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One Man With Courage
A different series based on the TV show.
- GenresWesterns
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
24 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Thompson
215 books83 followersHe was born in Texas and graduated from the University of Texas in 1955. He then worked as a reporter and editor at the Houston Press.
Thompson joined Life Magazine in 1961 and became an editor and staff writer. While at Life he covered the JFK assassination and was the first writer to locate Lee Harvey Oswald's home and wife. Among his stories were coverage of the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, in which he revealed the group's extensive drug use; an in-depth look at Frank Sinatra and his alleged Mafia ties; and the 40th and 50th birthdays of Elizabeth Taylor.
His book Hearts (1971) concerned the rivalry between Houston surgeons Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley at the dawn of the heart transplant era. Richie: The Ultimate Tragedy Between One Decent Man and the Son He Loved (1973) was the story of a Long Island man who killed his drug-addicted son. This was made into a TV-movie called The Death of Richie. Thompson's most successful book was Blood and Money (1976). It was based on a true story of scandal and murder. The book sold four million copies in fourteen languages. Thompson also wrote Serpentine (1979), the story of convicted murderer Charles Sobhraj. Thompson wrote one novel, Celebrity (1982), which was on the national best-seller list for six months. That novel became the basis for a five hour mini series in 1984.
Thompson received the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting. He was also the 1977 Edgar Award winner for Blood and Money.
"Thompson first wrote Western stories for pulp magazines in 1940 after stints as a sailor, a nightclub entertainer, a secretary and a furniture salesman. He later published hundreds of articles in national general-interest magazines and wrote 25 Western novels, including “Range Drifter,” “Shadow of the Butte” and “Bitter Water.” (latimes.com)
He was a co-founder and president in 1957 of Western Writers of America and later received two of that group’s Spur Awards for his writing. Thompson was a life member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame."
Thompson's family believed that the liver disease that caused his death was contracted in the Far East while investigating the Charles Sobhraj saga. When he became ill, Thomas was teaching writing at the University of Southern California.
Thompson joined Life Magazine in 1961 and became an editor and staff writer. While at Life he covered the JFK assassination and was the first writer to locate Lee Harvey Oswald's home and wife. Among his stories were coverage of the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, in which he revealed the group's extensive drug use; an in-depth look at Frank Sinatra and his alleged Mafia ties; and the 40th and 50th birthdays of Elizabeth Taylor.
His book Hearts (1971) concerned the rivalry between Houston surgeons Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley at the dawn of the heart transplant era. Richie: The Ultimate Tragedy Between One Decent Man and the Son He Loved (1973) was the story of a Long Island man who killed his drug-addicted son. This was made into a TV-movie called The Death of Richie. Thompson's most successful book was Blood and Money (1976). It was based on a true story of scandal and murder. The book sold four million copies in fourteen languages. Thompson also wrote Serpentine (1979), the story of convicted murderer Charles Sobhraj. Thompson wrote one novel, Celebrity (1982), which was on the national best-seller list for six months. That novel became the basis for a five hour mini series in 1984.
Thompson received the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting. He was also the 1977 Edgar Award winner for Blood and Money.
"Thompson first wrote Western stories for pulp magazines in 1940 after stints as a sailor, a nightclub entertainer, a secretary and a furniture salesman. He later published hundreds of articles in national general-interest magazines and wrote 25 Western novels, including “Range Drifter,” “Shadow of the Butte” and “Bitter Water.” (latimes.com)
He was a co-founder and president in 1957 of Western Writers of America and later received two of that group’s Spur Awards for his writing. Thompson was a life member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame."
Thompson's family believed that the liver disease that caused his death was contracted in the Far East while investigating the Charles Sobhraj saga. When he became ill, Thomas was teaching writing at the University of Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 24, 2013
Really love westerns, grew up with Bonanza. The book is brilliant as it adds little snippets or background that one didn't always pick up from the series or perhaps did and then forgot about.
I also love the idea of Ben Cartwright as some early pioneer eco-warrior in understanding the need to preserve standing timber and carefully manage its use, rather than slash and burn.
There were episodes where this was shown in the series but it comes across much more strongly in this book.
If you enjoy a rattling good western yarn and if, like me, you've always adored Ben Cartwright and his boys, make room on your bookshelf for this one.
I also love the idea of Ben Cartwright as some early pioneer eco-warrior in understanding the need to preserve standing timber and carefully manage its use, rather than slash and burn.
There were episodes where this was shown in the series but it comes across much more strongly in this book.
If you enjoy a rattling good western yarn and if, like me, you've always adored Ben Cartwright and his boys, make room on your bookshelf for this one.
July 26, 2009
The silver mines need timber to shore up tunnels. The Cartwrights battle to preserve the forest of the Ponderosa as well as providing timber.
February 20, 2019
When silver reigns supreme in Virginia City, greed is brought to light like never before. Ben Cartwright and his sons will need every ounce of wit to protect the Ponderosa and the tall timbers that grace the mountainside.
In my early teens, I fell in love with this TV show. The Cartwright family were, and for the most part, still are, my favorite TV family. From the wise Ben Cartwright to impetuous Joe, kind Hoss and sarcastic Adam, I love each and every one of them.
When I first heard about this book, I was thrilled. It is set after Adam left the show, which is a slight disappointment. The plot is set around mining and timbering, which I know little about. It also centered around Ben, though Joe and Hoss play their part.
I could easily see this in my mind as a TV movie. There was action, gun-fights, drama, and a dash of romance. Basically, everything a person would expect from Bonanza.
This is an absolute keeper on my shelf. For fans of the show, or even just western stories, this is a must-read.
In my early teens, I fell in love with this TV show. The Cartwright family were, and for the most part, still are, my favorite TV family. From the wise Ben Cartwright to impetuous Joe, kind Hoss and sarcastic Adam, I love each and every one of them.
When I first heard about this book, I was thrilled. It is set after Adam left the show, which is a slight disappointment. The plot is set around mining and timbering, which I know little about. It also centered around Ben, though Joe and Hoss play their part.
I could easily see this in my mind as a TV movie. There was action, gun-fights, drama, and a dash of romance. Basically, everything a person would expect from Bonanza.
This is an absolute keeper on my shelf. For fans of the show, or even just western stories, this is a must-read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews