Customer Reviews

The Dawn of Fury (Trail of the Gunfighter, No. 1)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Well folks, if you're looking for a fast paced book, relatively seamless transitions and plenty of action without lots of smoochification... I recommend this book. It's a good story, technically correct and historically accurate (mostly). On the downside, it's a little formulaic and predictable, except where the women are concerned. Nathan Stone is a likable character, and I look forward to reading more in this series. Give this book a try.

My name is James Drury. I played television's The Virginian for nine years, and I hope that gives me some kind of credit when reviewing a western novel.

For those of you who haven't read Ralph Compton, you are in for a real nice book. It's fast moving and vivid. If you don't mind a few trespasses outside the realm of accuracy on Old West outfits (boots, gun leather, etc.), you will really like Ralph Compton. I am only sorry he passed away. I'm sure he was headed for a very long and promising career if he had continued.

Incidentally, for those of you who read a lot of westerns, Kirby Jonas is a young author whose books I'm recording on audio cassette. I must say he is probably the best author of Western novels I have ever read, and if you like Ralph Compton, or even if you don't, give Kirby's books a try. I guarantee you won't be sorry.

There are six books in this series and I loved them all. The protangist, Nathan Stone, became very real to me. I shed buckets of tears reading this series. Truly classic.

I am a rabid fan of Louis Lamour, and like many others have been searching for another author of his stature. Eureeka!!!!! I have been successful in my journey. Mr. Compton has captured the imajination of yet another avid western novel reader. I was totally engrossed in this book, I felt all of Nathan Stone's triumph and pain, each and every bullett and knife wound. I am so excitedly looking forward to reading, "Autumn of the gun" and "Killing Season". I tremendously enjoyed this character.
SUPERB!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is an excellent book, I could not put it down. It being the first of a trilogy, I couldn't wait to read the second and third books. Since I am an avid reader of Louis L'Amour, I was glad to see that Ralph Compton is carrying on the tradition of western novels at their best. This book has it all, action, romance, history and an excellent way of weaving it all together.

Ralph Compton does his usual good job on "Dawn of Fury". This one, however is a bit above the normal and he has constructed a story that fans of history, westerns, and character development will appreciate. He has a great many historical mentions in this yarn, may of which are accurate. Those that are not accurate he has moved only slightly in time and place to make them fit with his story.
There are a few problems with "equipment" that wasn't in use at the end of the US Civil War. It's another part of the entertainment for you can spend some time seeing if you can find and correct these small problems.
Dave McGowan
www.dmmcgowan.blogspot.com

"The Dawn of Fury" should be retitled "Yawn of Fury".
Purchased this as an ebook after reading reviews. Most gave it high marks. After two hundred pages I gave up. Not what I thought it would be, a good old western. The book started out fine and then it went down hill. Just plain boring page after page. Have read other Ralph Compton books but by different authors that were much better and held my interest, not this one. Time to move on.

I love Zane Grey westerns. I have read other fine writers of the genre, but needed to find some modern writers of westerns to complement those that I read many years ago and are no longer with us. Ralph Compton (recently deceased)impresses me with his story-telling and character development. I have read some criticism of his historical accuracy or lack of it, but this is "fiction" and I refuse to allow those few inaccuracies to ruin a very entertaining book. Yes, the western formula is present in this book, but it works; and he embellishes the story with some different twists in the fate of his female characters. Nathan Stone was strong enough to warrant the trilogy and I plan to read those as well. Ralph Compton left us too soon as he was hot on the trail of giving us many years of adventure in the Old West.

THIS IS A GREAT BOOOK THERE ARE ACTUALY 6 BOOKS IN THE STORY AND I WILL READ THEM ALL. THIS BOOK WILL KEEP YOU ON YOUR TOES.

Ralph Compton does a solid job of writing in this novel and brings Nathan Stone to life for the reader. The book will make you purchase the two remaining books of the trilogy.

The book is very interesting, carries you over much of the west and provides deep rich detail about St. Louis and New Orleans after the civil war.