Windrider — Robert M. Johnson

This western novel traces the early life story of a young man born at the beginning of the 19th century. His is a time of hardship and courage, dependency on the dry Texas land to provide sustenance to a family of six. Young Jeremy first loses his mother when he is 17. A year later his family ranch house is attacked by four violent drifters who beat him and then kill his two younger brothers. They then rape and murder his sister as he lays on the ground nearly unconscious from the beating he has received. At 18 years old he is now dependent on his alcoholic father for emotional support, and receives none. His ony alternative as he sees it, is cold, calculated revenge on the four men who destroyed his life. His journey of violence takes him into Colorado Territory and beyond. It is a gripping tale of violence and bloodshed. And it is only the beginning of the lifestory of Jeremiah Warner.