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.
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Kind of story?
- Cattle drive
- adventure thru wilderness
- getting revenge
- defending against enemy
- rescuing hostage(s)
- hunting enemy
- rescuing/acquiring/defending treasure
Love/Sex?
- White man having sex with female Indian?
Who is good, who is bad?
- Whities bad
- Indians good
Who is tough/wimpy, smart/dumb?
- Men tough
- Women tough
Misc Cliche Subplots
- Barroom brawl?
- cattle stampede?
- One to one gunfight
Main Character
Gender:
- Male
Profession/status:
- explorer
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- killer
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
Setting
Farm/Ranch?
Yes
Farm/Ranch:
- lot of descript of animal care
Time book takes place in:
- 19th century
Style
Part of a series?
Yes
overall quality of this book?
- 9
How much gore?
- 5 (an average amount)
How much suspense/how unpredictable?
- 7 (a good amount)
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Happy ending?
- neutral
How much dialogue/talking among characters?
- 8 (a significant amount)
How much non-dialogue descript of thoughts & feelings?
- 6 (an above average amount)
Non-dialogue thoughts/feelings primarily about: (optional)
- thoughts for/about others
- thinking about puzzle/mystery/unknown
- thinking about plan of attack
- thinking about plan of action
Kind of Series
- Other Series
Minor characters feature lots of:
- cowboys
- Indians
- miners
- prostitutes
Theme
Search for Identity
Yes
Search for identity:
- what group one belongs to
- who one belongs with
- what one is meant to do
- what one has been in the past
- what one's ancestors have been in the past
