Rendezvous: A Barnaby Skye Novel

RENDEZVOUS is the 9th book in the Barnaby Skye western saga. As the title indicates the location of the action is at rendezvous, Cache Valley, July, 1826, where 100 men of the mountains plus numerous Indian tribes, Crow, Shoshone, Nez Perce, etc., but never Blackfeet, met yearly or semi-yearly to relax and replenish the supplies they have exhausted during the previous months. The items they traded pelts or 'plews' for had been transported from St. Louis, Missouri, and were measured out with set rates of barter. One horse, for instance, could cost as much as $150.00 or 150 pelts, with similar cost for rifles. The traders always returned to St. Louis with much profit in their poke. One of the better selling items was the trade whiskey, made from pure grain alcohol some river water, & some chewing tobacco, vile stuff at best, normally concocted on site that very day. These rough men, white and Indian, did the aging process within their stomachs with blinding headaches to follow. This 9th volume sets a new direction for the saga of Barnaby Skye in that the previous 8 volumes described him when he was at the zenith of his profession during the years 1850s and 1860s. Now with this 9th volume we are taken back to 1826 when Mr. Skye first landed in North America or the unknown American West. Traveling from Fort Vancouver he makes his way along the Columbia River alone, attempting to reach Boston, Mass., however, he has no idea how many thousands of miles to the east is the city of Boston. Traveling eventually with the Shoshone, Snake, Indians he arrives at rendezvous meeting various characters of history such as Jim Bridger, Jedediah Smith, and General William Ashley. Of all these men, it is Jedediah Smith who truly befriends Barnaby. Until Mr. Skye meets "the beautiful Crow girl Many Quill Woman" to fall in love, he will retain his desire to reach Boston. Naming Many Quill Woman "Victoria" he begins a romance that will not only save his life but wed him to her. As Skye says at novel's end, "You know, Victoria, marrying you was the best thing I ever did". And between the 'bear medicine' and the 'magpie' these two march forward working their way to the 1850s and 1860s. Great reading for anyone with the least interest in the trans-Mississippi west of the 1820s through the 1860s centered on the fur trade. Helpful note to newcomers of this series, listed below in order are the first 8 books in this saga. A saga that now in 2009 contains 17 books. Sun River, Bannack, The Far Tribes, Yellowstone, Bitterroot, Sundance, Wind River, Santa Fe, and Rendezvous. Semper Fi.

This book was completely all that, that the author should contact Mel Gibson or Kevin Costner and sell the movie rights to turn this terrific novel into film. I would prefer Mel Gibson to turn this into a film, because his movies about alot better, when he directs them, than Kevin Costner. The book is that good, that it would be a terrific movie. If that happens, Orlando Bloom would be the perfect actor to play Barnaby Skye and Tonatzin Carmelo can play Many Quill Woman.

Richard S. Wheeler's Skye's West: Rendezvous and his character Barnaby Skye...eh, make that Mister Skye! offers a reading treat for anyone who wants something out of the ordinary with their adventures. Besides providing a good story Wheeler's writing is grown-up good as it leads us into an historical realm and offers a well- crafted look, convincing dialogue, and characters who breathe. It's easy to see why Wheeler has won the SPUR Award for his western writing and easy enough for a reader to be spurred on with his stories. There's only a handful of talented writers in this genre out there and Wheeler is one of them.

This is a good read, with a lot of historical facts mixed in with the fiction. It describes life in the wilderness of the Northwest in what is now the United States, and the struggles people faced just to survive. Has a good story line and keeps your interest. This is the first of the Barnaby West novels I have read and I would like to read more books about this character, if I could just figure out which one I should read next. I can't find anything that gives me any indication of which book in the series comes next.

From the time that Skye deserts the British vessel holding him captive to his meeting with the mountain men and Indians, I was held captive and felt as if I took each step into this new world with him. Mr. Wheelers use of historical facts and people, ie: the Hudson Bay company, Jim Bridger etc. just added to the overall effect of the story. I feel as tho I have gained a little more insight into the way the early trappers lived and faced death on a daily basis. I will look forward to reading his previous novels on Mister Skye -i backward order to see just where he went from this point on. Anyone who enjoys the historical novel will enjoy this one. Thanks for a trip into the past!