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The Legend of Swell Branch
The years following the American Civil War were particularly unjust to the people who called the South home. Many families had lost their men folk to the horrors of a war most didn’t understand. Few homesteads could adequately protect themselves from the horde of profiteers sweeping south at the war’s end. Good folks and bad alike coming to look for a better life. All hoping to reap the spoils of a defeated South. Some by legal means, sure, but many, unfortunately, by any means it took. Taking and stealing became a way of life for their kind, killing for profit the least of their worries. Buach Whelan (Boo-ock) (Whay-lan) was too young to fight in the legal war, but he was a full-grown buck near twenty years of age when the takers come to his part of the mountains. A big, strong lad of Irish descent, raised in part by the Cherokee, he is trained by the elders to become the white warrior, Lone Eagle. Living in the backwoods of the Southern Appalachian, near a small town called Swell Branch, he sees firsthand the horrors that invade his sacred mountain home. Respected among all Cherokee and mountain folk alike, he is forced into the fight after his own farm is taken, his family killed. The actions of these outlaws release the inner spirit of Buach Whelan. A true warrior spirit none had ever known until he was forced to right the wrongs that came into his own life. His fight grows to become a fight for all he knows and loves. A calling to see justice done where there is no chance of justice for those so afflicted. He will protect him and his with all that he is. Such becomes the way for Buach Whelan. Such becomes a life lived by the Legend of Swell Branch.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 9, 2021
A Wilderness Adventure
This book transports its reader to the southern Appalachian mountains after the Civil War. A young man named Boo, short for Buach Whelan, is forced to grow up quickly as his family faces crushing, devastating losses. The entire story is told by Boo, and narrated in his Mountain English, which enhanced the storytelling.
Despite his Irish heritage, the influence of a large, hidden village of Cherokee people defines this young man. A generation after the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, there remains a growing number of Cherokee who managed to evade the forced march westward.
Boo refers to the Civil War as the War of Northern Aggression and states that the institution of slavery was already on its way out, essentially over. The protagonist does allow that there are decent folks from the north, but mostly, folks from the north are the bad guys in this book. He lost two older brothers to the Civil War. When a northern war veteran kills Boo’s father and occupies his family farm, reclaiming it becomes Boo’s mission. To complicate matters, the unscrupulous opportunist from the north is not alone. Boo, his sister Mary, and his half-Cherokee friend Henri must contend with a large, multi-family group of carpetbaggers. Facing a couple of war-hardened veterans is one thing, a large family, including women and children, is a different challenge altogether. Reclaiming his property isn’t Boo’s only problem. The north/south trail beckons hordes of outlaws southward.
I loved the way Christianity and Native American spiritualism combine in this book. Boo and his mentor, Henri, are very connected to a higher power, and their ability to listen beyond hearing helps them throughout.
The characters pulled me into the story, and the plot compelled me forward. The ever-dangerous situations provided suspense. In addition to the violence, we find a story of young love here.
What would have made this book even better? Sometimes while reading this book, I became distracted by an awareness of unnecessary repetition, so I would have wished for less of that. Also, many times when a character was speaking, they would dump their entire portion of dialog in one paragraph, and then the other character would do their part in the next paragraph. I wondered why the dialog wasn’t delivered as an interchange. Perhaps it was a stylistic choice.
I may have missed it, but I’m not sure about the legend referred to in the title. Perhaps in forthcoming installments of The Longhunter Series, the main character’s vigilantism becomes the legend referenced.
Looking at the image after reading the book, I think it powerfully portrays the experience of reading the book. I’m always up for “A Wilderness Adventure.” I think it’s a great cover.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I recommend it.
This book transports its reader to the southern Appalachian mountains after the Civil War. A young man named Boo, short for Buach Whelan, is forced to grow up quickly as his family faces crushing, devastating losses. The entire story is told by Boo, and narrated in his Mountain English, which enhanced the storytelling.
Despite his Irish heritage, the influence of a large, hidden village of Cherokee people defines this young man. A generation after the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, there remains a growing number of Cherokee who managed to evade the forced march westward.
Boo refers to the Civil War as the War of Northern Aggression and states that the institution of slavery was already on its way out, essentially over. The protagonist does allow that there are decent folks from the north, but mostly, folks from the north are the bad guys in this book. He lost two older brothers to the Civil War. When a northern war veteran kills Boo’s father and occupies his family farm, reclaiming it becomes Boo’s mission. To complicate matters, the unscrupulous opportunist from the north is not alone. Boo, his sister Mary, and his half-Cherokee friend Henri must contend with a large, multi-family group of carpetbaggers. Facing a couple of war-hardened veterans is one thing, a large family, including women and children, is a different challenge altogether. Reclaiming his property isn’t Boo’s only problem. The north/south trail beckons hordes of outlaws southward.
I loved the way Christianity and Native American spiritualism combine in this book. Boo and his mentor, Henri, are very connected to a higher power, and their ability to listen beyond hearing helps them throughout.
The characters pulled me into the story, and the plot compelled me forward. The ever-dangerous situations provided suspense. In addition to the violence, we find a story of young love here.
What would have made this book even better? Sometimes while reading this book, I became distracted by an awareness of unnecessary repetition, so I would have wished for less of that. Also, many times when a character was speaking, they would dump their entire portion of dialog in one paragraph, and then the other character would do their part in the next paragraph. I wondered why the dialog wasn’t delivered as an interchange. Perhaps it was a stylistic choice.
I may have missed it, but I’m not sure about the legend referred to in the title. Perhaps in forthcoming installments of The Longhunter Series, the main character’s vigilantism becomes the legend referenced.
Looking at the image after reading the book, I think it powerfully portrays the experience of reading the book. I’m always up for “A Wilderness Adventure.” I think it’s a great cover.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I recommend it.
August 28, 2021
Oh such a great read.
I didn't want to put it down until my eyes got so blurry I couldn't see to read. Kept wanting to read it during the day when I had my daily chores to do.I read in bed to get relaxed for sleep. There are no words to explain how your book has affected me. I cannot wait for the next one. You surely have a gift of writing and my dream for you is to keep inspiring more readers like me to stop and think about their lives and how they live. My great grandmother was part Cherokee and I can relate to some of their ways.
I didn't want to put it down until my eyes got so blurry I couldn't see to read. Kept wanting to read it during the day when I had my daily chores to do.I read in bed to get relaxed for sleep. There are no words to explain how your book has affected me. I cannot wait for the next one. You surely have a gift of writing and my dream for you is to keep inspiring more readers like me to stop and think about their lives and how they live. My great grandmother was part Cherokee and I can relate to some of their ways.
January 2, 2021
An enjoyable and leaning journey
This sort Reminded me of reading The Deerslayer in my youth. I learned a lot while also enjoying the storyline.
This sort Reminded me of reading The Deerslayer in my youth. I learned a lot while also enjoying the storyline.
August 17, 2022
Buach Whalen reminds me of Terry C Johnstone’s character ol’Scratch. Great read. Looking forward to the next trail.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews