Terry C. Johnston Books In Order

Publication Order of Plainsmen Books

Publication Order of Jonas Hook Books

Publication Order of Son Of The Plains Books

Publication Order of Titus Bass Books

Chronological Order of Titus Bass Books

Terry was born in Arkansas City, on January 1, 1947. He received the Western Writers of America Medicine – Pipe Bearer’s Award for his first novel Carry the Wind, in 1982 for best first fiction. Famous for historical books, Johnston is a perfectionist for accurateness. He traveled and explored numerous towns and cities during the hot summer months, to research on any of his upcoming novels. Johnston combines real tales with fascinating facts to blend in with his characters. He utilizes his broad knowledge to develop a story rather than impose it. Johnston was an avid storyteller. He desired to teach millions of readers around the world on the western frontier historical facts. Johnston accomplished his lifelong goal, through his books, open forums in elementary schools, as a guest in Universities across the country lectures, during which he would re-live the horrible tragedies of the great Indian Wars.

He held radio interviews talking before vast audiences. Johnston was a real creative writer who devoted his entire life to sharing his knowledge with the next generation of his time. Johnston is best known for the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade and the famous Indian wars of the west in his 16-part series the Plainsmen. He published a dozen books that sold more than ten million copies in print. Johnston was married three times, first to Doris Howard and had one son, Joshua. He married his second wife, Rhonda Hill Stacy and had two children with her, Noah and Erinn. He later married his third wife, Vanette. Johnston died on March 25, 2001, due to colon cancer within a month of being diagnosed.

In this review, we shall discuss a few parts his most famous book series, the Plainsmen.

Sioux Dawn#1 The Plainsmen

Terry Johnson magnificently captures the glory, drama, and exploits of the brave men and women who controlled West America. This series presents fierce battles, vibrant characters, and gripping historical teachings. The Civil War had just concluded, and a large westward march began. Soldiers and the local settlers thronged the East along the Bozeman Trail, walking into the sanctified Sioux hunting grounds. Red Cloud and his fighters knew there would be no option but to fight for their inherited lands. Expressed through the first-hand experiences and accounts of Sergeant Seamus Donegan; is a tale of the war of the Fetterman Massacre in 1866. This novel sheds light on some important historical facts before the great battle at Fetterman.

Although using the word massacre is a bit off-track as the entire event was premeditated, this was a war, in any real sense, no one was caught off-guard. Everyone here was armed. The fight took place between Red Clouds and Army soldiers and Cheyenne warriors together with their Arapahoe allies. The local red Indians had cool 2000-armed fierce fighters, and the army had a small 80 soldiers. This was a definite loss for the troops even before it began. The Sioux Dan in part did a good job with the detailed facts on the US Sioux Massacre of Dec. 21, 1866. Parts of the book had poorly written sentences and a lot of lingo dialect. However, Johnston did well with the entire dramatic battle plot, and the perfect, rich history accurately written.

Red Cloud’s Revenge #2 The Plainsmen

Seven months of minor retaliations from the period of the Fetterman massacre had since passed. Sergeant Seamus Donegan, head of the Army of the West had observed arrogant leaders–both White and Indian brace themselves for the forthcoming contemptuous clashes. Presumptuously enough, on two long hot sweltering summer days, conflict erupted–drowning the Dakota region in blood birth of war and death. The Wagon Box Battle and the Hay Field Battle of 1867. Packed with drama, gunfights and long groans and moaning associated with war, this book delivered the dramatic details of war. It’s a bit sad to read actual events that occurred, and so many people died senselessly when the leaders of that time could have meaningful ad dialogue to solve their issues amicably.

Johnston goes to great lengths to describe the ways and traditions of the native Indians of the west and their diverse customs. Some facts may seem offensive but it was a way of life, and any minor provocation received instant rebellion turned into war. The book ends with grave consequences faced by the Red clouds after the two battles.

The Stalkers #3 The Plainsmen

Terry Johnston captures the tragedy and exploits of the daring men who fought in the American West as if he was right in the middle of the war. Ingrained on an inadequately sheltered island, many of the Army scouts led by Seamus Donegan lie dead–and many gravely injured men continued to die. Under the Captainship of Colonel George Forsyth, 50 trained and experienced plainsmen had slithered through the Colorado Territory looking for the Cheyenne tribesmen. Along with a bifurcation of the Republican River, these valiant soldiers suddenly found themselves surrounded and outnumbered by the camouflaged Cheyenne men. Donegan, his fellow soldiers, and his uncle, who recently resurfaced are all trapped and under siege. With an unenviable clash, Donegan finds himself caught and cornered by one of his men, a traitor seeking revenge for wrongful injustices.

Together the diminishing crew awaits a last-minute heroic freedom from the cruel nine-day encirclement during the Battle of Beecher Island. Seamus Donegan had lost all hope of finding his long-lost uncle in 1868. He hires a group of civilian scouts to join the army in the battle because sources close to him reveal that his uncle is a member of the scout movement. The story sheds light on the intense struggles and the determination for survival by an immensely outnumbered army against the hostile force of the indomitable sea of the Red Indian warriors. An excellent historical tale of the Western front during the uncertain times of the 19th-century civil clashes. The unfolding real accounts of the red Indians and American soldiers reveal bravery and an unrelenting team of dedicated men who fought until the end. Although this book leans heavily on the glorification of the white man over the Indians, the tale has facts of both divides about their convictions and bravery

4 Responses to “Terry C. Johnston”

1. Bill Ragland: 2 months ago

   just finished the Plain of Frontier history, series and it is the best writing by far that i have ever read of frontier stories. I am 80 and have read a lot of frontier stories ( lately some Louis L’mour and Zane Gray), but thes books took me to the battlefields where I almost felt my own life was in danger! I read Red Cloud’s Revenge first after my daughter found it at a thrift store. I then went and bought the remaining books and read them in order over the last 2 months. I have purchased the Titus Bass and Son’s of thePlains books and will start them tonight.

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2. charles Barrett: 2 years ago

   Terry was the consomet story teller. while his novels could transport you to the time of the mountain men or the Fetterman massacre, he was also a great oral story teller. Listening to him recount the battle of the Little Big Horn, with the emotion of perhaps a participant ,as I stood on that halowed ground was one of the great moments in my life. His ability to make history come alive captured his audience ,both young and old.

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3. Robert Martin: 3 years ago

   Outstanding story TELLER. Enjoyed every book he has written.

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4. (Mr.) Dee McGowan: 3 years ago

   I have read all of the following series:
   Jack Reacher, and C. J. Box.
   Read many William Johnstone, James Patterson, and others

   Reply