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Wagons West #2
Nebraska!
Second in the Wagons West series.
382 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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601 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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November 15, 2020
“A caravan could travel ten to twelve miles per day in good weather, but that progress was slowed to a crawl when it rained, and when the rains were heavy, it sometimes became necessary to call a complete halt.”
I read these words, imagining what such a scene might look like if I were actually there…
I can see the courageous wagon master, his skin of his face leathery from the exposure to the elements, he’s tired to the core and soaked to the bone after leading the caravan through a gale force rainstorm. His eyes, however, are blazing with fire, a fire that cannot be extinguished when a man does the work he is born to do. He’s a man who loves the thrill of pitting himself against the unknown. A man who has found a way to marshal the forces of nature in such a way that they have become his allies. He glories in his ability to act quickly and instinctively when dangers threaten the caravan. He’s a man who surveys the great plains with a sense of awe and wonder, knowing that the time will soon come when they will never again look as they do now.
I look past the wagon master and now see the sideways glances from the men in the caravan. Their eyes are steely and focused, they’ve learned to be on alert. They’ve learned to keep their families, systems of communication and rifles, close by. Falling prey to the forces opposing their progress is not an option for these men who often travel with the women who are the loves of their lives, the children they cherish and all their worldly possessions, tucked away in the trunks and wagon holds.
I then see the wise, courageous and beautiful women of the wagon train. They look a bit haughty, but it’s not out of vain pride, but rather a way of holding one’s head high in dignity when feeling unsafe in the accidental company of the roughest frontier drifters and outlaws with their leering looks and bad intentions. An air of dignity, they know, can intimidate men who might wish to take advantage of them.
I could see the way these women comfort their crying children as frightening winds batter the canvas of their home on wheels. I watch as they cover their little ears against the boom of ear-splitting thunder that rolls across the plains.
I see these women stand firmly by the men they love. I’m inspired as I see how they strengthen their husbands through love. I’m amazed as I see the occasions when they use cosmetics, purchased in Independence, to enhance their already beautiful faces. I see them riding, on a Sunday, rather demurely, (as many of them are superb horsewomen), parading their subtly applied makeup, snug fitting dresses of linen, (instead of buckskin), with attractive necklines. This reminds their husbands of their lithe, trim figures and the promise of uniting at the end of a hard day. They take the time to remind the men they love that while life is hard on the wagon trail, in their hearts they are still the young, vibrant women who fell in love with them years before.
To me, the image I see of these women were the most impressive and amazing of all the character groups in this story.
I see the children, the ones least mindful of the rigors of the perilous journey. They will cross the plains while being taught school by their mothers, horseback riding, fishing and shooting by their fathers, and the mysterious ways of the great prairie by the scouts. The fields, streams, boulders, hills, ravines, and later the majestic buttes will be the playground of these children. I imagine that they will hold these memories in their hearts, and years later, after arriving in the promised land of Oregon Territory, will be the ones to write of their memories. Theirs may become some of the greatest of the American frontier storytelling, because all readers, young and old, still hold within themselves the wonder of a child. And what greater story to tell than that of being the first to cross this majestic wilderness? The children, I believe will be the ones best equipped to tell the stories, since their parents and other relatives will be transferring their laborious efforts from making a great journey, to carving out homesteads out of rough hewn and wild land. The children will work, but, thankfully for us, will not be so overly burdened that the stories would be erased from their memories.
Finally, I see the great company of the caravan, those who work alongside the wagon master in an effort tot push forward through the wilderness. I see the native guides and wily scouts, the former army men whose marksmanship and survival skills would prove life saving on many occasions on the journey. I also see the blacksmiths, wood gatherers, water carriers, the doctor and veterinarians that took care of the human and animal needs. I see the carpenters who are skilled in axel and wheel repair who play a key role in keeping the wheels of the wagons turning.
The quote on the top of this review came at page eight of a 382-page story. It was a grand tale, revealing the events, happy, sad and tragic, that hundreds of courageous souls experienced while travelling into unknown territory as the three great columns of wagons moved along across Missouri and into the expansive Oregon Territory.
So richly told was this story, that I couldn’t help as though I too, was one of the pioneers when I read of this important “point of no return” for our storied band of travelers:
“Routines were reestablished by the third day out of Fort Madison. The men, women and older children knew what was expected of them and, for the most part, performed their tasks cheerfully. By now they realized they had entered a new phase of life; they had put the last outposts of civilization behind them, and they would see no towns, no villages and no forts hereafter.”
As I read, I too felt excitement at the adventures and breathtaking scenery ahead, I also felt the apprehension, knowing that the great wagon train faced many perils and hardships ahead.
Man alive, was I hooked!
Previous to reading this book, I’d known something of the weather problems and attacks by warring Indian parties that presented serious obstacles and real danger to the pioneers. But I had little knowledge of the resistance that came from armed frontier drifters, and none about the presence of the British and Russians who’d attempted to sabotage the wagon trains on behalf of their respective nations. Each country had staked a claim on the rich and promising lands of Oregon Territory.
I wasn’t even done the first chapter and already felt a powerful connection with this story. As I read on, scene by scene, chapter by chapter I was introduced to: A courtly and cunning British spy, a stubborn and gutsy Russian peasant girl who snubs a czar, a hardworking and wise young heiress unaware of her beauty, opportunist frontier scum, a wealthy Austrian noblemen who finds new purpose as a member of the wagon train, a lovesick blacksmith, a girl transformed from spoilt southern belle to a wise and discerning woman of substance, a wagon master who is a true leader, the awe inspiring tale of one of the greatest buffalo stampedes in history, a former slave of the south who becomes a valued contributor and great friend to many, a friendly army colonel who strikes a life saving deal with the members of the wagon train, a concerned and nervous but committed president, an ingenious solution to an infant medical emergency, a war hungry Ponca Tribe, an evil bounty hunter, greedy horse thieves, a Paiute Indian attack that is thwarted and becomes the reason for a lifelong bond between two men, an uneasy partnership between a British and a Russian spy, a spy catcher riding alone across the plains with a rifle a good horse and a crumpled letter of orders from the President of the United States of America in his pocket, a destructive river wave, a colorful and amazingly adept clergyman from the east, an amazing medical discovery and a devious personal representative of the Czar of Russia.
This may seem unbelievable, but I’ve only scratched the surface of this amazing and varied story. I’m only to thrilled to realize that it is part of an expansive book series.
I cannot wait for the next one!
I read these words, imagining what such a scene might look like if I were actually there…
I can see the courageous wagon master, his skin of his face leathery from the exposure to the elements, he’s tired to the core and soaked to the bone after leading the caravan through a gale force rainstorm. His eyes, however, are blazing with fire, a fire that cannot be extinguished when a man does the work he is born to do. He’s a man who loves the thrill of pitting himself against the unknown. A man who has found a way to marshal the forces of nature in such a way that they have become his allies. He glories in his ability to act quickly and instinctively when dangers threaten the caravan. He’s a man who surveys the great plains with a sense of awe and wonder, knowing that the time will soon come when they will never again look as they do now.
I look past the wagon master and now see the sideways glances from the men in the caravan. Their eyes are steely and focused, they’ve learned to be on alert. They’ve learned to keep their families, systems of communication and rifles, close by. Falling prey to the forces opposing their progress is not an option for these men who often travel with the women who are the loves of their lives, the children they cherish and all their worldly possessions, tucked away in the trunks and wagon holds.
I then see the wise, courageous and beautiful women of the wagon train. They look a bit haughty, but it’s not out of vain pride, but rather a way of holding one’s head high in dignity when feeling unsafe in the accidental company of the roughest frontier drifters and outlaws with their leering looks and bad intentions. An air of dignity, they know, can intimidate men who might wish to take advantage of them.
I could see the way these women comfort their crying children as frightening winds batter the canvas of their home on wheels. I watch as they cover their little ears against the boom of ear-splitting thunder that rolls across the plains.
I see these women stand firmly by the men they love. I’m inspired as I see how they strengthen their husbands through love. I’m amazed as I see the occasions when they use cosmetics, purchased in Independence, to enhance their already beautiful faces. I see them riding, on a Sunday, rather demurely, (as many of them are superb horsewomen), parading their subtly applied makeup, snug fitting dresses of linen, (instead of buckskin), with attractive necklines. This reminds their husbands of their lithe, trim figures and the promise of uniting at the end of a hard day. They take the time to remind the men they love that while life is hard on the wagon trail, in their hearts they are still the young, vibrant women who fell in love with them years before.
To me, the image I see of these women were the most impressive and amazing of all the character groups in this story.
I see the children, the ones least mindful of the rigors of the perilous journey. They will cross the plains while being taught school by their mothers, horseback riding, fishing and shooting by their fathers, and the mysterious ways of the great prairie by the scouts. The fields, streams, boulders, hills, ravines, and later the majestic buttes will be the playground of these children. I imagine that they will hold these memories in their hearts, and years later, after arriving in the promised land of Oregon Territory, will be the ones to write of their memories. Theirs may become some of the greatest of the American frontier storytelling, because all readers, young and old, still hold within themselves the wonder of a child. And what greater story to tell than that of being the first to cross this majestic wilderness? The children, I believe will be the ones best equipped to tell the stories, since their parents and other relatives will be transferring their laborious efforts from making a great journey, to carving out homesteads out of rough hewn and wild land. The children will work, but, thankfully for us, will not be so overly burdened that the stories would be erased from their memories.
Finally, I see the great company of the caravan, those who work alongside the wagon master in an effort tot push forward through the wilderness. I see the native guides and wily scouts, the former army men whose marksmanship and survival skills would prove life saving on many occasions on the journey. I also see the blacksmiths, wood gatherers, water carriers, the doctor and veterinarians that took care of the human and animal needs. I see the carpenters who are skilled in axel and wheel repair who play a key role in keeping the wheels of the wagons turning.
The quote on the top of this review came at page eight of a 382-page story. It was a grand tale, revealing the events, happy, sad and tragic, that hundreds of courageous souls experienced while travelling into unknown territory as the three great columns of wagons moved along across Missouri and into the expansive Oregon Territory.
So richly told was this story, that I couldn’t help as though I too, was one of the pioneers when I read of this important “point of no return” for our storied band of travelers:
“Routines were reestablished by the third day out of Fort Madison. The men, women and older children knew what was expected of them and, for the most part, performed their tasks cheerfully. By now they realized they had entered a new phase of life; they had put the last outposts of civilization behind them, and they would see no towns, no villages and no forts hereafter.”
As I read, I too felt excitement at the adventures and breathtaking scenery ahead, I also felt the apprehension, knowing that the great wagon train faced many perils and hardships ahead.
Man alive, was I hooked!
Previous to reading this book, I’d known something of the weather problems and attacks by warring Indian parties that presented serious obstacles and real danger to the pioneers. But I had little knowledge of the resistance that came from armed frontier drifters, and none about the presence of the British and Russians who’d attempted to sabotage the wagon trains on behalf of their respective nations. Each country had staked a claim on the rich and promising lands of Oregon Territory.
I wasn’t even done the first chapter and already felt a powerful connection with this story. As I read on, scene by scene, chapter by chapter I was introduced to: A courtly and cunning British spy, a stubborn and gutsy Russian peasant girl who snubs a czar, a hardworking and wise young heiress unaware of her beauty, opportunist frontier scum, a wealthy Austrian noblemen who finds new purpose as a member of the wagon train, a lovesick blacksmith, a girl transformed from spoilt southern belle to a wise and discerning woman of substance, a wagon master who is a true leader, the awe inspiring tale of one of the greatest buffalo stampedes in history, a former slave of the south who becomes a valued contributor and great friend to many, a friendly army colonel who strikes a life saving deal with the members of the wagon train, a concerned and nervous but committed president, an ingenious solution to an infant medical emergency, a war hungry Ponca Tribe, an evil bounty hunter, greedy horse thieves, a Paiute Indian attack that is thwarted and becomes the reason for a lifelong bond between two men, an uneasy partnership between a British and a Russian spy, a spy catcher riding alone across the plains with a rifle a good horse and a crumpled letter of orders from the President of the United States of America in his pocket, a destructive river wave, a colorful and amazingly adept clergyman from the east, an amazing medical discovery and a devious personal representative of the Czar of Russia.
This may seem unbelievable, but I’ve only scratched the surface of this amazing and varied story. I’m only to thrilled to realize that it is part of an expansive book series.
I cannot wait for the next one!
May 9, 2023
First time re-reading this in 2o plus years.
Not as good as the first one. The use of the word squaw really, really irks. And while the names of various Native American groups are used, the portrayal of the characters is very, very stereotypical.
The book does include a character, Hosea, who was a victim of the slave trade and survived the Middle Passage, and he in many ways is a stereotype of the noble savage. However, his original tribe and place of origin are mentioned. There is a conflict, not as well illustrated as it could be granted, between the views of the one family from the Southern states versus the rest of the Wagon Train in regards to Hosea.
Still, if you like those old time Westerns (and I watched Big Valley when I was young as well as Wagon Train) it is a fun read, even if you are raising your eyebrows quite a bit.
Not as good as the first one. The use of the word squaw really, really irks. And while the names of various Native American groups are used, the portrayal of the characters is very, very stereotypical.
The book does include a character, Hosea, who was a victim of the slave trade and survived the Middle Passage, and he in many ways is a stereotype of the noble savage. However, his original tribe and place of origin are mentioned. There is a conflict, not as well illustrated as it could be granted, between the views of the one family from the Southern states versus the rest of the Wagon Train in regards to Hosea.
Still, if you like those old time Westerns (and I watched Big Valley when I was young as well as Wagon Train) it is a fun read, even if you are raising your eyebrows quite a bit.
November 9, 2019
Finished the second in the series. Really enjoyed! Can’t wait to start the next volume. Love how the characters continue from one story to the next and new chateau are added to advance the story.
July 9, 2020
Book one of the Wagon's West series was a delight, one of my favorite books I've read this year. It was predictable with character archetypes more than developed plot or people, but it was executed well enough I really didn't care. Book two was not as fun, but overall not a bad reading experience either. My favorite character from the first book, Sam Brentwood, still got to show up and have some action but the new central character is Whip Holt. Similarly, Claudia is no longer at the forefront, but her younger sister Cathy is.
In addition to all the surviving characters from the first book, Dana Fuller Ross (the pen name for the author) adds a few new characters. There's a set of southern aristocrats down on their luck who bring some new attitude problems to the wagon train. There's a new scout named Mack who reminded me of Gary Busey. There's a new Russian spy aiming to take down Toni. There's also an escape slave named Hosea who was kind of problematic (and that's coming from a guy who really doesn't care if my literature hasn't aged well).
Hosea is kind of the "magical negro" you'd find in a Stephen King book. He is deadlier than any man in the wagon train, can outrun any horse over long distances, and is also the greatest snake expert and blacksmith in the world. Of course the wagon rallies around him and welcomes him on board, and he routinely saves the white women who are in trouble but has no urges (or personality) that would make him an issue for an all white wagon train full of Americans a few decades before slavery was abolished.
Hosea, along with Stalking Horse, has kind of taken some of the suspense out of the book as any time there's a dangerous mission these two characters go and kill groups of Native Americans that outnumber them 5 to 1. Speaking of Native Americans, there's a lot more of them in this book and at least here there were a wide variety of them (good guys, bad guys, and everything in between). The book spends a lot of time building the relationship between Cathy and Whip and then about ten pages from the end of the book there's a big surprise that's spoiled on the cover of my copy.
Still, I really like a lot of the characters and enjoy spending time with them. I like reading about the group crossing new terrain, surviving snow storms, and circling the wagons. It's good fun.
In addition to all the surviving characters from the first book, Dana Fuller Ross (the pen name for the author) adds a few new characters. There's a set of southern aristocrats down on their luck who bring some new attitude problems to the wagon train. There's a new scout named Mack who reminded me of Gary Busey. There's a new Russian spy aiming to take down Toni. There's also an escape slave named Hosea who was kind of problematic (and that's coming from a guy who really doesn't care if my literature hasn't aged well).
Hosea is kind of the "magical negro" you'd find in a Stephen King book. He is deadlier than any man in the wagon train, can outrun any horse over long distances, and is also the greatest snake expert and blacksmith in the world. Of course the wagon rallies around him and welcomes him on board, and he routinely saves the white women who are in trouble but has no urges (or personality) that would make him an issue for an all white wagon train full of Americans a few decades before slavery was abolished.
Hosea, along with Stalking Horse, has kind of taken some of the suspense out of the book as any time there's a dangerous mission these two characters go and kill groups of Native Americans that outnumber them 5 to 1. Speaking of Native Americans, there's a lot more of them in this book and at least here there were a wide variety of them (good guys, bad guys, and everything in between). The book spends a lot of time building the relationship between Cathy and Whip and then about ten pages from the end of the book there's a big surprise that's spoiled on the cover of my copy.
Still, I really like a lot of the characters and enjoy spending time with them. I like reading about the group crossing new terrain, surviving snow storms, and circling the wagons. It's good fun.
July 21, 2013
The narration in this audiobook was fine. The story itself was a disappointing sequel. Many of the elements I winked at in the first book began to grate--treating 19th century Russia like 1970s Cold War Soviet Union (among other things, there was discussion about "defecting"...? Did immigrants "defect" in those days?), disturbing portrayal of Native Americans, and--if it were possible--the already stereotypical characters from the first book ("Independence") became LESS complex than before! The next book is "Wyoming"--my stubbornness wants to get the wagon train to Oregon already, but I'm not sure if I'm up to the journey.
February 4, 2015
so far i am really enjoying the wagons west series.
June 27, 2017
I really like this story. I really found the author very good
March 3, 2025
El segundo libro, que se titula “Nebraska”, que forma parte de la serie “Oeste de la carretera”, escrito por Dana Fuller Ross, es una novela histórica que trata de una aventura plagada de oportunidades, sacrificios, desafíos y éxito. La historia se desarrolló desde una jornada hacia el oeste de Norteamérica, al fin de mudarse a un territorio, lo cual su presidente de la época les había prometido a sus ciudadanos. Dado que la tierra aún no estaba ocupada por completo por los estadounidenses, había un par o más personas que intentaron impedir constantemente avanzar a los viajeros. Y por esto la aventura se llenó de alguna que otra trama tan repentina e inevitable, de las relaciones que venían floreciendo, y del valor de unidad humana que convirtió el viaje en una maravilla, a mi parecer.
Sin duda, es el libro que representa exactamente lo que viene a la mente cuando se habla de una aventura auténtica y emocionante—el género que más me fascina todo el tiempo. Y aunque sólo esta única parte de la serie la he leído, me aseguro de que todavía bastó para resaltar cómo me animó a conocer sin prejuicio a cada uno de los personajes destacados a lo largo del viaje. Es decir, la diversidad se enfatiza en cuanto a las representaciones diferentes de los indígenas a las razas. Más allá de lo mencionado, es un retrato de comunidad frente a los peligros y riesgos, ayudándose uno al otro y encargándose de cada responsabilidad—cazar, cocinar, proteger y tomar decisiones—para mantenerse vivos en su camino. Y se destaca la importancia del liderazgo bastante fuerte y estable, incluso en medio de la oscuridad. Siempre que todo el mundo estuviera en caos, se dependen de esa persona capaz de contenerse de inmediato para buscar lo rápido posible las soluciones que valen la pena. En resumen, si existe una única meta común, es posible lograrlo ofreciéndose uno para el otro.
Por encima de todo, no me costó trabajo seguir los capítulos de manera cronológica a pesar de que hubiera un montón de personajes, como que a veces se me olvidaron los nombres y terminé mezclándolos. Mantuvo el libro al suspenso para que los lectores anticiparan qué pasaría después; como consecuencia, te lo juro, no me aborrecía para nada. Y intentó compilar muchas perspectivas de cada cuento en un solo libro, por lo tanto, me resultó tan curioso poseer la oportunidad de encontrar las razones por las que los viajeros se unieron a la búsqueda. ¿Qué más? El estilo de escritura hizo que me olvidara que no hacía parte del viaje; es que las palabras parecían vividas. Por otro lado, consiguió también indicar tanta riqueza en cuanto a las tradiciones y culturas de sí mismo, teniendo en cuenta que, después de todo, tenían éxito el respeto y el amor.
En general, me dio muchas ganas de seguir leyéndolo hasta el final al aprender nuevas cosas y explorar la tierra con los viajeros. Este tipo de cuento lo adoro tanto, sobre todo con temas diversos y relaciones humanas tan significativas, enfatizando la naturaleza humana.
PD: Escribo principalmente esta reseña para mejorar mi español.
May 20, 2024
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I think I picked it up at a lending library at some point, pages all yellow. This is a good, old-fashioned Western-type story (though set in 1837 with wagon trains "Western" is the feel). While the declarative and straightforward writing style was different than I was used to, I quickly grew to enjoy it. It reminds me of the quote from Futurama, "You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!" The characters weren't just announcing how they felt, but the narrator was very clear. I tend to write in metaphor, but I realized reading this book, "hey, I could just SAY what the characters are feeling and why." Crazy stuff.
Anyway, good book, not without its leaning on trope a little bit, it was original enough and well-written enough for me to enjoy it!
Anyway, good book, not without its leaning on trope a little bit, it was original enough and well-written enough for me to enjoy it!
April 27, 2020
After reading "Independence!", I knew I would move forward with the Wagons West series. The different relationships among the wagon train pioneers intrigued me and I was curious to see how each one would develop. The different characters kept me engaged, but I became worried that the same calamities would befall the wagon train in every book. How many times will the author have buffalo stampedes, Indian attacks, and poisonous snake encounters?
The historical perspective is interesting and provides a legitimate backdrop for introducing various new characters (both good and bad) that encounter the wagon train during its slow progress west. Even though the above mishaps will continue to plague the pioneers' journey, it's still a good series worthy of finishing.
The historical perspective is interesting and provides a legitimate backdrop for introducing various new characters (both good and bad) that encounter the wagon train during its slow progress west. Even though the above mishaps will continue to plague the pioneers' journey, it's still a good series worthy of finishing.
December 19, 2024
This was a great second installment to the Wagons West series. It did start a little slow and repetitive, but gained speed as the book went on.
I enjoyed the introduction of new characters and how your feelings on them change throughout the book and also how it was written with a cliffhanger on numerous fronts. Definitely looking forward to Book 3.
4 out of 5 stars.
I enjoyed the introduction of new characters and how your feelings on them change throughout the book and also how it was written with a cliffhanger on numerous fronts. Definitely looking forward to Book 3.
4 out of 5 stars.
September 25, 2017
I am enjoying this series. Fun reads. I like the characters who are strong and wise which is what I am guessing many of the the frontier pioneers were. They had to be in order to travel from the east coast to the west in a covered wagon. Nothing short of a miracle.
March 10, 2025
enjoyable but repetitive. after we read one buffalo hunting trip in detail, we get the gist 👌 i’m also obsessed with character deaths lowkey, can’t wait for more. wish they were more significant/likable characters
June 29, 2019
Another great book! Love these wagons west books.
October 14, 2019
rereading the Wagon West series: Nebraska! introduces Eulalia Woodling and Lee Blake, two very important characters in this series.
April 22, 2023
The second in a series, it was predictable. Which is why I read westerns from time to time. I will read the third in the series when I am once again in the mood for a western.
November 13, 2023
Another fun read with everything you’d expect from an old western.
April 12, 2024
Nostalgic reread. Powering through.
June 26, 2024
Second book in the Wagons West series, excellent! Every page full of excitement.
April 23, 2025
Book two in the saga. A good story.
December 15, 2025
Great continuing story of the westward movement. Onto book 3!
March 5, 2014
I am really enjoying re-reading this series. This boo finds the wagon train heading through the Great Plains. Lee Blake is sent by President Van Bruen to help with problems from the Russians and English who both want to stake their claim in the Oregon territory before America claims it. Eulalia Woodling is captured by Indians and used as a slave until Whip Holt reduces her by giving the chief the skin of a white buffalo.
At the end of Nebraska, Whip's common law Indian mate arrives which devastates Cathy Van Ayl. Cindy, the former prostitute is more and more impressed with Clayborne Woodling which infuriates Ted Woods. Also in the book is the wedding of Doctor Robert Martin to Toni Mell.
At the end of Nebraska, Whip's common law Indian mate arrives which devastates Cathy Van Ayl. Cindy, the former prostitute is more and more impressed with Clayborne Woodling which infuriates Ted Woods. Also in the book is the wedding of Doctor Robert Martin to Toni Mell.
May 30, 2016
This is book #2 in a series about the first wagon train heading to the Oregon Territory in the 1830's. Very readable, it contains interesting interesting historical references which may or may not be true, may or may not be cliché, may or may not be offensively sterotypical....
While a little predictable and formulaic, the author does a good job balancing the need to retain characters from the previous book, while adding a few new ones.
Not exactly shortlisted for Man Booker, but still a fun diversion....
While a little predictable and formulaic, the author does a good job balancing the need to retain characters from the previous book, while adding a few new ones.
Not exactly shortlisted for Man Booker, but still a fun diversion....
April 11, 2011
Our favorite Oregon pioneers continue to head west, despite the great challenges facing them - freezing winters, hostile Native Americans, buffalo stampedes, crazy weather, etc..
Anyone remember playing the old Oregon Trail computer game in the 80s? I feel like this is the book form. I've really enjoyed reading about their adventures and will definitely continue on with the series. There are some great new characters in this book, along with favorites from the first in the series.
Anyone remember playing the old Oregon Trail computer game in the 80s? I feel like this is the book form. I've really enjoyed reading about their adventures and will definitely continue on with the series. There are some great new characters in this book, along with favorites from the first in the series.
April 8, 2025
Well, this book doesn't hold up well. I read this series when I was a teenager, and absolutely loved it. Decades later, the situations, dialogue, and writing style are incredibly cringy. The "she was beautiful but didn't know it," women are cliché and scene after scene is historically inaccurate and/or implausible. At one point, there is gunfire near the camp, but no one heard it and didn't wake up. I was actually laughing out loud at the ludicrous scenes.
January 9, 2009
Great characters! I am really enjoying rereading this series and enjoying the fictional history lesson. God, they had to work so hard. This one had a lot more killing than the previous one but I guess that is to be expected now that they are in the wilderness. It really creeped me out when ____________ was scalped alive!
October 9, 2016
Just finished book 2 and it was basically more of the same from the first book... which was expected. Don't know why I have started this series (because I remember it as a child???), but it's a fun, quick, no thinking kind of book that just sets me up to read something else. Kind of like a mind purge. Will read a couple of other books and then back to Wagons West.
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.
September 8, 2009
The pioneers continue west. I'm a little behind, this series is kind of old but I love American history and I am amazed at the bravery of folks who went out in a little wagon with a cloth roof and the hardships they endured. The stories are so-so but I like the history.
November 7, 2013
I liked independence a little better but I still loved this one.. I just wish the characters were more developed in this one., I felt like I was stuck in mud a few times reading this one but still a great book from a hell of a series!! Happy reading!!
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