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Trail of the Gunfighter #1
The Dawn of Fury
A gunslinger gets bloody payback in this western from USA Today bestselling author Ralph Compton.
Nathan Stone experienced the horror of Civil War battlefields. But the worst lies ahead. When he returns to Virginia, to the ruins of what was his home, he discovers his father butchered and his mother and sister stripped, ravished, and slain. The seven renegades who did it rode away to the West. Half-starved and afoot, he takes to their trail.
Nathan Stone’s deadly oath—blood for blood—will cost him seven long years, as he rides the lawless trails of an untamed frontier. His skill with a Colt will match him with the likes of the Jameses and the Youngers, Wild Bill Hickok, John Wesley Hardin, and Ben Thompson. Nathan Stone will become the greatest gunfighter of them all, shooting his way along the most relentless vengeance trail a man has ever ridden to the savage end…and this is how it all begins.
More Than Six Million Ralph Compton Books In Print!
Nathan Stone experienced the horror of Civil War battlefields. But the worst lies ahead. When he returns to Virginia, to the ruins of what was his home, he discovers his father butchered and his mother and sister stripped, ravished, and slain. The seven renegades who did it rode away to the West. Half-starved and afoot, he takes to their trail.
Nathan Stone’s deadly oath—blood for blood—will cost him seven long years, as he rides the lawless trails of an untamed frontier. His skill with a Colt will match him with the likes of the Jameses and the Youngers, Wild Bill Hickok, John Wesley Hardin, and Ben Thompson. Nathan Stone will become the greatest gunfighter of them all, shooting his way along the most relentless vengeance trail a man has ever ridden to the savage end…and this is how it all begins.
More Than Six Million Ralph Compton Books In Print!
481 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1995
113 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
About the author
Ralph Compton
247 books84 followersRalph Compton (April 11, 1934—September 16, 1998) was an American writer of western fiction.
A native of St. Clair County, Alabama, Compton began his writing career with a notable work, The Goodnight Trail, which was chosen as a finalist for the Western Writers of America "Medicine Pipe Bearer Award" bestowed upon the "Best Debut Novel". He was also the author of the Sundown Rider series and the Border Empire series. In the last decade of his life, he authored more than two dozen novels, some of which made it onto the USA Today bestseller list for fiction.
Ralph Compton died in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 64. Since his passing, Signet Books has continued the author's legacy, releasing new novels, written by authors such as Joseph A. West and David Robbins, under Compton's byline.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ralphc...
A native of St. Clair County, Alabama, Compton began his writing career with a notable work, The Goodnight Trail, which was chosen as a finalist for the Western Writers of America "Medicine Pipe Bearer Award" bestowed upon the "Best Debut Novel". He was also the author of the Sundown Rider series and the Border Empire series. In the last decade of his life, he authored more than two dozen novels, some of which made it onto the USA Today bestseller list for fiction.
Ralph Compton died in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 64. Since his passing, Signet Books has continued the author's legacy, releasing new novels, written by authors such as Joseph A. West and David Robbins, under Compton's byline.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ralphc...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 31, 2015
Nathan Stone returns from the battlefields of The Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and finally Appomattox, to discoverer his father shot dead and his mother and sister raped and murdered. Somehow, his family's former slave survives long enough to tell the tale of the half-dozen Northern ruffians who did the deed. Nate buries his family and swears vengeance. He will track down the murderers and kill them himself no matter what the cost.
It's right about here that the story goes off the tracks and detours into the land of utterly predictable plot and unfortunately laughable plot twists. Nate and his dog bounce from one encounter to the next with Nate always turning out on top. He bumps into the James gang just as they are about to rob a bank. He decides to earn his living as a gambler to cover his quest line. There are corrupt politicians and etc. Think of a cliche of a stereotypical Western story and you'll find it. And through it all, Nate solves his problems with his quick trigger. There is an insane body count as he shoots his way through the old West. Swear to God, every time Nate turns around he is killing someone.
To be clear, the absurdly high body count pleased my inner twelve year old boy. He would give this book a solid three stars. As an adult, I want more out of my stories than a mindless gunslinger. I found the whole thing somewhat boring. I wanted him to use his wits to track down the bad guys and solve his problems. Instead he drifts mindlessly through the West, hoping to catch wind of the ruffians.
Maybe it's not one-star bad, but I just couldn't connect to this character and the story. I had high hopes for a more adventurous, faster paced version of Louis L'Amour. I missed the mark here. Maybe that is why, in part, I am giving it the ol' one star treatment. If you're in the mood for a good Western, look elsewhere. The only redeeming thing I can say about the book is that it did give me a good perspective on why the post-Civil War West was so wild - the lack of money, the dissolution of central authority before the Union could install a new order in Reconstruction, etc.
It's right about here that the story goes off the tracks and detours into the land of utterly predictable plot and unfortunately laughable plot twists. Nate and his dog bounce from one encounter to the next with Nate always turning out on top. He bumps into the James gang just as they are about to rob a bank. He decides to earn his living as a gambler to cover his quest line. There are corrupt politicians and etc. Think of a cliche of a stereotypical Western story and you'll find it. And through it all, Nate solves his problems with his quick trigger. There is an insane body count as he shoots his way through the old West. Swear to God, every time Nate turns around he is killing someone.
To be clear, the absurdly high body count pleased my inner twelve year old boy. He would give this book a solid three stars. As an adult, I want more out of my stories than a mindless gunslinger. I found the whole thing somewhat boring. I wanted him to use his wits to track down the bad guys and solve his problems. Instead he drifts mindlessly through the West, hoping to catch wind of the ruffians.
Maybe it's not one-star bad, but I just couldn't connect to this character and the story. I had high hopes for a more adventurous, faster paced version of Louis L'Amour. I missed the mark here. Maybe that is why, in part, I am giving it the ol' one star treatment. If you're in the mood for a good Western, look elsewhere. The only redeeming thing I can say about the book is that it did give me a good perspective on why the post-Civil War West was so wild - the lack of money, the dissolution of central authority before the Union could install a new order in Reconstruction, etc.
July 9, 2019
A plodding, overly long Western where the main plot is treated as a side plot while the main character wanders around getting into various random scrapes. I have read 1000 page novels that felt shorter than this slog.
April 17, 2012
Shot at least 14 or 15 times, stabbed on a couple of occasions and riding away from 4 dead women who dared to share his life and 1 dead horse. Sounds like one hell of a man. Or a massive load of .....
A very long winded account of a super human gunslinger that should have been divided into at least three different books. I don't recommend this one.
A very long winded account of a super human gunslinger that should have been divided into at least three different books. I don't recommend this one.
February 10, 2019
Nathan Stone is out for revenge after his family is murdered. The author adds some authentic characters in with the made up ones in this western novel set after the civil war.
February 17, 2015
The only reason I picked this up to read was because on the front cover was written, IF YOU LIKE LOUIS LAMOUR, YOU WILL LOVE RALPH COMPTON. Well I do like the first and do not in the least like the latter. /Started off quite well but the rest was not to my liking in anyway. No more Compton for me.
December 9, 2012
I agree completely with Greg Cross. Very unrealistic (shot too many times to survive too often and left four dead gals (that would be all of them and in a row). Give us a break. But it did entertain, in it's own way. But he's no LL or ZG.
May 3, 2024
The Dawn of Fury is what would happen if Steven Segal rewrote a Louis L'amour novel. However, that sounds like a better idea than it turned out to be.
The book is about Nathan Stone "riding the vengeance trail", but only when it's convenient, while every bushwhacker misses him or otherwise fails to kill him and every woman he meets strips and throws herself at him but also has a greater than 50% chance of dying in terrible ways. That is essentially the entire plot of the book.
There are also a few really odd mistakes where a person's name gets spelled differently on two different pages, or they have a different name suddenly, or Nathan can ride 50 miles in 1 hour (this happens repeatedly and in different locations in the second half of the book).
Despite all of that, this book would certainly appeal to some readers. Especially if you like the idea of a Jason Statham movie set in 1870. In fact, if they turn this into a movie they can basically take the cast of any Fast and Furious movie and put them in cowboy hats and it would work.
The book is about Nathan Stone "riding the vengeance trail", but only when it's convenient, while every bushwhacker misses him or otherwise fails to kill him and every woman he meets strips and throws herself at him but also has a greater than 50% chance of dying in terrible ways. That is essentially the entire plot of the book.
There are also a few really odd mistakes where a person's name gets spelled differently on two different pages, or they have a different name suddenly, or Nathan can ride 50 miles in 1 hour (this happens repeatedly and in different locations in the second half of the book).
Despite all of that, this book would certainly appeal to some readers. Especially if you like the idea of a Jason Statham movie set in 1870. In fact, if they turn this into a movie they can basically take the cast of any Fast and Furious movie and put them in cowboy hats and it would work.
June 9, 2023
I have not read a Ralph Compton book for quite a while and happy that I did. Another good western read.
January 31, 2017
An exaggerated, fantastical, coincidentalisticly magical meetings of one character traveling across the united states in search of his families murderers that amazingly partakes in every small historical event during his lifetime. Too amazing to believe, not enough story too much drama. Sounded good but lacks substance. I would commend the author on his research but trying to place one character in time that is able to be part of, witness of, and or partake in all these historical events and people, really too much fantasy not enough plot.
March 1, 2023
There is just enough real history in Ralph Compton's book to keep me personally interested. Beyond Nate's interactions with real historical characters/events, I can't say I personally enjoyed this very much. Nate feels like a very flat character, and many of the beats of the story were ones I have seen in other westerns. Certain phrases/lines were either rephrased or repeated often, and there were things that felt slightly anachronistic. I will admit though, that Westerns (in general) are not my cup of tea, so please take this review with the appropriate amount of salt.
May 1, 2021
Comes back from the civil war only to find his parents and sister dead. Black man was hidden away lives long enough to tell Nathan Stone all about the killing of his family and who done it. Nathan runs all over the place getting into trouble, kills a mess of guys, including the ones who killed his family, gets shot or stabbed, gets four women killed who love him. Long slow story. Yes, some parts were interesting, but other parts very boring.
July 4, 2023
Never really had the “happy ending” most people look forward to. He was shot & injured a million times but still lived & every time he found a love interest they died. I can understand main characters dying but not one of the women he was with lived. It also left you on a cliff hanger…but not one that made you want to purchase the next book in the series. It was like it was almost a good book? But too rushed & dragged on unnecessarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2018
NATHAN STONE
VENGEANCE is the plot of this adventure. Sadly how people treat others because they can. Kidnappings of Nathan's wife Mary, by El Gato, how he allowed the gang members raped the pregnant mother. They tortured her because of her marriage to Nathan Stone..Pure Savagery..
We must not forget "Cotton Blossom" a blue tick hound a protector and friend for life..
VENGEANCE is the plot of this adventure. Sadly how people treat others because they can. Kidnappings of Nathan's wife Mary, by El Gato, how he allowed the gang members raped the pregnant mother. They tortured her because of her marriage to Nathan Stone..Pure Savagery..
We must not forget "Cotton Blossom" a blue tick hound a protector and friend for life..
June 25, 2020
This is an all-encompassing historical fiction novel which takes the reader just about everywhere they want to go in the American West. It is a story of the tragedy that can befall life due to evil, war, and revenge. It is also the story of love, rescue, and honesty in the face of the tragedies. Ralph Compton certainly pulls the complexities of life into one gripping novel. Hats off to him.
November 27, 2025
A sprawling Revenge Western with various (and varied) adventures. The protagonist crosses paths with several famous figures from the Old West (such as Roy Bean, Jesse James, Ben Thompson and Wild Bill Hickock).
There is no shortage of action here, and the novel takes a rather dark turn toward the end.
Bonus: a dog named Cotton Blossom.
There is no shortage of action here, and the novel takes a rather dark turn toward the end.
Bonus: a dog named Cotton Blossom.
March 17, 2021
Action packed western, unfortunately drawn out over numerous adventures as Nathan Stone seeks revenge for the murders of his family. 3.5 for historical relevance involving legendary wild west gunfighters.
May 4, 2024
So as a huge western fan I had to read this series... And wow what an adventure.. Exciting shootouts, double crosses and everything between... A great story. Ralph Compton was no doubt a true western story teller... Sure wish he was still around.
April 10, 2018
Started to read it but put it down half way through. Felt it was moving too slow. I will most likely pick it up again and hope this time it will hold my interest.
August 22, 2018
I liked the book but the ending disappointed me some.
August 18, 2021
Long, exciting, and holds your attention. I especially enjoy Compton's footnotes and epilogue at the end of his books.
October 1, 2022
Absolute recommendation
May 25, 2023
plenty of action
Characters and locations are very interesting and well described. Author uses actual historical events in many instances. A very good western.
Characters and locations are very interesting and well described. Author uses actual historical events in many instances. A very good western.
May 27, 2025
Everything that could happen to a man, happens to Nathan Stone.
July 29, 2025
Ralph compton really brought Nathan stone to life!
October 22, 2025
Fast Paced Action
Great western capturing the spirit of the west and the restlessness of the cowboy. A page turner you won’t want to put down.
Great western capturing the spirit of the west and the restlessness of the cowboy. A page turner you won’t want to put down.
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February 10, 2014Nathan Stone came home from the Civil War to find his home was burned down, his family killed. Only a servant that saw the massacre and the hound dog lived to tell Nathan what happened and show him the grave of his family. The servant told Nathan before he died who the seven renegades were. Nathan then walked out with his dog without a horse or a gun. He finally gets a horse and a gun and some warm clothes in a manor which he had to ponder why he killed a man that was going to kill him. On his vengeance journey he killed but at the same time he suffered the loss of four women which he befriend by accident and cared for. He did manage to come out alive from all the scrimmages and I was surprised of how many times the man could get shot and recuperated without much drag on his body. He was fast with a gun and managed to kill all of the seven renegades that killed his family. I did have difficulty ready the small print of an old beaten up soft cover pocket book. Nevertheless the book was exciting.
January 22, 2013
19 year old Nathan Stone returns from the war and after fighting for the Confederacy finds his Mother, Father and Sister have been brutally murdered by renegades. Stone finds out the name of the seven men and sets out on a vengeance trail. Trailed by an old hound dog Stone meets up with many different characters as he travels about seeking his pound of flesh. Seen through his eyes the reader is taken on a trip of an ever expanding America. Across Texas through Kansas and up into Colorado. This is a very well written and very entertaining tale of a young gunfighter as he meets up with some interesting folks in a young country that is finding its own way.
April 19, 2008
The first of a three-part gunfighter series. Nathan Stone comes home to Virginia after the Civil War and finds his family slain by renegades. He takes to their trail, committed to bring the seven outlaws to their deserved deaths. As he searches for them, he runs into Wild Bill Hickok, John Wesley Hardin and Ben Thompson.
July 14, 2012
When Nathan Stone returns home he finds his family has been murdered by a band of outlaws. The dying words of his was was to seek revenge and in the end you can guess who comes out on top.
This is book one of "Trail of the Gunfighter" trilogy. I'm guessing more revenge is around the corner.
This is book one of "Trail of the Gunfighter" trilogy. I'm guessing more revenge is around the corner.
February 9, 2016
I am not normally a western fan but a few writers seem to jump out and grab me. Ralph Compton writes a quick paced and very historically accurate book. Nice read with great characters. Very recommended
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews