Customer Reviews

Wind Walker

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This is not a review. Terry C. Johnston died today, March 25, 2001, after weeks in the ICU of St. Vincent's Hospital, Billings. Before the life support systems were turned off a while ago, his wife, Vanette, read the last three pages of Wind Walker to the assembled doctors and nurses and family and friends. Then she played the flute, the very flute on the cover of the book, because in the story, one cannot become a wind walker until one has played it. And since he couldn't, she played it for him. His hero, Titus Bass, had always been Terry's alter ego, and in this last novel of the series, Bass dies at the end. Terry had a premonition of his own death, and only three days after the publication of Wind Walker, Terry was operated on and a tumor removed from his intestines. The nurses and doctors struggled for seven weeks against Terry's failing health. Everyone present wept as Vanette read the last pages of Terry's novel.

I was one of Terry's early editors, and a longtime friend, and my wife and I will miss him greatly.

The world is dramatically changing from what mountain man Titus Bass first saw when he climbed, fished, hunted and fought against Indians and Whites in the Rocky Mountains. Three decades ago, hardly anyone not native could be found, but not in the late 1840s - early 1850s, Titus knows not only is he old, his fond world is history as settlers head west.

Titus takes his family north to live his final days with the family of his Crow wife, hoping that some vestige of his independent, solitary elbow room life style could be found. However, though it is the waning years for him, the adventures continue as Titus battles to free a daughter, battle Mormons and nature, and help a desperate wagon train containing his greatest enemy (the dreaded settler). Titus wonders whether he will find the peace he seeks amidst the Crow or will their way of life teeter towards extinction also?

The final novel in the Titus Bass saga shows why Terry C. Johnston is a western writer who has transcended the genre. The story line will please historical buffs and relationship fans as the hero struggles to retain his way of life even as the outside world crushes it. This concluding tale works on multiple levels due to the deep characterization of Titus, friends and family, and many secondary players that keep the cast fresh for long time friends and introduces the key ensemble to newcomers so that they are fully understood. This ability is what makes Mr. Johnston a great chronicler of the first half of the nineteenth century America.

Harriet Klausner

I just found out that Mr. Johnston passed away. I am greatly saddened. I have devoured his books for about 10 years now. I've ready everyone. Does he have any more books in the publishing pipeline that will actually be published? I will greatly miss his writing.

I was leary about ordering a, "used" product, never doing so before, but, the book was wonderful, very little wear and more than pleased. Thank you so much!

Every book Terry C Johnston has written has been exciting, readable, understandable and a pleasure to read.