The Stalkers

Rating:
Summary: Excellant
Review: As aslways Mr. Jonston uses a fictional person to carry his story. Seamus Donegon and fifty top notch army scouts after scouring the Colorado Territory for the mighty Cheyenne. At the junction of the Republican river and the Arikarre on an island the scouts find themselves surrounded by Cheyenne and they are out numbered 20 to 1. The battle lasts nine long days. This is a good book but as one reviewer said "why make this book fictional when the real story is just as fascinating" I agree. If you like good history of the Indian wars without reading 25 different books go to this isbn # 0803251866. The title is: GREAT WESTERN INDIAN FIGHTS.You'll love this book.

Rating:
Summary: Best series in a long time!!
Review: I found Terry C. Johnston, to be one of the best damn authors I've read in a long time! He has done his research and knows the material as if he was there to witness it himself.

This is the third book in the plainsmen series. Once you pick it up you won't put it down. I highly recommend the whole series to anyone that is wondering about the old Indian war era. He has some fiction but a lot fact that many would be very interested in.

You are still thinking about it your wasting time get the book it starts with Sioux Dawn.

Rating:
Summary: The Stalkers: the Battle of Beecher Island
Review: Terry C. Johnston has made me into a history lover. His versions are very authentic without being boring. Indeed, as he has demonstrated in all of his novels, history was indeed made of real people with with strengths and weaknesses. I can't get enough. Waitin' for his next!

Rating:
Summary: History Alive
Review: Terry C. Johnston makes history live. I discovered him several years ago while looking for something western to read. Having read many of Loius L'Amour's stories I happened upon T. C. J's trilogy about the life and times of Titus Bass. (Now at least five books.) I then started reading the 'Plainsmen series' of which 'The Stalkers' is book Three. The absolute finest historical fiction I've ever read. His stories are based on carefully researched history. Because he has such a unique story teller's ability bringing the reader 'in', sometimes I think I can smell the black powder and hear the arrows singing overhead. I buy em' as soon as he writes em'.

Rating:
Summary: History Alive
Review: Terry C. Johnston makes history live. I discovered him several years ago while looking for something western to read. Having read many of Loius L'Amour's stories I happened upon T. C. J's trilogy about the life and times of Titus Bass. (Now at least five books.) I then started reading the 'Plainsmen series' of which 'The Stalkers' is book Three. The absolute finest historical fiction I've ever read. His stories are based on carefully researched history. Because he has such a unique story teller's ability bringing the reader 'in', sometimes I think I can smell the black powder and hear the arrows singing overhead. I buy em' as soon as he writes em'.

Rating:
Summary: Rifles at the River.
Review: Terry C. Johnston presents a grim historical novel that tells of the stand Maj. Forsyth and fifty army scouts made in 1868 against Chief Roman Nose and his warriors at what became known as The Fight at Beecher's Island. If one can take Johnston's assertion of historical accuracy in the introduction at face value, this is an effective way for entry-level armchair historians to learn more of Indian fights and fighters. All but a few of the characters are based on historical figures. The dialogue is no doubt subject to some artistic license, but the general details are accurate. Johnston does not list a bibliography that would document his reserach. The Cyrus Townsend Brady influence, however, is easily evident. All fine and well until we consider the re-occurring fictional character of the series, Seamus Donegan. Donegan detracts from the otherwise exciting novel by his unlikely ability to be a part of so many significant events of the Indian Wars. His pulp-fiction subplots and general outrageous behavior hamper a smooth narrative. The first part of this novel is action-packed and moves swiftly. The pace tends to drag in the second half, but it reflects the drudgery and suffering of those who survived the multi-day siege. The heroism of the typical army scout, the military integrity of the Buffalo soldiers, and the fierce Native American warriors are all given balanced space in Johnston's tale. Good entry-level reading for beginning history fans. ;-)

Rating:
Summary: Why?
Review: Terry C.Johnston has been the highlight of my recreational time. I have read and bought all of his writings and have read each one 2-3 times. His insight into the Plains Wars has caused me to spend the last 2 years reading as many articles and books on this era of our past. My studies were broken up as follows" 1/3 of the books concentrate on military operations. 1/3 on government inter-action and 1/3 on the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. Terry can engross you so deeply that you actually feel like you can hear the thundering hoofs of the Sioux, or the smell of coffee or the lack of sleep for the army. I hope to meet this man someday and have the pleasure of shaking his hand and saying "THANK YOU"