“The Brandons” is a tale of slavery, rape, murder and finally revenge. If you like westerns and you remember the classic, “Sons of Katie Elder,” starring John Wayne and Dean Martin.  Or, if you enjoyed John Singleton’s modern day urban western, “Four Brothers,” starring Mark Walberg, Andre Benjamin and Tyrese.  And, if you were glued to the screen watching Alex Haley’s “Roots,” then you will definitely enjoy “The Brandons.”

The tale of the Brandon family begins in 1866, a year after enslaved Africans have been emancipated in America. Brother and sister Daisy and Johnny Brandon are working on the Brandon plantation in Crockett, Texas, making five cents a day.  One day they decide to leave, but before they do, they poison the water and food, while also taking money and goods to help them as they set off to make a new home and life. It isn’t until after they are gone that Johnny realizes his sister is pregnant. Having been raped by the former “slave master,” Ike Brandon, she will eventually give birth to twin boys, Derrick and Aric.

Unfortunately, years later, relatives of Ike come looking for Daisy and her brother.  They kill Johnny and now there’s an all-out war. Now the author takes you on a journey, full of murder and mayhem as Derrick and Aric take off to avenge their mother’s rape and uncle’s death.

The Brandons is exciting, action-packed and a definite page-turner. You will find yourself celebrating the victories of the “twin niggras” who make their way across foreign territory, forming alliances and continuing on their mission to make their “father” pay for his sins. And don’t think that women are absent from this tale of two brothers.  Mr. Jackson creatively introduces several female characters, who all become an integral part of the storyline and the numerous victories along the battlefield.

So as the story continues, and Mr. Jackson keeps you engaged in the various battles, you will wonder if Ike will get his just due and if the two green-eyed brothers will survive so many gun battles. Well, even in the “Sons of Katie Elder,” “Four Brothers” and “Roots,” someone had to die.


If you have a book you would like reviewed, contact Cheryl at csmith@dallasweekly.com