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Life and times of Jeston Nash #1
While Angels Dance
Growing up in Kentucky, the author listened to his grandfather, a horse trader by profession, tell stories about the James Gang. Through Cotton's memories While Angels Sing was created. The story of Jeston Nash is one of hope and courage that blends historical fact with dramatic fiction. The events involving the James Gang are true. Martin's Press
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 1, 2019
A pretty fun Western from the bad guys' point of view. Takes a while for the main plot to get going, though.
November 9, 2017
Authentic, blackly-humorous, wire-taut
Jeston Nash is a teenager from Kentucky who finds himself plunged into the American Civil War at its most hellish – the savage clashes of rival guerrilla bands on the Missouri borderlands. Jeston is almost a twin for his cousin Jesse James – and becomes a member of Jesse’s gang in the turbulent years after the war, including the infamous raid on Northfield, Minnesota and the gang’s decline afterwards. Along the way he meets legendary figures like Cole Younger, Wild Bill Hickok and Wyatt Earp. Cotton is confident enough to sideline some of the more familiar incidents and make this oft-told story his own. He describes farm boys turned into hardened, traumatised killers with absolute unsentimental authority. For these reckless, desperate young men are as much victims of the war as those they slay. Men who march to the beat of the ‘funeral drum’ in their heads and live one jump ahead of a posse, a bullet, or a ‘hemp-waltz.’ The prose is wire-taut, Hemingway-like. When humour intrudes – usually very black and stemming from Jeston’s wildly unpredictable associate ‘Quiet’ Jack - one laughs with relief. So authentic it’s like opening a journal from these momentous times. And fully deserving its nomination for the Pulitzer Prize in fiction. Andrew McBride
Jeston Nash is a teenager from Kentucky who finds himself plunged into the American Civil War at its most hellish – the savage clashes of rival guerrilla bands on the Missouri borderlands. Jeston is almost a twin for his cousin Jesse James – and becomes a member of Jesse’s gang in the turbulent years after the war, including the infamous raid on Northfield, Minnesota and the gang’s decline afterwards. Along the way he meets legendary figures like Cole Younger, Wild Bill Hickok and Wyatt Earp. Cotton is confident enough to sideline some of the more familiar incidents and make this oft-told story his own. He describes farm boys turned into hardened, traumatised killers with absolute unsentimental authority. For these reckless, desperate young men are as much victims of the war as those they slay. Men who march to the beat of the ‘funeral drum’ in their heads and live one jump ahead of a posse, a bullet, or a ‘hemp-waltz.’ The prose is wire-taut, Hemingway-like. When humour intrudes – usually very black and stemming from Jeston’s wildly unpredictable associate ‘Quiet’ Jack - one laughs with relief. So authentic it’s like opening a journal from these momentous times. And fully deserving its nomination for the Pulitzer Prize in fiction. Andrew McBride
December 8, 2025
A well-rounded western that covers so many real emotions. I wholeheartedly recommend the audio graphic version to get the unique experience and perspective of the characters and story. Extremely well done.
September 24, 2013
Not my usual read. However one of the best books I've read. Ended up reading all his books. Happy to own Two mint hardback copies. Main character made story great.
May 7, 2017
A great book, very informitive of the times & people
December 9, 2019
First of the Jeston Nash series. A good start to the series as Jeston is in and out of trouble whether he looks for it or not.
February 23, 2022
I picked up this series from the library. This had an interesting premise but didn't go anywhere. It just spun it's wheels. I have 3 more of the books and have enjoyed the Dugan series by Cotton, so will keep listening.
March 17, 2023
I picked up this book around the time that we lost one of my favorite authors, Robert B. Parker. Parker wrote an excellent Western series along with his Boston based novels. Ralph Cotton filled some of the gap left by Mr. Parker. Especially, enjoyed the Cottons' "Sam Burrack" series.
January 19, 2016
This was a book my dad read the last time he was able to visit us. I read it to be somehow closer to dads memory and was surprised that the book was fairly well written and had a cohesive plot line that managed to come full circle by the end. not sure Ill become a duster fan but this was a good rendition of the Boys from the wild west.
February 19, 2016
I am not normally a western fan but a few writers seem to jump out and grab me. Ralph Cotton writes a quick paced and very historically accurate book. Nice read with great characters. Very recommended
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July 7, 2017Cotton writes a lot of otherwise forgettable Westerns. This is his first, and his best. Violent, terrifying, exhilarating and depressing. Totally worth it.
August 30, 2013
Great Western with a heavily conflicted lead character. Great read!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews