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Superstition Gun Trilogy #1
No Good Like It Is
1858, Fort Gibson, Indian Territory. 2d Lieutenant Dobey Walls meets and bonds with veteran Corporal Jimmy Melton. As the Civil War begins, they leave to join the 8th Texas Cavalry in Houston, then take part in the first and the final charges of the Army of Tennessee. Between those events, they ride with Nathan Bedford Forrest, play an honorable role in the Fort Pillow Massacre, harass Sherman with Shannon's Raiders, and visit the second best brothel in Atlanta. As surrender looms, they're released to search for Dobey's long-missing family in the Texas Panhandle. Their efforts are hampered by destitute farmers, lonely widows, dangerous militia, freed slaves, and runaways, who increase their numbers and excitement. In the process, they save a quadroon and her daughter from Yankee deserters who have stolen a Union payroll. This act of mercy brings them romance but puts Pinkerton detectives and a renegade lawman on their trail.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2010
111 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
McKendree R. Long III
1 book3 followersSee also McKendree Long
McKendree R. (Mike) Long III is a former soldier with two tours as an advisor to South Vietnamese Army units. His awards and decorations include the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantrymans Badge, the Silver Star, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (Gold and Silver Stars). He holds a BS in Business Administration from Coker College, and minored in US History. After retiring from the Army in 1980, he spent the next twenty-nine years as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. A Life Member of the National Rifle Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars, he is also a proud member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He now devotes his time to his family, his writing, his guns, and travel. He and his wife had two adult daughters and split their time between Blythewood and Seabrook Island, South Carolina
McKendree R. (Mike) Long III is a former soldier with two tours as an advisor to South Vietnamese Army units. His awards and decorations include the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantrymans Badge, the Silver Star, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (Gold and Silver Stars). He holds a BS in Business Administration from Coker College, and minored in US History. After retiring from the Army in 1980, he spent the next twenty-nine years as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch. A Life Member of the National Rifle Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars, he is also a proud member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He now devotes his time to his family, his writing, his guns, and travel. He and his wife had two adult daughters and split their time between Blythewood and Seabrook Island, South Carolina
A gun collector with a fascination for the weaponry of the Western Era (1850 1900) Long has handled and fired all of the weapons described in his book. His curiosity about these guns was the genesis of No Good Like It Is.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 7, 2013
Really enjoyed this story of Dobey Walls', and friends, activities in the American Civil War. Hobbes may be right that life is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short,” but there is nothing solitary with the Eighth Texas Volunteers and this story promises not to be limited to this first book, although the rest of the quotation is clearly true in this instance.
Background and facts are well researched and the action vividly places you in location among believable characters. The tale faltered slightly at the end of the conflict but it continued to hold the interest and is clearly destined to move on to the next episode in the history of the Texas Rangers. Well worth a read to gain a taste of what it might have felt like in the turbulent 1860's and earlier.
Background and facts are well researched and the action vividly places you in location among believable characters. The tale faltered slightly at the end of the conflict but it continued to hold the interest and is clearly destined to move on to the next episode in the history of the Texas Rangers. Well worth a read to gain a taste of what it might have felt like in the turbulent 1860's and earlier.
January 30, 2013
In the interest of full disclosure, I bought this book after I heard the author speak and the idea of his booked sparked my interest. I'd never go looking for a western to read, but I'm delighted to have read this one. The author not only packs the pages with action; the picture he paints of the landscape, leaves the reader believing that the setting is also a character. I loved the dialogue! It was very authentic and engaging. When I finished, I remembered how much I loved the westerns of my era...Wagon Train, Gunsmoke... So I'm off to read the sequel Dog Soldier Moon. I would recommend. Back away from your usual genre! Try something different! You won't be sorry :)
July 23, 2017
I would give this book a 2.5 if I could, but won't go so far as to give it a 3 star rating. The writing is amateurish, the characters cliche and undeveloped. There was just enough of a plot to keep me interested, and read fairly quickly, though the conclusion was abrupt and unsatisfying.
The main characters are supposed to have a sense of "Texas justice", and the author wants us to applaud them for not taking part in the Fort Pillow massacre, but that seemed to be the only point in the story where they had qualms about shooting unarmed prisoners or wounded. Part of whatever two-dimensional image the author was trying to create for his tough-guy characters I guess.
Finally, while the author does seem to have a good grasp on the history, of firearms in particular, there are several instances that were blatantly historically inaccurate, so much so that they distracted from what little flow there was to the story.
Bottom line, I read this book because I had bought it cheap at a book fair, and have a bad habit of finishing books after I start them even if they aren't any good.
The main characters are supposed to have a sense of "Texas justice", and the author wants us to applaud them for not taking part in the Fort Pillow massacre, but that seemed to be the only point in the story where they had qualms about shooting unarmed prisoners or wounded. Part of whatever two-dimensional image the author was trying to create for his tough-guy characters I guess.
Finally, while the author does seem to have a good grasp on the history, of firearms in particular, there are several instances that were blatantly historically inaccurate, so much so that they distracted from what little flow there was to the story.
Bottom line, I read this book because I had bought it cheap at a book fair, and have a bad habit of finishing books after I start them even if they aren't any good.
February 12, 2019
An ML. Western/US Calvary in the West/Calvary (South vs North) Civil War
ML. has. penned a western that begins before the Civil War with a Calvary unit in West Texas. At the beginning of the Civil War the split became a thing of sadness. The southern men went with the South and the Northern wih the North. The Civil War is the setting. Pro and con. There was no winner except for the rich industrialists. This us can excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
ML. has. penned a western that begins before the Civil War with a Calvary unit in West Texas. At the beginning of the Civil War the split became a thing of sadness. The southern men went with the South and the Northern wih the North. The Civil War is the setting. Pro and con. There was no winner except for the rich industrialists. This us can excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
June 26, 2024
I wish I had read this series in order, but that's just how it goes sometimes. I like that Long includes historical events in the narrative, especially some that are seldom covered. It was nice to discover the genesis of some of my favored characters. The action is violent, depicting I think the dangerous experiences of many during this time. Long also seems to have a fascination with weaponry of the era.
December 29, 2018
A Rather Complex Early Frontier Western!
Most of Long's writing style flows along on an easy reading style before he complicates it with confusing military action, short-lived characters and terms unfamiliar to the typical reader, before returning to his original enjoyable story flow.
Most of Long's writing style flows along on an easy reading style before he complicates it with confusing military action, short-lived characters and terms unfamiliar to the typical reader, before returning to his original enjoyable story flow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2019
Great series
Super read, kept you going. Great historic references, civil war from a different perspective, and the years after. Commentary on the technological advances of the era, spot on.
Super read, kept you going. Great historic references, civil war from a different perspective, and the years after. Commentary on the technological advances of the era, spot on.
March 29, 2019
This Read is Outstanding!
This is one of the few reads that starts out holding your attention and keeps it right to the end, just a great read. I plan to follow this author on his latest and possibly greater reads. Thank you for your hard work and your excellent product.
This is one of the few reads that starts out holding your attention and keeps it right to the end, just a great read. I plan to follow this author on his latest and possibly greater reads. Thank you for your hard work and your excellent product.
January 20, 2019
Excellent book. Can't wait for the next one!!!!! I received an advance copy for an honest review.
June 17, 2010
I'm not a fan of westerns or war novels but agreed to read this book in the hopes of expanding my horizons. At first glance, No Good Like It Is sounded like North and South to me. I attempted to read the North and South trilogy by John Jakes last year, after watching and loving the television mini-series (which was shot in 1985 and starred Patrick Swayze and Kirstie Alley). I couldn't get into the North and South books because they feature so many battle scenes. After 100 pages of No Good Like It Is, I have decided that I'm really not a fan of westerns.
This book is well done. I can tell that the author has military experience and a thorough knowlege of American history. The plot, characters, and dialogue are very thoughtfully written. I couldn't finish No Good Like It Is because I don't like reading about battle scenes. The first 100 pages were almost non-stop action/battle sequences that I just couldn't get into.
You've written a good book, McKendree R. Long III. It's not you, it's me. It really is.
Score:
It was good but I couldn't finish because westerns just aren't for me.
This book is well done. I can tell that the author has military experience and a thorough knowlege of American history. The plot, characters, and dialogue are very thoughtfully written. I couldn't finish No Good Like It Is because I don't like reading about battle scenes. The first 100 pages were almost non-stop action/battle sequences that I just couldn't get into.
You've written a good book, McKendree R. Long III. It's not you, it's me. It really is.
Score:
It was good but I couldn't finish because westerns just aren't for me.
January 30, 2014
First sentences -
There was a large adobe building, a lean-to shed on each end, a barn, outhouse, and corrals. A small garden and cornfield, all brown and withered from the heat. No cook smoke. No dogs or chickens. No horses or milk cows. No people. Well, not exactly. There were five people on the ground around the adobe and the barn. Even from this distance it was apparent that they were dead. They wore little or no clothing. Several had long black hair and the bodies were sun-darkened, as though they’d lain there for some time. It wouldn’t need to be long in this heat. Not yet noon, it was already scalding hot. Dobey couldn’t hear the flies yet nor pick up the smell of death, but he knew it was there, waiting for him to come a little closer. He was in no hurry now.
Long III, McKendree R (2010-02-13). No Good Like It Is . . Kindle Edition.
There was a large adobe building, a lean-to shed on each end, a barn, outhouse, and corrals. A small garden and cornfield, all brown and withered from the heat. No cook smoke. No dogs or chickens. No horses or milk cows. No people. Well, not exactly. There were five people on the ground around the adobe and the barn. Even from this distance it was apparent that they were dead. They wore little or no clothing. Several had long black hair and the bodies were sun-darkened, as though they’d lain there for some time. It wouldn’t need to be long in this heat. Not yet noon, it was already scalding hot. Dobey couldn’t hear the flies yet nor pick up the smell of death, but he knew it was there, waiting for him to come a little closer. He was in no hurry now.
Long III, McKendree R (2010-02-13). No Good Like It Is . . Kindle Edition.
February 16, 2013
This is more than just a book, this is a time machine. It doesn't just tell a story, the writer makes you live the story. You will mount-up and ride along with unforgettable characters in an unforgettable time in America.
Mr. Long's writing is so vivid that, after each battle or gun-fight, you'll swear you can smell the gunsmoke and stench of death.
In short, "No Good Like It Is," is perfect like it is!
Mr. Long's writing is so vivid that, after each battle or gun-fight, you'll swear you can smell the gunsmoke and stench of death.
In short, "No Good Like It Is," is perfect like it is!
June 23, 2013
This is one gritty action-packed page-turner, reminiscent of The Outlaw Josie Wales, as we follow the heroes through their military stint in the West, followed by service in the Confederate Army, then their perilous journey home, picking up an assortment of strays, like dust on their boots, as they go along. Warning: although there is enough closure for the book to have a clear and definite ending, there are enough loose ends left over to spell "sequel."
September 24, 2012
This book is non-stop action and that is both a blessing and a curse. The details of engagements and weapons were thorough and well written but it seemed to be somewhat at the expense of character development. Overall a great and fast read! The author did a fine job for historical fiction. These books are meant to educate as well as entertain. I will be reading his sequel!
May 11, 2010
This is a fast, fun, Western. The author is a period firearms expert who knows his stuff and writes good characters into historic incidents. This is The Odyssey set during the 1860's full of trials and tests.
March 8, 2013
This was a really good book. The main character had life a bit easy (in spite of the challenges) but it was believable. Takes place before, during, and after the War of Northern Aggression (the Civil War for you northerners). I recommend it.
April 23, 2013
Real western- civil war shoot um up. No nice in war. I was riding my horse with the Texas calvary till the very end.
September 13, 2010
Excellent story!
October 30, 2014
Gritty. The author writes wonderful dialog and characters. I'd buy another from this writer.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews