Railroad Man, Legacies Son by Dan E. Hendrickson is a Western, set in Wyoming and Montana, just after the Civil War, as large railway magnates sought to open up new territories and provide ranchers with a cost-effective method of shipping their produce east. Navy veteran and hero of the Civil War against slavery is the latest troubleshooter sent to the territory to assist in the extension of the railway line from Cheyenne to Billings. The local ranchers are desperate to see the railroad progress, so they can end expensive, long-haul cattle drives south to Colorado, and some will do whatever it takes to make this railroad happen. Standing in the way is a wise, elderly Native-American Chief, Pretty Eagle, of the Crow Nation, who wants a signed treaty outlining their rights and rewards. Can Arthur Edwards walk the fine line between the impatient cattlemen and the implacable Pretty Eagle? Complicating matters is Arthur’s immediate attraction to a young railway worker, Aylen, who just happens to be Pretty Eagle’s granddaughter. The stage is set for an explosive showdown.

Railroad Man, Legacies Son is another in the historical series from author Dan E. Hendrickson that chronicles the history of the Edwards family. The action is non-stop, and the plot twists and turns in exciting directions. The author tempers the narrative with a gentle and very proper romance between Arthur and Aylen, which gives a delightful romantic backdrop. The author was deeply sympathetic to the Native-American cause and drew their characters sympathetically and warmly. I also liked that the local sheriff, married to Apony, Aylen’s mother, and Pretty Eagle’s daughter, gave a sense of family and community. The legend of the unridable horse, Swiftwind, gave the entire story an extra lift. There are many underlying themes, but the one that stands out the most is humanity. The author reminds us how Western civilization allowed its greed, lust for land, and demand for dominance and progress to override basic concerns of human decency. By humanizing these characters, the novel reminds us of our common humanity. The story is another winner from this author, and I await his next book with bated breath. I highly recommend all this author’s works.

Railroad Man: Legacies Son is an action-packed historical novel by Dan E. Hendrickson. Arthur Edwards fought with much valor during the Civil War. Now, eighteen years have passed, and he is working for the Union Pacific Railroad, overseeing the expansion of railway tracks into northern Wyoming and Montana. After he arrives in Cheyenne, Arthur catches the eye of Aylen Perry, granddaughter of Chief Pretty Eagle of the Crow Nation. But a blast from the past in the form of Marshall William Lloyd forces Arthur to join him on a mission to catch illegal cattle smugglers. While he's in Denver, some nefarious ranchers kidnap Aylen and her mother, Apony, to force a land agreement with Pretty Eagle. Can Arthur rescue the love of his life?

As a fan of anything Western, I absolutely loved this book. Railroad Man: Legacies Son is the type of novel that keeps you engrossed all the way through. Packed with romance, action, and drama, the narrative surprises you at every turn. The characters are dynamic and well-fleshed out. Everyone has agency of their own, and author Dan E. Hendrickson does an excellent job of satisfyingly concluding each of their story arcs. The relationship between Arthur and Aylen is the heart of the novel. The two of them come from very different worlds. But their connection with each other feels so natural that it's easy to root for them. You want to see them end up together. Hendrickson also excels in incorporating tension and suspense during the action sequences. For lovers of Westerns, this book is a must-read.

Dan E. Hendrickson’s Railroad Man: Legacy’s Son is a solid historical adventure that really captures the post-Civil War West. The story centers on Arthur Edwards, an ex-Union naval officer who’s trying to outrun the ghosts of a tragic wartime mission. He has carved out a new life as a "ramrod" for the Union Pacific, and in 1883, he’s sent to Cheyenne to help drive the rail line north. But once he gets there, he realizes the job is about way more than just tracks and schedules. Between clashing with a lazy boss and meeting Aylen Perry—a fantastic, sharp-witted woman of Crow and settler descent—Arthur gets tangled up in cattle rustling and government corruption. Teaming up with U.S. Marshal William Lloyd, he’s forced to face his past while trying to stop a murder plot tied to the reservation beef shipments.

I loved how cinematic the book felt. Dan E. Hendrickson doesn't just describe the Denver stockyards or the dusty streets of Cheyenne; he makes you feel like you’re actually standing there. The pacing is great, too. It builds up steadily but then hits you with these sudden bursts of action—everything from barroom brawls to tense ranch ambushes. I was impressed by how realistic everyone felt, from the main characters down to minor figures like Ironside or Disby. Railroad Man dives into some heavy territory with the prejudice and government corruption of the time, but it never feels like a history lesson. The emotional beats work well; amidst all the violence and grit, the relationship between Arthur and Aylen gives the book its soul.

In Railroad Man, Legacies Son by Dan E. Hendrickson, Arthur Edwards had a lucrative career in the Navy. As an Ensign, he helped save a Pinkerton agent at the Battle of Trent’s Reach and brought him to General Grant to reveal Confederate secrets that helped win the war. Despite his success in the Navy, Arthur doesn’t continue in that career due to traumatic experiences. After his service, he joined the Union Pacific Railroad and became a valued employee for many years. The company wants to expand northward, and Arthur is sent to Wyoming to oversee this important task. The ranchers up north are eager to see the project's completion, which would mean increased profits from their beef, but the project stalls due to confrontations with the Indian reservations that want a toll on goods passing through their land. How will things unfold?

Railroad Man, Legacies Son by Dan E. Hendrickson is an interesting read that captured my imagination from the first chapter to the last. The thought-provoking work piqued my curiosity about Native Americans and their relationships with each other and with the white settlers. It also got me thinking about the impact of war on soldiers and the need to address post-traumatic stress disorder, which is at times overlooked when a war ends. The characters were well-developed, and the reader will also appreciate the writing style, which is crisp and engaging. Dan ensured all events and emotions were vividly captured, which helped create a mental picture of what was happening. This was an amazing read, and I look forward to reading something else by Dan E. Hendrickson.