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Smoke Jensen, the Beginning  By  cover art

Smoke Jensen, the Beginning

By: William W. Johnstone,J. A. Johnstone
Narrated by: Jack Garrett
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Publisher's summary

For the first time, an epic account of a boy born into a struggle for survival on the harsh and unforgiving American frontier, the story behind the legend of Smoke Jensen.... On the eve of the Civil War, Kirby Jensen is the youngest of three children living on a hardscrabble ranch in Southwestern Missouri. But in 1861, shots were fired in Charleston harbor, and Kirby's father and brother went to war.

Smoke Jensen, the Beginning follows the Jensen clan during these volatile years, from Civil War battles to border state raids to the kind of frontier justice achieved only by bullets and blood. William W. Johnstone chronicles the early years of Kirby Jensen - soon to be nicknamed Smoke - as he journeys from boyhood innocence into a manhood shaped by violence and a young man's thirst for justice. Filled with actual historical events and legendary characters, the story of Smoke Jensen's early years is a powerful, brutal and amazing American saga - the crowning achievement of America's most popular living Western writer.

©2015 J.A. Johnstone (P)2015 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Smoke Jensen, the Beginning

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Great Story!

Would you listen to Smoke Jensen, the Beginning again? Why?

I don't know. I really enjoyed listening to it but it had an unfinished ending. I wish it had a sequel.

What other book might you compare Smoke Jensen, the Beginning to and why?

Some Dusty Rhodes and Louis L'Amour books.

What does Jack Garrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He makes the characters live in your mind's eye.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several, but when Jamie leaves her child behind brought tears to my eyes.

Any additional comments?

It was a well written and narrated story, but the ending left too many unanswered questions. The reason for only 4 Stars for overall rating.

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6 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Gripping

Johnstone went back to tell the early life of Kirby (Smoke) Jensen and his family. The story begins in 1860-1961 on a ranch in southwestern Missouri. This was a violent time and place in American history.

The book is well written and what I like best about Johnstone’s books is the amount of research done to make an accurate historical novel. The book is full of historical events and facts. I do not feel the books are the same quality as when William Johnstone was writing them, but they are still easy to read and enjoyable.

The book is ten hours and three minutes. Jack Garrett does a good job narrating the story. Garrett is an actor and voice-over actor. He is a well-known audiobook narrator.

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3 people found this helpful

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Above average

I enjoyed this book mainly because I have read several Smoke Jensen books and enjoyed reading about his start and how he met Preacher.

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2 people found this helpful

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smoke jenson the beginning

EXCELLENT!!! SO WELL DONE. THE SUBTLE HUMOR WAS FABULOUS.. THE NARRATION SO WELL DONE. I am hooked !

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2 people found this helpful

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Smoke

Another great book about Smoke. This book has a lot of information on the early year's of Smokes life. This is a very interesting book to listen to. I highly recommend this book. There is a lot of information about Smoke's father in this book and how he met up with Preacher. Jack Garrett does a great job narraiting this book. If my review is any help will you please click on the helpful link below. Thank you

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Smoke Jensen, The Beginning

First rate. Have always enjoyed his books, style of writing and knowledge of the West.

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to whom it may concern

very good story keeping you interested enjoyed alot going on to the next series .HAMMER THANKS U

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Best western book I've read/listened to in years

This was the best western book I've read/listened to in years. If you enjoy stories of the "Old West" you'll want to give this one a listen.

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Excellent book but...

I enjoyed this book but I live 45 miles south of Chugwater, Wyoming. The land for the townsite was deeded over from The Swan Land and Cattle ranch in 1886, Chugwater was not incorporated until 1919. The glaring error in the book is it was a dry town. Chugwater did not get it’s first bar until the early 1970’s.

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1 person found this helpful

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Not a bad read

I have enjoyed the Mountainman Series, both Smoke's and Preacher's. This book is a bit outside those with some differences in Smoke's history. Although they do not mesh completely, I have enjoyed this book.

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1 person found this helpful