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Karl Stewart draws on his eclectic background to shape his writing. Raised in the hills of post-WWII West Virginia, he proceeded to study for the Catholic priesthood. Having been expelled from the seminary for excessive individualism, he joined the US Army in the late 1960s and became a communication sergeant in the elite Green Beret Special Forces.
Stewart later entered the University of Wisconsin, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science. He went on to complete his Master’s in Education. He taught, coached, and advised for thirty years in the Wisconsin public school system. Twice selected for the Philip Lehner Teacher of the Year Award, Stewart was also honored by the Wisconsin Association of School Councils with its Leadership award as well as its Region III Advisor of the Year Award.
Recently, Stewart retired from teaching to devote himself to the two things for which he has always had an overriding passion – writing and his family. He lives in rural Wisconsin on a pine-lined ridge with a stunnng view to the south that echoes his childhood playgrounds in West Virginia.
Reviewed by Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite
Karl Stewart's book "The Legend of See Bird: The last Long Drive" is the story of See Bird Carpenter, a Choctaw Indian-turned-cowboy. It is the final cattle drive for Bar L Ranch manager "Big Jim" McCarty, but a first for See Bird now called Red Carpenter. As with many coming of age type tales, the young cowboy uses his intuition and integrity to learn many lessons to escape the many dangers faced by cowboys of the old west. Not much older than his friend, 15 year old Luke, See Bird appears to possess gifts that challenge his youth and inexperience. And then there is Mattie O’Meara, the beautiful young girl he meets and ultimately saves from harm. Yes, See Bird Carpenter is a man with uncommon skills, and he will need every one of them as he battles cattle rustlers unafraid to use their guns to steal the three thousand plus cattle. "Big Jim" expects See Bird, Luke and other Bar L ranch hands to protect and deliver to Kansas.
I have always been a sucker for good cowboy stories, and Stewart’s book is just that, a very good cowboy story. Yes, it has all the usual plot themes found in the cowboy genre, to include roundup, rodeo, and of course the cattle drive with all the dangers involved. But, the author’s characterization is outstanding. Readers will quickly find themselves pulling for the good guys and disliking the bad guys, just as it should be. The ending wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I found it very interesting. Nicely done.
