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Titus Bass #4
Carry the Wind
Young Josiah Paddock, on the run from his past in St. Louis, didn't have much hope of survival. Winter was coming to the Rockies, and if the cold cutting through his city clothes didn't kill him, grizzlies or Indians would. Then his luck tumed. He stumbled across the trail of Ol' Scratch, a solitary mountain man eager enough for company to take the brash youngster under his wing. Pure chance brought Paddock to the old trapper's camp, but it was skill with a gun and a knife that kept them both alive as they rode deep into the majestic land of Blackfeet and Crow, bible-spouting pioneers and sensual woman where only the best and braves survived . . . and only the luckiest rode back again. Carry The Wind is a gripping historical saga set in the Grand Tetons during a time when the horizon never ended and a nation was being born.
694 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1982
About the author
Terry C. Johnston
60 books93 followers Terry C. Johnston was born January 1, 1947 in Arkansas City, Kansas.
Nineteen publishers rejected Johnston's first novel, Carry the Wind, before it was printed in 1982. However, this first novel was to gain the honor of receiving the Western Writers of America Medicine Pipe Bearer's Award for best first fiction. Johnston is known for his eye for historical detail, and he is a stickler for accuracy. He is known for traveling and exploring down known and unknown dusty roads during the hot summer months, and traversing slippery, muddy roads and hiking through snow to stand upon a historical sight that he would tell his readers in an upcoming book. "Parking in the lower lot, I trudged up the hill to reach the spot where Colonel John Gibbon's infantry waited out the last hours before their attack on the unsuspecting camp. Standing there in the icy snowstorm I was totally overwhelmed by the sight of those skeletal cones of lodgepoles standing stark against the low, gray sky . . ." Some of the sites that he would stand upon were known to the world like the Little Big Horn Battlefield and others would be obscure to the average reader like the Weippe Prairie north of Lochsa. He is known to combine "a roaring good tale with fascinating insights into the lives and times of his principal characters, generally managing to employ his extensive knowledge to enhance a story rather than intrude upon it" (Whitehead, 1991). Johnston would say that he considered himself "not a literary writer but a storyteller." His desire was to reach and teach thousands if not millions of readers about the early western frontier.
He accomplished part of this goal, not only through his books, but through discussions given to elementary children, lectures at symposiums, and historical one-week tours "during which you will re-live the grit and blood, the tears and tragedy of the great Indian Wars." He would blend historical fact with human emotion to re-create the past during his historical tours each summer. One presentation he gave to a fourth grade class was about the Plains Indian culture. He held a discussion with a Honors English class in Castle Rock middle school about "research, writing, and editing that goes into producing two historical novels each year, when compared to their "term papers." He gave keynote speeches at seminars and lectures at symposiums. He traveled all around Montana to sign books for fans, and he signed the books at the local Albertson's in each town. He held radio interviews that "took me into cities, talking before audiences, I never would have managed to reach otherwise."
Nineteen publishers rejected Johnston's first novel, Carry the Wind, before it was printed in 1982. However, this first novel was to gain the honor of receiving the Western Writers of America Medicine Pipe Bearer's Award for best first fiction. Johnston is known for his eye for historical detail, and he is a stickler for accuracy. He is known for traveling and exploring down known and unknown dusty roads during the hot summer months, and traversing slippery, muddy roads and hiking through snow to stand upon a historical sight that he would tell his readers in an upcoming book. "Parking in the lower lot, I trudged up the hill to reach the spot where Colonel John Gibbon's infantry waited out the last hours before their attack on the unsuspecting camp. Standing there in the icy snowstorm I was totally overwhelmed by the sight of those skeletal cones of lodgepoles standing stark against the low, gray sky . . ." Some of the sites that he would stand upon were known to the world like the Little Big Horn Battlefield and others would be obscure to the average reader like the Weippe Prairie north of Lochsa. He is known to combine "a roaring good tale with fascinating insights into the lives and times of his principal characters, generally managing to employ his extensive knowledge to enhance a story rather than intrude upon it" (Whitehead, 1991). Johnston would say that he considered himself "not a literary writer but a storyteller." His desire was to reach and teach thousands if not millions of readers about the early western frontier.
He accomplished part of this goal, not only through his books, but through discussions given to elementary children, lectures at symposiums, and historical one-week tours "during which you will re-live the grit and blood, the tears and tragedy of the great Indian Wars." He would blend historical fact with human emotion to re-create the past during his historical tours each summer. One presentation he gave to a fourth grade class was about the Plains Indian culture. He held a discussion with a Honors English class in Castle Rock middle school about "research, writing, and editing that goes into producing two historical novels each year, when compared to their "term papers." He gave keynote speeches at seminars and lectures at symposiums. He traveled all around Montana to sign books for fans, and he signed the books at the local Albertson's in each town. He held radio interviews that "took me into cities, talking before audiences, I never would have managed to reach otherwise."
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 18, 2022
This is the first of three, ALL three free, for Audible-UK-Plus members!
I have enjoyed listening to this audiobook. Really, I shouldn’t be sitting here writing a review; I have so much else I should be doing! I am doing it anyhow, because I consider it important to tell my GR friends that this book is definitely worth reading. This is NOT because it is free. That is just an added bonus.
You can start with this book. You need not go back to book one of the series. What has happened in the past is explained, and in an interesting manner.
We follow the friendship that develops between two men, one is younger, the other older. The elder becomes the mentor of the younger, but they both come to mean a lot to each other. This is a book that focuses upon human relationships. The two travel out west and encounter Native Americans as well as the flora and fauna of the land. Appreciation of nature is evident in the telling of the tale. There is a mule. She turns out to be an important character too.
A second theme is the traditions of native tribes, their customs, beliefs and way of life. There is a lot if factual detail. I found it all interesting, despite that I have read many books about Native Americans. Do you know why three moccasins are worn one on top of the other? Each serves a specific purpose. You learn of tree burials, of childbirth rituals, spiritual beliefs, the varied use of buffalo, elk and beaver, and not only the usage of their pelts. The story is at times terribly exciting. Why? Because you care what happens to the characters. There are gruesome practices not easy to read of; some are revolting. You are given reality, not a pretty, sanitized version. This I prefer, but a word of warning is not out of place.
There is a third reason to choose this book over other books about the American West. The dialogue is expertly done, and at the same time, it is never hard to understand. I don’t quite know how the author pulls this off! The language is that of trappers, traders and Native Americans and one guy who is fervently religious. The setting is Wyoming of the 1800s.
I recommend this book for its accurate, informative details, the moving evocation of the friendship that develops and the true to life dialogue. I have already downloaded the next two books in the series.
Alex Boyles narrates the audiobook VERY well. Four stars I have awarded the narration. There are different accents. He does them all well. One trapper speaks with a Scottish lilt. Even though the words used are not of our time, the listener has no difficulty understanding.
I didn't think this book would be as good as it is! What a great surprise. Don’t miss this.
*******************
*Carry the Wind 4 stars
*Borderlords 4 stars
*One-Eyed Dream 3 stars
I have enjoyed listening to this audiobook. Really, I shouldn’t be sitting here writing a review; I have so much else I should be doing! I am doing it anyhow, because I consider it important to tell my GR friends that this book is definitely worth reading. This is NOT because it is free. That is just an added bonus.
You can start with this book. You need not go back to book one of the series. What has happened in the past is explained, and in an interesting manner.
We follow the friendship that develops between two men, one is younger, the other older. The elder becomes the mentor of the younger, but they both come to mean a lot to each other. This is a book that focuses upon human relationships. The two travel out west and encounter Native Americans as well as the flora and fauna of the land. Appreciation of nature is evident in the telling of the tale. There is a mule. She turns out to be an important character too.
A second theme is the traditions of native tribes, their customs, beliefs and way of life. There is a lot if factual detail. I found it all interesting, despite that I have read many books about Native Americans. Do you know why three moccasins are worn one on top of the other? Each serves a specific purpose. You learn of tree burials, of childbirth rituals, spiritual beliefs, the varied use of buffalo, elk and beaver, and not only the usage of their pelts. The story is at times terribly exciting. Why? Because you care what happens to the characters. There are gruesome practices not easy to read of; some are revolting. You are given reality, not a pretty, sanitized version. This I prefer, but a word of warning is not out of place.
