Putting a Swagger in a western is a sure fire recipe for success. In this story we meet yet another ancestor of today’s Swaggersi in Jack/Jackson who is fighting for the side of good the best way he knows how — with his guns. He infiltrates a group of bad guys, gains their trust, then his plan gets put into action. There’s lists of gun and ammunition description and plenty of observations on the state of society, but more importantly, there’s lots of action.

I have read almost all of Hunter’s books and have liked them all-some more than others. This isn’t the best Hunter but it is not in the bottom third either. It’s a western - which is cool. It features a Swagger from the mid 1800’s- which is also cool. The book gets bogged down here and there with verbose descriptions of landscapes and anti capitalistic screed. And parts are hard to follow. But it’s still good Hunter stuff and I highly recommend it.

The Gun Man Jackson Swagger by Stephen Hunter is a cross between James Bond and Gregory Peck's The Gunslinger only dirtier and grittier. Unfortunately, the last 1/4 feels rushed and the dialogue gets a little stilted. All-in-all 3.75 Stars.

Review: This was a great read if you suspend your disbelief. Offhand shots with a black powder rifle at 100 plus yards and mesmerizing (magical) agility with a pistol were minor and sets the stage for the mythos to come.

The accuracy and/or repeatability with the 1892 black powder rifle begs more discernment. Hitting a small target with precision at 100 yds. is pushing a tall tale. The load that has black powder running a 10mm sized bullet at 180 grains would be around 660 FPS. That is slower than a slug at a salt lick. This cartridge is maxxing out at less than 25 yds. with stopping power in poor relation to muzzle energy. Black powder rifle at those ranges is not impossible, but not likely in the situations created. Not going into Munden territory as he was one in 4 billion. Pulling at gun a 9 G's is surreal.

The story line is predictable yet the characters are well built and drive the novel. You always are hoping to see retribution served with determination as our anti-hero rides the desert.

4.7

The Gun Man Jackson Swagger reimagines the classic Western through the eyes of a rifle-sharp veteran whose unshakeable moral code drives him into a hometown murder mystery and a high-stakes clash with the railroad’s iron grip. Seamlessly blending Stephen Hunter’s trademark thriller pacing with historical authenticity, you’ll get tense showdowns in dusty saloons, sweeping frontier vistas, and a richly textured tale of investigation, action, and moral complexity. Whether you’re a longtime Hunter fan or new to the genre, this forthcoming ride promises all the grit, heart, and mystery that make the American West endlessly compelling.