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Mountain Man #1
Mountain Passage
THE NOVEL THAT LAUNCHED ONE OF THE GREATEST MOUNTAIN MAN SERIES The American West. A land wild and free and dangerous. Only a brave man dared accept the challenge of a harsh and unforgiving frontier. Gordon Hawkes was such a man. A man of courage. A man of strong will. A mountain man. This is his story. The promise of a new life draws Hawkes and his parents away from Ireland to seek a new beginning. But the sea claims his folks and leaves him alone to stake his claim. Befriended by a Scots adventurer, Hawkes heads west. But trouble has a way of finding him. Accused of murder in New Orleans and chased by bounty hunters in St. Louis, he is confronted with one harsh test of survival after another. In spite of the obstacles, he finds his true calling in the untamed western mountains. And it is here that his greatest adventure of all begins. THE FIRST OF SIX BESTSELLING NOVELS IN THE CLASSIC MOUNTAIN MAN SERIES BY THE POPULAR WESTERN WRITER WHO ALSO PENNED HIGH COUNTRY AND GREEN RIVER RENDEZVOUS.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Jason Manning
76 books13 followersJASON MANNING was born and continues to live in Texas. An avid reader and history buff from an early age, he favored the works of C.S. Forester, Jack London, Bret Harte, Ernest Haycox, John Steinbeck and William Faulkner. He started writing short stories when he was twelve. He is currently writing his 54th novel, to be published in 2016 by St. Martin's Press.
His first book, Killer Gray, was published in 1979; he did not write his second novel, Gunsmoke on the Sierra Line, until ten years later; it was published in 1989 by Zebra Books. He wrote five more titles for Zebra, Revenge in Little Texas, Texas Helltown and Showdown at Seven Springs among them. From 1990 until 1996 he wrote fourteen novels for HarperCollins using the pseudonym "Hank Edwards," including Gun Glory, Lawless Land, Lady Outlaw and Steel Justice in The Judge series, and the stand-alones Ride for Rimfire, Thirteen Notches, Apache Sundown and Gray Warrior. He also wrote two other westerns for HarperCollins under the pen name "Dale Colter." Beginning in 1993, Dutton Signet began publishing Manning's longer historical/western novels, such as High Country, Green River Rendezvous, Flintlock, Promised Land, American Blood, The Black Jacks, The Marauders; the six Gordon Hawkes novels -- among them Mountain Massacre and Mountain Courage; and the six Barlow novels -- The Long Hunters, War Lovers and Apache Shadow among them. In addition, he wrote six westerns for St. Martin's Press -- the Ethan Payne trilogy (Frontier Road, Trail Town and Last Chance), and the Westerners series of biographical novels: Gun Justice, The Outlaw Trail and Gunmaster. In November 2016 his newest western, Christmas in the Lone Star State, will be published by St. Martin's Press.
As an historian, Manning has taught at Stephen F. Austin State University, Southern Illinois University, and Montgomery College in Texas. His website The Eighties Club is widely regarded as an excellent resource on the history and pop culture of the 1980s. He has been active in wildlife conservation with a particular interest in wolf recovery. And, most importantly, he is the father of three remarkable children -- Nick, Connor and Grace.
His first book, Killer Gray, was published in 1979; he did not write his second novel, Gunsmoke on the Sierra Line, until ten years later; it was published in 1989 by Zebra Books. He wrote five more titles for Zebra, Revenge in Little Texas, Texas Helltown and Showdown at Seven Springs among them. From 1990 until 1996 he wrote fourteen novels for HarperCollins using the pseudonym "Hank Edwards," including Gun Glory, Lawless Land, Lady Outlaw and Steel Justice in The Judge series, and the stand-alones Ride for Rimfire, Thirteen Notches, Apache Sundown and Gray Warrior. He also wrote two other westerns for HarperCollins under the pen name "Dale Colter." Beginning in 1993, Dutton Signet began publishing Manning's longer historical/western novels, such as High Country, Green River Rendezvous, Flintlock, Promised Land, American Blood, The Black Jacks, The Marauders; the six Gordon Hawkes novels -- among them Mountain Massacre and Mountain Courage; and the six Barlow novels -- The Long Hunters, War Lovers and Apache Shadow among them. In addition, he wrote six westerns for St. Martin's Press -- the Ethan Payne trilogy (Frontier Road, Trail Town and Last Chance), and the Westerners series of biographical novels: Gun Justice, The Outlaw Trail and Gunmaster. In November 2016 his newest western, Christmas in the Lone Star State, will be published by St. Martin's Press.
As an historian, Manning has taught at Stephen F. Austin State University, Southern Illinois University, and Montgomery College in Texas. His website The Eighties Club is widely regarded as an excellent resource on the history and pop culture of the 1980s. He has been active in wildlife conservation with a particular interest in wolf recovery. And, most importantly, he is the father of three remarkable children -- Nick, Connor and Grace.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 25, 2026
This book was shockingly entertaining. There was a point where it quickly recapped all that and had happened in Gordon’s life since leaving Ireland, and it was a lot. It was a quick boom, not full of the most detail, it skips over seasons quickly to keep the plot moving. But it read like a heroic western movie. It was fun to read, engaging, and had a satisfying ending.
Manning nailed the suspense in one scene in particular, in the mission of Marcus Hancock. It felt like Inglorious Bastards, but not quite that good. I was nervous in multiple scenes, I was saddened in multiple scenes, and I was also happy about some triumphs. I am happy to have found this series.
Manning nailed the suspense in one scene in particular, in the mission of Marcus Hancock. It felt like Inglorious Bastards, but not quite that good. I was nervous in multiple scenes, I was saddened in multiple scenes, and I was also happy about some triumphs. I am happy to have found this series.
November 10, 2023
Mountain Passage is the first book in the Gordon Hawkes series, he comes from Ireland with his parents for a better life, ends up losing both, on the run he'll end up in the western mountains, and the adventure begins for him in the untamed mountains.
October 21, 2016
The Mountain Men were a special breed of the American people.
A great Mountain Man story based, in part, on historical facts and fiction. The book is historically authentic and very well written. I highly recommend this book and any books about the Mountain Men written by Jason Manning.
A great Mountain Man story based, in part, on historical facts and fiction. The book is historically authentic and very well written. I highly recommend this book and any books about the Mountain Men written by Jason Manning.
February 21, 2025
Wonderful story,expertly told.
The characters are well scripted. The story moves at a good pace keeping the reader engaged throughout. I highly recommend this book!
The characters are well scripted. The story moves at a good pace keeping the reader engaged throughout. I highly recommend this book!
October 25, 2015
Mountain Passage
Superb reading. A book that will consume your waken hours. A thrill on every page. A novel which has been thoroughly researched. Can't wait to get into the next adventure. Jason Manning has a great gift for story telling. So, "Giddy Up."
Superb reading. A book that will consume your waken hours. A thrill on every page. A novel which has been thoroughly researched. Can't wait to get into the next adventure. Jason Manning has a great gift for story telling. So, "Giddy Up."
December 8, 2015
I know this book was named correctly.
I gave this book five stars, because I really like stories based on
True pool and true events. Back when St Louis was the jumping
Off place of the wild west. I can't wait to read #2
I gave this book five stars, because I really like stories based on
True pool and true events. Back when St Louis was the jumping
Off place of the wild west. I can't wait to read #2
September 24, 2015
Great Story
Great story of love and adventure in the Old West. Follow the story of a boy traveling from Ireland and becoming a man in the mountains of the Old West.
Great story of love and adventure in the Old West. Follow the story of a boy traveling from Ireland and becoming a man in the mountains of the Old West.
October 14, 2015
Read it
If you enjoy the mountain man mystique, I would recommend this author. I found the plot, characters and writing to blend with my expectations. Enjoy
If you enjoy the mountain man mystique, I would recommend this author. I found the plot, characters and writing to blend with my expectations. Enjoy
November 25, 2015
Great tale of mountain man adventure. Fun, likable characters, rich, beautiful scenery and a good, solid story make up this novel.
February 22, 2016
A fantastic mountain man series. Excellent storytelling and very well researched factual history by the writer. Highly recommended
February 19, 2016
American historical fiction at its best...!
In depth research was done to make this an excellent read! I suggest that anyone will enjoy it! Action, adventure plus history!
In depth research was done to make this an excellent read! I suggest that anyone will enjoy it! Action, adventure plus history!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews