Warrior

"Irving's (Courier, 2015) historical thriller, the second in his Freelancer series, offers a provocative reinterpretation of the infamous Wounded Knee incident. Irving reprises the picaresque role of Rick Putnam, a motorcycle-riding courier and war-hardened Vietnam veteran. Set in 1973, the story centers on the Wounded Knee debacle in South Dakota, in which members of the American Indian Movement seized and occupied a small town within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. In this fictional version, the activists, surrounded and beleaguered by U.S. law enforcement, are increasingly threatened with the possibility of a final, deadly raid that ends the standoff once and for all. Rick joins his Native American friend Eve [Buffalo Calf] in an attempt to sneak badly needed supplies past the blockade surrounding the town. The area is crackling with violence, riddled with tribal factions all deeply territorial, suspicious of outsiders, and accustomed to spontaneous bouts of violence. Rick, troubled by the political intrigue he encountered (and barely survived) in the previous novel, uncovers yet more subterfuge regarding the collusion of the federal government with corrupt officials within the Bureau of Indian Affairs. What follows is an action-packed adventure that includes nefarious government forces, intramural tribal conflict, and motorcycle gangs. Rick remains the constant through the two volumes: he's still a chain-smoking, wisecracking tough guy haunted by memories of service in Vietnam....A brisk, suspenseful adventure nestled in real, historical drama--Kirkus Review"Highly recommended. One of the best of the 40+ books I've read this year., October 20, 2015This is one of my favorite books that I've read in the last couple of months. The other was Terry Irving's book Courier. One of my favorite things is when a writer can educate me and entertain me at the same time. In this book I learned about PTSD, problems returning Vietnam vets had, surprising details about our governmental Indian affairs practices, and enjoyed myself the entire time. Following Vietnam vet Rick Putnam is a great way to spend a few hours. Highly recommended"-Myles Knapp San Francisco Chronicle "Even in life and death struggles, Putnam risks himself and others by trying to stop the bad guys in some way other than death. His aversion is so strong, the reader is left to wonder whether the always present guilt has created a subconscious death wish that guides both his fighting and the motorcycle exploits Irving has written so well you know they'll translate easily to the big screen. Putnam is a survivor but, in Irving's hands, you just don't know whether Putnam's ghosts will keep him from surviving anymore. That's the tension, and it keeps you turning the page."-Gary Nuremberg, Veteran DC Reporter