The Measure of a Man: Smoke Jensen, American Legend

The Last Mountain Man #6-7

by William W. Johnstone

JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. WHERE NATURE FORGES THE STRONGEST MEN.   Smoke Jensen calls the mountains home. The unforgiving wilderness taught him to survive. There’s no creature he hasn’t fought. There’s no storm he hasn’t weathered. And there’s no man in the untamed West who doesn’t fear his name. The Measure of a Man collects two adventures of New York Times bestselling author William W. Johnstone’s champion of the American frontier in one volume.  War of the Mountain Man   Nestled in the north Montana Rockies lies Hell’s Creek. A haven for outlaws, every thief and killer with an itchy trigger finger and an appetite for destruction pays their dues to Big Max Higgins, a criminal king seeking to expand his empire. But when he targets the town of Barlow, his gang ends up trading lead with Smoke Jensen, the Last Mountain Man, and the last man they ever should have crossed . . .  Law of the Mountain Man   In the dead of winter in frostbitten Idaho Territory two ranching outfits are at war, battling over the range. Between them comes Smoke Jensen, traversing the frontier and minding his own business, when he finds himself dodging bullets. Caught in the crossfire, threatened by both sides to sign up or occupy a grave, Smoke declares his own war, leaving casualties colder than the snow across the range . . .   

Genres: Westerns

537 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 26, 2022

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

[Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic 2 in 1 edition book. I loved both stories. The first book was a great 3 star story with plenty of action. I mostly connected with the story and loved the characters. However, the second book. Law of the mountain man totally had me on the edge of my seat. I just loved the character smoke Jensen. He really wanted to help anyone who was being threatened or suffering from injustices. This was a brilliant 5 star book. So taking both into account averaged 4 stars. I believe the first book was really an introduction to the characters then the the second was an all action fast paced story. The diversity of the characters was great and there development was exciting. Making it a real roller coaster ride.
I just love these books that are high action gun slinging , chasing novels. This one did not disappoint. I definitely recommend this book if you love westerns or high action novels.
I just can't wait to read more books by this fabulous author.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating these thrilling fast paced, high action page turning western books.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of true westerns, the ones where the good guys sometimes have to be badder than the bad guys and the legends only tell half the story. William A Johnstone writes many series, each revolving around one central character, his past, present and future and the families they build as they build their legends. This book contains two of the Smoke Jensen stories. Smoke makes his mark in life as a mountain man, but also bears a "fast gun" reputation that he has earned the hard way. These are two of the earlier stories, before he settles down and builds his dynasty. They are excellent tales that are sure to have you looking for more Johnstone/ Smoke Jensen books. I have yet to read a Johnstone western that did not deserve at least 5 stars.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this 2 books in 1 special....

war of the mountain man and law of the mountain man, wow these two books must be back to the beginning with smoke and his wife...its rough and ready and back to basics where men are men and fight with their guns as the law doesnt reach that part of the country

both books have smoke fighting with his guns and its enough to keep you rivetted and not able to put the book down until you have finished one and started the other

love a good old smoke jensen story, they are so entertaining and give you a taste of what the wild west was really like and how mountain men really behave

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within this book are two stories: Law of the Mountain Man and War of the Mountain Man. Every page filled with action and every page containing the ways of the old west as experienced by Smoke Jensen, raised by Preacher an old mountain man. Every once in awhile the wanderlust hit Smoke and he would take off to visit, hunt, find some trouble, solve some problems and head back to the ranch named Sugarloaf and his loving wife, Sally. These adventures brought death, salvation of lives and the use of his fast guns. Hubby and I have loved the adventures written by this author and this book is no exception. If you enjoy tales of the old west, we recommend this authors stories. Thanks for great reads!

[Clifton]

Two books in one

The two books are Law of the Mountain Man and War of the Mountain Man. In both books Smoke Jensen comes to the aid of people who need his help and he does so in a way that outlaw's who cross his path regret meeting him. Between the death and destruction in the books I found humor which I enjoyed. If you're a western fan or enjoy bad guys and bullies getting what they deserve you'll enjoy this book.

[Nita Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Measure of a Man

Great stories of Smoke Jensen. Enjoyed some of the humor. Lots of history of Smoke and his background. The second book was full of action and the love and respect of his wife Sally and to save a town from two big outlaws with lots of gunfighters. The good of the town fought to the very end to save their town.

[Robert W. Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong men need strong women

You can see the characters as you read. I was so engrossed the sounds of people around me dissipate . Both books were the caliber you expect and plenty of surprises to keep you nailed to the story. Never disappointing in the descriptive nature if the writing to put you in the action or see the terrain they travel.

[Garry W Ervin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Measure of a Man

Just two wonderful books combined. Both in one are a great way to spend peaceful AND exciting moments in the west with a supposed gunfighter and his tales. Makes a guy wonder what’s next - - -

[Kern Hough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m new to this author!
Sometimes a guy just needs to read a good old western. And that’s just what I got!
Two stories in one was a treat. Easy reading and geography correct.
I will definitely will be reading more about Smoke Jensen

[Oren Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful pair of books in one.

Another in the highly entertaining and nearly impossible to put down books by William W. Johnstone. Both these books in this double book were fabulous.

[ray jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this mans work!!

I love all his books and have read over 100 of them. The Smoke Jensen series is one of my favorites!!

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

If you like westerns i recommend this book. This is an excellent story of the good guys and girls winning.
It made for interesting reading for me. I

[Courtney Fouquier]

Loved the story.

[bjorn vonmagnus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope

I've read so many of his books but this was just bad . I think it has been done before. Just too much