Desert Hawks

By: Len Levinson

Narrated by: Bill Quinn

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

The year was 1846 and the great American Southwest was the prize in an epic conflict. The U.S. Army and the army of Mexico met in a battle that would shape the course of history, while the legendary Apache warrior chief Mangas Coloradas looked on, determined to defend his ancestral lands and age-old tribal traditions against either of the invaders or both. On this bloody battlefield young Lieutenant Nathanial Barrington faced his first great test of manhood...as he began a career that would take him to the heart of the conflict sweeping over the West from Texas to New Mexico...and plunge him into passions that would force him to choose between two very different frontier beauties.

This enthralling first novel of The Apache Wars Saga captures the drama and real history of a struggle in which no side wanted to surrender...in a series alive with all the excitement and adventures of brave men and women white and Native American who decided the future of America.

©1994 Len Levinson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

good historical perspective

Really enjoyed the narration. The book follows 3 or 4 stories at a time but with good transition. I thought it was very realistic for the times that it covered. Even learned a few icky historical facts, like how the Apache Indians made poison for their arrows. Looking forward to following the story in the next book!

The rough and raucous Old West!

The story revolves around U.S. Army Lt. Nathaniel Barrington as he experienced the horrors and exhilaration of war. The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) marked the first U.S. armed conflict chiefly fought on foreign soil under the administration of U.S. President James K. Polk. When the dust cleared, Mexico had lost about one-third of its territory, including nearly all of present-day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. On Feb. 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, establishing the Rio Grande River as the U.S.-Mexican border. In Las Vegas, New Mexico, Maria Delores Cartahaul and her father worried over their existence. They had heard many terrible tales of torture and murder by the U.S. Army. Col. Stephen W. Kearny entered the city, promising the Mexican citizens that the U.S. Army would protect them and their property from the Apaches. The Mexican people did not believe him. Mangas Coloradas, a Chiricahua Apache chief, initially signed a peace treaty with the whites, as they had conquered the hated Mexicans. As the white settlers encroached upon Apache lands, conflicts ensued. Continued violations of the treaty led to Apache reprisals. Mangas Coloradas joined his son-in-law, Cochise, as well as Geronimo, in staving off the white settlers. In January 1863, Mangas Coloradas was captured and executed by the U.S. Army. This very much angered Cochise and Chief Victorio, who retaliated even more against white encroachment, a state which continued for the next nine years. Lt. Nathaniel Barrington had been seriously wounded in the opening battle of the war. After a long recovery, he returned to his home in New York. Returning was to be a joyous occasion, only to receive more bad news. It seems that Nathaniel has an over-zealous libido, to put it mildly. The man certainly has some type of problem involving women, perhaps codependent, hypersexuality, sexual dependency, or my favorite, satyriasis. He was also acquiring an unhealthy drinking problem. Determined to clean up himself and his military record, he returned to Santa Fe, seeking active duty and a fresh start. The story continued with the accounts of the Army, the Apaches, the settlers, slavery, the growth of the country, and Lt. Nathaniel Barrington. Also of note is the Johnson Massacre of 1837. It is an interesting story, containing both historical accounts and the fictional escapades of Lt. Barrington. I enjoyed the tale and recommend it to fans of the early West.

It might be good...for some

The story or stories, jump(s) around without warning. There is no transition to give a sense of what is happening. Example: one moment you are in Manhatten and then the next paragraph takes you to Apaches dancing around their fire in the Southwest. Then a few minutes later you are taken back to Manhatten. It's hard to believe that the editors were okay with this.

"History and not enough action "

not what I expected
exams it was really breally really really r as ally reallireally boring

Disappointing

sophomoric drivel... quite unbelievable. not worth the ten plus hours listening time. I won't bother with the next in series.

Sleazy pot boiler

I will give this book at 10 for sleaze and one for historical accuracy. Much of the jargon was 21st century versus 19th surgery. I can see why this book was included in Audible plus because it was worth what it cost me. At least I learned to stay away from Len Levison and stick to truly good western writers like Louis l’Amour.

Disappointing

Slow, too many threads that take too long to come together or are just left dangling. I didn’t care for the narration-too bland. The writing was also not great.

Disappointing

If you love Westerns, this book is trash. if you love Military books, this book is trash. If you love Love stories, this book is trash. If it was a paperback, it would BE in the trash. I want that 11 hours of my life back.