“Smoke,” the old man repeated. “That’ll be your name from now on. That’s what I aim to call you. Smoke.” Preacher took another .36 Navy Colt from one of the dead Indians, then tossed it to Kirby. “I seen the way you handled that pistol. Ain’t never seen no one your age that good with a handgun."
From another Indian, Preacher took a long-bladed knife in a beaded sheath and handed that to him, as well. “Any man worth his salt out here needs hisself a good knife, too. Most especial someone who calls hisself Smoke.”
“I don’t call myself Smoke.”
“You will.”
“Why should I?”
“All famous men needs ’em a moniker, a name other ’n the one they was borned with. I’ve knowed some right famous men in my day, and Smoke sounds good to me.”
“But I ain’t famous.”
“You’re goin’ to be, Smoke. Ain’t no doubt in my mind. No doubt at all. You’re goin’ to be a famous man someday, the kind of man folks writes books about.”
“I doubt that,” Kirby said, but already he was beginning to think of himself as Smoke. He smiled. Yes, he liked that name.
June 25, 2023
The origin story of Smoke Jensen, legend of the West. Classic western style story of one man’s journey into vengeance and justice. Its interesting to see how this ties all the Jensen family of books together. Looking forward to reading more.
February 25, 2021
Entertaining western from Johnstone. My first novel from him. Billed as a prequel to the Mountain Man series featuring Jensen.
The character, Smoke Jensen, reminded me a lot of the Jess Williams character by Robert J. Thomas. Same moral character. Same expert with a pistol.
The character, Smoke Jensen, reminded me a lot of the Jess Williams character by Robert J. Thomas. Same moral character. Same expert with a pistol.
November 27, 2024
Good start🐺💪🔫🔪🐎
ADULT Historical Western 🐺🔫💪🔪🐎💀
This is a good start to a series of books about the gunslinger Smoke Jensen. He is looking for the outlaws that killed his family and Raped his sister.
He becomes a deputy US marshal Which helps him in his quest.
Good Old west novel reading. This is book 1 in the series📚. The books have adult situations and are violent at times.
I got this e-book from Amazon 📚 with kindle unlimited
ADULT Historical Western 🐺🔫💪🔪🐎💀
This is a good start to a series of books about the gunslinger Smoke Jensen. He is looking for the outlaws that killed his family and Raped his sister.
He becomes a deputy US marshal Which helps him in his quest.
Good Old west novel reading. This is book 1 in the series📚. The books have adult situations and are violent at times.
I got this e-book from Amazon 📚 with kindle unlimited
April 12, 2021
Solid Western with a righteous Smoke Jensen seeking justice in a fast paced start of an iconic series.
October 23, 2015
Another excellent book about Smoke Jensen. This one begins when Kirby Jensen is a young pre-teen about the beginning of the Civil War and brings him up to adulthood and his name of Smoke Jensen. W.W Johnstone developed a great character and trained his nephew, J.A. in the historical research to make the stories accurate and write in the style that makes them interesting books. J.A. Johnstone is doing a great job of keeping the stories going. I love all of them.
January 20, 2016
I read this book some time ago. It is your typical Smoke Jensen Story. Yes we all know they are basically ''recipe'' books and you can predict what is going to happen next. But they are always quick reads and entertaining. But this time, we get his history or as the comic books call it - his secret origin.
We need more western writers out there and should be happy that these books are being written.
We need more western writers out there and should be happy that these books are being written.
November 28, 2016
The good, the bad and the ugly regarding Smoke Jensen: The Beginning, is that it's a rewrite of the Smoke Jensen story and it's not true to the way William W. Johnstone's told Smoke's story.
The good is that we learn more about Smoke's younger years, pre civil war with his father Emmett, his mom pearl, his brother Luke and sister Janey.
Now the bad, anything published by J.A. Johnstone written by an anonymous ghost writer who gets no credit, gets sold using Willam's name, with her new series, it's hit or miss, bad editing and nothing of the quality that William wrote.
The ugly is that for myself and so many readers of William W. Johnstone Westerns. If you twisted our arm, ask us who was your favorite character, it would be 'Smoke Jensen', but I loved them all equally and fondly looked forward to his releases.
So it's pretty asinine for his niece J.A. Johnstone to basically rewrite Smoke Jensen's life. Oh she follows William's storyline, but adds events to it, that make no sense, are unrealistic or believable and even contradicts Williams own telling of Smoke.
Smoke Jensen's the last series were I have books left to read that William wrote, so I've been savoring reading them and holding off reading them slowly.
The biggest blunder with this book is that, she could have just expanded on William's storyline in the book, broke it into a volume of short stories, expanded areas that William didn't originally and would have been interesting reading to add to them. Or just started a totally new series mountain man series.
J.A. and Kensington would have kept this old diehard fan happy verse having me dedicate myself to keep reading their releases and just giving my unbiased, unfiltered honest review.
So a huge thank you to Walmart, Sam's Club for making these releases so cheap, for me to be able to afford to do this and A Novel Idea for the ones I purchase used due to them having bad reviews.
The good is that we learn more about Smoke's younger years, pre civil war with his father Emmett, his mom pearl, his brother Luke and sister Janey.
Now the bad, anything published by J.A. Johnstone written by an anonymous ghost writer who gets no credit, gets sold using Willam's name, with her new series, it's hit or miss, bad editing and nothing of the quality that William wrote.
The ugly is that for myself and so many readers of William W. Johnstone Westerns. If you twisted our arm, ask us who was your favorite character, it would be 'Smoke Jensen', but I loved them all equally and fondly looked forward to his releases.
So it's pretty asinine for his niece J.A. Johnstone to basically rewrite Smoke Jensen's life. Oh she follows William's storyline, but adds events to it, that make no sense, are unrealistic or believable and even contradicts Williams own telling of Smoke.
Smoke Jensen's the last series were I have books left to read that William wrote, so I've been savoring reading them and holding off reading them slowly.
The biggest blunder with this book is that, she could have just expanded on William's storyline in the book, broke it into a volume of short stories, expanded areas that William didn't originally and would have been interesting reading to add to them. Or just started a totally new series mountain man series.
J.A. and Kensington would have kept this old diehard fan happy verse having me dedicate myself to keep reading their releases and just giving my unbiased, unfiltered honest review.
So a huge thank you to Walmart, Sam's Club for making these releases so cheap, for me to be able to afford to do this and A Novel Idea for the ones I purchase used due to them having bad reviews.
August 5, 2016
I love a good western... This wasn't that. I am disappointed I read as much of this as i did. It wasn't even just bad writing. It also served to add more ignorance and stupidity to the world. To quote Billy Maddison "what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
March 30, 2018
This is total TRASH! If you are a fan of Smoke, this book destroys the image and even more the innocence Of Kirby and destroys any reason to friend with Preacher. A book written for the lust of money and nothing else.
January 27, 2019
When you have a good thing, why mess with it? For some unfathomable reason the Johnstone Clan decided to "reboot" the Smoke Jensen origin story. They botched it.
The original tale made sense and was far more concise. This one rambles on and on and leaves main and supporting characters scattered here and there and loose ends abound. The editing is atrocious as scenes jump from one place to the other. In some parts of the book a header of a month and year is provided and then hundreds of pages go by before such is seen again.
The writing is also poor. Dialogue reads simplistic and repetitious. This gets to the very unusual weak characters for a Johnstone book. Even Smoke reads flatter than others in the endless series. Smoke's father seems to get younger as written. Earlier in the book the father's dialogue is is very farmer-like. Later his dialogue becomes almost contemporary urban-speak. The actions by the father are, also, one way earlier and then changes. The plotting is even worse. There are too many and far fetched coincidences that occur throughout the book and that equals a very unlikely story.
What bugs me most is the consistency. The Smoke Jensen in this book is written differently than the other books where the character appears. Same with Preacher.
Bottom line: i don't recommend this book. 2 out of 10 points.
The original tale made sense and was far more concise. This one rambles on and on and leaves main and supporting characters scattered here and there and loose ends abound. The editing is atrocious as scenes jump from one place to the other. In some parts of the book a header of a month and year is provided and then hundreds of pages go by before such is seen again.
The writing is also poor. Dialogue reads simplistic and repetitious. This gets to the very unusual weak characters for a Johnstone book. Even Smoke reads flatter than others in the endless series. Smoke's father seems to get younger as written. Earlier in the book the father's dialogue is is very farmer-like. Later his dialogue becomes almost contemporary urban-speak. The actions by the father are, also, one way earlier and then changes. The plotting is even worse. There are too many and far fetched coincidences that occur throughout the book and that equals a very unlikely story.
What bugs me most is the consistency. The Smoke Jensen in this book is written differently than the other books where the character appears. Same with Preacher.
Bottom line: i don't recommend this book. 2 out of 10 points.
July 22, 2018
Kirby (Smoke) Jensen was Matt Jensen's mentor and friend. In this volume we have Kirby's coming of age years on a small 40-acre family farm in Missouri during the American Civil War. Every legend has had its beginnings somewhere and this is Smokes'. Farmers in this neighbourhood had divided loyalties. They didn't hold with slave-owning and they disliked Federal Government interference. Those who didn't sign up with the armies of the North or South drifted toward guerilla raiders; the Confederates in Missouri were Bushwhackers, the Union sympathizers in Kansas were Jayhawkers. Famously the James Brothers rode with Quantril's Raiders and thus got their start switching to banks and railroads after the war. The author has Jesse James hand Smoke his first handgun carved with the initials JJ.
Only his father returns from the war slowly dying from wounds received. Smoke is taught the art of the quick draw. Leaving the farm they meet up with Preacher, a mountain man who teaches Smoke his trade which he later teaches his protégé Matt. Knowing that the Mountain Man series stretches to 45 volumes takes some of the suspense out of their exploits. The men seem to have more lives than a cat.
Only his father returns from the war slowly dying from wounds received. Smoke is taught the art of the quick draw. Leaving the farm they meet up with Preacher, a mountain man who teaches Smoke his trade which he later teaches his protégé Matt. Knowing that the Mountain Man series stretches to 45 volumes takes some of the suspense out of their exploits. The men seem to have more lives than a cat.
August 19, 2021
It is so much fun to read these wester stories by William Johnstone. They all fit into my sweet spot for relaxing reading and take me back to the beginning of the US and the westward expansion that took place in the 1800's. The characters and their interaction always makes me feel at ease and the triumph of good over evil is just the type of story I love in today's world of turmoil. In this set of stories we begin to learn about the life of Smoke (Kirby) Jensen and his adventures. This is the story of his family, the civil war and the gangs operating in Missouri and Kansas during the war. Smoke is named by a Mountain Man (Preacher) and starts the beginning of his adventures to avenge the killing of his mother and the raping of his sister. This along with his father returning from the Civil War is quite a treat and you will get hooked into reading more and more about Smoke after tasting this tale.
October 2, 2025
The Western genre finds a rugged new face in Smoke, a protagonist who embodies the raw, self-sufficient ethos of the mountain man before unleashing a brutal wave of frontier justice. The narrative centers on Smoke’s journey of self-discovery, driven by a deeply personal quest for revenge against those who harmed his family.
Set against the chaotic backdrop of the post-Civil War landscape—where the divides of "blue vs gray" still run deep—the story plunges into the dark, riveting sub-worlds of towns possessing distinct "Deadwood dna." This atmosphere provides the perfect stage for the blend of "riveting action and melodrama." Smoke's pistol accuracy is "dead on," delivering the "rough and tumble" action promised, while the complex dynamics of the period enrich the character’s transformation.
Ultimately, this is a visceral, action-packed entry into the Western canon, successfully charting the evolution of a man forced to discover himself through fire and frontier violence.
Set against the chaotic backdrop of the post-Civil War landscape—where the divides of "blue vs gray" still run deep—the story plunges into the dark, riveting sub-worlds of towns possessing distinct "Deadwood dna." This atmosphere provides the perfect stage for the blend of "riveting action and melodrama." Smoke's pistol accuracy is "dead on," delivering the "rough and tumble" action promised, while the complex dynamics of the period enrich the character’s transformation.
Ultimately, this is a visceral, action-packed entry into the Western canon, successfully charting the evolution of a man forced to discover himself through fire and frontier violence.
October 18, 2023
I could not put this book down! The hero Smoke Jensen is a boy born into poverty but a loving family. Various events historic ad personal split up the family and Smoke is left on his own. Somehow he survives into his early teens.
A series of adventures awaits Smoke until a mountain man takes him under his wing and for a time they ride together.
Smoke is a decent, kindly man but no fool. He develops into a first rate man with a gun. He also develops a rather strong sense of Justice. All these things he will need.
It’s a well written exciting interesting book. The forerunner of a wonderful series. You don’t have to like Westerns to read it. It just creeps up on you.
A series of adventures awaits Smoke until a mountain man takes him under his wing and for a time they ride together.
Smoke is a decent, kindly man but no fool. He develops into a first rate man with a gun. He also develops a rather strong sense of Justice. All these things he will need.
It’s a well written exciting interesting book. The forerunner of a wonderful series. You don’t have to like Westerns to read it. It just creeps up on you.
February 20, 2025
A young Smoke is left in charge of the family farm as his father and brother go off to fight in the civil war. If you read the Mountain Series, which features Smoke, you know what happens in this book. This book gives you more details of when his mom is murdered, his sister raped, and the way he gets revenge for all of that. You also get more information about the time Smoke and his Father spend together on their way West and of course, you get even more info on the time Smoke spends with Preacher.
March 21, 2024
A big disappointment and another case of someone trying to take over the writing of a great author and failing. The writing was so simplistic I had to check to see if it was actually a YA novel. Many acts and actions were simply unrealistic and Smoke's sister Janey was beyond annoying. I enjoyed The Drifter but this was a poor western bordering on 'corny'. Since I may not know for sure what author I'm getting I may give up on Johnstone books. Barely 2 stars.
April 3, 2025
Loved this story! My hubby and I have read many books by this author so when this series came to our attention, we couldn't resist reading how Kirby Jensen got his name Smoke. Smoke had such a hard beginning with the loss of his family in war and gang violence. It was exciting to read about Preacher and how they met up in the mountains. Thanks for a great story and for excellent writing. We plan to read the whole series.
April 15, 2025
Smoke Jensen - Retribution and Revenge
This was an outstanding western! It follows Kirby Jensen from his days as a youth on his parents farm to his quest for revenge for the outlaws who murdered them. It's full of action, gunfights and hardship. It's well written and draws you in. You simply don't want to put it down but to keep on reading to see what happens next. I would highly recommend it!
This was an outstanding western! It follows Kirby Jensen from his days as a youth on his parents farm to his quest for revenge for the outlaws who murdered them. It's full of action, gunfights and hardship. It's well written and draws you in. You simply don't want to put it down but to keep on reading to see what happens next. I would highly recommend it!
September 7, 2017
I am in love
I unhooked on the Jensen family. Will be looking up the other books about them. I have known two men like Smoke and they are few and far between. The characters are so well formed and I will also be looking for books about Preacher. Thanks Mr. Johnstone for your skill in bringing these people to life. Keep up the good work.
I unhooked on the Jensen family. Will be looking up the other books about them. I have known two men like Smoke and they are few and far between. The characters are so well formed and I will also be looking for books about Preacher. Thanks Mr. Johnstone for your skill in bringing these people to life. Keep up the good work.
March 23, 2019
Hard times makes hard people.
A excellent story set in the dangerous border States of Missouri and Kansas before and during the Civil War. The story sounds historically accurate and the plot quite possibly. A time of evil men in both sides who raped, pillage, killed and destroy innocent lives.
A excellent story set in the dangerous border States of Missouri and Kansas before and during the Civil War. The story sounds historically accurate and the plot quite possibly. A time of evil men in both sides who raped, pillage, killed and destroy innocent lives.
March 16, 2021
If you like Smoke Jensen novels you’ll like them even better after this one.
I got ahead of myself reading some of the Smoke Jensen novels and I was really happy to find this and get to start back at the beginning. It makes the ones I’ve read more complete in my mind. This is a good one.
I got ahead of myself reading some of the Smoke Jensen novels and I was really happy to find this and get to start back at the beginning. It makes the ones I’ve read more complete in my mind. This is a good one.
August 18, 2021
Excellent
This is the second book that I've read by this author, and am pleased to say that I plan to read many more. With an excellent well written storyline with vivid landscape and interesting characters, both good and bad , this gritty novel expertly brings to life the raw old west.
This is the second book that I've read by this author, and am pleased to say that I plan to read many more. With an excellent well written storyline with vivid landscape and interesting characters, both good and bad , this gritty novel expertly brings to life the raw old west.
January 19, 2023
engaging
Another Johnstone hit. Engaging the reader from start to finish. You feel like you are in the scene and feeling the hurt and dodging the bullets with the characters. I enjoy the fact that you can block out your own problems and ride along for the adventure with the people.
Another Johnstone hit. Engaging the reader from start to finish. You feel like you are in the scene and feeling the hurt and dodging the bullets with the characters. I enjoy the fact that you can block out your own problems and ride along for the adventure with the people.
July 14, 2023
The Beginning
Story of the Jensen family and how Kirby had his name changed to Smoke. It was goid to read his father returned alive from the war but lost his brother to the war; his mother to Shared gang; and how his sister left their homestead and lived a very unsavory life as a prostitute.
Story of the Jensen family and how Kirby had his name changed to Smoke. It was goid to read his father returned alive from the war but lost his brother to the war; his mother to Shared gang; and how his sister left their homestead and lived a very unsavory life as a prostitute.
August 3, 2017
This book just seems to flow along, providing just the restful but engrossing experience I want in recreational reading. It's the first Johnstone book I've read and I look forward to diving into the many books he's written.
October 26, 2017
After reading Luke Jensen, where Smoke was mentioned and then introduced at the end, wanted to see what Johnstone had come up with regarding Smoke. I was not disappointed. Another winner by Johnstone.
August 11, 2020
Fast shots, rape, murder, scenic panoramas. Parallel lessons miles apart for brother, beautiful sister in quick draws, painted dove. When the US Civil War hits the Jensen farm, raiders leave Kirby meaning for revenge.
March 19, 2021
Really enjoyable book. I was apprehensive at first however it was a well written book, great characters and flowed easily. Look forward to continuing the series.
This book was outside of my normal reading habits
This book was outside of my normal reading habits
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews