Saddle up for a wild ride through the dusty trails of the Mexican Revolution with the Gringos series, a ten-book Western saga that blends gritty action with heart-wrenching moral dilemmas. Co-authored by John Harvey and Angus Wells under the pseudonym J.D. Sandon, this thrilling tale follows four flawed antiheroes on a high-stakes mission for Pancho Villa. If you crave fast-paced adventure with a side of soul-searching, Gringos is your next obsession!
Picture this: a sun-scorched borderland where loyalty is tested, bullets fly, and redemption hangs just out of reach. From its explosive debut to its bittersweet finale, Gringos captures the chaos of a nation in upheaval and the men caught in its crossfire. Let’s dive into the heart of this under-the-radar gem.
How Gringos Began
In the 1970s, a group of British writers dubbed the Piccadilly Cowboys stormed the literary scene, churning out violent, adventure-packed Westerns for a hungry audience. Among them were John Harvey and Angus Wells, who joined forces as J.D. Sandon to create Gringos. Inspired by the turbulent Mexican Revolution of the 1910s, they crafted a series that married historical grit with pulp fiction flair. Published by Piccadilly Publishing, the saga kicked off in 1979 and ran until 1982, delivering ten novels that thrilled readers with their raw energy.
The authors drew from the era’s revolutionary fervor, weaving tales of rebellion and survival. Their collaboration was a perfect storm: Harvey’s knack for character depth and Wells’ vivid, cinematic prose brought the Gringos to life. The result? A series that feels like a spaghetti Western crossed with a moral philosophy debate.
The Heart of Gringos
At its core, Gringos follows four outcasts—Cade Onslow, Jonas Strong, Yates McCloud, and Jamie Durham—tasked with delivering guns to Pancho Villa. Each man carries a heavy past: Onslow, a vengeful army deserter; Strong, a sergeant scarred by prejudice; McCloud, a rapist bound for hell; and Durham, a morphine-addled wreck. Their mission is simple but deadly, and their journey is anything but straightforward.
Key books set the stage for this epic. Guns Across the River (1979) introduces the crew as they brave treacherous terrain to arm Villa’s rebels, setting the tone with relentless action and moral ambiguity. Cannons in the Rain (Book 2) ups the ante when a botched arms deal lands one Gringo in Emiliano Zapata’s clutches, forcing a daring train heist. Easy Money (Book 5) unveils a shadowy pursuer and a brutal trap in Tampico, while Survivors (1982) closes the saga with a blood-soaked fight for freedom. Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of violence weave through every page, grounded in the series’ vivid Mexican setting.
The Gringos series stands out for its unflinching character portraits and breakneck pace. Harvey and Wells don’t shy away from the darker sides of humanity—racism, addiction, and vengeance simmer beneath the surface. Yet, moments of camaraderie and redemption offer glimmers of hope, making the characters relatable despite their flaws. The Mexican Revolution provides a chaotic backdrop, with dusty towns, rebel camps, and bullet-riddled trains painting a world on the brink.
Why Gringos Resonates
Though not as famous as Louis L’Amour’s Westerns, Gringos carved a niche among fans of gritty historical fiction. Its blend of pulp action and introspective themes appealed to readers seeking more than just shootouts. The series’ focus on flawed, human characters challenged the traditional Western hero archetype, influencing later antihero-driven stories. Its cult following still praises its raw intensity and emotional depth, with eBook re-releases keeping the saga alive for new generations.
Gringos also shines a light on the Mexican Revolution, a lesser-explored setting in Westerns. By centering the narrative on Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, it offers a cross-border perspective that resonates with readers interested in history and cultural clashes. Its legacy lies in its ability to entertain while prompting reflection on violence and redemption.
- Publication Years: 1979–1982
- Number of Books: 10
- Authors: John Harvey and Angus Wells (as J.D. Sandon)
- Genre: Western, Historical Fiction
Dust off your boots and grab Guns Across the River to plunge into the Gringos’ world of rebellion, betrayal, and hard-won redemption. This Western saga is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered!