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Wagons West #5
Texas!
TEXAS! 1844. The bold new Republic of Texas is fighting for its life. Rallying to the cause of liberty, the brave pioneers who forged the Oregon Trail are called upon to lead a new wagon train into the fray. Leaving their homes in the thriving Oregon Territory, they face impossible odds on the wild Texas frontier, overrun with dangerous outlaws, native tribes, and the powerful Mexican Army. Among the freedom fighters are veteran commander Lee Blake and his wife Kathy, boat builder Harry Canning, and the fearless volunteers who would risk their lives as Texas Rangers. Their new leader, Captain Rick Miller, holds the destiny of Texas in his hands. But in his heart, he hides a passion for a woman he cannot have — and a dream he cannot surrender. This is the fight for Texas, in all its grit, glory, and grandeur. This is America at its best…
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
13 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
About the author
Dana Fuller Ross
108 books143 followersDana Fuller Ross is a pseudonym used by Noel B. Gerson and James M. Reasoner.
Noel Gearson specializes in historical military novels, westerns, and mysteries. He also writes under the pseudonyms, "Dana Fuller Ross.", Anne Marie Burgess; Michael Burgess; Nicholas Gorham; Paul Lewis; Leon Phillips; Donald Clayton Porter; Philip Vail; and Carter A. Vaughan. He has written more than 325 novels.
James Reasoner (pictured) is an American writer. He is the author of more than 150 books and many short stories in a career spanning more than thirty years. Reasoner has used at least nineteen pseudonyms, in addition to his own name: Jim Austin; Peter Danielson; Terrance Duncan; Tom Early; Wesley Ellis; Tabor Evans; Jake Foster; William Grant; Matthew Hart; Livia James; Mike Jameson; Justin Ladd; Jake Logan; Hank Mitchum; Lee Morgan; J.L. Reasoner (with his wife); Dana Fuller Ross; Adam Rutledge; and Jon Sharpe. Since most of Reasoner's books were written as part of various existing Western fiction series, many of his pseudonyms were publishing "house" names that may have been used by other authors who contributed to those series
Noel Gearson specializes in historical military novels, westerns, and mysteries. He also writes under the pseudonyms, "Dana Fuller Ross.", Anne Marie Burgess; Michael Burgess; Nicholas Gorham; Paul Lewis; Leon Phillips; Donald Clayton Porter; Philip Vail; and Carter A. Vaughan. He has written more than 325 novels.
James Reasoner (pictured) is an American writer. He is the author of more than 150 books and many short stories in a career spanning more than thirty years. Reasoner has used at least nineteen pseudonyms, in addition to his own name: Jim Austin; Peter Danielson; Terrance Duncan; Tom Early; Wesley Ellis; Tabor Evans; Jake Foster; William Grant; Matthew Hart; Livia James; Mike Jameson; Justin Ladd; Jake Logan; Hank Mitchum; Lee Morgan; J.L. Reasoner (with his wife); Dana Fuller Ross; Adam Rutledge; and Jon Sharpe. Since most of Reasoner's books were written as part of various existing Western fiction series, many of his pseudonyms were publishing "house" names that may have been used by other authors who contributed to those series
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 9, 2014
My Grandma spent years in used bookstores collecting all 24 books in this Wagons West series. I remember them lined up on the bookshelf in the "boys room" of her house. When I was in 9th grade, my cousin Laura and I decided to read them, and we enjoyed that it was like a grown-up version of The Little House on the Prairie. They were clean and wholesome books, with more history than we expected. I didn't get past the 7th book because the story lines were pretty repetitive, but I feel nostalgic about the series all the same. When Grandma died two years ago, I asked if they could set aside these books for Laura and I, but I was too late...the books were gone.
Last week, I went to an amazing used bookstore for the very first time. What did I find on one of the first shelves I saw?? This book of course! Even though this is the fifth book in the series, I decided to go ahead and read it. The first four books are about the Oregon Trail; in this book the story kind of starts over - there's a dispute over territory with Mexico in the newly independent Texas state. They need settlers in the area to help the US cause, so some of the Oregon Territory's newest residents head on over. Some people can't get enough of the unknown and have to keep moving, I guess. (This, by the way, was my issue with the series the first time I read it. I can understand heading west once, for the dream of land of your own. But once they reach Oregon, the characters seem to say come on, we have to help claim Texas; come with me, there's gold in California; lets do it again, cause they found gold in Colorado too; silver in Nevada, I'll be right there! It's more than unbelievable that the same people would be part of all these events.)
At this point in time, I'll suspend disbelief and hold on to nostalgia. Reading this book takes me back to that little one-room cabin we had - the place I did much of my reading in those days - and it makes me feel connected to Grandma again. I can't wait to find the rest of the books in this series!
Update: Just finished the book last night and happened to have time to go to my new favorite used bookstore today. I stumbled upon three more books in the series...one of which is the next one to read - California! I'm not going to start it right away. When these books were published, it looks like one was released every six months, so I should wait at least that long to read them. That's going to be the only way I'll get though them - I won't realize how similar it is to the previous book if it has been a while since I've read it. This has just become a 12-year project I guess...
Last week, I went to an amazing used bookstore for the very first time. What did I find on one of the first shelves I saw?? This book of course! Even though this is the fifth book in the series, I decided to go ahead and read it. The first four books are about the Oregon Trail; in this book the story kind of starts over - there's a dispute over territory with Mexico in the newly independent Texas state. They need settlers in the area to help the US cause, so some of the Oregon Territory's newest residents head on over. Some people can't get enough of the unknown and have to keep moving, I guess. (This, by the way, was my issue with the series the first time I read it. I can understand heading west once, for the dream of land of your own. But once they reach Oregon, the characters seem to say come on, we have to help claim Texas; come with me, there's gold in California; lets do it again, cause they found gold in Colorado too; silver in Nevada, I'll be right there! It's more than unbelievable that the same people would be part of all these events.)
At this point in time, I'll suspend disbelief and hold on to nostalgia. Reading this book takes me back to that little one-room cabin we had - the place I did much of my reading in those days - and it makes me feel connected to Grandma again. I can't wait to find the rest of the books in this series!
Update: Just finished the book last night and happened to have time to go to my new favorite used bookstore today. I stumbled upon three more books in the series...one of which is the next one to read - California! I'm not going to start it right away. When these books were published, it looks like one was released every six months, so I should wait at least that long to read them. That's going to be the only way I'll get though them - I won't realize how similar it is to the previous book if it has been a while since I've read it. This has just become a 12-year project I guess...
October 14, 2015
A 35-cent book from the outdoor table at a bookstore. A 9-hour bus journey. These went very well together. The book, written in 1980, did cause me to note how times and perspectives have changed. Few see Andrew Jackson as a hero, for example, nowadays. The book is unabashedly about the experiences of white settlers. No hint of the abolitionist issue appears, although that was certainly an American political issue by 1845.
But read the book for what it does tell you about American history in that period. I had never seen the connection between policy in the Oregon Territory and the annexation of the Republic of Texas. I hereto admit that Polk, Tyler, and Taylor were scarcely distinguished in my mind. It is certainly interesting to see the discussion of Austin and try to place the locations in a modern context. The 49th-parallel versus the 54'40-parallel border is something I vaguely knew about, but now better understand.
The characters are reasonably, if not outstandingly, drawn. I tend to think the author (a male pseudonym - read more on Wikipedia) was sympathetic to women, but obviously could not give them full-blown military or political roles.
Read the book to get insight into how American history was traditionally taught and into US and Texan history.
But read the book for what it does tell you about American history in that period. I had never seen the connection between policy in the Oregon Territory and the annexation of the Republic of Texas. I hereto admit that Polk, Tyler, and Taylor were scarcely distinguished in my mind. It is certainly interesting to see the discussion of Austin and try to place the locations in a modern context. The 49th-parallel versus the 54'40-parallel border is something I vaguely knew about, but now better understand.
The characters are reasonably, if not outstandingly, drawn. I tend to think the author (a male pseudonym - read more on Wikipedia) was sympathetic to women, but obviously could not give them full-blown military or political roles.
Read the book to get insight into how American history was traditionally taught and into US and Texan history.
May 14, 2023
I have to say that Melissa ends up becoming one of the more interesting characters in the series. Though the whole men know better theme is still going strong in this one. The romance, such as it is, doesn't quite work. Honesty, considering the whole man are smart, women are in danger always from rapists (and low cut dress = silly or bad woman, nicely dressed =proper woman) thing, there is something to be said for the compulsive reading this series brings on.
June 27, 2017
This book was a good read. The author is very good
April 25, 2014
Fifth in the series. The Oregon pioneers are asked to rush to Texas to help the area attain statehood. Mexicans are threatening war because they want the area. Harry Canning, Danny Taylor and Chet Harris are escorted to Texas by Texas Ranger Rick Miller. Making the trip as stowaways are Nancy Canning and Mellisa Austin. Harry establishes a ship building business to get ships built for the navy. Lee Blake, his wife Cathy and their daughter Beth also make the trip after a brief visit to Washington DC. They head a wagon train of 1000 wagons full of people wanting to settle in Texas
New to this series is Anthony Roberts who is an evil person. Also, Elisabeta who is betrayed by Anthony Roberts. That was an interesting story line Also new is the McGregor family who settle in the Austin area.
Melissa is still up to her tricks and not able to decide if she loves Chet or Danny, or neither of them. Danny takes matters into his own hands and falls for Heather McGregor. Hurrah for him getting away from Melissa.
New to this series is Anthony Roberts who is an evil person. Also, Elisabeta who is betrayed by Anthony Roberts. That was an interesting story line Also new is the McGregor family who settle in the Austin area.
Melissa is still up to her tricks and not able to decide if she loves Chet or Danny, or neither of them. Danny takes matters into his own hands and falls for Heather McGregor. Hurrah for him getting away from Melissa.
September 1, 2015
I love this series. It starts with the first wagon train to Oregon. Now we are in Texas. Sam Houston is President of the Republic of Texas and wants to become a state. Trying to do everything he can to get things rolling before Santa Ana decides to declare war and take Texas back for Mexico.
Harry Canning is rushed to start the first shipyard and build the first Navy. Lee Blake and family join up with a wagon train to Texas and he takes over as eyes and ears for the military. Meanwhile a crazy man is playing double agent for Britain and Mexico, is also killing men who were responsible for murdering his father.
How many of us today could survive in a world like that?
Harry Canning is rushed to start the first shipyard and build the first Navy. Lee Blake and family join up with a wagon train to Texas and he takes over as eyes and ears for the military. Meanwhile a crazy man is playing double agent for Britain and Mexico, is also killing men who were responsible for murdering his father.
How many of us today could survive in a world like that?
July 18, 2012
Love the series!
November 21, 2020
Texas! by Dana Fuller Ross is the 5th book in the Wagons West series. While the first four books in the series focused on a wagon train moving out to Oregon, this was the first book to take the story in a literally different direction (and judging by the rest of the titles in the series, it will be a frequent theme going forward). The book picks up a few years after Oregon!, marked by Whip and Eulalia having a young son named Toby; Lee and Cathy have a younger daughter named Beth. On the national front, attention is turning to Texas as a border conflict with Mexico leads Andrew Jackson to have some of his confidants lay the groundwork for bringing the republic into statehood.
There are a ton of characters available to connect the Texas! adventure with the first four books. Lee and Cathy make a lot of sense, as he’s in the military and can be dispatched to Texas (particularly ahead of war that takes place entirely during this book). Ross also uses Harry and Nancy Canning, who takes the shipbuilding business on the road to help Texas build a navy. This made less sense, considering the many naval experts likely considerably closer than Oregon. Ross definitely created this storyline to bring in a character named Melissa and feature a love triangle between her, Chet and Danny. While I liked that storyline, it would have felt more natural had Melissa been introduced without forcing her way into the story via the Oregon connection. The whole thing was very much an ensemble cast of characters, with even the longest tenured main character (Cathy Van Ayl) having little to do in this book.
The other new main characters (two of whom will definitely be the stars of California!) include Rick Miller, a Texas Ranger who takes over the Whip/Sam role as pillar of goodness/leading man who just needs a good woman. There’s also Elisabeta, a beautiful Spanish woman who gets brought to America by Anthony Roberts, a suave man who is lying about everything in his past and future. Asa Phipps is another guy that you know will make every wrong decision in this book from the moment he’s introduced. Finally, there’s Teng Chu. Ross always needs to include a minority character that proves he is deadlier with weapons than any white man, is completely devoted to the main characters, but also doesn’t have any sort of character arc of his own. (See previously Stalking Horse [Native American] and Hosea [African], neither one present in this book.)
The stuff that really worked well here was the Danny/Chet storyline and also the historical fiction involving Zachary Taylor, John Tyler (my favorite underrated president) and Winfield Scott. Anthony Roberts made an interesting villain for the first 2/3 of the book. His clever initial murders made it seem like he’d be a difficult guy for Rick Miller to catch; unfortunately, Ross got a little lazy and made Roberts do a bunch of stupid things making it easy to identify him as a criminal and then continued being stupid through the end of the book. There’s a place for the dumb/non-threatening villains (see Asa Phipps), but I was really hoping Roberts would be more along the line of Henry St Claire as a danger to the group, but the eventual payoff leads him well short of that level.
I already mentioned my problems with Melissa’s character, though her connection to the Chet/Danny storyline made the payoff worth it. Unfortunately, Rick Miller’s Texas Ranger character lacked any big payoff (in this book at least) as he never rises above Sam/Whip version 2.0. Ross makes some exciting moments for Rick and Elisabeta late in Texas!, unfortunately by the time they take place it’s already so heavily foreshadowed their location in the next book in the series that there’s no real danger for the reader. Instead, despite deadly situations for all of the main characters in this book, aside from one amputation everybody ends up making it out with a happy ending. I’m still hoping for more of the shocks that Ross included in a book like Wyoming!, and not for him to just repeat the same good guys win, marry the most beautiful woman in town that we’ve already seen several times before.
There are a ton of characters available to connect the Texas! adventure with the first four books. Lee and Cathy make a lot of sense, as he’s in the military and can be dispatched to Texas (particularly ahead of war that takes place entirely during this book). Ross also uses Harry and Nancy Canning, who takes the shipbuilding business on the road to help Texas build a navy. This made less sense, considering the many naval experts likely considerably closer than Oregon. Ross definitely created this storyline to bring in a character named Melissa and feature a love triangle between her, Chet and Danny. While I liked that storyline, it would have felt more natural had Melissa been introduced without forcing her way into the story via the Oregon connection. The whole thing was very much an ensemble cast of characters, with even the longest tenured main character (Cathy Van Ayl) having little to do in this book.
The other new main characters (two of whom will definitely be the stars of California!) include Rick Miller, a Texas Ranger who takes over the Whip/Sam role as pillar of goodness/leading man who just needs a good woman. There’s also Elisabeta, a beautiful Spanish woman who gets brought to America by Anthony Roberts, a suave man who is lying about everything in his past and future. Asa Phipps is another guy that you know will make every wrong decision in this book from the moment he’s introduced. Finally, there’s Teng Chu. Ross always needs to include a minority character that proves he is deadlier with weapons than any white man, is completely devoted to the main characters, but also doesn’t have any sort of character arc of his own. (See previously Stalking Horse [Native American] and Hosea [African], neither one present in this book.)
The stuff that really worked well here was the Danny/Chet storyline and also the historical fiction involving Zachary Taylor, John Tyler (my favorite underrated president) and Winfield Scott. Anthony Roberts made an interesting villain for the first 2/3 of the book. His clever initial murders made it seem like he’d be a difficult guy for Rick Miller to catch; unfortunately, Ross got a little lazy and made Roberts do a bunch of stupid things making it easy to identify him as a criminal and then continued being stupid through the end of the book. There’s a place for the dumb/non-threatening villains (see Asa Phipps), but I was really hoping Roberts would be more along the line of Henry St Claire as a danger to the group, but the eventual payoff leads him well short of that level.
I already mentioned my problems with Melissa’s character, though her connection to the Chet/Danny storyline made the payoff worth it. Unfortunately, Rick Miller’s Texas Ranger character lacked any big payoff (in this book at least) as he never rises above Sam/Whip version 2.0. Ross makes some exciting moments for Rick and Elisabeta late in Texas!, unfortunately by the time they take place it’s already so heavily foreshadowed their location in the next book in the series that there’s no real danger for the reader. Instead, despite deadly situations for all of the main characters in this book, aside from one amputation everybody ends up making it out with a happy ending. I’m still hoping for more of the shocks that Ross included in a book like Wyoming!, and not for him to just repeat the same good guys win, marry the most beautiful woman in town that we’ve already seen several times before.
July 26, 2020
This is a good book for readers who enjoy historical fiction. It helped refresh my memory of the Mexican-American War and events leading to Texas becoming a state. It's also a bit of a tribute to Sam Houston and Zachary Taylor.
The Wagons West series is like a soap opera set in the old west. In addition to bringing real historical personalities to life (Houston, Taylor, Polk, Winfield Scott) the book also keeps the main fictional characters from Oregon with some having much larger roles than others (Lee & Cathy Blake). To bring excitement to the reader, the author introduces a few new characters - both good and bad.
What I truly liked about this book is how the author brought two boys who were kids in the first two books to maturity in this one. Chet Harris started the series as a youth and member of the original wagon train. He becomes and remains best friends with Danny Taylor, another boy that Whip Holt and other train leaders free from being bound to an angry man who purchased Danny after he was orphaned in what I think was book two. At the behest of President Polk, Harry Canning is escorted to Texas from Oregon to organize and create a ship building operation for the US Navy in Galveston. Chet and Danny make the decision to accompany and help Mr. Canning with this endeavor. Throughout their time in Texas, the author places these two young men in various situations that allow the reader to see their growth and development in character. It's a good sub-storyline that doesn't disappoint.
The reason I gave it three stars instead of four is kind of lame. After traveling thousands of miles on a wagon train to make Oregon my residence, it would be very difficult to persuade me to leave Oregon for Texas. I'm a native of Texas and lived there for ten years and experienced its climate - just not between 1844 and 1847. It's not a bad state but given the choice between Oregon and Texas, I would choose Oregon hands down. So when Nancy and Melissa decide to stow away and join the expedition to Texas with Harry Canning, Chet, Danny, and a few others, I'm thinking those girls are crazy! But then, if they didn't insert themselves into the "adventure", then the story would lose part of its structure.
Overall, it's an interesting book that keeps the reader engaged. There is closure with some of the characters and a hint of what the future may hold for others. "California!" is the next book in the series, but I think I'm due for a rom-com.
The Wagons West series is like a soap opera set in the old west. In addition to bringing real historical personalities to life (Houston, Taylor, Polk, Winfield Scott) the book also keeps the main fictional characters from Oregon with some having much larger roles than others (Lee & Cathy Blake). To bring excitement to the reader, the author introduces a few new characters - both good and bad.
What I truly liked about this book is how the author brought two boys who were kids in the first two books to maturity in this one. Chet Harris started the series as a youth and member of the original wagon train. He becomes and remains best friends with Danny Taylor, another boy that Whip Holt and other train leaders free from being bound to an angry man who purchased Danny after he was orphaned in what I think was book two. At the behest of President Polk, Harry Canning is escorted to Texas from Oregon to organize and create a ship building operation for the US Navy in Galveston. Chet and Danny make the decision to accompany and help Mr. Canning with this endeavor. Throughout their time in Texas, the author places these two young men in various situations that allow the reader to see their growth and development in character. It's a good sub-storyline that doesn't disappoint.
The reason I gave it three stars instead of four is kind of lame. After traveling thousands of miles on a wagon train to make Oregon my residence, it would be very difficult to persuade me to leave Oregon for Texas. I'm a native of Texas and lived there for ten years and experienced its climate - just not between 1844 and 1847. It's not a bad state but given the choice between Oregon and Texas, I would choose Oregon hands down. So when Nancy and Melissa decide to stow away and join the expedition to Texas with Harry Canning, Chet, Danny, and a few others, I'm thinking those girls are crazy! But then, if they didn't insert themselves into the "adventure", then the story would lose part of its structure.
Overall, it's an interesting book that keeps the reader engaged. There is closure with some of the characters and a hint of what the future may hold for others. "California!" is the next book in the series, but I think I'm due for a rom-com.
December 26, 2025
I listened to this one on audio. This time, the pioneers from Oregon are heading to Texas. Some in the Army heading to Austin and some to build ships in Galveston. The Texas Rangers are here and one particular Ranger is dashing, a great shot, and a nose for crime. I think I read this novel before Goodreads ages ago. It was also interesting to see the reverence for Andrew Jackson in this older series, because he is so reviled by many for his role in the trail of tears and treatment of Native Americans. Zachary Taylor also plays a role in this story as well as Santa Ana. By the end of the story, California is calling and some people will choose to move on....it will be interesting to see who goes and who stays.
July 27, 2018
It had been over a decade since I read Book 4 in this series, and I was afraid that I wouldn't remember anything from the previous books. Not at all, it was like returning home to old friends, and some new ones too. This is the story of Texas becoming a part of the U.S. and some of the early settlers to the rugged territory. It has your historical figures... Sam Houston, Winfield Scott, Zachary Taylor, etc., but then there are those like the Blakes and Rick Milles and MacGregors that epitomize all the "regular" citizens that banded together to establish the Republic and then the state. A great tale of the old west and those who built it.
May 14, 2019
Wagon trains are going west. Some of those who went to Oregon are moving to Texas. In this story we follow Rick, a Texas Ranger. Other military people go south. A Spanish woman comes to America with an American pretending to be British who wants to disrupt the wagon train with guns and munitions.
Interesting story as Texas and Oregon plan to enter the U.S.
Interesting story as Texas and Oregon plan to enter the U.S.
October 23, 2019
Goodbye Oregon Hello Texas. A few characters travel to Texas (because that's what they do!) and we meet Rick Miller ( a new cooler version of Whip Holt). Danny has grown up some and its nice to see more of this character
February 25, 2023
Found this book in the laundry room at Ft Pierce KOA along with many others of the series. We were headed to Texas in our RV so I picked it up to read. Loved it! Wish I would have picked up a few of the others. Now I’m on the look out for the rest of the books in the series.
July 10, 2024
Some of the pioneers that settled Oregon travel to Texas to help build a ship yard and guide a wagon train of settlers. They then help fight Mexico to become part of the United States. Another great wagons west book!
March 21, 2017
Like old friends, this series is so easy to slip into. Learned a lot about how Texas became a state and all of that... and saw many of the characters in the previous book continue to grow. Nice books to cleanse the brain after reading books that average about 1000 pages... My only real complaint is this: Why the harlequin romance covers??? These books are so much more, but the covers are actually an embarrassment.
March 5, 2018
The author managed to make another wagon train across the U.S., evil villains, cowboys and Indians, etc, very interesting....even in the face of leaving behind a lot of his favorite characters.
March 21, 2025
why is everyone drinking whiskey and water? more importantly, why are the historical dates wrong, but just by a little?
April 23, 2025
I just don't think I can read all of this series. These have turned out to be a little too formulaic the further in the series I get.
May 23, 2025
I found this to be the slowest book in the series so far. It seemed redundant to previous books in the series, and the characters introduced were not as capativating.
September 8, 2015
Another reread for me.
As I continue to reread this series, more and more I get frustrated with how badly written most of the characters are. Each character only seems to be one thing - either smart, or brave, or heroic (for the men) and the women are all either vain, stupid, or immature (notice a trend here?). In each book in the series, all the military men are perfect, with one token bad guy who always seems to be a spy, and almost always ends up painfully dying in the latter part of the book. And usually the "worst" woman ends up redeeming herself and gets married at the end - with marriage of course being the "only" endgame a woman would ever want.
Arrrg.
I know the books were written a lifetime ago, in a different age, and that the authors are writing about a whole other world, but as a modern woman, it frustrates me to know end that the women in these books are written so flat, so unflatteringly, etc. The lead woman, Cathy Blake, the general's wife, is repeatedly shown to be just so, so incredibly stupid.
As I continue to reread this series, more and more I get frustrated with how badly written most of the characters are. Each character only seems to be one thing - either smart, or brave, or heroic (for the men) and the women are all either vain, stupid, or immature (notice a trend here?). In each book in the series, all the military men are perfect, with one token bad guy who always seems to be a spy, and almost always ends up painfully dying in the latter part of the book. And usually the "worst" woman ends up redeeming herself and gets married at the end - with marriage of course being the "only" endgame a woman would ever want.
Arrrg.
I know the books were written a lifetime ago, in a different age, and that the authors are writing about a whole other world, but as a modern woman, it frustrates me to know end that the women in these books are written so flat, so unflatteringly, etc. The lead woman, Cathy Blake, the general's wife, is repeatedly shown to be just so, so incredibly stupid.
July 1, 2015
Many references and characters from previous books recalling their Oregon wagon trip. It did not ruin the reading. Nice how the Oregon and Missouri wagons both could have interesting travel adventures. Made the famous political people likable. The Scottish family was so nice while adding some humor. Easy to see that many characters will be on the California wagon trail next. Enjoyed Ranger Rick with his subtle ways of helping, Elisabeta with her ways to get out of a bad situation with helping in the murders, Melissa with her flirting ways. Surprised at the death of the bad guy spy/murderer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2015
This is the 5th book in the series. The first 4 covered the Oregon Trail and the subsequent settling of the Oregon Frontier.
This book starts there but follows several folks to Texas and takes off from there. This is frontier Texas before it bacame a state. It started out slow and I even thought of putting it down but finally it got very interesting.
I now look forward to #6 "California".
This book starts there but follows several folks to Texas and takes off from there. This is frontier Texas before it bacame a state. It started out slow and I even thought of putting it down but finally it got very interesting.
I now look forward to #6 "California".
December 21, 2007
May sound somewhat repetitive here but I got hooked on the first book and it was like an addiction.
The author shows how the westward movement affected families and individuals while placing them within history itself.
The author shows how the westward movement affected families and individuals while placing them within history itself.
April 27, 2010
I heard the plan was to stop after Oregon but the books were so popular, she continued. This is the first of the rest of them. It seems a bit disconnected even though some of the characters are the same. Well, not really reading it for the story, more for the American history.
October 15, 2015
The narrator does a good job. I've done this set as written text and now working my way through audio version -- enjoying both. Overall, it's nice to piece together bits of history learned in school, albeit this is historical fiction. Enjoyable series of books.
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December 4, 2007Ross, Dana Fuller PB
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November 21, 2008W Ros
December 22, 2009
My least favorite of the series, took forever (100+ pages) just setting up the story. After that it moved at a much better pace and was enjoyable.
October 20, 2013
I'm flying through these books so quickly. I love how some characters are recurring through the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews