Ambush

by Luke Short

Book Overview

The US Army and a brutal Apache chief prepare for an epic showdown in the New Mexico desert in this novel from a master storyteller of the West. Ward Kinsman has done all he can to escape... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553113682
• ISBN13: 9780553113686
• Release Date: January 1978
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 150 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

ON CHIEF DIABLITO'S TRAIL

Ambush, a word that had great import to any troop of cavalry in the U.S. Army on patrol during the Apache Wars of the mid to late 1800's. This small post (Fort Gamble, New Mexico Territory) is sending out a small scout patrol, moving across "heat-scorched mountain passes, broken country of spiny hills, dry arroyos, rough rock", and desert on the trail of a deranged killer Apache chieftain named Diablito, or "little devil". This undersized Apache leader is so dangerous, "born leader, gone crazy bad", that even his followers fear him. Should Diablito be found, a much larger force will then take the field for a final campaign to trap this Apache murderer. In addition, a woman named Mary Carlyle, sister to someone, Ann Dunnifon, at Fort Gamble, has been taken captive, sole survivor of a wagon train massacre, and the Army's desire is that she be rescued from Diablito's band and the marauding Apaches then be returned to their reservation. Neither of these desires will be easily accomplished. This will be hard dusty, desert campaigning at its worst. As in all his works of fiction of the frontier military west, Luke Short has written an interesting, engaging story with lively characters who hold the reader's attention. Though his westerns are for the most part formulaic, they make for entertaining reading. As true with all his books there is conflict, there is hardship, there is love, there is hate, all those elements that existed in life then as now. Though the book is western fiction it is realistic with both the background and people of the time plainly standing out. So join this small, valiant force of men under arms, outnumbered 3 to 1 by the Apaches, as they sally forth on one last fated mission meeting Apache ambush with hope of success. For it is true with Diablito's hatred for the army in general, and hatred of ex-army scout Ward Kinsman in particular, Diablito will not be taken alive. This Apache ambush will be fought on both sides to the death. Semper Fi.

A MUST FOR BONNIE AND CLYDE FANS

I was about 8 or 9 years old when I read this book, and it turned me on to Depression-era crime and criminals. The book showed Bonnie and Clyde for what they were- poor young lovers trying to better their lives by the only way they knew how to. It mainly focused on them, Ray Hamilton,W.D. Jones, and Clyde's brother and sister in law. Nevertheless, it is a good start if you don't know much about the history of Bonnie and Clyde. This is experience talking, if it doesn't get you interested, either you are a) inhuman or b) VERY hard to please. It also went into more detail about the ambush (moreso than their history). Either way, this book rocks!

A MUST FOR BONNIE AND CLYDE FANS

I was about 8 or 9 years old when I read this book, and it turned me on to Depression-era crime and criminals. The book showed Bonnie and Clyde for what they were- poor young lovers trying to better their lives by the only way they knew how to. It mainly focused on them, Ray Hamilton,W.D. Jones, and Clyde's brother and sister in law. Nevertheless, it is a good start if you don't know much about the history of Bonnie and Clyde. This is experience talking, if it doesn't get you interested, either you are a) inhuman or b) VERY hard to please. It also went into more detail about the ambush (moreso than their history). Either way, this book rocks! "Ambush" also has some awesome pictures! If it gets my dad to read, then it HAS to be good.