There is a third reason to choose this book over other books about the American West. The dialogue is expertly done, and at the same time, it is never hard to understand. I don’t quite know how the author pulls this off! The language is that of trappers, traders and Native Americans and one guy who is fervently religious. The setting is Wyoming of the 1800s.
I recommend this book for its accurate, informative details, the moving evocation of the friendship that develops and the true to life dialogue. I have already downloaded the next two books in the series.
Alex Boyles narrates the audiobook VERY well. Four stars I have awarded the narration. There are different accents. He does them all well. One trapper speaks with a Scottish lilt. Even though the words used are not of our time, the listener has no difficulty understanding.
I didn't think this book would be as good as it is! What a great surprise. Don’t miss this.
*******************
*Carry the Wind 4 stars
*Borderlords 4 stars
*One-Eyed Dream 3 stars
December 2, 2007
Terry C. Johnston was born in 1947 on the plains of Kansas and has lived a varied life as a roustabout, history teacher, printer, paramedic, dog catcher, and car salesman, all the while immersing himself in the history of the early West. His first novel, Carry the Wind, won the Medicine Pipe Bearer’s Award from the Western Writers of America, and his subsequent books, among them Cry of the Hawk, Winter Rain, Dream Catcher, and the Sons of the Plains trilogy, have appeared on bestseller lists throughout the country. Terry C. Johnston lived in Big Sky country near Billings, Montana.
On February 4, 2001, Terry went into the hospital and was diagnosed with colon cancer. Terry lost his battle with cancer on March 25, 2001.
The death of Mr. Johnston was a great loss to all readers and the American Indian. Mr. Johnston had a way of describing a battle from both the Indians side and the white mans side. He was always fair in his description of any battle from both sides. His fictional characters became real people to the reader. You found yourself waiting in anticipation for the next book to come out, so you could find out what was happening to ol scratch, or what battle was sheamus going to be in. You found yourself sitting in the teepee with Red Cloud, or riding into battle with Crazy Horse. Feeling the fear of Fetterman the day of his massacre.
Mr. Johnston was a great author. I have read all of his books and can only give them high praise. I will not go through and review everyone of his books. It has been to long ago that I have read them. But I know this and I remember each and everyone of them and will rate all with five stars.
If you want to read a great Historical fiction of the old wild west. Then TERRY C JOHNSTON is who you should be reading.
On February 4, 2001, Terry went into the hospital and was diagnosed with colon cancer. Terry lost his battle with cancer on March 25, 2001.
The death of Mr. Johnston was a great loss to all readers and the American Indian. Mr. Johnston had a way of describing a battle from both the Indians side and the white mans side. He was always fair in his description of any battle from both sides. His fictional characters became real people to the reader. You found yourself waiting in anticipation for the next book to come out, so you could find out what was happening to ol scratch, or what battle was sheamus going to be in. You found yourself sitting in the teepee with Red Cloud, or riding into battle with Crazy Horse. Feeling the fear of Fetterman the day of his massacre.
Mr. Johnston was a great author. I have read all of his books and can only give them high praise. I will not go through and review everyone of his books. It has been to long ago that I have read them. But I know this and I remember each and everyone of them and will rate all with five stars.
If you want to read a great Historical fiction of the old wild west. Then TERRY C JOHNSTON is who you should be reading.
July 18, 2011
I have a real fondness for frontier literature and movies. James Fenimore Cooper, or Robert Redford's "Jeremiah Johnson", for instance. With that in mind, I can't believe it took me so long to discover Terry C. Johnston's Titus Bass books. This is a grand epic that begins with Josiah Paddock in St. Louis setting off to become a beaver trapper in the Rockies. He soon meets up with Bass, who is always called an old man though he's only in his 30s. Bass takes Paddock under his wing and teaches him the ways of the mountains.
Johnston was obviously a scholar of this era. In places it seemed he put too much of his research into the story, causing the plot to drag a little. The chapters that took place at rendezvous, for instance, seemed to go on just a little too long. Also, other than Nature, there is no real antagonist until the last 100 pages or so. I was okay with this, but I know many readers want a clearly defined conflict and villain from the get-go. You won't find that here.
What you will find is a richly detailed story of a short period of American frontier history peopled with complex, realistic characters. It's enough to make this flatlander want to move to the high country.
Johnston was obviously a scholar of this era. In places it seemed he put too much of his research into the story, causing the plot to drag a little. The chapters that took place at rendezvous, for instance, seemed to go on just a little too long. Also, other than Nature, there is no real antagonist until the last 100 pages or so. I was okay with this, but I know many readers want a clearly defined conflict and villain from the get-go. You won't find that here.
What you will find is a richly detailed story of a short period of American frontier history peopled with complex, realistic characters. It's enough to make this flatlander want to move to the high country.
June 10, 2023
First book in the series from one of my favorite authors. This is the first book published not the first book chronologically. I preferred the first three books in the series when the main character was by himself, not with a partner. I felt it slowed the book down and I honestly didn’t like the other guy.
There’s more action and adventure flowing through the pages like before.
It was rejected by multiple publishers before being picked up by Caroline House. I believe all others were published by Bantam.
There’s more action and adventure flowing through the pages like before.
It was rejected by multiple publishers before being picked up by Caroline House. I believe all others were published by Bantam.
October 7, 2021
Around twenty years ago, I read AB's Guthrie's "The Big Sky." It was love at first read. I keep hoping that I'll find another mountain man novel that can compare with it. So far, no luck. Terry C. Johnston's "Carry the Wind" is just another pale and unworthy imitator.
Frankly, it's awful. Unlikeable main characters: boring cipher "Paddock" and loquacious goofball "Scratch." The latter just never shuts-up. After enduring loudmouth Scratch for nearly 700 pages, I found myself longing for Guthrie's taciturn "Boone." Also, despite it obviously being inspired by "The Big Sky," the plot is dullsville with clichés-galore. Many scenes had me rolling my eyes: two absurd grizzly bear fights and its 1980's action movie-esque finale. Further, Johnson describes everything in excruciating detail, but he doesn't narrate it. Instead, he has Scratch explain it to us in pidgin English (you know: "real" mountain man lingo.) It gets very tiresome.
By novel's end, I wanted the Blackfeet to leave "the bones of Scratch and Paddock to rot in the Trois Fourches," but I was aware that "Carry the Wind" is the first of a series of novels featuring those two so I knew I was in for disappointment. But it did confirm that I have no interest in reading another book in the series. Why two stars? My managing to finish it and some of the historical detail as to mountain man life earned it an additional star.
Frankly, it's awful. Unlikeable main characters: boring cipher "Paddock" and loquacious goofball "Scratch." The latter just never shuts-up. After enduring loudmouth Scratch for nearly 700 pages, I found myself longing for Guthrie's taciturn "Boone." Also, despite it obviously being inspired by "The Big Sky," the plot is dullsville with clichés-galore. Many scenes had me rolling my eyes: two absurd grizzly bear fights and its 1980's action movie-esque finale. Further, Johnson describes everything in excruciating detail, but he doesn't narrate it. Instead, he has Scratch explain it to us in pidgin English (you know: "real" mountain man lingo.) It gets very tiresome.
By novel's end, I wanted the Blackfeet to leave "the bones of Scratch and Paddock to rot in the Trois Fourches," but I was aware that "Carry the Wind" is the first of a series of novels featuring those two so I knew I was in for disappointment. But it did confirm that I have no interest in reading another book in the series. Why two stars? My managing to finish it and some of the historical detail as to mountain man life earned it an additional star.
April 7, 2022
We are presented with an introduction to Josiah Paddock. From his childhood, leaving home, his various jobs including his exposure to the mountains and beaver trapping, to the fateful duel with the Frenchman. Josiah’s account continues with his, and his friend Mordicah, adventure to the western mountains. Soon, Josiah would come across Titus Bass and join up with him, his education and training to begin. Josiah was a true greenhorn, in the beginning, a young man with more pride than experience. Scratch had his work cut out for him when he took this young man under his wing. They came to be fast and true friends. The adventures and hardships were a great tale of the mountains in the 1830s. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I wish Audible had the rest of the series.
October 18, 2013
A richly detailed book of the life of the mountain men trapping beaver in the Rockies. While I did not especially like the character of Scratch, I did find him interesting. So much so that I later checked out Dance on the Wind, the book that, although written later, is chronologically the first in the saga. Unfortunately, I discovered that so much of Scratch's back story had been covered in this book, I could not enjoy the prequel. I wish I had read Dance on the Wind before reading Carry the Wind.
September 25, 2009
This book was amazing. Totally swept me away. Johnston does a wonderful job at pulling you right into the mountains of the western frontier. Whether Scratch and Josiah were sharing jokes around a warm fire at rendezvous or fighting a war party in Blackfoot country you always felt like you were right there along side them. Can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy.
Read this book!
Read this book!
November 3, 2011
Best of this series
January 21, 2022
Meticulously researched, historically accurate, and beautifully written, Carry the Wind is a window into the past and the author's most critically acclaimed work. A great tale and carefully constructed tale. The book uses historically correct period vernacular language that unfortunately includes liberal use of the N-word. While correct from a historical vernacular view, it is definitely off-putting to the modern reader.
June 21, 2022
It's definitely not your typical western. I was surprised by a few words he used to describe the characters and at the same time I thought it was pretty funny. They weren't exactly "politically correct" for this day & age. But, good on him.
As far as the book overall, it was a pretty good book. I struggle finding any western book better than Louis L'Amour books but this one was ok
As far as the book overall, it was a pretty good book. I struggle finding any western book better than Louis L'Amour books but this one was ok
July 11, 2022
Fourth in the Titus Bass series; Johnston continues to engage his followers with his exceptional ability to make Bass's travel through the mountains, valleys, rivers, and deserts of the west. This is by far, one of the best "historical fiction" series I have ever read! If you have ever traveled the Rockies, the Black Hills, the Wasach, or the Uintas, or had a desire to, start reading this series.
July 10, 2017
Titus Bass is an amazing character. I have read this entire series twice and each time it gets better and better.
June 29, 2018
Review by L.M. : "Loved the whole book. Some scenes not for children (2 of them). [Recommended for] people that like the early American frontier."
February 8, 2019
detailed and entertaining
March 31, 2021
One of my all time favorite series.
April 28, 2023
Lots of detail. Good read mountain man tale.
November 27, 2023
the most boring book ever, ick DNF 1 star
March 24, 2024
Terry Johnston is a great American Western writer and this is a brilliant book. First in ‘Titus Bass’ series of nine novels. 1982
November 24, 2015
This is a long story of the lives Titus Bass and Josiah Paddock, who were erly 19th century beaver trappers. From thier chance meeting to the conclusion of thier journey thru the northwest mountians, the author fills in all the backround details of thier past lives and experiences. It is a very descriptive story of the brutality of life in the mountians that these men endured during the early 1800's. This is not a story for the squeamish. The author vividly describes brutal attacks by grizzily bears, gunshot wounds, accidents causing amputation, violent maiming and death. It is a very realistic picture of what was necessary to survive in such a harsh landscape. I found it very educational and written in a way that held my interest from beginning to end. This is the fourth novel that I have read by this author and the first one that he wrote. I have enjoyed reading all of them very much and highly recommend them to anyone inerested in pioneer life of early America.
July 30, 2007
A great story, start this and you will be compelled to read the other great Terry C. Johnston reads.
August 17, 2010
READ ABOUT A THIRD OF THIS BOOK. I DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY THEY SPOKE.
January 11, 2016
I enjoyed it, the colorful dialog filled with unique colloquialisms and just plain entertaining.
May 28, 2016
Tedious. The author repeated himself over and over. Couldn't wait to finish the book.
April 20, 2012
I loved this series of books by Terry C.Johnston. His character Titus Bass is one of my favorites.
Read
October 29, 2017Good book
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews