Go West, Young Man
Kindle
$6.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Paperback
$8.84
Mass Market Paperback
$8.99
Audible Logo Enjoy this audiobook free + more
Free title with your free trial!
$0.00
  • Click above to get a preview of our newest plan - unlimited listening to select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $21.49
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Go West, Young Man Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

J.A. Johnstone (Author), William W. Johnstone (Author), Chris Henry Coffey (Narrator),
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,764 ratings
See all formats and editions

One nation on the brink of war. Two families in search of peace. Twenty-seven wagons on an epic cross-country journey as bold as America itself - from legendary Western author William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone....

Go West, Young Man

Missouri, 1860. Rumors of war between the North and South are spreading across the land. In rural Green County, many of the farmers are already choosing sides. But not John Zachary. His loyalties lie with his family first - and his heart is telling him to go west. Hoping to build a new life in the fertile valleys of Oregon, he convinces his best friend, Emmitt Braxton, to pack up their families and join him on a wagon train across the Oregon Trail. The journey will be long and hard. The physical hardships and grueling mental challenges will bring out the best in the some - and the worst in others. But with the guidance of an experienced wagon master and scout, they are determined to reach their destiny, no matter how high the cost....

Twenty-seven wagons. Twenty-seven different hopes and dreams. This sprawling epic novel from a master storyteller captures the beauty and danger of the American West - and the pioneer spirit of those who tamed it....

Previous page
  1. Listening Length
    10 hours and 36 minutes
  2. Author
    J.A. Johnstone, see all
  3. Narrator
    Chris Henry Coffey
  4. Audible release date
    April 27, 2021
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Recorded Books
  7. ASIN
    B08TSS3MQM
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next page

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $2.59 after you buy the Kindle book.

Product details

Listening Length 10 hours and 36 minutes
Author J.A. Johnstone, William W. Johnstone
Narrator Chris Henry Coffey
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date April 27, 2021
Publisher Recorded Books
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08TSS3MQM
Best Sellers Rank #200,477 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1,356 in Western Fiction
#12,943 in Action & Adventure Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#13,671 in Westerns (Books)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,764 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Joseph J. Truncale
5.0 out of 5 stars An epic western novel about 27 wagon trains traveling west. A great read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
As someone who has been a fan of western movies, T.V. series, graphic novels and well written action-packed western novels I have been a fan of the many western books by William W. Johnstone and A. J. Johnstone. This is why when I saw this 367-page back novel, (Go west young man: A novel of America), on Amazon by the above authors I immediately purchased it.

This excellent book is basically a history of how in the early days of our republic the movement of families to the west. In this case, the John Zachary and Emmet Braxton family who head out with twenty-seven wagons filled with other families on their quest to the west. Each of these families has their own goals and objectives to make a new life for their families.

This tells the story of the many problems and challenges they face along the way. I loved this book and if you are into good stories about the American west this book is a must read. I loved it.

I never give away too much when reviewing any kind of novel, but if love westerns this book is for you.
Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Soul: An old warrior’s poetic tribute).
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
TSC
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Oregon trail story
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
Loved the characters. I'm not sure any wagon train had as few problems as this one but it kept me interested. Hopefully the story will continue!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Tale Of The Wagon Trains Going West!
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
My first book by this author. While I know that this novel is a work of fiction, I have no doubt that everything that happened in this book happened to someone that traveled on those wagon trains going out to Oregon to start a new life. The characterization was excellent, the books touches on sexism, racism, dislike of others just because, murder, and alcoholism. But, it also shows peoples true spirit in helping each other, standing up for others that are downtrodden, defending the weak, standing up to bully's, and that tough American spirit that those travelers had or acquired on their travels. I think that this would make a great book club selection so that we in our modern life can realize what our ancestors went through.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Barbara M. Alfano
5.0 out of 5 stars Go West, Young Man: A Riveting Western Novel of the American Frontier
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2023
Verified Purchase
This was a wonderful story, I loved it and so will you! Definitely a must read, for excitement throughout the story, lots of drama and action packed scenes that will keep you turning those pages. So don't miss this one, because you may need to make sure your in for a long haul, it was not easy to keep you from wanting more! 🌬📚🤠🤠🎶
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Marlene
5.0 out of 5 stars They headed West to find a better future.
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
In 1860, people were finding ways to head west for many reasons. More farmland, making a new life, and avoiding the north/south war rumors. Most migrants wanted to find richer soils and provide better lives for families. This book is an adventure along the Oregon Trail toward beautiful valleys of Oregon. The stories of Indians still on the rampage, brutal weather and lack of good water were just small bits of the storyline. These stories serve us as a reminder of how our forefathers struggled to settle in lands that would make strong families. As twenty-seven wagons moved west, I loved their stories and appreciated their hard work. Thanks for a great book that both hubby and I have enjoyed.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Myron 'The Monk' Howley
4.0 out of 5 stars Wagon Train of Adventure to Oregon State
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
I liked the story. It was exceptional. Some of the characters could have been flushed out more, but otherwise, a well written book.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Dave Schwinghammer
3.0 out of 5 stars Stereotypical
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
GO WEST, YOUNG MAN is a traditional western with some blatant stereotypes. I had to check the copyright to see if this had been written fifty years in the past. No such luck. I think I've seen the same plot in a number of movies from back in the Roy Rogers, Gene Autry times.
Characterization is always a big thing with me, and I did relate to some of the characters. Clint is a scout for a wagon train moving from Independence, Missouri to the Willamette Valley in Oregon circa 1860. Clayton Scofield is the Ward Bond of this oater, except that he shoots people after they've been wounded as if this was to be expected. Certainly the dead man had been trying to kill him in revenge for the death of a friend of his, but still I was a bit non-plussed. Clint is a morale upstanding young man who saves Scofield from a lot of grief, but he doesn't seem to be at all bothered by what seemed to be an execution. This sort of thing happens more than once.
There are also two gunfighters, the first one a rather degenerate son of a a woman who once ran a saloon in Dodge City who owns one of the wagons. I was expecting a gunfight between him and the invincible Clint, but he's dispatched almost as soon as he appears. The second is a gambler gunfighter, Cal, who turns out to be a rather good guy. I was also surprised by what happens to him.
The stereotypes occur every time we see an Indian. The wagon train is accosted no less than three times, the first really an attempt to steal horses. One of them is an ambush on a rough part of the trail. Johnstone's choice of fictional Indians is rather surprising, the Nez Perce, of Chief Joseph “I will fight no more forever” fame. Of course I'm the type who routed for the Indians in “Dances With Wolves”. Even the scalping was predictable, a practice initiated by French fur traders. One of the emigrants is scalped and Clint chases after the Indians to rescue the man's wife. Would you believe the husband survives a scalping?
There's also a damsel in distress, Ruby, with a despicable drunk for a husband. She loses no less than two husbands on the way to Oregon.
My idea of a good western is “McCabe and Mrs. Miller”. The director managed to make Julie Christie look like a slut. This one doesn't measure up.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Angela
5.0 out of 5 stars Consistently Johnstone caliber.
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
I cannot recall to mind an author ,aside from L'amour ,who's reliably going to be a guaranteed great choice to read. Pick up a book by this man (J.A. included) , and only a progressive hipster will find a reason for complaining. Well written, generally accurate historically, and just plain fun to read.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in Canada on March 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
Good read
Report
J.H.Black
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
A very readable novel, and I look forward to reading more of his books
Report
Tom
5.0 out of 5 stars Love the book
Reviewed in Canada on August 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
The details were excellent. Story line was great, and the characters were believable.
Report