The Frontiersman

The Frontiersman #1

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

THE GREATEST WESTERN WRITERS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
The first book in a magnificent new series by America's bestselling Western writer: here is the towering saga of Breckenridge Wallace, a new breed of intrepid pioneer who helped forge a path through the wild American frontier...

THE FRONTIERSMAN

In Tennessee, 17-year-old Breckinridge Wallace knew the laws of nature. When his life was in danger, he showed a fearless instinct to fight back. Killing a thug who was sent to kill him got Breckinridge exiled from his Smoky Mountain home. Brutally wounding an Indian attacker earned him an enemy for life... Now, from the bustling streets of St. Louis to the vast stillness of the Missouri headwaters, Breckinridge is discovering a new world of splendor, violence, promise and betrayal. Most off all, he is clawing his way to manhood behind the law of the gun. Because the trouble he left in Tennessee won't let him go. A killer stalks his every move. And by the time he joins a dangerous expedition, Breckenridge has only had a small taste of the blood, horror and violence he must face next--to make his way to a new frontier...
Also Available in Audiobook

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

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

[Daniel Volpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad first book for a series. Decent action, but thin storyline.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Frontiersman" is a great Western novel which follows Breckenridge Wallace, a very large red-headed young man, as he flees the town he grew up in and sets out west to escape his past. The book begins with two significant events for him- first, he is hunting a bear when some Chickasaw renegades attack him and he kills two of them, and then second, he is attacked by 6 men on the road (inspired by his courting of a girl one of them is also courting) and accidentally kills one of them in the scuffle. The contrast is drawn to the fact that although no one would mind much about the death of the Native Americans, he would be persecuted and likely hung for the death of the white man killed accidentally.

Fleeing town, he sets off on an adventure west to the frontier and encounters many people along the way. The writing in the book is really excellent, and it reads very well and fast. The text isn't bogged down in descriptions but flows through actions and thoughts smoothly. Breckenridge was a character that I didn't particularly care for (he seems a little reckless and prone to violence, but maybe this was just the time), but I was still able to enjoy the book and his adventures despite this (and this is a personal thing). I wasn't particularly fond of the portrayal of the Native Americans either- they were very flat characters without dimension.

That being said, I think this book will resonate with people who love Westerns because it seemed like an old Western movie waiting to be made. Please note that I received this book through a goodreads giveaway. All opinions are my own.

[Haley Kilgour · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book... has a lot of problems... both story, character, and plausibility wise.

Plausibility wise... within the first few pages, Breckinridge has to escape from some hostile natives. He does so by jumping into a river and swimming. He then reasons that because he’s a good runner he can totally hold his breath for several minutes. As a biologist... I’m telling you the two do not correlate in the slightest. Also, high adrenaline situations are more likely to lower your breath holding capabilities.

Secondly, the chances of breaking someone’s neck by punching them... no matter how tall you are, are EXTREMELY unlikely. And somehow, Breckinridge always seems to be punching people and breaking their necks through the book.

Story wise... nothing of major consequence really happens until the last quarter of the book. Like the first 75% could’ve never been written and the story would’ve been better off for it.

Character wise, Breckinridge is a fucking idiot. Like, it’s astounding. Hmm... girl is married and her husband already falsely accused me of murder which has just been rescinded-better go try to convince her to leave her husband. Oh, meet strange guys in the middle of nowhere, no chance they’ll rob me!

And back to story, it’s repetitive. Play with another guys girl, get accused for murder, run, escapades on wild frontier, have major shoot out, girl dies. Murder charges dropped, go home, play with same guys now wife, girl gets shot, runs, goes back to frontier, major shoot out... continue to Colorado.

Honestly, only pick this up if you like cheesy westerns. Otherwise, save yourself some hair pulling.

[Darlene Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breckinridge Wallace and Morgan Baxter leave St Louis to trap beaver in the Rocky Mountains they encounter problems with a man Carnahan and his second in command Major Gordon Ralston. Wallace and Baxter become friends with a tribe of Crow with Wallace marrying Dawn Wind. Blackfeet attack the Crow village killing some and of the villagers and some Blackfeet raiders being killed by the Crow and Wallace. This is a good book about building friendships, living through storms and attacks by those wishing to kill you. William W. Johnstone is an author who captures my interest from the begin of his book and keeps me interested to the end, often in less than 48 hours.

[Karen Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The frontiersman by William W. Johnstone, is an action packed tale which is hard to put down,
The story is full of good old western fights,murder, mayhem with a great storyline.
The character of Breckenridge is very memorable and likeable, and was saddened when the book came to an end as i wanted more, only to find out that the saga continues in the authors next book which i will be looking forward to reading.
I won this book through Goodreads. Thank you to the author for the chance to read and review this book

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Frontiersman by William W. Johnstone, is an action packed tale which is hard to put down,
The story is full of good old western fights,murder, mayhem with a great storyline.
The character of Breckenridge is very memorable and likeable, and was saddened when the book came to an end as I wanted more, only to find out that the saga continues in the authors next book which I will be looking forward to reading.
I won this book through Goodreads. Thank you to the author for the chance to read and review this book.

[Ian Yarington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in the giveaways and what has been happening a lot lately is that I find gems like this that I would have never looked twice at in the book store. I'm not a huge fan of westerns but this story is actually really fun and full of action. What I liked most is it wasn't too focused on mundane frontiersman facts and kept the pace moving so it was easy to read. I would certainly consider keeping up with the series and was very happy to have received a copy for review.

[David Burnworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breckinridge Wallace was a 17-year-old kid, when his life changed first he had to defend himself when he was attacked by four Indians. He killed two of them and hurt another, who would show up much later in this story. Then once again he has to defend himself when he is jumped by six guys. He kills one and then the real story begins. I will leave you there in hopes it makes you want to read this one. Well worth your time.

[Tome Addiction · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantastical adventure of a young man and the frontier. Small glimpses of early life but too many fantastical adventures for me. I read Flintlock just before this one and Flintlock is a better story overall.

[Judy NH Gardener · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is fine, but the main character is not believable. No one would continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. I will read more of Mr. Johnstone's writing but not any more of this character, Breckinridge Wallace.

[larry brashear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine book!

Again good triumphs over evil. Really interesting and exciting with the story keeping the reader on his toes. Great author!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and entertaining novel. I enjoyed reading this novel and recommend this book to everyone.

[Martha Peebles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book as always will grab you and won't let go. I really like these books look forward to the next book.

[Russell Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great book that kept me interested throughout. Very good storytelling and a page turner. Lots of western writers fall short but JA. Hits it right.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Joe Knapschaefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and hard to put down

A very likable main figure with not the best luck in the world. I will most likely follow Breck on his next set of adventures

[Susan P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Johnstone shoot-em-up western

[Daniel D Reck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, fast moving tale typical of the Johnstone line. Plenty of action and excitement. I’ll read the others in the series.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Western book.

[Bob Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

[Michael Fuchs · Rating 5 out of 5]

None stop action

[Micheal Jimerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written novel. I personally didn't find it meaningful or as satisfying as I want in a story.

[Fred Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a series. Enjoyed it very much. Love watching the young man s progress across the country. He sure has some troubles to overcome. Plan on reading the rest of the series.

[Kayla]

Hehehehehehehehehehehehe I’m an old man

[Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never know what to expect when starting a new series, but while this one had some sad moments, the main character himself I really enjoy. I'm curious to see where this series goes.

[Samantha Markins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always like westerns and this story had plenty of settings, characters and action to fulfill the frontier spirit.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Goodreads win review. This book is a great Western story. This is a new series by this author about Breckenridge Wallace. He wounded an Indian which earns him an enemy. So he flees but a killer stalks him and he travels to the new frontier.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good-paced western-adventure book #1. Breckenridge Wallace is an outdoorsman young man growing up not far from Knoxville, TN. Time period not really identified, but appears to be late 1800s. Wallace deals with adversity from the get-go, while hunting, and running into Chickasaw. Afterwards he deals with another man vying for the heart of a woman he loves. This other fellow is wealthy and arrogant and loathes Breck. After a run-in with this fellow and his cohorts, an incident occurs that changes Brecks life, and he leaves his family to head west. Many adventures occur: in a small town near Chattanooga, along the Mississippi, in St. Louis, and along the Missouri. All the while life is not fair, and Breck must overcome obstacles to reach a goal of his, and that being getting to the Rockies and becoming a fur trapper. Who is friend and who is foe?

Overall this book brought up good geographical references, and is the type of book I like as I can follow somewhat on a map. Not perfect, as the author calls the area near Knoxville the foothills of the Blue Ridge, when in fact the Blue Ridge is on the NC side of Tenn, so it would be the foothills of the Smokys, which was mentioned at the beginning of the book, but later changed to the Blue Ridge. Minor error.

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Johnstone book, apparently the first of a new series. I just did not enjoy it as much as I have most of his series. I couldn’t pinpoint a reason, just something about it. I will look for book 2 when it comes out.