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THE NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE 2008 BOOK AWARDS
Western Category
Finalist:
El Tigre by John H. Manhold
Shoot Magazine Corporation
978-0-9726383-4-0
Historical Fiction
Finalist:
El Tigre by John H. Manhold
Shoot Magazine Corporation
978-0-9726383-4-0 |
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EL TIGRE
By John H Manhold
(El Tigre Viejo, SASS Life / Regulator # 28083)
Reviewed by Nubbins Colt, SASS Life # 7802
In the last book review I did for The Cowboy Chronicle I noted sometimes there are books that make you think, “This is the way it should have been.” Well, truth be told, this book deserves that moniker as much if not more than the last one. Remember the movie “Forest Gump” and the hero’s unlikely ability to turn up in all of the most dramatic historical events and happenings of his time? El Tigre, aka Johann von Manfred, the title character, is just such a person. The author, whose SASS alias is El Tigre Viejo (that’s “The Old Tiger” or, more specifically to the Southwestern United States of the Old West, ‘The Old Jaguar”), has used that name to invent a man who simply SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE1 This chronicle is so well written it reads like a true history.
Johann von Manfred begins his unlikely, but fascinating career in Germany, actually, it is Prussia, in the first third of the 19th century. Nasty circumstances cause him to have to leave his military training (at which he excelled) to head for new territories. His adventures bring him to Spain and the revolution there in the early 1800’s, which then propels him to the New World. His Caribbean and American East Coast adventures cause him to find himself in Texas during the Revolution there. His skill as a warrior and his fame get the attention of no less a luminary than Sam Houston, whom he serves well, finding himself a Texas Ranger after the war.
You name the difficulties, rustlers, Indians, whatever, El Tigre finds himself there, fighting for the side of right (and he does understand the difference, that is for sure - a great, moral character!). Next is the Mexican War and, finally, he finds himself in Old California, where El Tigre falls in love with the daughter of a distinguished haciendero and concludes his career as a major force in the battles of California against Mexico, and so forth.
Our SASS El Tigre, okay, El Tigre Viejo, John Manhold, does a masterful job weaving this tale of intrigue, violence, heroism, and love into an incendiary tale that will inspire your imagination and truly make you want to believe it REALLY HAPPENED.
This is one of those “I cannot put it down” books. It is easy to read, and you just do not want to stop. The author’s attention to detail is superb – it is one of the qualities I look for in a truly good book. It does not have to show up every time, but it is nice to know that someone remembers to tie his shoelaces, or re-holster his pistol, at least some of the time! If you elect to read it at bedtime , as I did, be prepared to lose some sleep because not only will you not want to stop reading it, it is a sure fire way to get your heart pumping, and your adrenaline flowing, and your senses all alert, and not at all sleep!
Be careful, we do not want any coronaries because you read a book I liked!!!! But, do read it – you will not be sorry. I promise you that!
Review in the Cowboy Chronicle, vol. 21, #4, pg. 60, Apr. 2008 (monthly journal of the 80,000 member Single Action Shooting Society) by Nubbins Colt, the organization’s principle book reviewer.
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El Tigre is about the Life and Times of Johann Heinrich von Manfred, a young Prussian who became a Texan, a Californian and an American. This historical novel, published by Shoot! Magazine, has all the action, adventure and history of the Old West you could want! The author, at 88 years old, is active in Cowboy Action Shooting and Cowboy Fast Draw. Familiar with a variety of weapons, he tells it like it was in this fast paced novel that puts you in the action in post-Napoleonic war Europe, Texas in the 1830s and in California during the gold rush.  A fast moving story, it chronicles the life of Johann Heinrich von Manfred from his youth as a student in a Prussian military academy through his many exciting and dangerous adventures. From Spain to the Americas, from Florida to Texas, and finally, the gold laden frontier of California, the action is fast and sometimes brutal, but the young Von Manfred, now known as El Tigre, maintains his dignity and principles through it all.
"EL TIGRE!" For many years these words were the source of intense fear and respect throughout the southwestern territories of the growing United States. It was the name by which the jaguar was known. This incredibly fast, strong, fearless, resourceful animal was of almost mythical proportions because its deadly actions seldom were seen until it was too late. It was with great respect and awe that Johann Heinrich von Manfred became known as El Tigre. Johann's saga begins in Prussia in the time when that small kingdom was the most powerful military force in Europe and it follows his journey from boyhood to maturity through half of the world. His entry to the Prussian Military Academy shortly after the Napoleonic Wars was, as all Prussian Junker children, at 10 years of age. There follows an account of how his militaristic abilities and youthful audacity, along with a little misfortune, lead to his departure to engage in conflicts in France, Spain, New Spain, Texas, Mexico, and finally Old California. It is a tale unlike that of most Europeans who migrated to America. It follows through his efforts to aid a simple band of gypsies in the Pyrenees followed by efforts on behalf of Carlos, the Royal Pretender to the Spanish Throne, and continues with his involvement in the establishment of the Republic of Texas and the State of California, while finding a love that he never could have thought possible with the militaristic training and life he had lived. His abilities in all of these activities were such that, especially to the inhabitants of the southwestern territories of his later endeavors, only one name was sufficient to describe this, and only this, one person. He was "El Tigre". BUY NOW: 
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After reading El Tigre, we know you'll be a fan of John's.
Check back often to find out about the new books he's working on next. |
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El Tigre Book Review
by Simon Barrett of Blogger News Network
There are two very different schools of thought about historical fiction. One school rationalizes that it is an easy genre to write, the plot already exists, all you have to do is put it in your own words. The second school says that this genre is very hard to work in, much of the story line is cast in stone, the author needs to weave his characters into the fabric of the historical facts.
I am a member of the latter group, I believe that good historical fiction is very difficult to write. John H. Manhold has done a magnificent job with El Tigre, combining fast action into a very well researched and historically accurate canvas.
El Tigre is set in the early and mid 1800’s and chronicles the life of Johann Heinrich von Manfred, born of Prussian aristocracy at the age of 16 he finds himself without friends, family, or country following an unfortunate event at the prestigious military academy he was attending.
We follow Johann on his odyssey of discovery. It takes almost no time before young Johann has his first adventure, assisting a band of Roma that are being blackmailed by an unscrupulous mayor. Then it is on to Spain where he is enlisted in the support of Don Carlos, The Royal Pretender To The throne. He may be young, but he has a natural instinct for the art of war, and rapidly proves his value. Alas his cause becomes a failing one, his patron is killed, and it looks like Don Carlos had a hand in it. Once more he resumes his nomadic quest.
Europe seems to offer little in the way of sanctuary and Johann opts for the potential riches of the New World.
Starting in Florida and Georgia, Johann first becomes a jailer of Indians, and soon learns the harsh reality of the culture clash between the settlers and the native bands. Unhappy to be part of this inhumanity he next moves to Texas, and once more finds himself embroiled in controversy, this time with the establishment of the Republic of Texas. Problems with Indians, problems with Mexico, Problems with Spain, and even problems with the United States all lead to frustration and bloodshed. Johan however has by now become a seasoned veteran of conflict, and quickly makes a name for himself not only for his fighting abilities, but also his selflessness, along the way earning the respect of all, and the nickname El Tigre (The Panther).It is not long before the tales of El Tigre spread across the land.
His final journey is to California, where he discovers ranching, romance, and gold. Has he found he finally found his Shangri-La?
While I am not a huge fan of books about the wild west, Manhold has written a captivating novel, and one that will keep you glued to the pages. What I particularly admire is his attention to historical detail. This book was clearly very well, and extensively researched. That combined with a story line that moves at a break neck pace this book should appeal to a very wide audience.
Grab yourself a copy of El Tigre from Amazon or from John Manhold’s web site, you will not be disappointed.
Simon Barrett
http://zzsimonb.blogspot.com |
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Books by John
