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White Crow
In the 19th century West begins the saga of a powerful family.
After mountain man Isaiah Crow arrives in Alta California, he saves a group of people from local bandits.
As luck would have it, they are family and Vaqueros from the rancho of Don Hernando Batista, one of the most powerful families in Southern California - and very anxious to take their new friends to meet the Patron.
After Señor Batista introduces his daughter Francisca to Isaiah, the two soon fall in love. From this union a child - Jedadiah - is born. He will learn not only how to read and write, but also the art of war.
Through Jedadiah, the House of Crow will become one of the most influential families in the country.
After mountain man Isaiah Crow arrives in Alta California, he saves a group of people from local bandits.
As luck would have it, they are family and Vaqueros from the rancho of Don Hernando Batista, one of the most powerful families in Southern California - and very anxious to take their new friends to meet the Patron.
After Señor Batista introduces his daughter Francisca to Isaiah, the two soon fall in love. From this union a child - Jedadiah - is born. He will learn not only how to read and write, but also the art of war.
Through Jedadiah, the House of Crow will become one of the most influential families in the country.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2018
205 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 21, 2024
A great Old California Western.
April 25, 2019
White Crow frames a time in history that has its own unique setting. It's a heartfelt western, based in California at a time of Vacharos, settling ranchers, and Indians before it was claimed as a part of the United States. Isiah (White Crow), is a white man who was raised by the Crow Indians. He's a warrior, and makes quite a name for himself. He wins the hearts of the settlers and ranchers alike, gains their trust and is held at the highest of regards.
After stepping up to save a few people and their property from mayhem, 'Crow' is introduced to, and taken in by a very prominent family, the Batistas. He winds up winning the heart of Francisca, the daughter of Senior Batista. Together they set themselves up for a life destined for equal prominence as that of Senior Batista. The building of their rancho is a process, but luckily there is an abundance of help along the way.
This book was a bit of a slow burn for me, which was actually quite fitting to the setting and storyline. There was a bit of struggle here and there, as any true western should have, yet everything still kind of fell into place. I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a warming tale of olden adventure, full of rich culture!
After stepping up to save a few people and their property from mayhem, 'Crow' is introduced to, and taken in by a very prominent family, the Batistas. He winds up winning the heart of Francisca, the daughter of Senior Batista. Together they set themselves up for a life destined for equal prominence as that of Senior Batista. The building of their rancho is a process, but luckily there is an abundance of help along the way.
This book was a bit of a slow burn for me, which was actually quite fitting to the setting and storyline. There was a bit of struggle here and there, as any true western should have, yet everything still kind of fell into place. I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a warming tale of olden adventure, full of rich culture!
October 29, 2018
White Crow is a fantastic tale that spans the days of the rancheros and vaqueros in old California through the early days of the conquest by the United States. It follows the fate of the white Indian known as Isaiah Crow, his son Jedidiah named after the famed fur trapper, and his fur trapping friend LeRue. The author has done a superb job of detailing the customs, the clothes, and the workings of a ranchero family and their community. There is a love story, death, and survival as you come to care about them. There are banditos, hidden bags of stolen gold, and plots of vengeance. The real gold is in the telling of the tale. This goes far beyond your usual Western.
October 15, 2019
A Saga of Life Before California Statehood
A powerful saga of the life of Isiah Crow (White Crow) during the period before California statehood, when Mexico still owned the area known as California. The story takes us through the life of Isiah. We learn how he was found as an orphan by the Crow, how they raised him, and made him the mountain man that he came to be.
The detail in this story is amazing. I felt I was there, involved in all the vivid scenes. This book is the first of a series. The author’s ability promises more of the same great writing and storytelling in future books. The writing shows that a lot of research went into the formation of this story. It’s a large slice of history, the life of the Crow, and the vaqueros. Many years are covered in the time frame of the story. The characters endure many changes. Overall the story seems as true to life as any story can be. I highly recommend the book to readers of historical fiction, particularly those interested in early America or pre-California state day.
A powerful saga of the life of Isiah Crow (White Crow) during the period before California statehood, when Mexico still owned the area known as California. The story takes us through the life of Isiah. We learn how he was found as an orphan by the Crow, how they raised him, and made him the mountain man that he came to be.
The detail in this story is amazing. I felt I was there, involved in all the vivid scenes. This book is the first of a series. The author’s ability promises more of the same great writing and storytelling in future books. The writing shows that a lot of research went into the formation of this story. It’s a large slice of history, the life of the Crow, and the vaqueros. Many years are covered in the time frame of the story. The characters endure many changes. Overall the story seems as true to life as any story can be. I highly recommend the book to readers of historical fiction, particularly those interested in early America or pre-California state day.
December 4, 2018
White Crow is an epic Western set in old Mexican California, at a time in history where multiple players were in conflict over control of the land, as Native American tribes battled with Anglo-American and Hispanic settlers. Betrayal and treachery are counterbalanced with a romantic storyline which has been very well researched. The characters are believable and vividly portrayed and the plotting is good.
The depth and complexity of this novel reveal an author keen to depict a three-dimensional history, including the clothing, customs and habits of an ancient culture. The label 'Western' should be coupled with historical fiction more broadly, as this is the sort of novel that would appeal to lovers of family sagas as much as those wanting shoot outs on horse back. A captivating read from start to finish.
The depth and complexity of this novel reveal an author keen to depict a three-dimensional history, including the clothing, customs and habits of an ancient culture. The label 'Western' should be coupled with historical fiction more broadly, as this is the sort of novel that would appeal to lovers of family sagas as much as those wanting shoot outs on horse back. A captivating read from start to finish.
March 24, 2019
I was pulled in immediately to this story as I watched Crow and LaRue on a hill watching a Mexican family in the valley below about to be murdered by bandits. John Wood is masterful at creating word pictures that put the reader in the scenes and on the horse with Crow. The fast paced action follows the tried and true formula of many action westerns. If you liked Little House On The Prarie and Bonanza with a lot of spaghetti western Clint Eastwood style mayhem you will enjoy this well thought out and wonderfully researched story. Good job John Wood!
August 28, 2018
Early in the nineteenth century when men were men and women were, too, Isaiah “White Crow” was a giant of a man of Irish descent and raised by the Crow Indians. He, his friend Jacques LeRue, and the Mountain Men who populate this thrilling novel bring the Old West to life again. Back when California belonged to Mexico and at the moment of California’s acquisition by Americans, Crow and his cohorts arrive to tame the West and the heart of the beautiful and spirited Francisca, daughter of Crow’s Patron, Don Hernando Batista. A child is born of this union, Jedadiah Crow, through whom the House of Crow will become one of the most powerful families in the new nation.
Wood’s haunting descriptions and images linger long after the book is finished. Romance and history combine to make this a book of towering proportions. It stands alone, though creating a desire to read more in the series, but it is much more than a prequel to Wood’s first novel about the House of Crow.
Wood’s haunting descriptions and images linger long after the book is finished. Romance and history combine to make this a book of towering proportions. It stands alone, though creating a desire to read more in the series, but it is much more than a prequel to Wood’s first novel about the House of Crow.
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Blurb:
In the 19th century West begins the saga of a powerful family.
After mountain man Isaiah Crow arrives in Alta California, he saves a group of people from local bandits.
As luck would have it, they are family and Vaqueros from the rancho of Don Hernando Batista, one of the most powerful families in Southern California - and very anxious to take their new friends to meet the Patron.
After Señor Batista introduces his daughter Francisca to Isaiah, the two soon fall in love. From this union a child - Jedadiah - is born. He will learn not only how to read and write, but also the art of war.
Through Jedadiah, the House of Crow will become one of the most influential families in the country.
Blurb:
In the 19th century West begins the saga of a powerful family.
After mountain man Isaiah Crow arrives in Alta California, he saves a group of people from local bandits.
As luck would have it, they are family and Vaqueros from the rancho of Don Hernando Batista, one of the most powerful families in Southern California - and very anxious to take their new friends to meet the Patron.
After Señor Batista introduces his daughter Francisca to Isaiah, the two soon fall in love. From this union a child - Jedadiah - is born. He will learn not only how to read and write, but also the art of war.
Through Jedadiah, the House of Crow will become one of the most influential families in the country.
December 19, 2019
It is daring, provocative and intelligent. A tale of triumph and disaster, full of soul, deep love, banditos, betrayal and hope. This story shows us where decency, character and strength are born and nurtured. It makes you introspective, checking your own sense of self and what you're really made of. Do I have what it takes to make it when things go bad? Do I have the spine to withstand hardship, conflict, pain, and come out better on the other side? Do I really?
It also makes you thoughtful about things that never occurred to you before. This book took me on the most insightful adventures, tugging at the wild filly that lives deep inside, nudging me forward into untamed pastures that existed before my time, letting me run wild and free on the Ranches of the Dons. Beautiful, devastating and madly exciting.
A powerful writer, a master Storyteller and a man of solid character. Our books say a lot about who we are in the way we tell our stories. John Wood is a man I would be proud to know.
It also makes you thoughtful about things that never occurred to you before. This book took me on the most insightful adventures, tugging at the wild filly that lives deep inside, nudging me forward into untamed pastures that existed before my time, letting me run wild and free on the Ranches of the Dons. Beautiful, devastating and madly exciting.
A powerful writer, a master Storyteller and a man of solid character. Our books say a lot about who we are in the way we tell our stories. John Wood is a man I would be proud to know.
July 30, 2018
The House of Crow was the follow on story to this book, and perhaps more to come in a series. This book follows the life of Isiah Crow, his adoption into a family of wonderful people, his marriage and the birth of his son. From that point of the story you will have to read the rest for yourself. And if you like a great family dynasty story you will read this book. It is fun, it is exciting, it is a page turner of the first order. I read it in one sitting after starting it this evening. It was not possible to put it away and go to bed early--the story was too good. The book is presented well, it does not distract with any problems. The characters are real in your mind's eye as you read. Larger than most men, Isiah turns out to be larger than life itself. The White is the name he was given as a boy. The friendships described, the love story told, all are very well done in this eminently readable story. You need to get this one.
August 3, 2018
Read this in three days. Couldn't put it down. I was hooked on the story of mountain men, Isiah, (White Crow) and LeRue who find themselves in California where they rescue a small group from murderous bandits and end up being welcomed as heroes by the family of Don Hernando Batista. Invited to stay and work with the family, Isiah begins to fall in love with Herman's daughter, and suddenly his life changes for the better. Sadly there is tragedy on the horizon and we are caught up in the emotional turmoil that strikes at Crow and his friend.
Very different from most Westerns with a real 'human' feel to the story, written with great feeling and empathy for the times in which the book is set. A great prequel to House of Crow which I enjoyed about a year ago. Kept me spellbound from start to finish.
Very different from most Westerns with a real 'human' feel to the story, written with great feeling and empathy for the times in which the book is set. A great prequel to House of Crow which I enjoyed about a year ago. Kept me spellbound from start to finish.
December 12, 2018
"A Captivating Old Western Historical Novel"
This is an early 1800's western tale about Isaiah Crow who, as a young child, was rescued by the Crow Indians and how he matures to an intelligent adult. He eventually becomes known as a Mountain Man. Eventually, he and his Indian warriors save some travelers from bandits. It's the family of Don Hernando Batista, a powerful family. Their daughter Francisca and Isaiah fall in love as Isaiah now works as security for the family. They get married and have a son, Jedadiah. He will learn to read and write ... and also learn the art of war. An amazing easy to read saga to captivate readers. I'm reading next the further history of "The House Of Crow." Highly recommend.
This is an early 1800's western tale about Isaiah Crow who, as a young child, was rescued by the Crow Indians and how he matures to an intelligent adult. He eventually becomes known as a Mountain Man. Eventually, he and his Indian warriors save some travelers from bandits. It's the family of Don Hernando Batista, a powerful family. Their daughter Francisca and Isaiah fall in love as Isaiah now works as security for the family. They get married and have a son, Jedadiah. He will learn to read and write ... and also learn the art of war. An amazing easy to read saga to captivate readers. I'm reading next the further history of "The House Of Crow." Highly recommend.
February 18, 2019
A love of a lifetime
There are so many story lines and characters I don't know where to start. This book involves historical references, different backgrounds and traditions. Crow is a hero's hero. Raised in American Indian ways, his love and respect can be found in every word. When he meets almost 15 year-old Francesca he falls in love immediately. That love remains beyond time. There's love, hate, respect& friendship. Loved it!!
There are so many story lines and characters I don't know where to start. This book involves historical references, different backgrounds and traditions. Crow is a hero's hero. Raised in American Indian ways, his love and respect can be found in every word. When he meets almost 15 year-old Francesca he falls in love immediately. That love remains beyond time. There's love, hate, respect& friendship. Loved it!!
March 10, 2019
This book is a western, but so much more. It is the story of life, love and struggles. Beginning with Isaiah Crow's life, the story adds excitement of the old west with White Crow's love of Francisca and the couple's journey as their family grows. Their son, Jedadiah, carries on family traditions and learns how to cope in a land that is at times beautiful and at times horrific. The author brings readers a well written tale of a different time.
October 11, 2018
GREATLY ENTERTAINING!
A well thought out and well written story. John Wood covered many years in this book very smoothly without getting bigger down in details or having large, uncomfortable gaps. Well done sir! I was pleasantly entertained and now want to read more of your work.
A well thought out and well written story. John Wood covered many years in this book very smoothly without getting bigger down in details or having large, uncomfortable gaps. Well done sir! I was pleasantly entertained and now want to read more of your work.
January 24, 2019
Legacy
With great joy I recommend this book. When reading it at times it remained me of the start of the Sackette's series. Mr Wood storytelling is great and you can truly feel and share the emotions of his characters.
With great joy I recommend this book. When reading it at times it remained me of the start of the Sackette's series. Mr Wood storytelling is great and you can truly feel and share the emotions of his characters.
October 14, 2018
Great read
A great book. You will laugh, cry, get mad and want to fight. A love story but not sappy. You get to know the characters. YOU WILL CRY.
A great book. You will laugh, cry, get mad and want to fight. A love story but not sappy. You get to know the characters. YOU WILL CRY.
December 9, 2018
Jk
I read this book and enjoyed.
I highly recommend this book for
Anyone who likes this type of action
Enjoy
I read this book and enjoyed.
I highly recommend this book for
Anyone who likes this type of action
Enjoy
February 27, 2019
Well written, quick read
March 2, 2019
.
Great,Great,great.
One of the best written novels I have had the pleasure to read in a long time.
I will for sure read the next in the series.
Great,Great,great.
One of the best written novels I have had the pleasure to read in a long time.
I will for sure read the next in the series.
December 3, 2019
Great writing
So descriptive and emotion catching. The adventures only continued. I loved the vivid descriptions and characters. I would highly recommend
So descriptive and emotion catching. The adventures only continued. I loved the vivid descriptions and characters. I would highly recommend
February 18, 2020
Deeply thought provoking and incredibly entertaining. I was absorbed, thrilled and delighted by this story. This is the sort of tale that takes you above and beyond your own imagination.
July 28, 2024
After mountain man Isaiah Crow arrives in Alta California, he saves a group of people from local bandits.
As luck would have it, they are family and Vaqueros from the rancho of Don Hernando Batista, one of the most powerful families in Southern California - and very anxious to take their new friends to meet the Patron.
After Señor Batista introduces his daughter Francisca to Isaiah, the two soon fall in love. From this union a child - Jedadiah - is born. He will learn not only how to read and write, but also the art of war.
Through Jedadiah, the House of Crow will become one of the most influential families in the country.
A good read of a time when what a man made of himself depended on hard work and determination. It is a story of starting over , something I know well. I really enjoyed this one.
As luck would have it, they are family and Vaqueros from the rancho of Don Hernando Batista, one of the most powerful families in Southern California - and very anxious to take their new friends to meet the Patron.
After Señor Batista introduces his daughter Francisca to Isaiah, the two soon fall in love. From this union a child - Jedadiah - is born. He will learn not only how to read and write, but also the art of war.
Through Jedadiah, the House of Crow will become one of the most influential families in the country.
A good read of a time when what a man made of himself depended on hard work and determination. It is a story of starting over , something I know well. I really enjoyed this one.
February 8, 2022
White Crow Book 1(House of White Crow Book 1) This story takes place in the 1800's in California before it became a state. It tells us about a man that was raised by the indians, his name by the indians was White Crow, the English called him Isaiah Crow. He helped the Indians when the bandits raided them and helped the needy by giving them homes and jobs. He married and had a family.
I had problems understanding the first few chapters, then the story picked up and I found it increasingly interesting, the chapters were shorter making it easy to read. The characters were easy to follow. This was an early western with plenty of adventures and rich culture for the time period. Also, with numerous Indians good and evil trying to survive. White Crow had land of his own where he built a beautiful home. I enjoyed this book it had several Spanish subtitles within the story. There are two more books in the series.
I had problems understanding the first few chapters, then the story picked up and I found it increasingly interesting, the chapters were shorter making it easy to read. The characters were easy to follow. This was an early western with plenty of adventures and rich culture for the time period. Also, with numerous Indians good and evil trying to survive. White Crow had land of his own where he built a beautiful home. I enjoyed this book it had several Spanish subtitles within the story. There are two more books in the series.
October 24, 2024
The real deal
The house of crow Book What's the real deal1Happy endings Can you let me Tell you how I really feel It had real life I've had ups downs When you read the book you don't expect so many downers Understand that Understand It's tough It's life Understand God gives and god takes away But he does Give something Nobody else can i I hope we all get to see it The book was an inspiration to me It should be to you also Thanks for letting me write this
The house of crow Book What's the real deal1Happy endings Can you let me Tell you how I really feel It had real life I've had ups downs When you read the book you don't expect so many downers Understand that Understand It's tough It's life Understand God gives and god takes away But he does Give something Nobody else can i I hope we all get to see it The book was an inspiration to me It should be to you also Thanks for letting me write this
October 30, 2020
Slow at first
Simple language, wordy, simple action in the beginning. I love this genre or else I’d probably have put it down. By the middle a twist of action and plot and somehow either I engaged better of the writing became more focused and energized. I only gave 3 stars but since I had purchased book 2 already, will give it another go.
Simple language, wordy, simple action in the beginning. I love this genre or else I’d probably have put it down. By the middle a twist of action and plot and somehow either I engaged better of the writing became more focused and energized. I only gave 3 stars but since I had purchased book 2 already, will give it another go.
September 24, 2020
Not my favorite
Mr. Wood’ s writing style is a bit stiff. I found myself unable to stay with the story as a result. The story line seems sound enough, though. The sequence of events follows well.
Mr. Wood’ s writing style is a bit stiff. I found myself unable to stay with the story as a result. The story line seems sound enough, though. The sequence of events follows well.
June 30, 2025
White Crow is one of the best books I have had the privilege to read. Isaiah Crow and his best friend La Rue have lived through many tales. A fascinating story, so full of life, it could be made into a movie, this is how good it is. I enjoyed and I know you will too.
December 9, 2025
great book
This is one well written book that will keep you on the edge of your seat reading. The author does great service to the characters and develops a storyline that is one of the best I have read. Hope for more in this series
This is one well written book that will keep you on the edge of your seat reading. The author does great service to the characters and develops a storyline that is one of the best I have read. Hope for more in this series
February 29, 2020
White Crow
I have truly enjoyed this 📚 book. Lots of action , I look forward to the other books in this set. Thank you John W. Wood for a great read.
I have truly enjoyed this 📚 book. Lots of action , I look forward to the other books in this set. Thank you John W. Wood for a great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews