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Journey of Jim Glass #1
Rides a Stranger: The Journey of Jim Glass
From acclaimed Western author Bill Brooks, the first two books of his captivating “The Journey of Jim Glass” trilogy, now collected in one volume for the first time RIDES A STRANGER Coffin Flats, New Mexico, is a nothing town in the middle of nowhere—which suits Jim Glass just fine. Looking for any job, he’s courted by the local brothel owner—because Jim is good with his fists as well as his gun—but instead he is hired by Marshal Chalk Bronson. A hothead named Johnny Waco is threatening to burn Coffin Flats down if his runaway wife isn’t returned to him. Now Glass has a plan that could either make things right or pull the drifter into a world of killers and heartbreak. A BULLET FOR BILLY Captain Gus Rodgers of the Texas Rangers is dying—and before he goes, he needs Jim Glass’s help to free his grandson from a Mexican prison. Trouble is, the Federale general holding him wants the head of the boy’s brother, Billy, who has already confessed to murdering the general’s daughter. Gus believes Billy deserves to die. The old ranger is just worried he won’t live long enough to do the deed—which is where Jim Glass comes in.
- GenresWesterns
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 26, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 4, 2025
Truly lack luster, if you want a book to leave you feeling disappointed, this is the book for you. Plot was semi interesting and had potential but the writing is just so juvenile. Maybe it was just me and I missed the entire point, but this book relies completely on unoriginal and frankly tired plot devices. I was actually very excited to read this book seeing all the reviews but quickly felt disappointed.
What annoys me the most about it is that it’s completely uninspired. Everything about this book has been done before, and I’m sure better, than what Bill Brooks wrote in Rides A Stranger. The “macho, tough, nonchalant cowboy who actually has a strong sense of justice” character has been done so many times before. When you don’t invest anytime developing your characters, they tend to come off as shallow and uninteresting. Nothing about this book stands out, nothing is unique and I hate it.
The final thing I truly hated about this work was the women, and how they purely acted through a man’s eyes. Now I am not one to pull out the “men can’t write women” card, but it was truly embarrassing to read how Bill Brooks think women act. Women are either secondary to their husbands and only referred to as their wives, or women are only there for Jim Glass to have a romantic relationship with. Now if you think the men characters in this are shallow get ready to roll your eyes almost every time a woman shows up in this book.
This book reads as a fantasy for the author. Jim Glass is what he wants to be, calm and collected, sly, smart, and has women fawning all over him. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it is extremely funny as it comes off as though Bill Brooks has a big ole crush on this cowboy.
What annoys me the most about it is that it’s completely uninspired. Everything about this book has been done before, and I’m sure better, than what Bill Brooks wrote in Rides A Stranger. The “macho, tough, nonchalant cowboy who actually has a strong sense of justice” character has been done so many times before. When you don’t invest anytime developing your characters, they tend to come off as shallow and uninteresting. Nothing about this book stands out, nothing is unique and I hate it.
The final thing I truly hated about this work was the women, and how they purely acted through a man’s eyes. Now I am not one to pull out the “men can’t write women” card, but it was truly embarrassing to read how Bill Brooks think women act. Women are either secondary to their husbands and only referred to as their wives, or women are only there for Jim Glass to have a romantic relationship with. Now if you think the men characters in this are shallow get ready to roll your eyes almost every time a woman shows up in this book.
This book reads as a fantasy for the author. Jim Glass is what he wants to be, calm and collected, sly, smart, and has women fawning all over him. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it is extremely funny as it comes off as though Bill Brooks has a big ole crush on this cowboy.
March 16, 2018
(Copied and pasted from my original Amazon review)
The wild west was full of sex,booze,criminals & lawmen alike...And yes, they spit and cuss, and were full of violence in a corrupt society that hid behind the facade of civility. Most were primitive with huge libidos,nothing short of caveman, living in a world where "electricity" was new and amazing technology; only recently available in a few select cities, and those fortunate enough to afford such a luxury..These were savage and desperate trying times, and if you can't handle these "truths" of that time period,I suggest reading Mary Poppins or Wizard of Oz.That type of reading may be a little more suited and tailored to your liking. I personally feel Bill Brooks does an excellent job of capturing the gritty essence of that time period and appreciate his skilled and flavorfull penmanship,regardless of bad reviews. I usually read "horror" genre novels and was looking for a realistic "western" novel to read reminiscent to the now defunct "Deadwood" series by HBO or Authors B.Traven and Larry McMurtry...."Rides A Stranger" caught my attention on the best sellers rack at the local Fred Myers. Skimming through the first chapter and I was hooked! I bought it and "A Bullet For Billy",both part of the rough and tough cowboy character "Jim Glass" series. I read the first book in one night and am starting the other now. I have found a new favorite "Western" genre author who writes it like it was, and one whom won't dumb it down for anyone...Thank you,Bill Brooks!
The wild west was full of sex,booze,criminals & lawmen alike...And yes, they spit and cuss, and were full of violence in a corrupt society that hid behind the facade of civility. Most were primitive with huge libidos,nothing short of caveman, living in a world where "electricity" was new and amazing technology; only recently available in a few select cities, and those fortunate enough to afford such a luxury..These were savage and desperate trying times, and if you can't handle these "truths" of that time period,I suggest reading Mary Poppins or Wizard of Oz.That type of reading may be a little more suited and tailored to your liking. I personally feel Bill Brooks does an excellent job of capturing the gritty essence of that time period and appreciate his skilled and flavorfull penmanship,regardless of bad reviews. I usually read "horror" genre novels and was looking for a realistic "western" novel to read reminiscent to the now defunct "Deadwood" series by HBO or Authors B.Traven and Larry McMurtry...."Rides A Stranger" caught my attention on the best sellers rack at the local Fred Myers. Skimming through the first chapter and I was hooked! I bought it and "A Bullet For Billy",both part of the rough and tough cowboy character "Jim Glass" series. I read the first book in one night and am starting the other now. I have found a new favorite "Western" genre author who writes it like it was, and one whom won't dumb it down for anyone...Thank you,Bill Brooks!
June 7, 2020
TITLE: Rides A Stranger: The Journey of Jim Glass
AUTHOR: Bill Brooks
GENRE: Western
PAGES: 284
FORMAT: E-book
It is no secret that I enjoy a good western. When they are done well, you get a tale that can very easily fit into the American Folklore. With that in mind, gather ’round the campfire, y’all. I have a tale for ya! Actually, it is Bill Brooks who has the tale, and what a tale it is!
Jim Glass finds himself in Coffin Flats, New Mexico. He is looking for a job and is offered one by a brothel owner, but instead takes one from the sheriff, Chalk Bronson. A wealthy ranch owner, and all around bad guy, Johnny Waco has threatened to burn the town of Coffin Flats to the ground unless his runaway wife is brought back to him by Chalk Bronson. The runaway bride and Chalk have a past, and Waco wants to humiliate the sheriff by making him bring her back. Jim Glass has a plan that can satisfy all partied concerned, if it does not get them all killed first.
As westerns go, this one has everything you could ask for. A hero you want to get behind, a villain you want to hate and a mission that could go either way, and one of the greatest features of a western, namely the land, is not ignored. The pace of the story is a quick as a bullet and the writing style is enjoyable and easy to follow.
The only fault I could find with this book is how the villain was dealt with in the end. With all the bluff and bluster that went into this character, his demise was too fast.
All in all I give this 4.5 bookmarks out of 5.
AUTHOR: Bill Brooks
GENRE: Western
PAGES: 284
FORMAT: E-book
It is no secret that I enjoy a good western. When they are done well, you get a tale that can very easily fit into the American Folklore. With that in mind, gather ’round the campfire, y’all. I have a tale for ya! Actually, it is Bill Brooks who has the tale, and what a tale it is!
Jim Glass finds himself in Coffin Flats, New Mexico. He is looking for a job and is offered one by a brothel owner, but instead takes one from the sheriff, Chalk Bronson. A wealthy ranch owner, and all around bad guy, Johnny Waco has threatened to burn the town of Coffin Flats to the ground unless his runaway wife is brought back to him by Chalk Bronson. The runaway bride and Chalk have a past, and Waco wants to humiliate the sheriff by making him bring her back. Jim Glass has a plan that can satisfy all partied concerned, if it does not get them all killed first.
As westerns go, this one has everything you could ask for. A hero you want to get behind, a villain you want to hate and a mission that could go either way, and one of the greatest features of a western, namely the land, is not ignored. The pace of the story is a quick as a bullet and the writing style is enjoyable and easy to follow.
The only fault I could find with this book is how the villain was dealt with in the end. With all the bluff and bluster that went into this character, his demise was too fast.
All in all I give this 4.5 bookmarks out of 5.
December 2, 2018
Solid western
Gritty and fast paced. The action is and and furious and the characters unique and likable if not deeply explored. This is a fun easy read for fans of the western/gunslinger genre.
Gritty and fast paced. The action is and and furious and the characters unique and likable if not deeply explored. This is a fun easy read for fans of the western/gunslinger genre.
September 5, 2021
Searching for a different eBook and came across this author. Thought I’d give him a try. The main character is Jim Glass, a younger nineteen year old man, good with his fists and gun. Enjoyable story although a sad ending where two people give up their lives way to easily.
November 25, 2023
Incredible! I’m always a sucker for the stories of Jim glass and this one really pulled some of my heart strings with the characters, sad to see what happened to Tom but overall I loved it as I always do these bill brooks books…
October 8, 2022
This was my first western book, was really. Legit couldn't stop reading, loved the characters!
December 5, 2023
Rides a Stranger
I have read several other books by Bill Brooks and this one is by far the most enjoyable, page turning, captivating book yet. Many of the books Brooks' authored have a similar plot but they all have a little twist that makes you wonder how the main charter, (Jim Glass in this book), will be able to fulfill his mission.
I have read several other books by Bill Brooks and this one is by far the most enjoyable, page turning, captivating book yet. Many of the books Brooks' authored have a similar plot but they all have a little twist that makes you wonder how the main charter, (Jim Glass in this book), will be able to fulfill his mission.
April 8, 2014
Never read a western novel like this one. I am curious to read more of Brooks' books. If they are as good as this one then I will be a happy man. What sets this book apart from the generic western is the personalities of the characters. It felt like I somehow knew these people and had feelings for them. Recommended for those who say they don't like westerns because it's more of a book about people with the western as the vehicle. Good stuff.
November 13, 2010
Finally. A raw and riveting tale of the old west for a woman to delight in reading!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews