Stand Up and Die

The Jackals #2

by William W. Johnstone

The wild bunch known as the Jackals returns for another round of justice served cold, hard, and with as many bullets as it takes. National bestselling authors William W. and J.A. Johnstone are at it again . . .
 
Johnstone. Making the West wilder.
 
Some say bad luck comes in threes. And if you’re a bandit, bank robber, or bloodthirsty killer, that bad luck comes in the form of three hard justice-seekers known as the Jackals. Each of the Jackals has his own path to follow: Former Texas Ranger Matt McCulloch is trying to protect a young Commanche from scalphunters. Retired cavalry sergeant Sean Keegan is dodging bullets in a prison breakout planned by the notorious Benteen brothers. And bounty hunter Jed Breen is bringing in one of the bank-robbing Kruger twins—while the other one’s out for his blood . . .
 
Three Jackals. Three roads to justice. But when their paths cross near Arizona’s Dead River, they’ve got to join forces and face all of their enemies come hell or high water. They don’t call it Dead River for nothing . . .  

Live Free. Read Hard.

Genres: Westerns

473 pages, Hardcover

Published March 10, 2021

About the author

William 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.

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stand Up and Die by William W. Johnstone and J. A. Johnstone is so far the best adventure in the series about The Jackals. A great western story with a not so usual storyline. I had some fun hours reading it and will continue following this serie.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Johnston's Stand Up and Die (Pinnacle 2020), Book 2 in the Jackals series, starts in perfect Western fashion. A shootout in a whore house, a Marshall killed while a prisoner escapes, and an Indian fighting a white man in a vicious battle. It doesn’t get any better if you love Westerns. These events left no doubt that the three western gunslingers--known informally as the Jackals--were mighty talented fighters with unbendable moral cores. These events convinced the Jackals to join forces herding a band of wild mustangs to a ranch where they would be tamed and sold. That doesn't sound too hard but turns out, one of the partners in the ranch is a teenage Indian whose father wants him back. One of the Jackals is bringing two prisoners who must be dropped off at a sheriffs along the way. And, a clan of angry killers wants to kills another of the jackals--and is happy to include anyone with him--to revenge the hanging of their cousin. Oh, and then there’s Annie. This is a good read and a wild ride to the very end.

[Bill Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jackals find their paths crossing again near Arizona’s Dead River and once again must join forces to survive. Arkansas settlers, escaped convicts, marauding Indians and treacherous scalp hunters have all converged on the desolate hell hole and all will meet the Jackals own brand of justice dealt with bullets.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best things about a Johnstone western is trying to choose who would play each character if the books were made into movies. Each series has so many unique characters, where else would you find a mountain man named Preacher or a dusty, dirty cowboy named Perly Gates? The western genre may not be as popular as some others, but I would bet money that these characters would change that with very little effort as their lives played out on film. The only reason to read the jacket synopsis of a Johnstone book before buying it, is to see which character is going to be entertaining you during your next read.

The Jackals...a trio of maybe lawmen who became famous for defeating an outlaw gang thought impossible to catch. Each is a unique version of a lawman who has their own reason to hunt the less desirable of criminals. Following the trails of the bad guys, their paths will cross again, leaving them to team up for safety and sanity as their adventures multiply along with the number of guns pointed in their directions.

Every...and I do mean every...Johnstone book I have ever read, and I've read many of them, has been defined by the sense of the western life and the principles the lead characters live everyday of their lives. It was men just like these who settled the wild west and made history while just doing their jobs. Thank goodness there are authors such as the Johnstones to entertain and educate us along the way.

[Nolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Busy book. Starts out with three different stories, one of each of the Jackals. Then comes together but yet has more stories, mustang horses, a Comanche boy, two wanted by the law killers that one is a woman and the other a man that one of the Jackals is taking in for the bounty. Plus there is more, three Comanche Indians, one who is looking for his son. A wagon train, killers following the three jackals, white men dressed up as Navajo Indians that have a 1841 Mountain howitzer going after the wagon train. Real Navajo Indians. US Soldiers. All tied together into one big story that just drones on and on and really isn't that overly exciting at least not to me. Not sure if J.A. Johnstone wrote this one or one of her ghost writers, but WTH?

[Cherry London · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to say these three men, the Jackals, had no heart, but Keegan, MacCulloch, and Breen showed that their hearts weren’t as cold as they projected. It was a harsh place, but I liked how things turned out for Charlotte, and I cannot forget that little buzz of attraction between her and MacCulloch. This book ended as it began, pretty darn entertaining, exciting, and exhilarating.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic style western with three main heroes.

The bounty Hunter, The ex Texas Ranger, the former army sergeant.

They start out with their own separate adventures, and eventually reunite for even wilder adventures.

Gun fights
Cowboys and Indians
Cowboys and fake Indians
Stampedes
There's even a wagon train

While not the best Western novel ever written, It is still entertaining.

[Derrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I really enjoy the multiple actors for GA. But this story/stories I just can't get into. The same issues I had with the first one, I had with this one. Just too many characters for my brain to follow. If you enjoyed the first one, then this appears to be the same thing.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stand Up and Die is among one of my favorites I have read by William W. Johnstone. I am giving it five plus stars.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a incredibly amazing storyline!

Once again the Jackals take you on a heck of a ride! Loved this story and the ending was totally awesome!

[Dirk Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good read

I really enjoyed this book. Had a hard
time putting the book down. I think others will enjoy it as much as I did. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exciting finish

[Andre · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 (dramatized audiobook) it was alright/decent, nothing more. A good western adventure.

[Jade McEneany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got to chapter 4 and had to put it down. Skipping to each character, which normally I’m okay with but it’s just really hard to follow.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too disjointed