I am very glad I read this book before visiting Mesa Verde because it helped me appreciate the cliff dwellings and the way of life they represent on a visceral (as opposed to intellectual) level. I was able to "read between the lines" of architecture and imagine the people who lived there through McCarthy's eyes. His research seems to be in line with what the rangers and anthropologists shared. The storytelling was delightful, lean and haunting. A wonderful, fast read!

In MESA VERDE Gary McCarthy has produced a novel that is as magnificent as the national park that is its setting. It is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys vivid history brought to life in a stirring saga of the human spirit

An excellent view into the real history of the Ahwahnee (Yosamite) valley. The story based on character's, mostly fictional I presume, that anyone can identify with and grow to love. If you have ever been to Yosamite, or plan to visit, I sincerely reccomend this book. I felt like I was there.

This book is in the style of Michener historical fiction with historical characters interwoven with a moving story of fictitious people. One feels sympathy towards the loss of the native cultures which were once a part of the Yosemite Valley while also getting a glimpse of the beauty and grandeur of the same. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes to learn history while also reading an interesting novel.

I loved the story about sheep ranching and the first women doctor in the us. I especially loved the notes at the end of the book giving insight to the real life people and events that the fictional story was inspired by.It inspired me to go to the library and read about and learn about the real thing.

McCarthy has a great way with the West, but in this book he shows his depth as a writer. This story has all the right elements: action, romance, mystery, adventure, etc. The most compelling part is the relationship between the sisters (which is continued even more successfully in the sequel) and how they grow together, even as they disagree about life's choices.

I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!

Gary McCarthy has written another pretty good western. It is a little slow in places, in my openion, that is why a 4 star instead of 5. It is the story of Glen Collins, an honest, hardworking blacksmith who is running for sheriff so he will be making enough money to ask Maria Silvas to marry him. Glen nearly get killed by the other person running for sheriff, Chase Lawson. But he is befriended by Roy Whitlow who saves his life. Roy then decides to run for sheriff and also ask Maria to marry him. There is quite a bit of action. The ending is very good. A quick read as the book is not all that long. If you like a fair western with the underdog winning. You will like this.

Gary McCarthy brings Glen Collins, Maria Silvas, Roy and Josh Williams, and Hap Hazard to life in this great story. I don't know how Gary does it, but his writing keeps me glued to the book and makes it hard to put down. Maybe it is how he makes his characters so personable. Please read this book because you will discover devotion, courage, fear, suspense, love, and some neat surprises. This story has a great ending that will amaze you, but the whole story will hold you, from beginning to end.

Have read several books by Gary McCarthy. He usually does much beter than this one. This is about Thomas Atherton who grew up in the East. He always wanted to go west and finally gets his chance to go and try to find the last buffalo herd. He is to report back to Cyrus Rutherford who wants to go kill the last of the buffalo. Along the way Thomas meets many interesting people. Sally, Moose and many Indians. After much time they finally find a herd of buffalo. Will Thomas report back, will he and Sally get together, what about Moose????? The story is slow moving in places. Does have a pretty good ending. If you want to read better McCarthy books, try, The Gringo Amigo, Blood Brothers, The Mustangers or Sodbusters. I think they are all better than the Buffalo Hunters.

I always know I can look forward to a good read when I find a title by this writer. THE BUFFALO HUNTERS is no exception to that. I enjoyed it thoroughly and recommend it to anyone who wants to take a romp through a time long ago.

Gary McCarthy has written another good book. It is the story of Zach and Carrie Bennett. They are raised as sodbuster kids. Both are determined to get away from that life. Carrie gets taken in by a slick talking Texan. She and Zach travel from Wyoming to Texas to find him. He had promised to marry Carrie. They meet some good and some bad folks along the way. I guess that this is what life was about back then but it sure was tough. I did not like the ending. McCarthy has a way of making you feel for the people he writes about. You almost think you are there with them. A fast moving book, not a shoot out kind, just about family life and how two people and their parents handled it. If you like books about life as it was in the early west you will like this one.

A very interesting saga of the Grand Canyon. Especially of interest to those who have been fortunate enough to visit the sights and locations discussed in the book.

This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. I lived at the Grand Canyon for over a year & was so interested in this book I kept looking things up, to see which was fiction & not. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot of things I didn't know.

I had never bought a Gunsmoke Novel. I read the reviews and purchased this book thinking anything extending the Gunsmoke story had to be great. WRONG. I forced myself through the book and wondered if anybody who posted a glowing review, or the author himself, for that matter, had ever watched the show that this book is supposedly based on. It's filled with character inaccuracies that just sorta dissapoint the reader who is a Gunsmoke fan.

Matt Dillon and Miss Kitty getting cross-eyed drunk because of Matt breaking his leg? I mean, big tough Matt Dillon ain't man enough to handle a broken leg without an entire bottle of whiskey? Miss Kitty crawling in bed with Matt while he's in so much pain?? Festus riding a HORSE?? Even I remember he rode a mule named Ruth. Festus, forced to resign and leave town by Matt to follow a woman he wanted to marry??? HUH??? And, get this, Festus was able to read a lengthy telegram. You only have to watch a single episode to know that Festus couldn't read.

All in all, Festus was made out to be a nasty, disgusting, town joke, and again, if you watched the show, you know the uncapable baffoon rap really doesn't fit the character.

So, if your getting this book because it's Gunsmoke, forget it. If you want it because it's an interesting western, forget it. The author should've done his homework.

This is the third book in the series and by far the best of the three. The story is good and easy to read. There is little to no overt violence or sexual content. So far the books have been #1 - mainly about Doc; #2 - mainly about Matt and #3 - mainly about Festus. Perhaps there will be a fourth mainly about Kitty. I hope that a fourth book comes out soon.

I liked this book. I always liked Gunsmoke on tv and the characters in it, and this book brings them back. Festus taking Marshal Matt's place is a hoot. This is the first in the book series for me, but I will go look for the others now. I recommend this one.

Long time fans of "Gunsmoke" or "Marshall Dillon" television shows will want to pass this book up. The characters brought from the small screen are rarely reminiscent of the long-playing show. The story itself has its ups and downs. The characters seem flat and unresponsive--all of them, that is, except for Festus. The one character that seems true to the program of the fifties and sixties is the grungy side-kick of Marshall Dillon. The fascination that causes the reader to stick with the book is the hidden intelligence and machismo of Festus Haggen. Western readers will enjoy this first installment if only to see Festus win the day more than once. McCarthy is also to be applauded for his working without overt sex scenes or extra foul language that publishers have convinced western writers is necessary. The book could possibly be a script that would make it past the censors of yesterday's TV.