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Only The Dead
The 19th century saw the births, the very painful births, of both the Mexican and Texas Republics. The origin of both came at the price of a treasure of blood spilled, losses suffered and dreams crushed. In the case of Mexico, it also involved deceit, subterfuge and a woeful amount of treachery. In the case of the latter, it entailed a sanguinary war and mass summary executions by the powerful Mexican army.
This is the story of three families, two Mexican and one Texan, their struggles against savage Indians, between staunch idealists and brutal cynics and the societies that engendered them. It also makes plain the perils of a rigidly hierarchical social system and the Scots-Irish bounty of individual initiative that propelled the westward expansion of the United States.
It further chronicles the necessary compromises and heartbreaking sacrifices that all of these developments—in individuals and whole societies—unfailingly entail.
This is the story of three families, two Mexican and one Texan, their struggles against savage Indians, between staunch idealists and brutal cynics and the societies that engendered them. It also makes plain the perils of a rigidly hierarchical social system and the Scots-Irish bounty of individual initiative that propelled the westward expansion of the United States.
It further chronicles the necessary compromises and heartbreaking sacrifices that all of these developments—in individuals and whole societies—unfailingly entail.
336 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
About the author
Jan Notzon
8 books214 followersI used to ply the acting trade but retired to devote myself full-time to writing. I've written several plays and published eight novels, The Dogs...Barking, And Ye Shall Be As Gods, The Id Paradox, Song for the Forsaken, Suffer Not The Mole People, ONLY THE DEAD (Know the End of War), To Sing Like a Mockingbird and Heir of the West Wind are available in all mediums.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 2, 2022
Only The Dead (Know the End of War) by Jan Notzon really moved me and made me think, especially in February 2022. As it seems, war, suffering and the hunger for power hasn't changed much from the 19th century. Unlike the current events, however, Jan Notzon's book has a beautifully throughout plot with characters that just come alive as you read on. I won't give out any spoilers and won't try an sum up the book - the author did that splendidly in the description section. Pick up a copy and see for yourself.
February 15, 2022
Magnificent read!!!
What a powerful and realistic story in Only The Dead (Know the End of War) by Jan Notzon. This is the second book of this author that I have read, and I have just become a fan. I want to read more from Notzon. The characters were historically correct, and very real, and full of depth. This is a time and place that many might not really know about, and this book, though it was a story, it taught me a lot. I love it when I can read something I am enjoying and also learn from it. It's a two for one for me. Anyway, this story brings the reader back to the early 19th century, when Texas and Mexico both had republics, and seems to be fighting for a separation, as well as survival. Not just of their lives, but their own culture, and against a system that could make or break the expansion of the United States, such that it was. It was both a heart breaking, and emotionally charged story, with perspectives on all sides of the power, and the entrance of a brutal war. This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). It is a very well-written plot, and I enjoyed it. It’s one of those embraceable stories. It’s definitely un-put-downable! I read the book as slow as I could, and then I went back to my notes, and the page I marked, spoke to me, so here is something that I feel shows one of the layers of the story. "Of course, we did it in our own self-interests, but in doing so, we've created wealth that has been invested and spawned other concerns that likewise have provided employment and hope to so many - even those who perennially excluded from such opportunities. And now, because of the accident of our birth, and simple envy, the country will destroy such promise ..." Masterfully written! Only The Dead (Know the End of War) is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more books by this author.
What a powerful and realistic story in Only The Dead (Know the End of War) by Jan Notzon. This is the second book of this author that I have read, and I have just become a fan. I want to read more from Notzon. The characters were historically correct, and very real, and full of depth. This is a time and place that many might not really know about, and this book, though it was a story, it taught me a lot. I love it when I can read something I am enjoying and also learn from it. It's a two for one for me. Anyway, this story brings the reader back to the early 19th century, when Texas and Mexico both had republics, and seems to be fighting for a separation, as well as survival. Not just of their lives, but their own culture, and against a system that could make or break the expansion of the United States, such that it was. It was both a heart breaking, and emotionally charged story, with perspectives on all sides of the power, and the entrance of a brutal war. This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). It is a very well-written plot, and I enjoyed it. It’s one of those embraceable stories. It’s definitely un-put-downable! I read the book as slow as I could, and then I went back to my notes, and the page I marked, spoke to me, so here is something that I feel shows one of the layers of the story. "Of course, we did it in our own self-interests, but in doing so, we've created wealth that has been invested and spawned other concerns that likewise have provided employment and hope to so many - even those who perennially excluded from such opportunities. And now, because of the accident of our birth, and simple envy, the country will destroy such promise ..." Masterfully written! Only The Dead (Know the End of War) is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more books by this author.
May 20, 2022
ONLY THE DEAD by Jan Notzon was a good novel. The author's writing style was excellent and the character development was well done. I liked the characters, dialog, and pace of the novel. I recommend this book.
December 26, 2022
Jan Notzon’s Only the Dead is the intriguing story of three very different people whose lives intersect over the course of some thirty-odd years encompassing Mexico’s long struggle for independence, and the American settlement and annexation of Texas. Filled with enchanting descriptions of colonial Mexico and the Texas frontier, Notzon’s love of the land and its people shines through in every chapter.
The tale begins with Comanches attacking a wagon train. It’s young Polish immigrant John Michael’s first scrape with Native Americans, and his American adoptive father’s last, as the father sustains a wound that determines the path of John’s part of the story. But the real action is found in the stories of the two Mexican characters.
José Nicolás de Cos de la Portilla is a “criollo,” a descendant of pure-blooded Spanish, and thus the cream of Mexican colonial society, outranked only by those born in Spain itself (known as “peninsulares”). Sensitive and thoughtful, he is troubled by the aristocratic privileges of his class, and repelled by the swagger and racism of his overly-proud, royalist father, whom he is nonetheless bound to follow and support. When the royalists are defeated, he and his family are considered traitors by the newly-independent Mexican state and are cast into penury.
José Necahuatl de Arreola’s story follows the opposite trajectory. As a mestizo (person of mixed Spanish and Native American blood) he begins life on one of the lowest rungs of Mexican society. He’s basically a child slave, sold to a factory to work off a family debt. But he’s observant and clever, and manages to escape a life of drudgery by a lucky association with Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the father of Mexican independence. When Father Hidalgo is captured by royalists and sentenced to die, Arreola is nearly hanged with him, but is saved by the intervention of the other José, the criollo. Years later, having risen to a position of authority in the Mexican army, the mestizo is able to return the favor to the criollo.
The chapters dealing with John Michael are told in the first person, and set much later in time than those of the two Josés. This immigrant, whose mother has married a Texas Ranger turned rancher whom everyone simply calls “G.P.” (the man wounded in the first chapter), wheedles the amazing story of his adoptive family out of the rancher’s sister over the course of a long trip. There’s as much blood and grit as one would expect in this tale of hard people in a hard land facing hard times. But it’s also a tale with a philosophical twist. Throughout the story, Notzon’s characters return to the theme of the power of culture to bind people and nations to a particular fate, and the general powerlessness of men to overcome that fate.
As historical fiction, Only the Dead syncs well with the known history of the region and the times, and both the characters and their actions are believable. It’s well-written, and well-worth reading for those interested in that time and place.
The tale begins with Comanches attacking a wagon train. It’s young Polish immigrant John Michael’s first scrape with Native Americans, and his American adoptive father’s last, as the father sustains a wound that determines the path of John’s part of the story. But the real action is found in the stories of the two Mexican characters.
José Nicolás de Cos de la Portilla is a “criollo,” a descendant of pure-blooded Spanish, and thus the cream of Mexican colonial society, outranked only by those born in Spain itself (known as “peninsulares”). Sensitive and thoughtful, he is troubled by the aristocratic privileges of his class, and repelled by the swagger and racism of his overly-proud, royalist father, whom he is nonetheless bound to follow and support. When the royalists are defeated, he and his family are considered traitors by the newly-independent Mexican state and are cast into penury.
José Necahuatl de Arreola’s story follows the opposite trajectory. As a mestizo (person of mixed Spanish and Native American blood) he begins life on one of the lowest rungs of Mexican society. He’s basically a child slave, sold to a factory to work off a family debt. But he’s observant and clever, and manages to escape a life of drudgery by a lucky association with Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the father of Mexican independence. When Father Hidalgo is captured by royalists and sentenced to die, Arreola is nearly hanged with him, but is saved by the intervention of the other José, the criollo. Years later, having risen to a position of authority in the Mexican army, the mestizo is able to return the favor to the criollo.
The chapters dealing with John Michael are told in the first person, and set much later in time than those of the two Josés. This immigrant, whose mother has married a Texas Ranger turned rancher whom everyone simply calls “G.P.” (the man wounded in the first chapter), wheedles the amazing story of his adoptive family out of the rancher’s sister over the course of a long trip. There’s as much blood and grit as one would expect in this tale of hard people in a hard land facing hard times. But it’s also a tale with a philosophical twist. Throughout the story, Notzon’s characters return to the theme of the power of culture to bind people and nations to a particular fate, and the general powerlessness of men to overcome that fate.
As historical fiction, Only the Dead syncs well with the known history of the region and the times, and both the characters and their actions are believable. It’s well-written, and well-worth reading for those interested in that time and place.
January 24, 2024
Only the Dead, authored by Jan Notzon, presents a compelling narrative set amidst the tumult of a revolutionary movement, exploring the intricate ethical dilemmas faced by individuals caught in the throes of societal upheaval. The story orbits around José Necahuatl, a character whose allegiance to Father Hidalgo is juxtaposed against his apprehensions about the uprising's violent nature. This central conflict serves as a lens to examine the broader implications of war on personal ethics and societal norms.
Through characters such as José Nicolás de Cos de la Portilla, the novel delves into the psychological impact of conflict, showcasing the internal strife and emotional complexity inherent in times of war. The narrative is further enriched by the experiences of Miss Luz and Mr. Macalister, who confront the stark realities of life during such turbulent times. Particularly moving is Miss Luz's ordeal of captivity and torture at the hands of the Comanches, a storyline that poignantly captures the dehumanizing effects of prolonged warfare. Notzon skillfully weaves these personal stories into the broader tapestry of a community in reconstruction. The struggles faced by José Necahuatl in the Bajío region post-rebellion mirror the broader challenges encountered by a community in the throes of rebuilding. Alongside Señor Tomás and other characters, the narrative navigates a path marked by uncertainty, shared histories, and the collective effort to overcome the aftermath of conflict. Incorporating elements of threat, tragedy, and a perilous journey to escape persecution, the novel embeds these experiences within the fabric of the characters' lives. As the plot unfolds, the characters face moral dilemmas, unexpected acts of kindness, and the harsh realities of life post-war, drawing the reader deeper into their personal journeys.
Only the Dead paints a vivid portrait of a community undergoing significant change. By balancing the personal struggles of its characters against the historical backdrop, the novel offers an intimate glimpse into the impact of war and revolution on individual lives and moral decisions. This interplay between historical events and personal narratives renders the story engaging and thought-provoking, providing a unique perspective on a pivotal historical period.
Through characters such as José Nicolás de Cos de la Portilla, the novel delves into the psychological impact of conflict, showcasing the internal strife and emotional complexity inherent in times of war. The narrative is further enriched by the experiences of Miss Luz and Mr. Macalister, who confront the stark realities of life during such turbulent times. Particularly moving is Miss Luz's ordeal of captivity and torture at the hands of the Comanches, a storyline that poignantly captures the dehumanizing effects of prolonged warfare. Notzon skillfully weaves these personal stories into the broader tapestry of a community in reconstruction. The struggles faced by José Necahuatl in the Bajío region post-rebellion mirror the broader challenges encountered by a community in the throes of rebuilding. Alongside Señor Tomás and other characters, the narrative navigates a path marked by uncertainty, shared histories, and the collective effort to overcome the aftermath of conflict. Incorporating elements of threat, tragedy, and a perilous journey to escape persecution, the novel embeds these experiences within the fabric of the characters' lives. As the plot unfolds, the characters face moral dilemmas, unexpected acts of kindness, and the harsh realities of life post-war, drawing the reader deeper into their personal journeys.
Only the Dead paints a vivid portrait of a community undergoing significant change. By balancing the personal struggles of its characters against the historical backdrop, the novel offers an intimate glimpse into the impact of war and revolution on individual lives and moral decisions. This interplay between historical events and personal narratives renders the story engaging and thought-provoking, providing a unique perspective on a pivotal historical period.
May 14, 2022
I'm so glad I gave this book a go. The author, Jan Notzon, told an incredible story. His writing style was beautiful, his characters more than great. I will read more from this author and I suggest you do too.
May 14, 2022
ONLY THE DEAD by Jan Notzon was a powerful read that stuck in my head for days. The author's writing was easy to read, captivating and engaging. The great settings and perfect character development made the book a fantastic read. I highly recommend.
May 15, 2022
A subject that is very on point right now. War. War for territory, war for power, war for... the people who can play gamble with the ordinary people's lives. The author focused on the three families struggling to survive. I loved his characters!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews