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To The River's End #1
To the River's End
An epic saga based on true events of the American West —with the trailblazing fur trappers and the mountain men who lived it. This is an unforgettable journey into the untamed American frontier. Where nature is cruel, violence lurks behind every tree, and where only the strongest of the strong survive. This is a story of America.
TO THE RIVER’S END
Luke Ransom was just eighteen years old when he answered an ad in a St. Louis newspaper that would change his life forever. The American Fur Company needed one-hundred enterprising men to travel up the Missouri River—the longest in North America—all the way to its source. They would hunt and trap furs for one, two, or three years. Along the way, they would face unimaginable hardships: grueling weather, wild animals, hunger, exhaustion, and hostile attacks by the Blackfeet and Arikara. Luke Ransom was one of the brave men chosen for the job—and one of the few to survive . . .
Five years later, Luke is a seasoned trapper and hunter, a master of his trade. The year is 1833, and the American Fur Company is sending him to the now-famous Rendezvous at Green River. For Luke, it may be his last job for the company. After facing death countless times, he is ready to strike out on his own. But when he encounters a fellow trapper under attack by Indians, his life takes an unexpected turn. A new friendship is forged in blood. And a dangerous new journey begins...
TO THE RIVER’S END
Luke Ransom was just eighteen years old when he answered an ad in a St. Louis newspaper that would change his life forever. The American Fur Company needed one-hundred enterprising men to travel up the Missouri River—the longest in North America—all the way to its source. They would hunt and trap furs for one, two, or three years. Along the way, they would face unimaginable hardships: grueling weather, wild animals, hunger, exhaustion, and hostile attacks by the Blackfeet and Arikara. Luke Ransom was one of the brave men chosen for the job—and one of the few to survive . . .
Five years later, Luke is a seasoned trapper and hunter, a master of his trade. The year is 1833, and the American Fur Company is sending him to the now-famous Rendezvous at Green River. For Luke, it may be his last job for the company. After facing death countless times, he is ready to strike out on his own. But when he encounters a fellow trapper under attack by Indians, his life takes an unexpected turn. A new friendship is forged in blood. And a dangerous new journey begins...
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2021
557 people are currently reading
7755 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,040 books1,390 followersWilliam W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
August 5, 2021
Just a couple of good old mountain boy wanting to trap beaver on their own terms, then the idea becomes reality and turns into a heap of trouble from the get-gp! The Mountain men vs. Blackfoot Indians, vs an opposed fur company man named Bloodworth intent on killing him, vs trouble in cold snowy frozen mountain weather..... all the while getting use to a new trapping partner, being hunted down, and saving an Indian woman who needs his help from a vicious and fierce Blackfoot chief named Bloody Hand.
Amongst all this action, they need to survive, eat, and capture beavers so the pelts can be sold, and they can make a living for next year.
But situation after situation, brings a challenge. The two mountain men hunting are being hunted themselves and attacks are imminent.
Let the traps be set, and bullets, arrows and axes fly.
Great characters, plenty of action, storyline moves at the right pace, and a touch of humor as the bonds of friendship grow. I really enjoyed this one!
Thanks to NetGalley for ADRC in exchange for my honest opinion.
5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amongst all this action, they need to survive, eat, and capture beavers so the pelts can be sold, and they can make a living for next year.
But situation after situation, brings a challenge. The two mountain men hunting are being hunted themselves and attacks are imminent.
Let the traps be set, and bullets, arrows and axes fly.
Great characters, plenty of action, storyline moves at the right pace, and a touch of humor as the bonds of friendship grow. I really enjoyed this one!
Thanks to NetGalley for ADRC in exchange for my honest opinion.
5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 30, 2025
I can’t resist a good mountain man story. The things they went through and endured are absolutely enthralling and fascinating. This takes place in 1833 as Luke and Jug decide to head deep into dangerous Blackfoot territory to trap beaver.
July 24, 2021
I received this as an advanced reader copy through #GoodreadsGiveaways.
I thought this was a fantastic read full of adventure and tense moments between the beaver trappers and American Indian tribes at the time. It was a quick pleasant read with beautiful landscape imagined from the great writing of the authors. I plan to look up more books written by this author & team. I like his style of writing and the easy flow of it.
I thought this was a fantastic read full of adventure and tense moments between the beaver trappers and American Indian tribes at the time. It was a quick pleasant read with beautiful landscape imagined from the great writing of the authors. I plan to look up more books written by this author & team. I like his style of writing and the easy flow of it.
August 31, 2021
I recently read To the River's End by William W. johnstone and J.A. Johnstone. I don't know if it will be a new series or just a stand alone adventure, but it was good. We get to follow Luke Ransom a young mountain man and trapper on his latest quest for beaver pelts in blackfoot country. The book is set in the end of the era of beaver pelts, the prices are sinking due to hats made of silk. In this western we get everything, all the struggles that we can think of in this setting and also a lot of humor. The book is out in store September 28th. I must thank @kensingtonbooks @netgalley for giving me this advance copy and @williamw.j.a.johnstone for writing it. #NetGalley #Kensington #ToTheRiversEnd
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December 22, 2021
***I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway***
This is maybe the 3rd actual western I've ever read in my life. It's just not a genre that pops up often for me. That said, the tropes and stereotypes are well known enough that I had a pretty good idea of the direction this book would go within the first 50 pages. That's not a bad thing, though. Sometimes a book an be delightful even if it's not surprising.
I was worried there'd be some nasty racism in this novel because of the genre. I'm not going to say there was none because shoot outs between the cowboys and natives is kind of a major plot point and that has issues...but I will say that it was handled deftly. The good guys judged people by their character and did not kill maliciously. The bad guys did.
This book is escapism and if you want to read about Luke Ransom (what a name!) and Jug Sartain (another awesome name!) being heroes and fighting bad guys, this is good escapism.
This is maybe the 3rd actual western I've ever read in my life. It's just not a genre that pops up often for me. That said, the tropes and stereotypes are well known enough that I had a pretty good idea of the direction this book would go within the first 50 pages. That's not a bad thing, though. Sometimes a book an be delightful even if it's not surprising.
I was worried there'd be some nasty racism in this novel because of the genre. I'm not going to say there was none because shoot outs between the cowboys and natives is kind of a major plot point and that has issues...but I will say that it was handled deftly. The good guys judged people by their character and did not kill maliciously. The bad guys did.
This book is escapism and if you want to read about Luke Ransom (what a name!) and Jug Sartain (another awesome name!) being heroes and fighting bad guys, this is good escapism.
July 12, 2022
I didn’t actually finish this book. I gave up about a quarter of the way through. It was so poorly written, like a middle schooler trying to write a western.
Read
July 28, 2021Really enjoyed the book. First Western genre that I have read. Added a couple of words to my vocabulary--jape/japing and plew. Also found out horses love cottonwood trees!! Book read quickly.
September 28, 2021
This isn’t my typical genre to read but I was looking for something different. It was surprisingly good! It had a good story, lots of action and a little light romance.
The two main characters Luke and Jug are likable guys just trying to trap some beavers. Willow joins their group and the threesome become an unlikely family.
Definitely recommend!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
The two main characters Luke and Jug are likable guys just trying to trap some beavers. Willow joins their group and the threesome become an unlikely family.
Definitely recommend!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
May 30, 2022
I won a copy of this novel in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you!
This novel tells the story of one year in the life of Luke, a fur trapper who has decided to leave his company and go freelance, and his partner Jug, as they spend time hunting beaver in Blackfoot territory. They face challenges with weather, territorial Native Americans, and more.
The writing is simple and straight forward. Some words were overused, but the style reminded me a bit of Faulkner. It’s quite engaging. But, my issue with this story didn’t lie there. It was with the plot and story telling being completely unrealistic. Luke easily wins all battles, while his partner does little except get shot, no matter the number of opponents. It seems too easy - he should have had to struggle a little more, potentially get injured, have more personal conflict. The love story felt somewhat contrived at the tale end.
Stylistically, quite good but I wanted more from the story itself overall.
This novel tells the story of one year in the life of Luke, a fur trapper who has decided to leave his company and go freelance, and his partner Jug, as they spend time hunting beaver in Blackfoot territory. They face challenges with weather, territorial Native Americans, and more.
The writing is simple and straight forward. Some words were overused, but the style reminded me a bit of Faulkner. It’s quite engaging. But, my issue with this story didn’t lie there. It was with the plot and story telling being completely unrealistic. Luke easily wins all battles, while his partner does little except get shot, no matter the number of opponents. It seems too easy - he should have had to struggle a little more, potentially get injured, have more personal conflict. The love story felt somewhat contrived at the tale end.
Stylistically, quite good but I wanted more from the story itself overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2021
When I was kid Saturdays did not mean cartoons. Saturdays were Gene Autry, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Cisco and Pancho and Hopalong Cassidy. Perhaps this is why I loved to read Westerns or maybe because my Dad read Westerns along with Mickey Spillane
Well, this book did not have cowboys but I was introduced to Mountain Men. Trappers who risked their lives and their scalps to trap beaver in the Montana Territory which the Blackfoot claimed as their hunting ground.
Young Luke Ransom happens upon a trapper being attacked and instinctively saves the life of Jug Sartain, an older feisty mountain man. This is the beginning of a friendship and partnership to trap in the Blackfoot territory together where other trappers chose not to risk their lives. After surviving the dangers and being rewarded with fine beaver pelts, they weren’t to know that the greatest danger would lie back at the rendezvous where they would sell their beavers and resupply for the coming season.
Through their adventures there are fights, a rescue of an Indian girl, injuries, and horses, lot of horses and I grew to really like the contrast between the old trapper and his love of telling tall tales and drinking from his jug and the young trapper who jokes with the older man and proves he is just as skilled at trapping as Jug.
This was such a good story that even if you feel you don’t like Westerns it is still a very good read and one that I really enjoyed.
Thank you to #Between The Chapters, #Kensington Publishing Corp. For the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
Well, this book did not have cowboys but I was introduced to Mountain Men. Trappers who risked their lives and their scalps to trap beaver in the Montana Territory which the Blackfoot claimed as their hunting ground.
Young Luke Ransom happens upon a trapper being attacked and instinctively saves the life of Jug Sartain, an older feisty mountain man. This is the beginning of a friendship and partnership to trap in the Blackfoot territory together where other trappers chose not to risk their lives. After surviving the dangers and being rewarded with fine beaver pelts, they weren’t to know that the greatest danger would lie back at the rendezvous where they would sell their beavers and resupply for the coming season.
Through their adventures there are fights, a rescue of an Indian girl, injuries, and horses, lot of horses and I grew to really like the contrast between the old trapper and his love of telling tall tales and drinking from his jug and the young trapper who jokes with the older man and proves he is just as skilled at trapping as Jug.
This was such a good story that even if you feel you don’t like Westerns it is still a very good read and one that I really enjoyed.
Thank you to #Between The Chapters, #Kensington Publishing Corp. For the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
March 6, 2022
Thank you to the publishing house for hosting the giveaway, from which I won a copy of this book.
I don't think I've read anything from the Western Frontier genre, and this book was a good introduction for me. The story follows Luke Ransom, a beaver trapping white man, who works hard for a living and also gets into plenty of trouble with a Blackfoot tribe. I especially liked the inclusion of Willow, a Crow woman who was kidnapped during a raid on her people, and how she learns to better defend herself while under the tutelage of Luke and his trapper partner Jug.
Like I said, I'm not very familiar with this genre, so I don't know how this book stands against others of its kind, but I think it's a good story with good characters, and that it's a fine book for a first foray into the Western Frontier world.
I don't think I've read anything from the Western Frontier genre, and this book was a good introduction for me. The story follows Luke Ransom, a beaver trapping white man, who works hard for a living and also gets into plenty of trouble with a Blackfoot tribe. I especially liked the inclusion of Willow, a Crow woman who was kidnapped during a raid on her people, and how she learns to better defend herself while under the tutelage of Luke and his trapper partner Jug.
Like I said, I'm not very familiar with this genre, so I don't know how this book stands against others of its kind, but I think it's a good story with good characters, and that it's a fine book for a first foray into the Western Frontier world.
June 10, 2025
Somehow I couldn't read much at once but it doesn't mean that the book is bad. The story was interesting (although maybe a bit weird that the main character just kills everyone). There was a bit of romance but it was sweet and not too much of it. A bit of trapper's life, a bit of winter and a bit of Blackfeet. Recommended for every Western lover.
December 29, 2021
Anther good read from the Johnstone family, hopefully this is the first book of an up coming series..
January 6, 2024
A good western, but, unfortunately, plenty of trapping poor innocent animals for their fur.
June 13, 2025
Besides the horrible portrayal of Native Americans as bloodthirsty villains, the main character can do no wrong. Does he grow and progress or change as a character? Not really. He’s already an expert gun slinger, trapper, and tracker. He does not learn empathy for the men he kills.
The book is written in a 3rd-person narrative that really kills any suspense in tough scenes and makes it extremely hard to connect to and relate to these characters. The story follows an “and then this happened” pattern. If I were not reading this for my book club, I would not have finished it.
The book is written in a 3rd-person narrative that really kills any suspense in tough scenes and makes it extremely hard to connect to and relate to these characters. The story follows an “and then this happened” pattern. If I were not reading this for my book club, I would not have finished it.
September 12, 2025
Some of the book is boring, too much info about trapping and hunting. Some of the book was a little better, but not much.
October 24, 2021
I received an advanced copy for an honest review. This is not my typical book but wanted out of my comfort zone (plus if good would recommend our school library buy). This was very well written in an easy style without the usual preaching I have encounter in other westerns written in the 21st century. The main character, Luke Ransom, has joined 2 other trappers to spend the year trapping beaver. The trio struggle with falling prices of beaver pelts, nature, isolation, and native Americans. This is a highly enjoyable read. The pacing and timing of the events didn't seem contrived or based on a check list you sometimes get with outdoor adventures. If you like adventures, wilderness or westerns you will enjoy this book as well.
December 30, 2021
To the River's End by William Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone is the story of Luke Ransom, a trapper who quits the American Fur Company and decides to join an older trapper, Jug Sartain, to trap beaver in the wilderness.
This novel sounded super interesting. It is not. Luke Ransom kills dozens of Native Americans that find him trapping in their territory, and this "plot" is recycled over and over for the entire novel. Native Americans happen upon Luke. Luke kills them, no matter if it is a group of two or twelve. More come for revenge. Luke kills them and takes their horses. Over and over and over.
This novel is third person omniscient, which didn't work at all. Why are we seeing and hearing what the Native Americans are thinking or doing minutes before they are slaughtered, every time? Very weird jumps/transitions between characters. The writing style was not for me. This novel didn't illuminate anything about this period in history (nor about trapping or mountaineering, the alleged focus of this story) which is what I want out of historical fiction novels. The main characters- Luke and Jug- hardly even get any kind of backstory. Their dialogue is mostly repetitive and uninteresting, and adds so little to their characters, so that they both just seem like these strange hollow caricatures "tall, good-at-everything 'honest' man" and "old wisecracking man who likes biscuits and alcohol" who just slaughter Native Americans over and over and constantly expect the next part of the "plot" and then it happens exactly as Luke and Jug suspect it will. Exactly.
Move over In A Dark, Dark Wood, there is a new king in the castle of bad, poorly written books. I read the entire 268 pages waiting for this novel to surprise me and it let me down. To the River's End was not for me.
This novel sounded super interesting. It is not. Luke Ransom kills dozens of Native Americans that find him trapping in their territory, and this "plot" is recycled over and over for the entire novel. Native Americans happen upon Luke. Luke kills them, no matter if it is a group of two or twelve. More come for revenge. Luke kills them and takes their horses. Over and over and over.
This novel is third person omniscient, which didn't work at all. Why are we seeing and hearing what the Native Americans are thinking or doing minutes before they are slaughtered, every time? Very weird jumps/transitions between characters. The writing style was not for me. This novel didn't illuminate anything about this period in history (nor about trapping or mountaineering, the alleged focus of this story) which is what I want out of historical fiction novels. The main characters- Luke and Jug- hardly even get any kind of backstory. Their dialogue is mostly repetitive and uninteresting, and adds so little to their characters, so that they both just seem like these strange hollow caricatures "tall, good-at-everything 'honest' man" and "old wisecracking man who likes biscuits and alcohol" who just slaughter Native Americans over and over and constantly expect the next part of the "plot" and then it happens exactly as Luke and Jug suspect it will. Exactly.
Move over In A Dark, Dark Wood, there is a new king in the castle of bad, poorly written books. I read the entire 268 pages waiting for this novel to surprise me and it let me down. To the River's End was not for me.
September 27, 2022
Sometimes after I finish a book I wonder why the devil I hadn't stopped way before the end.
This so-called "novel of the American frontier" had so many trite action scenes; it will not be giving anything away to say two results always happened in them: 1) the good guy got the better of the fight; 2) Indians died.
Hard to believe something like this got published in 2021.
And, another note to editors of this Center Point Large Print edition: Do some proofreading. Really disturbing to get to the end of a sentence with a close quote only to look back to see if you as a reader had missed to open quote. I hadn't. Several times.
This so-called "novel of the American frontier" had so many trite action scenes; it will not be giving anything away to say two results always happened in them: 1) the good guy got the better of the fight; 2) Indians died.
Hard to believe something like this got published in 2021.
And, another note to editors of this Center Point Large Print edition: Do some proofreading. Really disturbing to get to the end of a sentence with a close quote only to look back to see if you as a reader had missed to open quote. I hadn't. Several times.
April 2, 2025
This was my first introduction into these writers of western novels. I was blown away at the character building and storytelling. Yes it's not the most detailed and intricately layered compared to some others but it reads buttery smooth and you get attached to the characters pretty quickly. I'm currently reading the second book "The High Country" that I preordered and patiently awaited the release of. Yeah... It's that good.
October 13, 2021
Luke Ransom (18) answered a St. Louis newspaper ad that William Ashley submitted stating that the American Fur Company needed 100 men to travel up the Missouri River to hunt & trap for furs.
His partners: Rex Gorden (AFC trapper) & Charlton Lewis (AFC trapper) parted ways.
Luke heard a shot & went to investigate
Jug Sartain (seasoned trapper) had been shot by some Blackfoot injuns.
Luke had taken care of the injuns, but he was quite sure there’d be more.
Shoshone, Flathead, Crow, & Nez Perce were camped out there somewhere also.
Green River Valley. Horse Creek. American Fur Company. Jim Frasier (AFC trapper) & Fred Willis (AFC camp tender) had been killed.
Boutwell’s Tradin’ post. Andy Cruze (bartender) filled Jug’s jug with whiskey.
Jug & Luke went to eat at the Chinaman’s cookhouse that was owned by Lee Wong.
Red’s Saloon. Zeke Singleton & Ike hopper greeted Jug & Luke when they arrived for a couple of whiskies.
Dan Bloodworth (AFC trapper) & Lonnie Johnson (AFC trapper) were notorious for causing trouble.
Dan called Luke out.
Knives it was.
Dan would have a grudge forever against Luke for embarrassing him in front of a crowd.
Back at campsite Jug & Luke were aware they had Blackfoot company: Hears the Wind, Two Bears & Iron Pony.
Luke saw them approaching 1-by-1 they were shot/killed.
Once again, there would be more.
Little Belt Mountains. Jug & Luke who was starting to heal from his wound set traps.
Standing Elk (Iron Pony’s brother) was concerned why his warriors hadn’t returned yet.
Lame Foot went to find Hears the Wind, Two Bears & Iron Pony.
Luke outsmarted Standing Elk; he was killed also.
Jug & Luke checked traps several times a day, they were doing quite well, beaver pelts.
Jug had to try out his famous pan biscuits on Luke.
Luke had to take the horses to feed on Cottonwood tree bark, & clean fresh creek water.
Little Belt Mountains. Surprise, Willow Blowing in the Wind (Blackfoot) wondered into their camp.
She was from down by the Yellowstone River campsite.
Chief Bloody Hand & his band of Blackfoot warriors would be looking for her.
What does the future hold for Jug, Luke, & Willow Blowing in the Wind?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written American West historical fictional saga book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great American West saga movie, a classroom PP presentation, or better yet a mini-TV series or even a documentary (A & E; History channel; Frontline; PBS). There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Penguin Random House LLC. (Kensington Publishing Corporation); Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; AUCP paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
His partners: Rex Gorden (AFC trapper) & Charlton Lewis (AFC trapper) parted ways.
Luke heard a shot & went to investigate
Jug Sartain (seasoned trapper) had been shot by some Blackfoot injuns.
Luke had taken care of the injuns, but he was quite sure there’d be more.
Shoshone, Flathead, Crow, & Nez Perce were camped out there somewhere also.
Green River Valley. Horse Creek. American Fur Company. Jim Frasier (AFC trapper) & Fred Willis (AFC camp tender) had been killed.
Boutwell’s Tradin’ post. Andy Cruze (bartender) filled Jug’s jug with whiskey.
Jug & Luke went to eat at the Chinaman’s cookhouse that was owned by Lee Wong.
Red’s Saloon. Zeke Singleton & Ike hopper greeted Jug & Luke when they arrived for a couple of whiskies.
Dan Bloodworth (AFC trapper) & Lonnie Johnson (AFC trapper) were notorious for causing trouble.
Dan called Luke out.
Knives it was.
Dan would have a grudge forever against Luke for embarrassing him in front of a crowd.
Back at campsite Jug & Luke were aware they had Blackfoot company: Hears the Wind, Two Bears & Iron Pony.
Luke saw them approaching 1-by-1 they were shot/killed.
Once again, there would be more.
Little Belt Mountains. Jug & Luke who was starting to heal from his wound set traps.
Standing Elk (Iron Pony’s brother) was concerned why his warriors hadn’t returned yet.
Lame Foot went to find Hears the Wind, Two Bears & Iron Pony.
Luke outsmarted Standing Elk; he was killed also.
Jug & Luke checked traps several times a day, they were doing quite well, beaver pelts.
Jug had to try out his famous pan biscuits on Luke.
Luke had to take the horses to feed on Cottonwood tree bark, & clean fresh creek water.
Little Belt Mountains. Surprise, Willow Blowing in the Wind (Blackfoot) wondered into their camp.
She was from down by the Yellowstone River campsite.
Chief Bloody Hand & his band of Blackfoot warriors would be looking for her.
What does the future hold for Jug, Luke, & Willow Blowing in the Wind?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written American West historical fictional saga book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great American West saga movie, a classroom PP presentation, or better yet a mini-TV series or even a documentary (A & E; History channel; Frontline; PBS). There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Penguin Random House LLC. (Kensington Publishing Corporation); Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; AUCP paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
May 15, 2023
In "To the River's End" by William W. Johnstone, readers are thrust into the heart of the American frontier for an action-packed and adrenaline-fueled adventure. With a colorful cast of characters, gripping gunfights, and treacherous landscapes, this novel delivers a thrilling journey that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
From the very first page, Johnstone sets a breakneck pace, immersing readers in a world teeming with danger and untamed wilderness. The protagonist, a rugged and resourceful frontiersman, embarks on a perilous quest, facing ruthless outlaws, harsh natural elements, and a constant battle for survival. Each twist and turn in the narrative ratchets up the tension, ensuring that there's never a dull moment.
The American frontier comes alive in Johnstone's vivid and immersive descriptions. Whether it's the sprawling prairies, rugged mountain ranges, or dusty frontier towns, each setting is meticulously crafted, transporting readers to a time when lawlessness and adventure were the norm. The author's attention to detail adds depth and authenticity, making the story feel all the more immersive.
Action is at the heart of "To the River's End," and Johnstone delivers it in spades. From thunderous gunfights to heart-stopping chases on horseback, the novel is a rollercoaster of excitement. The author's talent for writing high-stakes action sequences is evident, and readers will find themselves holding their breath as bullets fly and heroes face impossible odds. It's an exhilarating ride that will satisfy any fan of action and adventure.
The characters in the book are larger than life, each with their own unique quirks and motivations. The protagonist, with his indomitable spirit and unmatched skill with a gun, embodies the rugged hero of the American frontier. The supporting cast, including fellow frontiersmen, Native American allies, and nefarious outlaws, add depth and complexity to the story. While some characters may fall into familiar archetypes, they are well-developed and contribute to the overall sense of excitement and danger.
While the focus of the book is on action and adventure, there are moments of introspection and reflection that provide a welcome respite from the breakneck pace. The protagonist's internal struggles and moral dilemmas add depth to his character, allowing readers to connect with him on a more personal level. These quieter moments serve as a reminder that even amidst the chaos and violence, there is room for contemplation and growth.
"To the River's End" is a thrilling and immersive adventure that transports readers to the untamed American frontier. With its gripping action, vivid descriptions, and compelling characters, it delivers a wild ride that will leave readers eagerly flipping pages. While the narrative may lean towards predictable at times, the sheer excitement and sense of adventure make up for any minor shortcomings.
From the very first page, Johnstone sets a breakneck pace, immersing readers in a world teeming with danger and untamed wilderness. The protagonist, a rugged and resourceful frontiersman, embarks on a perilous quest, facing ruthless outlaws, harsh natural elements, and a constant battle for survival. Each twist and turn in the narrative ratchets up the tension, ensuring that there's never a dull moment.
The American frontier comes alive in Johnstone's vivid and immersive descriptions. Whether it's the sprawling prairies, rugged mountain ranges, or dusty frontier towns, each setting is meticulously crafted, transporting readers to a time when lawlessness and adventure were the norm. The author's attention to detail adds depth and authenticity, making the story feel all the more immersive.
Action is at the heart of "To the River's End," and Johnstone delivers it in spades. From thunderous gunfights to heart-stopping chases on horseback, the novel is a rollercoaster of excitement. The author's talent for writing high-stakes action sequences is evident, and readers will find themselves holding their breath as bullets fly and heroes face impossible odds. It's an exhilarating ride that will satisfy any fan of action and adventure.
The characters in the book are larger than life, each with their own unique quirks and motivations. The protagonist, with his indomitable spirit and unmatched skill with a gun, embodies the rugged hero of the American frontier. The supporting cast, including fellow frontiersmen, Native American allies, and nefarious outlaws, add depth and complexity to the story. While some characters may fall into familiar archetypes, they are well-developed and contribute to the overall sense of excitement and danger.
While the focus of the book is on action and adventure, there are moments of introspection and reflection that provide a welcome respite from the breakneck pace. The protagonist's internal struggles and moral dilemmas add depth to his character, allowing readers to connect with him on a more personal level. These quieter moments serve as a reminder that even amidst the chaos and violence, there is room for contemplation and growth.
"To the River's End" is a thrilling and immersive adventure that transports readers to the untamed American frontier. With its gripping action, vivid descriptions, and compelling characters, it delivers a wild ride that will leave readers eagerly flipping pages. While the narrative may lean towards predictable at times, the sheer excitement and sense of adventure make up for any minor shortcomings.
January 2, 2022
WARNING: MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD
Is To the River’s End Worth Your Time?
To the River’s End by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone features a man named Luke Ransom that has been accepted into a job at the American Fur Company. His goal, along with others in the company, is to hunt and trap for furs along the Missouri River in North America. However, while trying to make a living for himself and his companions, the group is faced with many hardships, such as hunger, freezing temperatures, and hostility from the Blackfeet tribe. Luke ends up departing from the company and starts working alone, until one day where he saves a man named Jug who is under attack from the Blackfeet. After he saves Jug, Jug becomes Luke’s new partner as they both try to make new lives for themselves.
In my opinion, this book is very interesting and entertaining. The story was the perfect length and it was not drawn out to any extent. Also, Luke Ransom and his friend Jug are two very round and dynamic characters with many different characteristics, and they complement each other very well. Luke is the brain of the pair and is an elite hunter and fighter, while Jug is the cook and prepares the shelter. Furthermore, the characters and setting are believable. For example, the fighting techniques that Luke Ransom utilizes seem believable. However, there is one thing that does not seem believable, however, and that is how Luke manages to fight off multiple enemies at once and survives. I find it hard to believe how Luke wins in every fight that he gets in, but that is a minor flaw. Back to the positives, I loved how some events in the story were unpredictable, which gives the feeling of suspense and the thought: “What is going to happen next?” My favorite part in the book was at the very end, where Jug reveals his real name to Willow, Luke’s wife. Jug's real name is Carmen, which he thinks is a girl's name, and that was ultimately the reason why he did not want to reveal his name to anyone else. But, it turned out that Luke was listening to their conversation and found out about Jug’s secret. In my opinion, this was a very humorous ending after many action-packed parts in the story. With all of this said, this is a very entertaining book with no plot holes and with well-made characters. To end, I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the “Wild West” theme. Any western video games or movies would spark interest in reading this book.
Is To the River’s End Worth Your Time?
To the River’s End by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone features a man named Luke Ransom that has been accepted into a job at the American Fur Company. His goal, along with others in the company, is to hunt and trap for furs along the Missouri River in North America. However, while trying to make a living for himself and his companions, the group is faced with many hardships, such as hunger, freezing temperatures, and hostility from the Blackfeet tribe. Luke ends up departing from the company and starts working alone, until one day where he saves a man named Jug who is under attack from the Blackfeet. After he saves Jug, Jug becomes Luke’s new partner as they both try to make new lives for themselves.
In my opinion, this book is very interesting and entertaining. The story was the perfect length and it was not drawn out to any extent. Also, Luke Ransom and his friend Jug are two very round and dynamic characters with many different characteristics, and they complement each other very well. Luke is the brain of the pair and is an elite hunter and fighter, while Jug is the cook and prepares the shelter. Furthermore, the characters and setting are believable. For example, the fighting techniques that Luke Ransom utilizes seem believable. However, there is one thing that does not seem believable, however, and that is how Luke manages to fight off multiple enemies at once and survives. I find it hard to believe how Luke wins in every fight that he gets in, but that is a minor flaw. Back to the positives, I loved how some events in the story were unpredictable, which gives the feeling of suspense and the thought: “What is going to happen next?” My favorite part in the book was at the very end, where Jug reveals his real name to Willow, Luke’s wife. Jug's real name is Carmen, which he thinks is a girl's name, and that was ultimately the reason why he did not want to reveal his name to anyone else. But, it turned out that Luke was listening to their conversation and found out about Jug’s secret. In my opinion, this was a very humorous ending after many action-packed parts in the story. With all of this said, this is a very entertaining book with no plot holes and with well-made characters. To end, I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the “Wild West” theme. Any western video games or movies would spark interest in reading this book.
January 4, 2022
To the River’s End, by William Jonstone, is a realistic fiction book about two fur trappers in Northern Canada. They are trapping in the Native American territory of the Blackfeet and as a result, this makes the already dangerous job of fur trapping even riskier. The main character, Luke Ransom, is a skilled fur trapper who has decided to partner up with another fur trapper named Jug. The reason they meet is because Luke found Jug being attacked by Blackfeet and he saved him. As a result they become friends and then Luke takes him back to the rendexous camp. They then run into Bloodworth who is angry at Luke and challenges him to a fight. Luke wins and spares his life, but then leaves with Jug. Bloodworth finds them and challenges him again only to lose and then again was spared by Luke. The the two trappers set off into Northern Canada and to settle for the winter. Once they arrive they have a few altercations with Blackfeet but win each time. Luke walks away unscathed, but Jug ends up shot. However he isn’t dead and Luke gets there in time to help. This is the first of many times where Luke is the one helping Jug. As the story goes on, Jugs character gets developed and the reader learns he is not as smart or skilled as Luke and therefore he has Luke do most of the work. However, this doesn’t seem to upset Luke and he stays with Jug.
Then, a crow woman named Willow finds them in there camp and tells them her village was destroyed by a Blackfoot named Bloodyhand. Bloodyhand and other tribe members are tracking her down so that Bloodyhand can “claim his prize”. He eventually dies at the hands of Willow and Willow and Luke get married. FInally, as the story ends. Bloodworth comes back and takes Willow hostage. Luke then kills Bloodworth and saves willow. But, then Bloodoworths friend, Lonnie, sneaks up on Luke and tries to kill him, then Jug shoots him and saves Luke. Then Luke retires from trapping, and goes off with Willow. Overall, I really enjoyede this book and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in this time period. It is a medium sized book that is easy to read and is always entertaining.
Then, a crow woman named Willow finds them in there camp and tells them her village was destroyed by a Blackfoot named Bloodyhand. Bloodyhand and other tribe members are tracking her down so that Bloodyhand can “claim his prize”. He eventually dies at the hands of Willow and Willow and Luke get married. FInally, as the story ends. Bloodworth comes back and takes Willow hostage. Luke then kills Bloodworth and saves willow. But, then Bloodoworths friend, Lonnie, sneaks up on Luke and tries to kill him, then Jug shoots him and saves Luke. Then Luke retires from trapping, and goes off with Willow. Overall, I really enjoyede this book and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in this time period. It is a medium sized book that is easy to read and is always entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2021
Disclosure: I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book was terrible. It's been a long time since I have read a book that I disliked so much. Let's begin:
How can the word "fir" be used in the place of "fur" so many times in a book? Well if you rely on spell check and no one reads it, I guess you could have problems, but really, if you're going to trap "firs", I don't think it would be too hard. Last I checked, once a fir tree is firmly rooted, it's not going anywhere.
When you "precede" somewhere rather than "proceed," have you been there before?
If you "joint" a group instead of "join" a group, what exactly are you doing?
Failure to use quotation marks in a conversation can lead to confusion.
All of these indicate how sloppily this book was written.
Exactly how many times can you use the word "jape" or "Japing" in a book? A ton. Multiple times in a page. It must be a favorite word of the authors, because I saw no other reason to overfill the pages with this word. Laughable, actually. Or maybe it's pathetic.
But let's get to the real problem here - the portrayal of the Native Americans. We have a Crow woman who, although surviving on her own, needs to be rescued and saved by the white men. And the insults to the Blackfeet are beyond description. They are portrayed as savages, stupid, and base. But what stood out the most was the lack of understanding of the name. When I was in college I had an instructor who was part of the Blackfeet tribe, and I was told that no matter the usage it's "Blackfeet", not Blackfoot. If you have one or seven hunters, it's Blackfeet. All the authors had to do was log onto the internet and look at the website for the Blackfeet Nation to understand how to refer to them and the preferences. This was inexcusable.
Don't bother reading this book. It's not worth your time.
This book was terrible. It's been a long time since I have read a book that I disliked so much. Let's begin:
How can the word "fir" be used in the place of "fur" so many times in a book? Well if you rely on spell check and no one reads it, I guess you could have problems, but really, if you're going to trap "firs", I don't think it would be too hard. Last I checked, once a fir tree is firmly rooted, it's not going anywhere.
When you "precede" somewhere rather than "proceed," have you been there before?
If you "joint" a group instead of "join" a group, what exactly are you doing?
Failure to use quotation marks in a conversation can lead to confusion.
All of these indicate how sloppily this book was written.
Exactly how many times can you use the word "jape" or "Japing" in a book? A ton. Multiple times in a page. It must be a favorite word of the authors, because I saw no other reason to overfill the pages with this word. Laughable, actually. Or maybe it's pathetic.
But let's get to the real problem here - the portrayal of the Native Americans. We have a Crow woman who, although surviving on her own, needs to be rescued and saved by the white men. And the insults to the Blackfeet are beyond description. They are portrayed as savages, stupid, and base. But what stood out the most was the lack of understanding of the name. When I was in college I had an instructor who was part of the Blackfeet tribe, and I was told that no matter the usage it's "Blackfeet", not Blackfoot. If you have one or seven hunters, it's Blackfeet. All the authors had to do was log onto the internet and look at the website for the Blackfeet Nation to understand how to refer to them and the preferences. This was inexcusable.
Don't bother reading this book. It's not worth your time.
December 12, 2021
I won this book from the publisher! The subtitle is A Novel of The American Frontier, and it is. The story takes place in 1833 in the wild west, where frontiersmen and beaver trappers are constantly fighting Indians and just trying to survive in the wild.
Luke Ransom has been on his own since he was a teenager, abandoned by his parents, and now with the American Fur Company for five years. He is ready to leave the company and try being an independent trapper. But when he saves a man from Indians trying to kill him, he and Jug become partners. They form a plan to ride out to Montana, Blackfoot Indian territory, where they think they will find an abundance of beaver to catch.
Basically the gist of the story is life in the West in the early 1800's is wild and fraught with danger. Johnstone presents a pretty accurate portrayal of just how hard life was back then, with Luke and Jug's particular lifestyle. The chapters mostly alternated with trapping beavers and fighting off and killing all the Indians they ever came in contact with. They didn't kill Blackfoot unless they were being attacked, but that seemed to always be the case.
I am pretty sure that this is a typical Western, which I rarely read. It was just so violent, which life was then, that I felt sorry for the Indians. But that is reading the book with current day sensibilities, and probably not the right perspective. Just beware, and if you read this book, know how much the authors probably researched the life of beaver trappers back then.
Towards the very end, there is a love story and a vengeance plot, again most likely typical in this genre. And even though I will probably not be reading another Western for a long time, and I didn't think the writing was very literary, it was a quick read and fairly enjoyable for an escapist plot. If you are a bigger fan of Westerns, you will probably like it. The authors seems quite prolific, so they must be popular.
Luke Ransom has been on his own since he was a teenager, abandoned by his parents, and now with the American Fur Company for five years. He is ready to leave the company and try being an independent trapper. But when he saves a man from Indians trying to kill him, he and Jug become partners. They form a plan to ride out to Montana, Blackfoot Indian territory, where they think they will find an abundance of beaver to catch.
Basically the gist of the story is life in the West in the early 1800's is wild and fraught with danger. Johnstone presents a pretty accurate portrayal of just how hard life was back then, with Luke and Jug's particular lifestyle. The chapters mostly alternated with trapping beavers and fighting off and killing all the Indians they ever came in contact with. They didn't kill Blackfoot unless they were being attacked, but that seemed to always be the case.
I am pretty sure that this is a typical Western, which I rarely read. It was just so violent, which life was then, that I felt sorry for the Indians. But that is reading the book with current day sensibilities, and probably not the right perspective. Just beware, and if you read this book, know how much the authors probably researched the life of beaver trappers back then.
Towards the very end, there is a love story and a vengeance plot, again most likely typical in this genre. And even though I will probably not be reading another Western for a long time, and I didn't think the writing was very literary, it was a quick read and fairly enjoyable for an escapist plot. If you are a bigger fan of Westerns, you will probably like it. The authors seems quite prolific, so they must be popular.
May 24, 2024
I was in the mood to read a Western. I looked on Goodreads and saw that this author was very popular, so I picked one of the 4 star books to read first.
This was the story of a trapper in the early 1800s. It’s a snapshot of his life as it plays out over the course of a year.
The story was a bit bipolar. Half the time the protagonist turns into a special forces expert and goes on a killing spree. He’s an expert at every weapon, gets the drop on everyone and can slip around the world as silent as a ninja. The action is mindless good. The protagonist is like an 80s version of Chuck Norris or Sly: superhuman, impossible to kill, expert tracker, and always making the right decision.
Unfortunately the parts in between the action scenes are (to put it simply) real frikin boring: it’s the story of a trapper. Trapping beavers and then skinning them. I have to say though, the author made this seem kinda interesting - at least for a while (I see why this author is very successful - he’s got a Louis L’Amour feel that clearly appeals to a lot of people, aka middle aged dudes like me).
If you are in the aforementioned demographic, I’d say this novel is worth a quick read to feed your need for action (in a mindless cowboys v Indians kinda way). But if you are looking for something intelligent with character development, a message, or even a normal story arc, you have come to the wrong place.
So, in summary, the 15 year old me loved it (or at least the action scenes) while the 55 year old me was a bit embarrassed that I felt that way. Because the real problem here is that I couldn’t help thinking that this guy was actually the villain of the story. Barging into someone else’s land and killing anyone who gets in his way as he’s stealing their stuff.
This was the story of a trapper in the early 1800s. It’s a snapshot of his life as it plays out over the course of a year.
The story was a bit bipolar. Half the time the protagonist turns into a special forces expert and goes on a killing spree. He’s an expert at every weapon, gets the drop on everyone and can slip around the world as silent as a ninja. The action is mindless good. The protagonist is like an 80s version of Chuck Norris or Sly: superhuman, impossible to kill, expert tracker, and always making the right decision.
Unfortunately the parts in between the action scenes are (to put it simply) real frikin boring: it’s the story of a trapper. Trapping beavers and then skinning them. I have to say though, the author made this seem kinda interesting - at least for a while (I see why this author is very successful - he’s got a Louis L’Amour feel that clearly appeals to a lot of people, aka middle aged dudes like me).
If you are in the aforementioned demographic, I’d say this novel is worth a quick read to feed your need for action (in a mindless cowboys v Indians kinda way). But if you are looking for something intelligent with character development, a message, or even a normal story arc, you have come to the wrong place.
So, in summary, the 15 year old me loved it (or at least the action scenes) while the 55 year old me was a bit embarrassed that I felt that way. Because the real problem here is that I couldn’t help thinking that this guy was actually the villain of the story. Barging into someone else’s land and killing anyone who gets in his way as he’s stealing their stuff.
July 11, 2022
"It was amazing." - 5 out of 5 star rating.
This is now hands down my all time favorite wild west / old west book. Officially sits on top of the throne as of time now.
To the River's End is an amazingly gripping, exciting, couldn't-put-it-down status, and a wild west ride of a life time. There's a reason why nearly every review platform (Goodreads, Amazon, etc.) has this been sitting at a 4.5, with page after page of 5 star reviews. From the very beginning to the end, this is absolutely masterpiece status.
Life in the 1800's was hard, to put things extremely lightly. This is a tale about a beaver trapper who faces adversity like no other. If trying to survive in such harsh times wasn't enough, our protagonist Luke has to also deal Native American tribes defending their territory and natural resources, one of the very best nemesis story arcs I've ever read from a "same team" (fellow trapper) rival known as Bloodworth, and even a little romance sprinkled in that is just delivered perfectly with just the right amount. The author is so good, he can even make sections of the book about mundane tasks like making meals extremely interesting and making the reader really immerse into the tough times back then.
Easily under $10 for a paperback at the time of this review or free at your public library, To the River's End is a must read for any Wild West / Old West fan. And even if you are unfamiliar or unsure about this genre... this book could be the one that gets you hooked.
1000% recommend.
This is now hands down my all time favorite wild west / old west book. Officially sits on top of the throne as of time now.
To the River's End is an amazingly gripping, exciting, couldn't-put-it-down status, and a wild west ride of a life time. There's a reason why nearly every review platform (Goodreads, Amazon, etc.) has this been sitting at a 4.5, with page after page of 5 star reviews. From the very beginning to the end, this is absolutely masterpiece status.
Life in the 1800's was hard, to put things extremely lightly. This is a tale about a beaver trapper who faces adversity like no other. If trying to survive in such harsh times wasn't enough, our protagonist Luke has to also deal Native American tribes defending their territory and natural resources, one of the very best nemesis story arcs I've ever read from a "same team" (fellow trapper) rival known as Bloodworth, and even a little romance sprinkled in that is just delivered perfectly with just the right amount. The author is so good, he can even make sections of the book about mundane tasks like making meals extremely interesting and making the reader really immerse into the tough times back then.
Easily under $10 for a paperback at the time of this review or free at your public library, To the River's End is a must read for any Wild West / Old West fan. And even if you are unfamiliar or unsure about this genre... this book could be the one that gets you hooked.
1000% recommend.
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April 14, 20223.5/5. I really wanted to give this book a 3 instead of a 3.5 just because the story was so monotonous. However, I found myself sometimes reveling in where they started to where they ended up. You can certainly picture the timeline like a memory for the reader themselves. It just seemed very too convenient for a lot of the events that happened. I think Luke killed like 20 different people with no scratch on him. Jug basically did nothing. It was all up to Luke.
It just seemed too far-fetched to ever be completely believed. Not to mention the writing was so monotonous as well. Japed or jibed must have been used over a hundred times when the characters spoke. Also, there were so many grammar errors as far as ending and beginning dialogue. Overall, eh.
Also, racist towards natives. Not that the author was trying to be politically incorrect with names and terms. It was just the complete casualness Luke handled any native tribe or person that was demeaning. It gave off the vibe that natives are not as smart or as resourceful as the white man is. Willow was also portrayed as instinctually obedient to all men and as a very simple minded person. Luke's thoughts and ideas where essentially her thoughts and ideas. After the third or so violent encounter that happened I was just reading to finish.
It just seemed too far-fetched to ever be completely believed. Not to mention the writing was so monotonous as well. Japed or jibed must have been used over a hundred times when the characters spoke. Also, there were so many grammar errors as far as ending and beginning dialogue. Overall, eh.
Also, racist towards natives. Not that the author was trying to be politically incorrect with names and terms. It was just the complete casualness Luke handled any native tribe or person that was demeaning. It gave off the vibe that natives are not as smart or as resourceful as the white man is. Willow was also portrayed as instinctually obedient to all men and as a very simple minded person. Luke's thoughts and ideas where essentially her thoughts and ideas. After the third or so violent encounter that happened I was just reading to finish.
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