Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson (Midland Book) [Paperback]

Raymond W. Thorp Jr. (Author), Robert Bunker (Author)

Book Description

Series: Midland Book | Publication Date: August 22, 1983

The true story (on which the film Jeremiah Johnson was partially based) of John Johnson, who in 1847 found his wife and her unborn child had been killed by Crow braves. Out of this tragedy came one of the most gripping feuds—one man against a whole tribe—in American history.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (August 22, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253203120
• ISBN-13: 978-0253203120
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,774 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jeremiah Johnson was a wimp!, August 1, 2005

By 

James E. Tenuto (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson (Midland Book) (Paperback)

The movie "Jeremiah Johnson" found some of its inspiration and history in the true life adventures of John "Liver-Eatin'" Johnston. As tough as Jeremiah was, he can barely hold a candle to the tough mountain man who ate the livers of his vanquished foes.

The feats of survival, tracking, and hunting boggle the mind. While the authors draw from oral history (and perhaps have been taken in with some broad embellishments), the remarkable vengeance Johnston extracts from the Crow tribe for the death of his wife and unborn child is staggering. The Crows, troubled by Johnston's relentless vengeance, dispatch 20 warriors on a mission to find and kill the tribe's nemesis. Over a period that spanned over a decade the solitary Crows fall to Johnston. He killed them all.

This is not a book for the politically correct...the book originally appeared in the 1940s. Don't expect to confront descriptions of other races that include hyphens.

For those who have read the Dan O'Brien books, THE CONTRACT SURGEON and THE INDIAN AGENT, there is a reference to Valentine T. McGillycuddy. For fans of the HBO Original Series DEADWOOD, "Colorado" Charlie Utter warrants several mentions.

An interesting read for those who harbor any admiration for the real pioneers.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars When men were men..., August 30, 2001

By 

Matthew J. Lambert "Writer" (River Forest, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson (Midland Book) (Paperback)

I suppose that most people find their way to this book through the movie,Jeremiah Johnson. It is a great film and one of Redford's best.
The book is a fascinating look at the real life model for Jeremiah Johnson, John Johnston. His story is essentially compiled from the oral tradition of the old west augmented by interviews with people who knew Johnston (or alleged to know him.)
Some of the stories are fantastic and should be taken with a grain of salt but it does suggest that only a very unusual(and dangerous)individual succeeded as a mountain man. The romantic notion of the old west is replaced by an environment that is hostile and unforgiving. The map provided is hand-drawn but gives a sense of what must have been involved for settlers attempting to cross that portion of the country.
I enjoyed this small volume very much and found it ironic that Johnston wound up being buried in a cemetery in Los Angeles (what an insult!)

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read., August 31, 2004

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Allen L. Peterson (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson (Midland Book) (Paperback)

Regardless of whether it is truth, legend, fiction, or myth, Crow Killer is a good read for those interested in the old west and the life of the mountain men. Much better and bigger than the movie (just as Johnson was much bigger than Redford) with vivid action and great descriptions of the times. Some people seem concerned with the lack of documentation, however word of mouth and story telling were the documentation methods of the times for red and white men alike. A good read. If you liked the movie you'll enjoy the book.