Rating: 
Summary: Behind The Legend
Review: As did most people who develop a fascination with Johnson, I "caught the bug" from the Robert Redford movie. It was not until some time later, however, when I inadvertantly vacationed in areas in which many of the events actually occurred, that I sought out the information on the "real" Jeremiah Johnson and found the book. I have read it cover-to-cover more times than I can count. It depicts a coarse, violent life in terms uniquely appropriate to the stories it relates, and does a remarkable job at documenting what little can be documented of a life lived far beyond the bounds of places where such documentation even existed -- much less, mattered. The starkness with which the author relates his information does much more to convey what the real Johnson's life was like than a more esthetically-pleasing and smoothly literary version ever could. Finishing the book leaves one wishing there was more -- wondering, for example, what could make a man such as Johnson seek out such a life, and wishing it were possible to read all of the actual research to which Thorp so frequently refers.
Rating:
Summary: Behind The Legend
Review: As did most people who develop a fascination with Johnson, I "caught the bug" from the Robert Redford movie. It was not until some time later, however, when I inadvertantly vacationed in areas in which many of the events actually occurred, that I sought out the information on the "real" Jeremiah Johnson and found the book. I have read it cover-to-cover more times than I can count. It depicts a coarse, violent life in terms uniquely appropriate to the stories it relates, and does a remarkable job at documenting what little can be documented of a life lived far beyond the bounds of places where such documentation even existed -- much less, mattered. The starkness with which the author relates his information does much more to convey what the real Johnson's life was like than a more esthetically-pleasing and smoothly literary version ever could. Finishing the book leaves one wishing there was more -- wondering, for example, what could make a man such as Johnson seek out such a life, and wishing it were possible to read all of the actual research to which Thorp so frequently refers.
Rating: 
Summary: wonderful piece of folklore
Review: Derived from the oral tradition of passing down history, this Beowolf-like story has the feel of origonal Americana stroytelling. Wonderfully detailed, it's hard to not feel like you were sitting around the campfire hearing the tale firsthand, from the charector build up, through the grusome and hard life of the man, to the ending. Chock full of familure names and places I thought it was a great mix of history and folklore, though not for the queezy at heart.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful piece of folklore
Review: Derived from the oral tradition of passing down history, this Beowolf-like story has the feel of origonal Americana stroytelling. Wonderfully detailed, it's hard to not feel like you were sitting around the campfire hearing the tale firsthand, from the charector build up, through the grusome and hard life of the man, to the ending. Chock full of familure names and places I thought it was a great mix of history and folklore, though not for the queezy at heart.
Rating:
Summary: Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson
Review: First off, I'm sorry, cause this isn't a review but a bashing of a previous Reviewer. The person who wrote his/her "review" on 12/03 from River Grove, IL. Titled: The Crow Killer Myth and didn't even have the balls to list his name is a JACK @SS! There are many (if not uncountable) legends and myths about cowboys and western figures, so why not one about a Mountain Man....one of wich who actually paved the way for the cowboy or western figures?! Of corse, it's going to be a little, or a lot, far out, and why not, most of the old time stories and figures are. That is the old west, that is the way it should be!
Why don't you pick up a pen and write a book on an old west firgure and see how you do, JACK @SS!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson
Review: First off, I'm sorry, cause this isn't a review but a bashing of a previous Reviewer. The person who wrote his/her "review" on 12/03 from River Grove, IL. Titled: The Crow Killer Myth and didn't even have the balls to list his name is a JACK @SS! There are many (if not uncountable) legends and myths about cowboys and western figures, so why not one about a Mountain Man....one of wich who actually paved the way for the cowboy or western figures?! Of corse, it's going to be a little, or a lot, far out, and why not, most of the old time stories and figures are. That is the old west, that is the way it should be!
Why don't you pick up a pen and write a book on an old west firgure and see how you do, JACK @SS!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson
Review: First off, I'm sorry, cause this isn't a review but a bashing of a previous Reviewer. The person who wrote his/her "review" on 12/03 from River Grove, IL. Titled: The Crow Killer Myth and didn't even have the balls to list his name is a JACK @SS! There are many (if not uncountable) legends and myths about cowboys and western figures, so why not one about a Mountain Man....one of wich who actually paved the way for the cowboy or western figures?! Of corse, it's going to be a little, or a lot, far out, and why not, most of the old time stories and figures are. That is the old west, that is the way it should be!
Why don't you pick up a pen and write a book on an old west firgure and see how you do, JACK @SS!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely engrossing!
Review: I don't consider myself an avid reader. If a book loses my interest for a moment, I may not finish it. I found "Crow Killer" difficult to put down. Can't remember why I bought this book but I am sure glad I did. I'm sure some of the tales are embellished a little but if you are interested in this subject at all, it's a must read. For me it really puts things in perspective. Reading this book makes one realize how easy most of us have it. It was not long ago that there was a much more durable people inhabiting the planet. Forced to deal with a unfriendly, harsh, wild environment. Either you were skilled at taking care of yourself or you perished. Johnson and his friends were a fascinating breed of men. This book is like a time machine and was therapeutic from the "don't sweat the small stuff" standpoint. After reading this I realize I have things pretty darn good.
Rating:
Summary: Correction
Review: I found this book very interesting and hard to put down. There were some descriptive passages in the book that I found unsetteling, but for the most part it was a very good book. It tells probably the most truthfull account of Johnston that I have come across. The author does a good job of describing Johnston as an impressive man, yet does not over exaggerate to the point of making him super human. Very interesting story, does a good job of conjuring up an image of life in the frontier during the 1800's. I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: crow killer
Review: I found this book very interesting and hard to put down. There were some descriptive passages in the book that I found unsetteling, but for the most part it was a very good book. It tells probably the most truthfull account of Johnston that I have come across. The author does a good job of describing Johnston as an impressive man, yet does not over exaggerate to the point of making him super human. Very interesting story, does a good job of conjuring up an image of life in the frontier during the 1800's. I highly recommend.
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