John Rambo rides again. Sly Stallone is saddling up — literally — for a coda to the Rambo movie franchise that will now span 37 years. According to Variety, Rambo: Last Blood (get it?)… “…centers on Sylvester Stallone’s John Rambo crossing into Mexico and taking on a violent cartel when the daughter of one of his friends is kidnapped. … [Read more...] about Drawing ‘Last Blood’
Conflict Archaeologist
A friend of mine believes that it is important in one’s professional life to have a quick, intriguing “elevator pitch” to define yourself. He likes mine: “I’m a storyteller...” Gets people intrigued, wanting to know more, etc. You get the picture. Well, here’s one that simply can’t be beat: “I’m a conflict archaeologist.” Ain’t nobody gonna hear … [Read more...] about Conflict Archaeologist
Working The Trapline — Fierce Beasts Of February
A couple of deadly beasts will be profiled in major book releases in February. Hat tip to Wade McKnight for scouting the first one out—a recounting of one of the greatest hunting tales in history. No Beast So Fierce: The Terrifying True Story of the Champawat Tiger, the Deadliest Animal in History At the turn of the twentieth century, in … [Read more...] about Working The Trapline — Fierce Beasts Of February
‘Bearskin’
It’s emblematic of my nature that, having decided that I should read novels for fun again, I have gone on a freakin’ bender. Right now, I’m poaching in Hillbilly Highways’ territory with Bearskin by James A. McLaughlin. Hope HP doesn’t get too riled. Damn, it’s good. There’s probably nothing I like better than a “literary” crime novel. … [Read more...] about ‘Bearskin’
A Salute To Brian Garfield
One of the greats has gone up the trail. Brian Garfield died on December 29. A versatile writer of Western, crime and history, Garfield penned one of the books that shaped me. As a kid in junior high school, I read the covers off of his novel Wild Times, which was made into a TV miniseries starring Sam Elliott as Hugh Cardiff, sharpshooter and … [Read more...] about A Salute To Brian Garfield
Pulpy Goodness And A Cherry Bounce — Working The Trapline — January 2019
Guess I’ll be re-upping with Cinemax in 2019. The Tong Wars drama Warrior is scheduled for some time in the year, and since its got Banshee’s filthy paws all over it, I’ve got to watch. “Inspired by an idea from martial-arts legend Bruce Lee, this gritty, action- packed crime drama is set during the brutal Tong Wars of San Francisco’s Chinatown … [Read more...] about Pulpy Goodness And A Cherry Bounce — Working The Trapline — January 2019
Beaver, Whales and Pirates — Setting Sail With Eric Jay Dolin
If you’ve already ordered copies of Warriors of the Wildlands for your Yuletide gift giving or personal reading (*ahem* cough*), you might want to take a look at Eric Jay Dolin’s latest — Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America’s Most Notorious Pirates. Set against the backdrop of the Age of Exploration, Black Flags, Blue … [Read more...] about Beaver, Whales and Pirates — Setting Sail With Eric Jay Dolin
‘Wolves Of Eden’
It’s dangerous walking into bookstores. Books jump of the shelves and force themselves upon me. There I was in Dudley’s in Bend, minding me own business, waiting for Marilyn to pick up her cooking oils at a little boutique shop she favors when BAM! I’m bitten in both hands by Wolves of Eden. I fought them off and escaped, but only … [Read more...] about ‘Wolves Of Eden’
‘The Complete John The Balladeer’
By Captain Paul McNamee, Captain, Frontier Partisans New England Ranging Company On Monday, November 21, Haffner Press announced the coming of The Complete John The Balladeer. Frontier Partisans has touched on John the Balladeer and his silver stringed guitar before. John is a Korean War veteran who roams the backcountry mountains of … [Read more...] about ‘The Complete John The Balladeer’
Forth To The Wilderness!
Want to get an overview of the epic story of the trans-Appalachian frontier in the form of a thundering good read — and on the cheap? Dale Van Every’s four-volume history of the early frontier is available on Kindle for next to nothing. Forth to the Wilderness (1754-1774); A Company of Heroes (1775-1783); The Ark of Empire (1784-1803); and The … [Read more...] about Forth To The Wilderness!
