What do you think?
Rate this book
The First Mountain Man #8
Preacher
Preacher explains the origins of the legend of Preacher, a young man filled with wanderlust and raw courage, who would someday become a hero. In 1812, Preacher leaves Ohio on a journey westward, and must do whatever it takes to survive.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
William W. Johnstone
926 books1,217 followersWilliam W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 10, 2023
A great trip through the early 1800’s America as seen through the eyes of a 12 year old boy seeking adventure in the West. That boy, Art, goes on the become the famous mountain man known only as Preacher.
September 22, 2014
I'd love to know who of the Johnstone clan of writers wrote this entry in the Preacher series. It's head and shoulders above other Johnstone clan novels including those supposedly by Johnstone himself. This is one of the best I've read of all the Johnstone books.
This book reveals the making of the character 'Preacher' of the Mountain Man series. It begins in 1913 and covers the lives of the early American pioneers, the war of 1812, riverboat life, early towns, frontier life, etc, etc. It is very well written and seems to be very historically accurate.
Seems this 8th book of the series is the one to start with for the new Johnstone reader.
Bottom line: i recommend this book.
This book reveals the making of the character 'Preacher' of the Mountain Man series. It begins in 1913 and covers the lives of the early American pioneers, the war of 1812, riverboat life, early towns, frontier life, etc, etc. It is very well written and seems to be very historically accurate.
Seems this 8th book of the series is the one to start with for the new Johnstone reader.
Bottom line: i recommend this book.
February 1, 2018
Great Adventure Begins
Really enjoyed learning the back story and beginning of a the legend that would be known as Preacher. This is the 4th book that I have read in the series and this one may have been the best so far!!!
Really enjoyed learning the back story and beginning of a the legend that would be known as Preacher. This is the 4th book that I have read in the series and this one may have been the best so far!!!
May 1, 2012
Love this series. Found it late in life but hell so what?!?
April 22, 2015
Great book but I wonder why it wasn't book one of the series. The story was amazing to read about Art doing so much at such an early age. I don't think most boys would be able to willfully leave their family for adventures like Art had. Almost far fetched but it could happen and it happened to Art. The rest of the series seems to follow this new timeline so I am interested in reading more of Preachers early attics.
July 6, 2011
Favorite Quote: "There's lots more things that go into making a man than the number of years someone has lived. Live long enough, and the years will come to ever'one. The other things--honor, duty, and knowin' how to do what's right--don't come to ever'one, but they done come to you. Let nobody tell you different. You're a man now. And I'm glad to call you my friend." ~Pete Harding
June 16, 2012
Just recently found out about this series, which continues after "Preacher" with other men. Love it! It details a man who, in his teens, takes off for the mountains and becomes a "mountain man", trapping beaver and the like. Each book offers a different adventure he and his friends have. Please note there is lots of fairly graphic killing in the series.
February 23, 2016
Pretty good western series. If you like Johnstone's writing you will like the series. Recommended
October 22, 2023
This is the beginning of the Preacher legend. and it is a good good book. Art leaves home at 12 years of age. the young boy befriends many people, and kills a few. Being branded a slave even though he is a white man, the boy soon becomes a man living with the Shawnee for a few years, sliding into the war between the British and the Americans, and finally making his way to the "Big Empty" to see "the creature" as he has always wanted to do....
August 3, 2023
Good story but the math of Arthur's age was messed up. Book says he left home at age 12 in 1813. Fought in the Battle of New Orleans, which was in 1815, he would have been 14 years old. Later on, he says he is 19 years old. Then spends three years in the mountains trapping comes down. Later says he left home five years ago. So, he is somewhere around 17 to 19?
September 21, 2023
This one takes you from the Day Arthur leaves home to the day he kills the bear with his knife.
There are a lot more details in this one like how Art is sold as a slave and then escapes only to be caught again after he fights in the war against the British. I could give more away but why? If you read it you will learn why I gave this 5 stars.
There are a lot more details in this one like how Art is sold as a slave and then escapes only to be caught again after he fights in the war against the British. I could give more away but why? If you read it you will learn why I gave this 5 stars.
May 20, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Mr. Johnstone is truly one of the best authors I have ever had the pleasure of reading. If westerns are a part of your library, you won't be disappointed. His writing will take you to another time and place.
Mr. Johnstone is truly one of the best authors I have ever had the pleasure of reading. If westerns are a part of your library, you won't be disappointed. His writing will take you to another time and place.
December 12, 2018
At a young age Art leaves his home and family to go on an adventure. He soon realizes that there are some evil people out in the world he has ventured out into. Art makes several friends and some enemies on his way to becoming a mountain man. This is a very good book, full of action.
June 18, 2019
The beginnin
So we take a short trip back in time. This trip gives us not only a glimpse of Preachers beginnings, but how these beginnings shaped him as a man. As always don't miss this story!
So we take a short trip back in time. This trip gives us not only a glimpse of Preachers beginnings, but how these beginnings shaped him as a man. As always don't miss this story!
August 14, 2022
you can’t go wrong with a Preacher book!
I love these books. I can’t get enough of them. They bring you back to a time that I think I would have liked to have been a part of. So thank you to the Johnstones for great writing!
I love these books. I can’t get enough of them. They bring you back to a time that I think I would have liked to have been a part of. So thank you to the Johnstones for great writing!
December 21, 2022
the Adventure Continues or Begins!
My favorite so far in the Preacher series. This book gives a good look into Preacher’s past and how he ended up a mountain man. Couldn’t hardly put this one down.
My favorite so far in the Preacher series. This book gives a good look into Preacher’s past and how he ended up a mountain man. Couldn’t hardly put this one down.
June 22, 2023
I love a good mountain man story and this was a fun one. The only thing I found fault with was several smaller villains continued popping in and out of the story. It seemed a little far fetched that these minor villains would keep finding the hero over the years.
September 2, 2017
Great beginnings
Well written as usual - a fresh look at humble and adverse beginnings that helped shape and amplify the character of Preacher the man.
Well written as usual - a fresh look at humble and adverse beginnings that helped shape and amplify the character of Preacher the man.
October 2, 2017
Good book
It is a typical Preacher book, it is faster in some places but all in all a good read .
It is a typical Preacher book, it is faster in some places but all in all a good read .
June 27, 2019
What a great book introducing the man who left home at 14 and follows his life to adulthood. A brave young man who forges a man that very few make the mistake of reckoning with.
January 13, 2020
I'm an ardent fan of mountain man way of life tales and found this book fascinating in the making of a classic mountain man character. Enjoyed it to the fullest.
June 11, 2020
As I mentioned before, I have read these books a few years ago before I had the good reads app. Just update it. Love this book, love to see where preacher came from.
August 1, 2020
This book explains completely how he left home and made his way in his early teens.
June 19, 2021
Good Book the life of a young man named Art before he became the Legendary Preacher.
August 11, 2021
Mountain man saga
These books are well crafted. While having some repetitive parts from book to book they lend continuity to the story lines. Great characters and vivid stories.
These books are well crafted. While having some repetitive parts from book to book they lend continuity to the story lines. Great characters and vivid stories.
August 30, 2021
I really enjoyed the extra sound effects in the audio version!
June 7, 2023
So far the best of the series, this goes back to Preacher before he was "Preacher", leaving Ohio and "searching for he creature". An excellent book all around.
November 1, 2023
A look back in time to the very beginning of the "legend" called Preacher.
January 27, 2024
Great Beginning to Preacher
This was a great beginning to the Preacher universe. I rarely give five stars but this was a solid 4 1\2 stars! On to the next book!
This was a great beginning to the Preacher universe. I rarely give five stars but this was a solid 4 1\2 stars! On to the next book!
April 15, 2015
In this one, you're taken back to the begin with the Preacher series and enjoy reading about the Mountain Man era. Preacher already an old man when you're introduced to him in the Smoke Jensen series and in his own series.
Like with the Smoke Jensen series, you'll want to read the books in order or I recommend that you do. Also note Preacher's series is referred to as the First Mountain Man and the Jensen series is referred to as the Last Mountain Man.
William's a legend in the Western genre, any of his self-penned books are excellent and just the newer ones released by his estate are hit or miss.
I also would recommend reading, Winn Blevin's or Terry C. Johnston's famed Titus Bass series, both have some really good reading on the Mountain Man era.
Like with the Smoke Jensen series, you'll want to read the books in order or I recommend that you do. Also note Preacher's series is referred to as the First Mountain Man and the Jensen series is referred to as the Last Mountain Man.
William's a legend in the Western genre, any of his self-penned books are excellent and just the newer ones released by his estate are hit or miss.
I also would recommend reading, Winn Blevin's or Terry C. Johnston's famed Titus Bass series, both have some really good reading on the Mountain Man era.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews