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Buchanan 1: Buchanan's War
“There’s a little town thirty miles from here called Scottsville,” Major Jones told him. “Your first job as a Texas Ranger will be to stop a war there.”
Even before the Major stopped talking, Buchanan knew he was going to find Scottsville an unfriendly place to be. Two cattle barons, who happened to be quick-drawing women, had torn the town apart in a duel that had already cost several lives.
Now Buchanan was expected to stop the war. In order to do that, more blood would have to be shed—some of it Buchanan’s!
William Robert Cox (1901-1988) was a writer for more than sixty years, and published more than seventy-five novels and perhaps one thousand short stories, as well as more than 150 TV shows and several movies on film. He was well into his career, flooding the market with sports, crime, and adventure stories, when he turned to the western novel. He served twice as president of the Western Writers of America, and was writing his fifth Cemetery Jones novel, Cemetery Jones and the Tombstone War, when he passed away. He wrote under at least six pen names, including Willard d’Arcy, Mike Frederic, John Parkhill, Joel Reeve, Roger G. Spellman and, of course, Jonas Ward. Under the Ward byline, he wrote sixteen adventures in the Buchanan series, all of which will be published in ebook by Piccadilly Publishing
Even before the Major stopped talking, Buchanan knew he was going to find Scottsville an unfriendly place to be. Two cattle barons, who happened to be quick-drawing women, had torn the town apart in a duel that had already cost several lives.
Now Buchanan was expected to stop the war. In order to do that, more blood would have to be shed—some of it Buchanan’s!
William Robert Cox (1901-1988) was a writer for more than sixty years, and published more than seventy-five novels and perhaps one thousand short stories, as well as more than 150 TV shows and several movies on film. He was well into his career, flooding the market with sports, crime, and adventure stories, when he turned to the western novel. He served twice as president of the Western Writers of America, and was writing his fifth Cemetery Jones novel, Cemetery Jones and the Tombstone War, when he passed away. He wrote under at least six pen names, including Willard d’Arcy, Mike Frederic, John Parkhill, Joel Reeve, Roger G. Spellman and, of course, Jonas Ward. Under the Ward byline, he wrote sixteen adventures in the Buchanan series, all of which will be published in ebook by Piccadilly Publishing
- GenresWesterns
167 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2019
14 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Jonas Ward
67 books7 followersA pseudonym used by William Ard. House name from 1960 to 1986.
In 1956, hardboiled writer William Ard turned his pen westward and introduced one of the genre’s most enduring characters: Thomas Buchanan, better known as just “Buchanan,” a drifter as likeable as he is deadly. The first novel in the series was called The Name’s Buchanan and appeared under the pseudonym “Jonas Ward.”
Only the first 6 books in the series were written by Ard, and the last, Buchanan on the Prod, was completed by Robert Silverberg.
After Ard's death in 1960 "Jonas Ward" became a house name. Brian Garfield did one and then William R. Cox took over the series and it continued until 1986.
In 1956, hardboiled writer William Ard turned his pen westward and introduced one of the genre’s most enduring characters: Thomas Buchanan, better known as just “Buchanan,” a drifter as likeable as he is deadly. The first novel in the series was called The Name’s Buchanan and appeared under the pseudonym “Jonas Ward.”
Only the first 6 books in the series were written by Ard, and the last, Buchanan on the Prod, was completed by Robert Silverberg.
After Ard's death in 1960 "Jonas Ward" became a house name. Brian Garfield did one and then William R. Cox took over the series and it continued until 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 2, 2023
This one was kind of a hassle to read. It starts off in the middle of the 'action,' with Buchanan working for a big rancher, then quickly moves into a range war plotline. There's the two warring factions, a third party (and obvious 'real' villain) running the saloon, the Texas Rangers, Mexicans, possible Indians... it's all a lot to take in, but leads to a murder mystery plot that still feels undercooked.
Buchanan himself never registers as much of a personality; I guess his gimmick is that he's sort of shanghaied into being a Texas Ranger, but it's not like there's anything to him that would make an interesting contrast to being a lawman. He's noble, well-meaning, etc. The kind of cowboy John Wayne could play in his sleep.
About the only real memorable stuff is that Buchanan has an antipathy for guns (often not even wearing them, which just makes him seem like a dumbass when he's the lead in a Western--we're supposed to buy that he's an experienced adventurer but he doesn't realize he may need to defend himself?) and we get some proto-wokeness with him getting a black sidekick that causes him to realize racism is bad. Maybe this was scintillating stuff when it was published, but said sidekick is a big dumb guy named Coco Bean, so I doubt Michael B. Jordan is rushing to get the movie rights.
Buchanan himself never registers as much of a personality; I guess his gimmick is that he's sort of shanghaied into being a Texas Ranger, but it's not like there's anything to him that would make an interesting contrast to being a lawman. He's noble, well-meaning, etc. The kind of cowboy John Wayne could play in his sleep.
About the only real memorable stuff is that Buchanan has an antipathy for guns (often not even wearing them, which just makes him seem like a dumbass when he's the lead in a Western--we're supposed to buy that he's an experienced adventurer but he doesn't realize he may need to defend himself?) and we get some proto-wokeness with him getting a black sidekick that causes him to realize racism is bad. Maybe this was scintillating stuff when it was published, but said sidekick is a big dumb guy named Coco Bean, so I doubt Michael B. Jordan is rushing to get the movie rights.
March 17, 2019
An entertaining western. Highly enjoyable.
August 2, 2020
The first half was very stilted, but improved considerably the second half. Buchanan is made a Ranger to quell problems in a small town. He causes problems. :)
December 28, 2023
Not problematic so much as just a problem on racial and misogynistic vectors, but in that specific way that people of a previous time who considered themselves "enlightened" would be jam characters in a "positive" stereotypical box and think of it as progressive.
Also, it's one of those books where you can tell it's wish-fulfillment by the author - he's the rootin'ist tooten'ist badass to ever brandish massive hands (as the prose keeps points out), and he's smart too. That I rated it four stars, though, means I must have found it pretty compelling during the reading.
Permanently added hoosgow to my vocabulary, also, for which I am mighty indebted.
Also, it's one of those books where you can tell it's wish-fulfillment by the author - he's the rootin'ist tooten'ist badass to ever brandish massive hands (as the prose keeps points out), and he's smart too. That I rated it four stars, though, means I must have found it pretty compelling during the reading.
Permanently added hoosgow to my vocabulary, also, for which I am mighty indebted.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews