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Flintlock Trail
AN ACTION-PACKED WESTERN FOLLOWING THE STORY OF ONE MAN'S SEARCH FOR HIS IDENTITY. A young fur trapper finds trouble and a chance to prove himself… Jacques Maxwell is the illegitimate son of a Louisiana slave owner and a Creole slave. He runs away at 16, fights in the War of 1812 and ultimately signs on with the Missouri Fur Company. Maxwell encounters more than his share of adventures, including numerous skirmishes with Indians as well as betrayals by the men he considered to be his friends.
- GenresWesterns
248 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1997
About the author
John Legg
97 books29 followersJohn Legg has had more than 50 Westerns published, including a number of series novels, and one book of Western nonfiction. He has also done a number of articles on Western history for national magazines. He has been a newspaper copy editor for more than 30 years. He also has edited novels, articles, short stories, and other works through his editing/critiquing service, JL TextWorks. He has an MSJ from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 18, 2020
John Legg – Flintlock Trail – Reviewed 7/17/20 – Read 7/13/20
From Slave, bartender and on to Trapper and leader of men!
Jacques Maxwell starts his young life as the illegitimate son of a Louisiana plantation owner and a Creole slave. His mother dies when he is just 16, he takes off on his own and ends up fighting in the War of 1812. Life is up and down for a long time until he ends up in Saint Louis. After choosing a tavern that will be his go-to place, he has a vicious fight with a bartender, the owner fires him and offers the job to Jacques. He had nothing better to do so he took the job. At least he would be able to get some better rum than the rotgut that the fired bartender was serving.
About a month after taking on the job at the Hog’s Blood tavern, on a really busy night, Jacques knew when he saw his most troublesome customer come in that there would be a fight just to keep things quiet. Sure enough, after he had quite a few drinks under his belt, the troublemaker started a fight. Jacques jumps the bar and here we go again. Taking care of the problem left Jacques really beaten up with lots of colorful lumps, bumps, and bruises. Even after a week his face still showed the damage. While taking a break a man joined him at his table, telling him that his boss wanted him to join their expedition and become a trapper for him. Now the story begins….
What did I like? Jacques Maxwell is one colorful character! I loved his accent. It truly shows a lot when you can read a book and hear the accent of one of the characters. It makes the book so much more interesting. This period was indeed a very troublesome time in our history, I think the author did an excellent job in bringing across the problems and issues. His method of conveying the values of the character was also something that I certainly liked.
What will you like? If you are ready for an action-packed read, then here we are. The action jumps out on nearly every page, from Louisiana plantations to the backcountry filled with native Americans and betrayal of so-called friends. Categorically filled with lots of colorful characters, unique and awesome! As I said above you will be able to hear the accent of the characters, see the Indian attacks, smell the rum and even feel a few of the bruises, John does such an excellent job with is descriptions and details. This certainly will be one of the most colorful reads of late, but certainly, a book that you will want to add to your Western Library.
• File Size: 5755 KB
• Print Length: 213 pages
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing (July 29, 2020)
• Publication Date: July 29, 2020
• ASIN: B08D29R4WY
• Genre: Western Fiction & Classics
From Slave, bartender and on to Trapper and leader of men!
Jacques Maxwell starts his young life as the illegitimate son of a Louisiana plantation owner and a Creole slave. His mother dies when he is just 16, he takes off on his own and ends up fighting in the War of 1812. Life is up and down for a long time until he ends up in Saint Louis. After choosing a tavern that will be his go-to place, he has a vicious fight with a bartender, the owner fires him and offers the job to Jacques. He had nothing better to do so he took the job. At least he would be able to get some better rum than the rotgut that the fired bartender was serving.
About a month after taking on the job at the Hog’s Blood tavern, on a really busy night, Jacques knew when he saw his most troublesome customer come in that there would be a fight just to keep things quiet. Sure enough, after he had quite a few drinks under his belt, the troublemaker started a fight. Jacques jumps the bar and here we go again. Taking care of the problem left Jacques really beaten up with lots of colorful lumps, bumps, and bruises. Even after a week his face still showed the damage. While taking a break a man joined him at his table, telling him that his boss wanted him to join their expedition and become a trapper for him. Now the story begins….
What did I like? Jacques Maxwell is one colorful character! I loved his accent. It truly shows a lot when you can read a book and hear the accent of one of the characters. It makes the book so much more interesting. This period was indeed a very troublesome time in our history, I think the author did an excellent job in bringing across the problems and issues. His method of conveying the values of the character was also something that I certainly liked.
What will you like? If you are ready for an action-packed read, then here we are. The action jumps out on nearly every page, from Louisiana plantations to the backcountry filled with native Americans and betrayal of so-called friends. Categorically filled with lots of colorful characters, unique and awesome! As I said above you will be able to hear the accent of the characters, see the Indian attacks, smell the rum and even feel a few of the bruises, John does such an excellent job with is descriptions and details. This certainly will be one of the most colorful reads of late, but certainly, a book that you will want to add to your Western Library.
• File Size: 5755 KB
• Print Length: 213 pages
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing (July 29, 2020)
• Publication Date: July 29, 2020
• ASIN: B08D29R4WY
• Genre: Western Fiction & Classics
July 31, 2020
I found Jacques Maxwell to be a very interesting person, but believe the story would be much more entertainig without so much of the French language involved. The story is entertaining, but trying to decipher it was a problem!
Going four stars was not a problem, as the book has so many different tangents it kept my attention most of the time! Too, Maxwell's escape from slavery, and his many successful accomplishments certainly kept me turning pars just to see what his next step might be, and what project he would attempt to achieve!
Great storylines throughout the entire story, and Mr. Legg's successful selection of characters played their assigned roles to perfection.
Maxwell definitely was befitting in all of his descriptive assignments throughout the entire series of unending adventures! He goes from a slave to wanderer; a Pirate to a fur trader, as well as a lover of Indian women!
I recommend this adventurous series of events to all readers, as You will enjoy Maxwell's exploits from beginning to end! This is a mixture of realistic adventures, and you need can tell what Maxwell's next entertaining accomplishment will entail! Try it. You just might enjoy his Tom foolery as much as I did!!😄
Going four stars was not a problem, as the book has so many different tangents it kept my attention most of the time! Too, Maxwell's escape from slavery, and his many successful accomplishments certainly kept me turning pars just to see what his next step might be, and what project he would attempt to achieve!
Great storylines throughout the entire story, and Mr. Legg's successful selection of characters played their assigned roles to perfection.
Maxwell definitely was befitting in all of his descriptive assignments throughout the entire series of unending adventures! He goes from a slave to wanderer; a Pirate to a fur trader, as well as a lover of Indian women!
I recommend this adventurous series of events to all readers, as You will enjoy Maxwell's exploits from beginning to end! This is a mixture of realistic adventures, and you need can tell what Maxwell's next entertaining accomplishment will entail! Try it. You just might enjoy his Tom foolery as much as I did!!😄
September 28, 2020
Jacques has many adventures
Jacques was a slave who managed to escape. He was only 16 when he ran away. He fought some pirates and became one of Lafitte's pirates. They fought in the Battle of New Orleans. He received papers making him no longer a slave. After his romance fell through, he went west. He soon became a trapper. He had a lot of adventures there also.
Jacques was a slave who managed to escape. He was only 16 when he ran away. He fought some pirates and became one of Lafitte's pirates. They fought in the Battle of New Orleans. He received papers making him no longer a slave. After his romance fell through, he went west. He soon became a trapper. He had a lot of adventures there also.
December 8, 2022
This is an interesting read and is based on a Cajun who goes west to trap in 1815. I had some trouble understanding his speech but I give the author credit that he was authentic. I can’t imagine that much wide open spaces and the trouble faced but this is a good story and there is a constant life or death struggle. Good read.
July 30, 2020
I wasn't at all impressed with this story. The main character is the mixed blood son of a slave owner who is a hard living and drinking individual who is decides to be a mountain man/trapper. It is not well written and for sure did not appeal to me nor hold my attention.
October 31, 2020
The Frenchman's reward
I liked this book as it was pretty much non-stop action. The characters were realistic and well developed. The book was true to its time period which included not only the wild west but other1800 venues. Yes,I would recommend it.
I liked this book as it was pretty much non-stop action. The characters were realistic and well developed. The book was true to its time period which included not only the wild west but other1800 venues. Yes,I would recommend it.
December 6, 2020
Full of action and intriguing
The author has written a story of excitement and fast action as Maxwell seeks his freedom and what he can do to become successful. Very enjoyable reading if you like a story of fast action and exciting adventures.
The author has written a story of excitement and fast action as Maxwell seeks his freedom and what he can do to become successful. Very enjoyable reading if you like a story of fast action and exciting adventures.
November 27, 2021
Hard going
Hard reading the pigeon English. Too many zees, zats, zems and zut allors. It spoiled what was a good story. Very handy though finding so many Crow Indians that could speak their own language, English and French!
Hard reading the pigeon English. Too many zees, zats, zems and zut allors. It spoiled what was a good story. Very handy though finding so many Crow Indians that could speak their own language, English and French!
July 29, 2020
A interesting story . I thoroughly enjoyed it .
Read
July 29, 2020I never received the book
July 29, 2020
A Page-Turner Early Frontier Tale
From page one, the author grabs reader's interest and keeps it until the end! A great, believable early frontier tale with realistic action scenes!
From page one, the author grabs reader's interest and keeps it until the end! A great, believable early frontier tale with realistic action scenes!
July 30, 2020
Great book. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 1, 2020
Great Book
Enjoyable tale of an adventurous life in the old West before civilization destroyed the desirability of living there.it is well written and edited.
Enjoyable tale of an adventurous life in the old West before civilization destroyed the desirability of living there.it is well written and edited.
August 23, 2020
Story is interesting
Lost a star because of the poor editing. Misspelling, bad grammar etc are very distracting.
Still mostly enjoyed the read.
Lost a star because of the poor editing. Misspelling, bad grammar etc are very distracting.
Still mostly enjoyed the read.
September 23, 2020
Good book rr
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
October 4, 2020
Flintlock Trail
This was a good read that keeps your interest and attention from start to finish.The story is a good look at what we would like the real world of the day to be like.
This was a good read that keeps your interest and attention from start to finish.The story is a good look at what we would like the real world of the day to be like.
October 14, 2020
Trust
In the old West probably nothing was more important than honesty and trust. Story was very factual as to how life was in those times
In the old West probably nothing was more important than honesty and trust. Story was very factual as to how life was in those times
October 21, 2020
DNF, could not get into this book.
November 4, 2020
Enjoyed the book
This book is a little too racy for my taste. I do like books about the fur trade. I know that Manuel Lisa was present in the early fur trade.
This book is a little too racy for my taste. I do like books about the fur trade. I know that Manuel Lisa was present in the early fur trade.
November 4, 2020
Good story!
Stories are about people and what, why and how they do stuff that is dangerous or clever. This story did a fine job of it.
Stories are about people and what, why and how they do stuff that is dangerous or clever. This story did a fine job of it.
August 25, 2023
Good story
I rated it low because of the Cajun language. Was hard for me to understand. I had to skip over most of it.
I rated it low because of the Cajun language. Was hard for me to understand. I had to skip over most of it.
September 10, 2023
furs and women
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews