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Buchanan #22
Buchanan's Black Sheep
Perfect spine. Bright clean cover has light creasing and edge wear. Text is perfect. Small initial written on first page. Same day shipping first class.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published December 12, 1984
9 people want to read
About the author
Jonas Ward
66 books7 followersA pseudonym used by William Ard. House name from 1960 to 1986.
In 1956, hardboiled writer William Ard turned his pen westward and introduced one of the genre’s most enduring characters: Thomas Buchanan, better known as just “Buchanan,” a drifter as likeable as he is deadly. The first novel in the series was called The Name’s Buchanan and appeared under the pseudonym “Jonas Ward.”
Only the first 6 books in the series were written by Ard, and the last, Buchanan on the Prod, was completed by Robert Silverberg.
After Ard's death in 1960 "Jonas Ward" became a house name. Brian Garfield did one and then William R. Cox took over the series and it continued until 1986.
In 1956, hardboiled writer William Ard turned his pen westward and introduced one of the genre’s most enduring characters: Thomas Buchanan, better known as just “Buchanan,” a drifter as likeable as he is deadly. The first novel in the series was called The Name’s Buchanan and appeared under the pseudonym “Jonas Ward.”
Only the first 6 books in the series were written by Ard, and the last, Buchanan on the Prod, was completed by Robert Silverberg.
After Ard's death in 1960 "Jonas Ward" became a house name. Brian Garfield did one and then William R. Cox took over the series and it continued until 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 22, 2015
From what I understand, this is the 22nd book in the Buchanan series and was written by William R. Cox. Apparently, the first six Buchanan books were written by a writer named William Ard. The seventh was started by Ard before he died, and finished by Robert Silverberg. The eighth was written by Brian Garfield and the rest by William R. Cox. When I first read this, as a youngster, I figured all the Buchanan books were written by the same author. I therefore judged the series by sort of combining my evaluations across all the books. Turns out that, to me, the Ard books are the best in this series. This particular book, Buchanan's Black Sheep, is certainly readable but the weakest of the ones I've read in this series. I don't think it's unusual, though, for long series like this to wear a little thin as they continue.
October 7, 2017
More a 3.5. Just a solid, quick, western read. Found one more in series to try as well.
October 6, 2024
I read this one many years ago. I always enjoyed the Buchannan series, with the exception of "Buchannan on the Prod" which was completed by Science Fiction Author Robert Silverberg after the death of the original author. William R. Cox wrote a great deal of these novels, and his writing is fairly competent, but fails to catch the style and and nuance of the original novels. (The first, was the best in my opinion and was the basis of the Randolph Scott movie- Buchannan Rides Alone)
This one is a decent enough horse opera, but the author makes too much of Buchannan's reputation, as if he is a famous gunfighter, which to some extent he is. The author never researches period weapons and such, so like 60's western T.V. shows all the guns are pretty much the same.
The story is about a feud brewing between sheepherders and cowmen. The characters are all pretty much two-dimensional-- all the girl's are pretty and all the cowboys roughnecks.
Still, I enjoyed this one for the nostalgic return to the days when I read these as they came out.
This one is a decent enough horse opera, but the author makes too much of Buchannan's reputation, as if he is a famous gunfighter, which to some extent he is. The author never researches period weapons and such, so like 60's western T.V. shows all the guns are pretty much the same.
The story is about a feud brewing between sheepherders and cowmen. The characters are all pretty much two-dimensional-- all the girl's are pretty and all the cowboys roughnecks.
Still, I enjoyed this one for the nostalgic return to the days when I read these as they came out.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews