The movie Jeramiah Johnson has always been one of my favorites. It turns out that the true account of the life of John Jonston (his real name), though no less fascinating, is not much like the movie at all. The movie portrays a lonley man haunted by relentless attacks from the Crow Indians. This is partly true, but if you have seen the movie and think you know a little of the history of the man, you will be amazed at how much you did not know after reading the book. This was a truly violent, ruthless man, living in a time and place where those traits were not uncommon.

The book reads quickly and gives you a sense of awe for the man, and the manner which he and his companions lived. Though the book is mainly based on documented accounts of those who knew Johnston, I sometimes found parts of it hard to believe. One example is simply the sheer number of Indians this man kills throughout the book. That alone is nearly beyond belief, and I wonder if some of the accounts may have been exaggerated. That aside, the book was very enjoyable. A true taste of the harshness of the place and the people of that time. You'll never look at a liver the same after reading this book!

As did most people who develop a fascination with Johnson, I "caught the bug" from the Robert Redford movie. It was not until some time later, however, when I inadvertantly vacationed in areas in which many of the events actually occurred, that I sought out the information on the "real" Jeremiah Johnson and found the book. I have read it cover-to-cover more times than I can count.

It depicts a coarse, violent life in terms uniquely appropriate to the stories it relates, and does a remarkable job at documenting what little can be documented of a life lived far beyond the bounds of places where such documentation even existed -- much less, mattered. The starkness with which the author relates his information does much more to convey what the real Johnson's life was like than a more esthetically-pleasing and smoothly literary version ever could.

Finishing the book leaves one wishing there was more -- wondering, for example, what could make a man such as Johnson seek out such a life, and wishing it were possible to read all of the actual research to which Thorp so frequently refers.

I was incredibly gripped by the story of this extraordinary man that was so well respected throughout the west. I instantly felt compelled to visit the places described in the book including the final resting place of John Johnson/Johnston... I am also curious to know what became of his signature possesions the "matching rosewood handled Colt and Bowie". I have read the reviews on this book, some disputing the claims made by Raymond W. Thorp. I would like to know "the real story" if there is such and determine for myself from the sources whether I believe it to be true or not. Until such information is published I will believe Raymond W. Thorp's version to be true. Either way, this man is sure to have been quite a figure in the great American frontier of which I so painfully wish to have seen! Happy Reading!