The Earthbreakers (The Gregg Press Western Fiction Series)

A great historical novel, not a western. With this novel Ernest Haycox became a legend in the publishing business. That is not to say he was not already considered one of the best writers in the world. But here he puts together everything he had hoped to accomplish as a writer--in-depth characters, great accomplishments by these characters, conflict, co-operation, set amidst the back drop of a country wild and free. If the openning pages of this book to do grab hold of you and make you want to read the rest, then I don't know what would. Rice Burnett is one of the most complicated personages you will ever want to meet, and George Collingwood an apt counterpart. There are two women to add in the mix as well, Edna, and Katherine--which will Rice choose? This is a sprawling epic, some of which is predictable, and some not as Ernest Haycox has a way of putting ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, and extricates them as only he can do it. This is one book not to miss, if you love historical novels filled with lots of characters.

Part of a wagon train that traversed the Oregon Trail settle in undeveloped Bear Creek area. The thirty or so personalities work together usually cooperatively, sometimes competitively, often humorously. Heartbreak, romance, inspirational leadership, and a lot of maturing and immaturity are chronicled. Main protagonist Rice Burnett must decide where, how and with whom to share his frontier life. Characters are mostly predictable, but well developed and placed in unpredictable situations. An epic tale of small frontier community - readers will care about what happens to most members of this group.