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Code of the West
Book by Grey, Zane
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1934
139 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Zane Grey
2,069 books590 followersPearl Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the rugged Old West. As of June 2007, the Internet Movie Database credits Grey with 110 films, one TV episode, and a series, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater based loosely on his novels and short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 18, 2021
This was an ok somewhat entertaining read. Not quite !y cup of tea but not bad either. Liked the mix of western and king Arthur legends.
November 6, 2019
Got off to a slow start but I'm glad I picked it back up and finished. Great characters and a storyline that kept me interested until the last page.
May 23, 2018
Early feminism meets compromise and the boxing techniques take the everyday scrabbles to a new level.
August 25, 2025
A veces me como la propaganda sureña con papas si da energía de Siete Novias Para Siete Hermanos sí que pasa
February 2, 2019
Author spends a lot of time describing scenery, but it's outdoor scenery so I don't mind too much.
September 6, 2013
[Some may consider some of this content spoilers.]
Texan Jimmy Goodnight makes a name for himself by pulling an ax out of an anvil at the fair winning $1000 prize money. Roping a one-ton buffalo doesn’t sound very smart but having your buddy tie your feet to your stirrups after you get paralyzed when the beast knocks you off your horse doesn’t sound too intelligent either. Life in Early West Texas was rough and ready but certainly not boring. The bulk of the novel is set in a caňon along the Red River which forms the border between Texas and Oklahoma in the East. Palo Duro Texas State Park marks the location.
It is said that Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did on the dance floor but she did it backwards. Given the nature of dance that could hardly be avoided but making a woman ride side-saddle seems unnatural for both the horse and the lady, isn’t that why God made culottes for women? Taking an Eastern Lady and putting her in the middle of a gang of ranch hands 100 miles from the nearest settlement is quite something else.
The camaraderie of the bunk house among grown men one hundred miles from the nearest civilization may not have attained to the extremes of Brokeback Mountain but the relationship between the less than good looking Jimmy and the stunningly handsome Jack attained at least to brotherly love. That Jack is the better cowboy in every possible way makes his playing second fiddle a strain. Bringing a beautiful wife into a situation where isolated men lived in close quarters seems an act of cruelty. That Jimmy fails to see the attraction between his beautiful wife and the lady’s man Jack that drove the latter away seems hard to believe. [The book description refers to Arthur and Lancelot.]
The canker that has eaten away at Jimmy’s soul throughout his life is finally revealed in a flashback 2/3rds of the way through the book. We come to learn that’s Jimmy’s white family was largely killed in a Comanche raid on their stockade when he was ten and he was carted off as one of the spoils of war and eventually adopted by a Medicine Man. Seven Years later as a young brave he is spared when a white army and Texas Rangers wipe out another Comanche Raiding party. Years later his past comes back to haunt him. By this circumstance he was deprived of two families and eventually adopted by a surviving Uncle.
Five hundred pages is a long read and the first couple hundred are the most engaging. The book contains the rough language of cowpokes, graphic descriptions of their work, and of rape and cruelty. None of it is gratuitous.
Texan Jimmy Goodnight makes a name for himself by pulling an ax out of an anvil at the fair winning $1000 prize money. Roping a one-ton buffalo doesn’t sound very smart but having your buddy tie your feet to your stirrups after you get paralyzed when the beast knocks you off your horse doesn’t sound too intelligent either. Life in Early West Texas was rough and ready but certainly not boring. The bulk of the novel is set in a caňon along the Red River which forms the border between Texas and Oklahoma in the East. Palo Duro Texas State Park marks the location.
It is said that Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did on the dance floor but she did it backwards. Given the nature of dance that could hardly be avoided but making a woman ride side-saddle seems unnatural for both the horse and the lady, isn’t that why God made culottes for women? Taking an Eastern Lady and putting her in the middle of a gang of ranch hands 100 miles from the nearest settlement is quite something else.
The camaraderie of the bunk house among grown men one hundred miles from the nearest civilization may not have attained to the extremes of Brokeback Mountain but the relationship between the less than good looking Jimmy and the stunningly handsome Jack attained at least to brotherly love. That Jack is the better cowboy in every possible way makes his playing second fiddle a strain. Bringing a beautiful wife into a situation where isolated men lived in close quarters seems an act of cruelty. That Jimmy fails to see the attraction between his beautiful wife and the lady’s man Jack that drove the latter away seems hard to believe. [The book description refers to Arthur and Lancelot.]
The canker that has eaten away at Jimmy’s soul throughout his life is finally revealed in a flashback 2/3rds of the way through the book. We come to learn that’s Jimmy’s white family was largely killed in a Comanche raid on their stockade when he was ten and he was carted off as one of the spoils of war and eventually adopted by a Medicine Man. Seven Years later as a young brave he is spared when a white army and Texas Rangers wipe out another Comanche Raiding party. Years later his past comes back to haunt him. By this circumstance he was deprived of two families and eventually adopted by a surviving Uncle.
Five hundred pages is a long read and the first couple hundred are the most engaging. The book contains the rough language of cowpokes, graphic descriptions of their work, and of rape and cruelty. None of it is gratuitous.
April 23, 2014
Code of the West by Aaron Latham was well written and filled with action. I enjoyed reading it, for the most part, because I am a fan of Westerns. The one beef I had with it was the author's bent toward comparing this story to that of King Arthur. I think it would've been better without constantly making that comparison. It made the tale come across as a bit lame, in my opinion.
The main character, Jimmy Goodnight wasn't exactly genius material either, but I won't elaborate further because I don't want to give too much away. Let's just say: He should've seen it coming. The Goodnight character made an interesting story, though. I especially liked reading about his kidnapping by the Comanche and his time spent living among them as the adopted son of the shaman.
Mr. Latham is a talented writer and nothing about this book made for a tedious reading experience, so if you're into Westerns this might be what you're looking for.
The main character, Jimmy Goodnight wasn't exactly genius material either, but I won't elaborate further because I don't want to give too much away. Let's just say: He should've seen it coming. The Goodnight character made an interesting story, though. I especially liked reading about his kidnapping by the Comanche and his time spent living among them as the adopted son of the shaman.
Mr. Latham is a talented writer and nothing about this book made for a tedious reading experience, so if you're into Westerns this might be what you're looking for.
February 22, 2021
This may seem a simple minded read to some. Consider the year it was published and the way times were right after WWI.
Raised on the West High Plains, these were people very similar to my parents and more closely to my grandparents. Behavior meant something. If you constantly did stupid things, you developed a reputation. Usually not a good one, and shame was not out of vogue. Still, people forgave the imprudent. Shame did not lead to permanent societal ostracism. Having participated in the stupid plenty, I wish society still used shame instead of, “It’s okay to do some drugs, have illegitimate children, divorce when things aren’t going well, farm your children out so you can have two cars etc.
This was good story line, and I envy Grey’s adjectives and adverbs. The scenery sketches are wonderful and the people were realistic very similar to those with whom I grew up.
It’s a good read.
Raised on the West High Plains, these were people very similar to my parents and more closely to my grandparents. Behavior meant something. If you constantly did stupid things, you developed a reputation. Usually not a good one, and shame was not out of vogue. Still, people forgave the imprudent. Shame did not lead to permanent societal ostracism. Having participated in the stupid plenty, I wish society still used shame instead of, “It’s okay to do some drugs, have illegitimate children, divorce when things aren’t going well, farm your children out so you can have two cars etc.
This was good story line, and I envy Grey’s adjectives and adverbs. The scenery sketches are wonderful and the people were realistic very similar to those with whom I grew up.
It’s a good read.
June 7, 2020
I am always amazed by Zane Grey's description of thoughts and feelings of his characters ... especially women characters. How can he know how they think or feel ? Even so, he does write terrific romantic situations that just happen to take place in a western location. I like this book less than most of his, simply because it does concentrate on the romance rather than cowboy action and suspense. There is very little of that in this book.
October 20, 2014
I like westerns, but this read like the diary of a 14 year old girl from the city who moved to the country, who cannot write. Even though it was written by a man in the 30's. Not enough wild west in the western. :(
May 27, 2019
This was just awful...unless you love the word ejaculated in which case this is the snooze fest for you.
June 10, 2021
I found this book in an old bookcase in my parents' house. Such kind of books cannot be easily found in book shops in Italy (my country), but they are often sold in antiques markets that you can find in Italian villages during the year. Although they are quite old, they are often nicely written and, in many cases, much better than more recent books.
When I started reading "Code of the West", I was expecting a traditional western book, with guns and fights between cowboys. Instead, and with surprise, I found a very nice book telling the story of a young woman, Georgie, who came to visit her sister in Tonto Basin (Arizona) during the years after WWI. She was pretty and she liked provoking as much boys as possible (kissing them sometimes). This behavior has nothing wrong in our age (fortunately), but it was easily misinterpreted by people of that time. This generated lot of problems for her.
A young cowboy, Cal Thurman, had completely fallen in love for her. She also reciprocated a bit his love, but she was not ready to marry him (although his proposal). What could appear ugly and not fair is that he kidnapped and obliged her to marry him. However, you have to read carefully the story to understand the reasons more deeply.
The important message at the end is that Georgie looked within herself and understood her love for Cal, defending him and her reputation showing off her strong personality and braveness against the men in Tonto Basin.
I think that after a first reading, people could find in this book some preconceptions about the role of the women, and a bit of misogyny. However, after a careful reading you can understand much more from this book. As an example, the fact that Georgie became a rich heiresses at the end is a way to certify that her decision to stay with Cal was driven by her hearth only, and not by material reasons. There are several other points in the book that, if analyzed deeply, put Georgie and Cal in the right light.
In summary, this book is very nice. It deserves four stars.
When I started reading "Code of the West", I was expecting a traditional western book, with guns and fights between cowboys. Instead, and with surprise, I found a very nice book telling the story of a young woman, Georgie, who came to visit her sister in Tonto Basin (Arizona) during the years after WWI. She was pretty and she liked provoking as much boys as possible (kissing them sometimes). This behavior has nothing wrong in our age (fortunately), but it was easily misinterpreted by people of that time. This generated lot of problems for her.
A young cowboy, Cal Thurman, had completely fallen in love for her. She also reciprocated a bit his love, but she was not ready to marry him (although his proposal). What could appear ugly and not fair is that he kidnapped and obliged her to marry him. However, you have to read carefully the story to understand the reasons more deeply.
The important message at the end is that Georgie looked within herself and understood her love for Cal, defending him and her reputation showing off her strong personality and braveness against the men in Tonto Basin.
I think that after a first reading, people could find in this book some preconceptions about the role of the women, and a bit of misogyny. However, after a careful reading you can understand much more from this book. As an example, the fact that Georgie became a rich heiresses at the end is a way to certify that her decision to stay with Cal was driven by her hearth only, and not by material reasons. There are several other points in the book that, if analyzed deeply, put Georgie and Cal in the right light.
In summary, this book is very nice. It deserves four stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2021
Much used title. The Code in question here is chivalry. The gal in question is a notorious flirt. In a territory where woman were outnumbered by men many times over she will mot lack for suitors. Cal is the “baby” of the Thurman clan. With nine tall, broad-shouldered handome young men competition is tough and highjinks aplenty.
As narrator the author inserts a great deal of moralizing and commentary that nearly a century later today’s readers may find tedious.
Raises the age-old question as to whether the male libido is responsible or the girl was asking for it.
Testosterone runs high and these young cousins engage in good natured brawls just like a pack of young wolves. They wade into brawls but Cal learns true boxing from the tall rangy bean pole he befriended and brought home to his family to work in his Uncle’s Mill. Suddenly Cal is no longer bottom man on the totem pole and he wins his match against his chief opponent in front of his fair lady.
Cal’s wedding day reminds me of the cartoons in which the caveman bangs his intended over the head with a club and drags her to his cave by the hair. Although the marriage isn’t immediately consummated as with arranged unions I cannot but believe that a caring, virile young man will make an attentive lover.
Beating opponents to a pulp seems to be a thing here.
As narrator the author inserts a great deal of moralizing and commentary that nearly a century later today’s readers may find tedious.
Raises the age-old question as to whether the male libido is responsible or the girl was asking for it.
Testosterone runs high and these young cousins engage in good natured brawls just like a pack of young wolves. They wade into brawls but Cal learns true boxing from the tall rangy bean pole he befriended and brought home to his family to work in his Uncle’s Mill. Suddenly Cal is no longer bottom man on the totem pole and he wins his match against his chief opponent in front of his fair lady.
Cal’s wedding day reminds me of the cartoons in which the caveman bangs his intended over the head with a club and drags her to his cave by the hair. Although the marriage isn’t immediately consummated as with arranged unions I cannot but believe that a caring, virile young man will make an attentive lover.
Beating opponents to a pulp seems to be a thing here.
July 23, 2024
Wonderful descriptions of the Tonto Valley of Arizona, and funny, believable characters and interactions. I don't usually read Westerns, but this one was a good one to start.
It provides a snapshot of early 20th century notions of the Wild West and the "code" of the cowboy.
However, the perspectives are entirely dated now. The strong female protagonist (a light-hearted girl of 17 who wears her skirts short, bobs her hair, and declares she doesn't want to be owned by a man) is taken down several notches by the end. The machoism of the male characters gets very old. Why are they always fighting? Why isn't anyone concerned when someone knocks someone out? Nobody seems to die of a concussion, which seems unreal.
There's also a really disturbing community dance scene where there's lots of moralizing against jazz dancing, and they use the "N" word twice. Yuk.
If you look at this story as a period piece, it's interesting.
But the dated, wrong-headed ideas hit your gut.
It provides a snapshot of early 20th century notions of the Wild West and the "code" of the cowboy.
However, the perspectives are entirely dated now. The strong female protagonist (a light-hearted girl of 17 who wears her skirts short, bobs her hair, and declares she doesn't want to be owned by a man) is taken down several notches by the end. The machoism of the male characters gets very old. Why are they always fighting? Why isn't anyone concerned when someone knocks someone out? Nobody seems to die of a concussion, which seems unreal.
There's also a really disturbing community dance scene where there's lots of moralizing against jazz dancing, and they use the "N" word twice. Yuk.
If you look at this story as a period piece, it's interesting.
But the dated, wrong-headed ideas hit your gut.
March 30, 2025
Basically 7 brides for 7 brothers, but it’s 2 brides for 2 brothers and only one of them is due to a kidnapping.
I quite enjoy Zane’s writing, and don’t mind the lengthy descriptions of the scenery and setting as it helps my mind paint a more clear picture.
This book is much more a “romance” than a typical “western” which I thought I would enjoy, but I missed the wild west atmosphere and cowboy shenanigans I’ve grown to love when I read Zane Grey’s work. The romance was also not very romantic, and grossed me out quite a bit! It was fine until around 2/3 through and it got creepy.
Though it was not my favorite, I still enjoyed reading it and look forward to picking up another book by him!
I quite enjoy Zane’s writing, and don’t mind the lengthy descriptions of the scenery and setting as it helps my mind paint a more clear picture.
This book is much more a “romance” than a typical “western” which I thought I would enjoy, but I missed the wild west atmosphere and cowboy shenanigans I’ve grown to love when I read Zane Grey’s work. The romance was also not very romantic, and grossed me out quite a bit! It was fine until around 2/3 through and it got creepy.
Though it was not my favorite, I still enjoyed reading it and look forward to picking up another book by him!
October 7, 2025
Zane Grey is the author of this book. It is a fictional book and has 309 pages. My first impression of this book is slightly good because of the story about Western theme with a mix of romance between the two main characters.
At the end of the book, Cal and Georgiana become husband and wife. In the summary of my book review, this book is a 4/5 star for me because I like when it comes to Western Novel and minimal of love story. Thank you.
At the end of the book, Cal and Georgiana become husband and wife. In the summary of my book review, this book is a 4/5 star for me because I like when it comes to Western Novel and minimal of love story. Thank you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2017
Fascinating study
Its author dead before WWII began, this is a work that tries to frame feminism within the moral constructs of the day, with mixed results. The book is written simp!y, with jargon and references used commonly at the time, but it's a key piece for those readers keen to see where modern patriarchy had roots in popular culture.
Its author dead before WWII began, this is a work that tries to frame feminism within the moral constructs of the day, with mixed results. The book is written simp!y, with jargon and references used commonly at the time, but it's a key piece for those readers keen to see where modern patriarchy had roots in popular culture.
January 22, 2019
A good timely romance
A post WWI Western romance that oddly reflects the on-going paradox of what it is that (modern 'feminist') women want: a true loving partnership or to lord it over men because they are different due to reasons of biology/physiology and have, traditionally, held different roles in society.
A post WWI Western romance that oddly reflects the on-going paradox of what it is that (modern 'feminist') women want: a true loving partnership or to lord it over men because they are different due to reasons of biology/physiology and have, traditionally, held different roles in society.
May 5, 2022
One of my reading goals this year was to read a book I already own. This was the one I selected, from about 5 other Zane Grey novels I acquired at some point. Didn’t even know what it was about until I started reading. Turns out, it’s a western. My first! It has plenty of fist fights and landscape descriptions. Also, a good love story from 1938.
July 15, 2025
I enjoyed this as much as any Zane Grey novel I've read. Though I disliked the abduction, its consequences were well shown. The typical scenic descriptions were enough to revel in and, having seen the Mogollon Rim, I could picture much of it. Indulging in another occasional Zane Grey novel is a delightful treat.
March 21, 2019
My first but not last Zane Grey book
He's beyond descriptive. Lots of family in both sides of properties. But they were honest. They played terrible pranks. They had big fist fights. But they were cowboy pioneers
He's beyond descriptive. Lots of family in both sides of properties. But they were honest. They played terrible pranks. They had big fist fights. But they were cowboy pioneers
May 26, 2019
...a surprisingly seething surreptitious semiotics of subliminal sexuality whilst simultaneously eulogizing on the doomed decadence of disinhibited Randian western dynasties...the inherent misogynistic weltanschauungen in this story is astonishing...
December 8, 2019
Eastern city girl is the subject of a thriller centered around
Western family ethics, love of country, value of life, work, comrades and responsibilities. All work together to spin a powerful story.
Western family ethics, love of country, value of life, work, comrades and responsibilities. All work together to spin a powerful story.
June 1, 2017
Nice book and a good story
Beautiful descriptions of the west along with a relaxing pace.. It also has a cast of strong characters and a good plot.
Beautiful descriptions of the west along with a relaxing pace.. It also has a cast of strong characters and a good plot.
December 7, 2019
Good book
Zane Grey writes fun cowboy stories. A bit wordy in places, but a fun tale, even though the ending is easily predictable.
Zane Grey writes fun cowboy stories. A bit wordy in places, but a fun tale, even though the ending is easily predictable.
July 1, 2020
I dont understand how this book gets so many 4 star reviews. It's slow, and I hate how Cal kidnaps Georgie and forces her to marry him. Not to mention, she is utterly unlikable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2021
Dated yet still classic.
May 17, 2022
When America was America!
Consequences and morals of a long and sorely missed time. Sadly no longer true. Some language will be problematic now.
Consequences and morals of a long and sorely missed time. Sadly no longer true. Some language will be problematic now.
February 4, 2023
Rather disturbing old West love story.
I didn't like the way Cal kidnapped the girl. She wasn't a wild horse to be broken and tamed, for goodness sake!
I didn't like the way Cal kidnapped the girl. She wasn't a wild horse to be broken and tamed, for goodness sake!
August 1, 2023
Yes, it's a love story but Grey's descriptions of the Arizona desert are wonderfully explicit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews