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The Peacemaker
Eighteen-year-old scout Calvin 'Choctaw' Taylor believes he can handle whatever life throws his way. He’s been on his own for several years, and he only wants to make his mark in the world. When he is asked to guide peace emissary Sean Brennan and his adopted Apache daughter, Nahlin, into a Chiricahua Apache stronghold, he agrees—but then has second thoughts. He’s heard plenty about the many ways the Apache can kill a man.
But Mr. Brennan sways him, and they begin the long journey to find Cochise—and to try to forge a peace and an end to the Indian Wars that have raged for so long. During the journey, Choctaw begins to understand that there are some things about himself he doesn’t like—but he’s not sure what to do about it. Falling in love with Nahlin is something he never expected—and finds hard to live with.
The death and violence, love for Nahlin and respect for both Cochise and Mr. Brennan, have a gradual effect on Choctaw that change him. But is that change for the better? Can he live with the things he’s done to survive in the name of peace?
But Mr. Brennan sways him, and they begin the long journey to find Cochise—and to try to forge a peace and an end to the Indian Wars that have raged for so long. During the journey, Choctaw begins to understand that there are some things about himself he doesn’t like—but he’s not sure what to do about it. Falling in love with Nahlin is something he never expected—and finds hard to live with.
The death and violence, love for Nahlin and respect for both Cochise and Mr. Brennan, have a gradual effect on Choctaw that change him. But is that change for the better? Can he live with the things he’s done to survive in the name of peace?
- GenresWesterns
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2016
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Andrew McBride
8 books18 followersANDREW McBRIDE has written 9 critically-acclaimed western novels set in Arizona and New Mexico in the 1870s and 1880s, with the same central character CALVIN TAYLOR. They are CANYON OF THE DEAD, DEATH WEARS A STAR, DEATH SONG, THE ARIZONA KID, SHADOW MAN, THE PEACEMAKER, COYOTE’S PEOPLE, CIMARRÓN and MEXICAN SUNSET. All but CIMARRÓN are available as kindles. MEXICAN SUNSET is available as a kindle and a paperbck, CIMARRÓN was a finalist in the 2023 NEW MEXICO-ARIZONA BOOK AWARDS . Historical figures - the Apache chief COCHISE and BILLY THE KID and WYATT EARP in fictionalised form - feature.
McBride’s work has been praised by acclaimed, award-winning novelists. W. MICHAEL FARMER calls CIMARRÓN ‘Superlative… a classic western.’ LUCIA ROBSON called COYOTE’S PEOPLE an 'outstanding novel.' Other reviewers have called his work 'western fiction at its best!' 'superb' and 'quietly remarkable.' RALPH COTTON calls Andrew McBride ‘among the top Old West storytellers.'
ABOUT ANDREW McBRIDE:
Andrew McBride lives in Brighton, England.
Find Andrew McBride on FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/Andrew-McBri...
On TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/andrewmcbride21
Read his blogs here: ANDREW McBRIDE AUTHOR BLOG:
http://andrewmcbrideauthor.blogspot.
McBride’s work has been praised by acclaimed, award-winning novelists. W. MICHAEL FARMER calls CIMARRÓN ‘Superlative… a classic western.’ LUCIA ROBSON called COYOTE’S PEOPLE an 'outstanding novel.' Other reviewers have called his work 'western fiction at its best!' 'superb' and 'quietly remarkable.' RALPH COTTON calls Andrew McBride ‘among the top Old West storytellers.'
ABOUT ANDREW McBRIDE:
Andrew McBride lives in Brighton, England.
Find Andrew McBride on FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/Andrew-McBri...
On TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/andrewmcbride21
Read his blogs here: ANDREW McBRIDE AUTHOR BLOG:
http://andrewmcbrideauthor.blogspot.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 7, 2018
THE PEACEMAKER is a wonderfully written, entertaining, and thought-provoking novel. Calvin Taylor, also known by his unwanted nickname Choctaw, is a teenager--six weeks past his eighteenth birthday--with experience, if not wisdom, far past his years. While moving eastward across the Arizona Territory towards Texas, Taylor is ambushed by a small group of Apache Indians.
Choctaw escapes with his life when he happens across a small U. S. Army troop escorting a white man, Brennan, and his adopted Apache daughter, Nahlin, on a peace mission from the American President, U. S. Grant, to the great Apache chief, Cochise. Against Taylor's better judgment, sweetened with the prospect of a $300 fee, he agrees to accompany Brennan and Nahlin to the Apache stronghold where Brennan will present Cochise with the peace offering.
THE PEACEMAKER has the feel and pacing, and wonderfully so, of a classic Western film. The story, as the author explains in his Author's Note, is inspired by a 1968 screenplay written by John Starr Niendorff for the television series "High Chaparral". The desert setting has a technicolor vibrancy that captures the landscape's desolation and beauty, heat and dust. The characters, including the Apaches, are believable with recognizable strengths and flaws. Chactow is, at times less than likable, but always understandable. Beautifully written and vivid, THE PEACEMAKER, is a big novel with big ideas that should please both traditional Western and historical readers alike.
Choctaw escapes with his life when he happens across a small U. S. Army troop escorting a white man, Brennan, and his adopted Apache daughter, Nahlin, on a peace mission from the American President, U. S. Grant, to the great Apache chief, Cochise. Against Taylor's better judgment, sweetened with the prospect of a $300 fee, he agrees to accompany Brennan and Nahlin to the Apache stronghold where Brennan will present Cochise with the peace offering.
THE PEACEMAKER has the feel and pacing, and wonderfully so, of a classic Western film. The story, as the author explains in his Author's Note, is inspired by a 1968 screenplay written by John Starr Niendorff for the television series "High Chaparral". The desert setting has a technicolor vibrancy that captures the landscape's desolation and beauty, heat and dust. The characters, including the Apaches, are believable with recognizable strengths and flaws. Chactow is, at times less than likable, but always understandable. Beautifully written and vivid, THE PEACEMAKER, is a big novel with big ideas that should please both traditional Western and historical readers alike.
June 2, 2017
It's a mad proposal and the kick off for an exciting read.
Calvin Taylor, former Army scout, has had a narrow escape from an Apache war party when he stumbles onto an offer to act as guide for Sean Brennan who believes he can forge a peace treaty with the help of his adopted daughter, Nahlin, who is a relative of tribal leader Cochise.
Taylor has doubts but reluctantly gives into Brennan's pleas. Those doubts resurface again during the hard journey into the Chiricahua Apache stronghold but are quelled by Brennan's persuasive arguments and Taylor's growing attraction to Nahlin.
Despite years of broken promises and treachery, Cochise is swayed by Brennan's proposal and provides an escort for the peace-team so a meeting can be arranged with military personnel.
A renegade who had a prior claim on Nahlin has another goal in mind--killing Taylor. This creates jeopardy for the peacemakers and takes the novel in another direction, one destined for tragedy.
Andrew McBride has crafted a gripping adventure tale with sympathetic characters and a secure sense of time and place. Well researched. Recommended to all who enjoy a good tale.
Calvin Taylor, former Army scout, has had a narrow escape from an Apache war party when he stumbles onto an offer to act as guide for Sean Brennan who believes he can forge a peace treaty with the help of his adopted daughter, Nahlin, who is a relative of tribal leader Cochise.
Taylor has doubts but reluctantly gives into Brennan's pleas. Those doubts resurface again during the hard journey into the Chiricahua Apache stronghold but are quelled by Brennan's persuasive arguments and Taylor's growing attraction to Nahlin.
Despite years of broken promises and treachery, Cochise is swayed by Brennan's proposal and provides an escort for the peace-team so a meeting can be arranged with military personnel.
A renegade who had a prior claim on Nahlin has another goal in mind--killing Taylor. This creates jeopardy for the peacemakers and takes the novel in another direction, one destined for tragedy.
Andrew McBride has crafted a gripping adventure tale with sympathetic characters and a secure sense of time and place. Well researched. Recommended to all who enjoy a good tale.
January 31, 2019
In THE PEACEMAKER Andrew McBride takes the reader on a vivid ride through the desert Southwest during the Apache Wars of the 1870s. His writing his clear, crisp, and highly evocative of the rugged terrain and characters, of whom he does not shy from their foibles. Even his young hero, Choctaw Taylor, exhibits a wary mix of pluck and fear, yet ever striding forth, no matter the odds, even into the embrace of an alluring Apache girl, Nahlin -- experiencing the fierce thrill, angst, and heartache of love. Colorful threads of Apache life are woven throughout amidst scenes of violence deftly played, depicting the confusion and panic of blood drawn and blows dealt that grip the reader like the haft of a knife. And the story finishes strong, like a good horse, not at all winded, set to rein toward new horizons. Take this book in hand and enjoy this strong, fine western by an author with a fitting name -- McBride!
November 27, 2018
I don’t often read westerns, but The Peacemaker by Andrew McBride was well worth my time. It appears to have been well-researched and it’s most entertaining, filled with plenty of action, history and a little mystery.
Young Calvin “Choctaw” Taylor has worked as a guide and he’s loved and lost his love. He’s ready to move on with his life until Sean Brennan talks him into taking him to Cochise to talk peace.
This story has a lot of death and violence, a young man learning about life and himself, and romance. Choctaw develops respect for both Cochise and Brennan, and he learns a lot about Indian ways.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves action and the Old West.
Young Calvin “Choctaw” Taylor has worked as a guide and he’s loved and lost his love. He’s ready to move on with his life until Sean Brennan talks him into taking him to Cochise to talk peace.
This story has a lot of death and violence, a young man learning about life and himself, and romance. Choctaw develops respect for both Cochise and Brennan, and he learns a lot about Indian ways.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves action and the Old West.
September 1, 2020
A good mix of history and fiction. Recommended for Western fans
December 31, 2018
A great Western tale...Well written, gritty and action packed. I will definitely be reading more of Mr. McBride's books about Calvin (Choctaw) Taylor.
-C.G. Faulkner, author of 'Unreconstructed- A Story of the Old West'
-C.G. Faulkner, author of 'Unreconstructed- A Story of the Old West'
July 27, 2016
This book was full of thought-provoking situations. For starters, the reader is introduced to the protagonist, eighteen year old “Choctaw” whose real name is Calvin Taylor. It was interesting to find out how he came by the nickname. But, my next question was, if he was a young white man, why was there a portrait of an older Native American on the cover? Choctaw was in Apache country, and against his better judgment, agreed to help the Army make contact with the native tribes. I assumed the peacemaker in the title of the book referred to Choctaw and his actions. As I read, I eventually came to the conclusion that title referred to another.
This book is not for the faint of heart. There is a generous smattering of rough language and descriptive violent scenes. There is a romance, but the motivation is almost one of desperation and keeping the upper hand rather than affairs of the heart. The young heroine makes decisions based on survival.
I enjoyed the story very much. It kept me guessing. It made a point that the “good guys” and the “bad guys” were not always who you thought they would be. It gave me a greater understanding on the plight of the Apache at that period in time.
This book is not for the faint of heart. There is a generous smattering of rough language and descriptive violent scenes. There is a romance, but the motivation is almost one of desperation and keeping the upper hand rather than affairs of the heart. The young heroine makes decisions based on survival.
I enjoyed the story very much. It kept me guessing. It made a point that the “good guys” and the “bad guys” were not always who you thought they would be. It gave me a greater understanding on the plight of the Apache at that period in time.
December 27, 2016
Gritty, utterly authentic, and as gripping in emotion and atmosphere as it is in action, Andrew McBride's THE PEACEMAKER is a first-rate, meticulously researched, deeply felt Western novel. McBride's vivid, driving narrative grabs the reader on the first page and never lets go.
Young scout Calvin Taylor, the son of an army contractor in Indian Territory and therefore nicknamed "Choctaw," struggles desperately for life and peace – both exceedingly unlikely to prevail – in the brutal Arizona desert of the 1870s. Here the Chiricahua Apaches cling to their last stronghold. Settlers, Native Americans, and US Army soldiers alike are traumatized by the savagery, conflicting policies, and broken treaties of the Indian Wars, and renegades of every stripe – American, Mexican, and Apache – are a vicious and all too common scourge. Choctaw's efforts to help the Chiricahua people of the girl he loved and of the leader, Cochise, whom he admires, lead him into constant peril. And in this unforgiving place, the land itself may be even more brutal than the worst of men.
This is a compelling, viscera, stirringl read that is nearly impossible to put down! Highly recommended!
Young scout Calvin Taylor, the son of an army contractor in Indian Territory and therefore nicknamed "Choctaw," struggles desperately for life and peace – both exceedingly unlikely to prevail – in the brutal Arizona desert of the 1870s. Here the Chiricahua Apaches cling to their last stronghold. Settlers, Native Americans, and US Army soldiers alike are traumatized by the savagery, conflicting policies, and broken treaties of the Indian Wars, and renegades of every stripe – American, Mexican, and Apache – are a vicious and all too common scourge. Choctaw's efforts to help the Chiricahua people of the girl he loved and of the leader, Cochise, whom he admires, lead him into constant peril. And in this unforgiving place, the land itself may be even more brutal than the worst of men.
This is a compelling, viscera, stirringl read that is nearly impossible to put down! Highly recommended!
September 6, 2017
A thoroughly enjoyable read - from beginning to end.
Set in a part of the USA I'm familiar with (South East AZ) I can appreciate the detail of the writing.
Andrew creates three main characters, the well being of which soon concerns the reader. For me this is always a sign of a well crafted story.
I like the way Andrew uses Apache words in order to add a layer of authenticity to the unfolding dialogue.
I'd strongly recommend this to anyone with an interest in stories of the Old West.
Well done, sir!
Set in a part of the USA I'm familiar with (South East AZ) I can appreciate the detail of the writing.
Andrew creates three main characters, the well being of which soon concerns the reader. For me this is always a sign of a well crafted story.
I like the way Andrew uses Apache words in order to add a layer of authenticity to the unfolding dialogue.
I'd strongly recommend this to anyone with an interest in stories of the Old West.
Well done, sir!
August 1, 2016
An interesting and exciting historical novel. If you are looking for something thrilling, pacy and rooted in historical fact then this is the novel for you. A real page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 31, 2017
I found "The Peacemaker" a well written western. Well researched and thoughtful. Engaging characters keep the story moving with just enough description to keep the reader informed without bogging down the story.
Good Job!
Good Job!
August 24, 2016
The author clearly loves his subject matter and his craft, but wears his knowledge lightly so that the pages keep turning. A fine book.
November 14, 2018
Crafted with sincerity and featuring hauntingly beautiful landscapes as convincing as the historical detail that validates this respectful examination of Cochise and his times.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews