“Give Your Heart To The Hawks” is one of the most important books in my world. It sparked an interest in the Mountain Men and its style and format was a huge influence on Frontier Partisans.
Thanks to the success of “The Revenant,” Hawks is back in shinin’ times. Win Blevins noted on Facebook:
On the NEW YORK TIMES best-seller next Sunday, my book GIVE YOUR HEART TO THE HAWKS. Pubbed 43 years ago, the grandfather of mountain man books- — this is true resurrection!
Waugh!
It’s wonderful that these epic tales are finding a new audience — and very encouraging for those of us who are working similar territory.
Craig Rullman says
I received this book as a gift when I retired from police work. It is one of my favorites, truly a fantastic book. Glad to see it revived and walking the earth once more.
JimC says
Better than a gold watch, you ask me…
Eccentric Cowboy says
It warms the cockroaches of my heart to see the younger generation delving back into this classic. In these times of urbanization and people forgetting what wild trees look like I’m glad that some are getting interested in the old days, especially with this classic. One copy has a permanent position on my bookshelf.
JimC says
Yes, this is a good thing on all levels.
lane batot says
Thanks to this blog, I FINALLY ordered me a copy, but I haven’t read it yet! Like most Northern Barbarians, I like to stock up and have piles of supplies for harsh weather–food, wood, clothing, books, and DVD’s! I really like keeping some “reserves”! After I got my copy, I got to thinking–“Win Blevins, Win Blevins–why have I not heard of this feller before?”–but then it hit me, I HAVE read another book of his, his “Stone Song”–an excellent biographical novel on Crazy Horse that I have had for years! I still like Mari Sandoz’s version of that the best, but Blevin’s comes a close second! No shame in coming second to Mari Sandoz! ….and YEAH–I was thrilled that “The Revenant”(European Wild Boar and all–ahem!) got such attention and won at the Oscars, as it NO DOUBT will spawn MUCH further interest in the “Western” genera again, and they’ll likely be LOTS of “Hollywood herd behavior”, just as it did for Native American movies when “Dances With Wolves” won! Sure, they’ll be cheesy, stupid knock-offs, but they’ll likely be some other good efforts, and won’t WE-ALL have FUN sorting through them all, if-and-when they get ’em done! MAYBE, MAYBE, a GREAT Simon Kenton film will come from all this, at long, long, last(and I’m still waiting for the DEFINITIVE Daniel Boone, as well)……….
JimC says
Your lips to god’s ear…
Wayne says
I gave my stepson a copy of Give Your Heart to the Hawks a few years ago to introduce him to the mountain men. He liked it so much I followed it with A. B. Guthrie’s The Big Sky, and Russel’s Firearms, Traps, and Tools of the Mountain Men.
If ever there’s a quality film made of Simon Kenton’s life, I think we should all go in hock if we have to and attend the premier!
JimC says
Deal!
Meredith Blevins says
Thanks! for writing this blog post. I think it’s the most extraordinary time in American history, and really? I didn’t learn about it in school. Really remarkable when so many mountain men ended up in the NW and in NOR CA — and participated in the Bear Flag Rebellion.
There are many stories we’d do well to circle back to. I like the mountain men because these folks weren’t trying for dominion over all. They wanted adventure and went all out for big live. They were aiming to get along with the land, not decimate it and the people. I loved this book even before I fell in love with my husband … and that’s been a long time now!
JimC says
Meredith — thanks so much for stopping by. You’re right, it was a unique time and a unique set of men. Take care of Win — he’s a treasure.
Traven Torsvan says
Blevins’ Rendezvous series is awesome too.
JimC says
Truth.