Long Way to Texas: Three Novels by Elmer Kelton

by Elmer Kelton

In Joe Pepper, the title character, while awaiting a hangman’s noose, tells the story of how he discovered a propensity for violence while seeking revenge. The irony is that Joe’s keen sense of justice puts him on he wrong side of the law.

Long Way to Texas, taking place just after the Civil War battle of Glorieta Pass in New Mexico, is the story of Lt. David Buckalew, whose remnant of Confederate riflemen is under siege and low on rations and water. Complicating matters is the young officer’s self-doubt and fear of failure.

Thomas Canfield of Eyes of the Hawk, known to the Mexican citizens of his town of Stonehill, Texas, as "El Gavilán" — the Hawk — is not a man to forgive a wrong. He sets out to prove this to an insolent ranchman rival who intends building a fortune at Canfield’s expense. The Hawk has a radically different idea: he will destroy the town before yielding to his enemy.

This omnibus edition features a new introduction by Dale L. Walker, author of twenty-three novels and a past president of the Western Writers of America.


At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Historical Fiction

496 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Elmer Kelton (1926-2009) was award-winning author of more than forty novels, including The Time It Never Rained, Other Men’s Horses, Texas Standoff and Hard Trail to Follow. He grew up on a ranch near Crane, Texas, and earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas. His first novel, Hot Iron, was published in 1956. Among his awards have been seven Spurs from Western Writers of America and four Western Heritage awards from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. His novel The Good Old Boys was made into a television film starring Tommy Lee Jones. In addition to his novels, Kelton worked as an agricultural journalist for 42 years. He served in the infantry in World War II. He died in 2009.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/elmerk...

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good western as a rag-tag band of Texas confederates retreat to Texas after getting whupped in New Mexico. They are led by an untried lieutenant. They get a chance to recover ten wagons of ammunition from the Union army. Chased by both the army and Indians the young lt. must become a leader. Good action, thoughtful story. Recommended to western fans.

[Sandra Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great tale by Elmer Kelton. Great characters; deep conflict where the lines between North and South are blurred, as often happened. And, as always, he never gets the girl. This author never disappoints.

[Brad Lyerla · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is something comforting about the cliche and cornball of a western. Elmer Kelton is a master of both. In LONG WAY TO TEXAS, a young confederate cavalry officer operating in New Mexico must win the respect of his men who regard him as wet behind the ears. To complicate things, he has a famous father and the burden of being the son of a great man weighs heavily.

It all works out satisfactorily as you would predict. I am not recommending LONG WAY TO TEXAS for everyone, but if you are a fan of westerns, then you probably will enjoy it.

[Sandy Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Pepper was wonderful. It isn't often in a western that there is a surprise at the end. But, with this book, there is. Do not peek!

I continue to learn Texas history through Long Way to Texas.

Then, Eyes of the Hawk was delightful too!

I guess I am just a die-hard Elmer Kelton fan. He wrote people, the good and the bad. Mr. Kelton is fair to the cowboys, the settlers, the Mexicans and the Indians. He brings out the best and the worst of them but is not writing biased.

I highly recommend this trilogy to anyone.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.All three stories kept my interest to the end.I like the author's writing style. It is sad I have discovered him after her has died.The book would be loved by Western fans,Historical fiction fans and Texas Fans

[Natalie Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of Kelton classic westerns. Flawed characters with internal conflicts, action, true old west settings.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wagon-load of galloping cliches... but still a riveting read!

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel combines the old west with the American Civil War. It is based upon true events. It is set in 1862 and Rebels from Texas have invaded New Mexico with disastrous results. Their army is defeated so badly by Union soldiers that they purposely break up into smaller units believing they will have a better chance of retreating safely back to Texas. This book focuses on one such unit of approximately 15 men. They are led by a lieutenant who is not very favorable looked upon by the enlisted men in this unit. It is an excellent adventure as these men must avoid as best they can Yankees, Comanches and Comancheros in order that they may survive unscathed back in Texas. They encounter many dangerous obstacles on this journey. Not everyone makes it back to Texas alive. It is a very interesting story with characters you’ll both love and hate. This reads like it could have been turned into a classic, director John Ford movie; except, it wasn’t written until 1976, after Ford’s death. The scenes and dangers are very realistic to the period. The characters fit well also. This is a classic western tale to be enjoyed by all fans of the western genre.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are three excellent novels and fit with simply good storytelling. All three books were entertaining and keep your interest. The Long Way to Texas is about a Confederate outfit escaping from Union troops and New Mexico. They are lead by a lieutenant but the true leader is a sergeant. The main character must earn his leadership and his path is truly interesting. The Eye of the Hawk is a book about change. Tom Canfield is a good man, but as life progresses, his need for revenge becomes overwhelming. His enemy starts off as a despicable man who is simply out to make a lot of money, but over time his character changes for the better. This is a well written story. Joe Pepper is simply the telling of his life to a preacher when he is about to be hung. This is the closest of the three to a true Western and it keeps you riveted to the book. Kelton is a fantastic storyteller.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three of Kelton's western novels are presented in one book which contains Joe Pepper; Long Way Home; and Eyes of the Hawk which is based on an actual incident in Karnes County, Texas, resulting in the demise of the town of Helena. Kelton writing will be appreciated by fans of Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey.

[Kraig Kinnamon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first novel was the best. I would like to read more Kelton. I listened to the CD Audio version by Recorded Books.

[Lydia Sadler]

This is a three in one book that I started a while ago, misplaced and then found again. I love westerns.

[Christopher Ramsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read about Lieutenant Buckalew and his soldiers as they fight their way through the New Mexico Territory on their way back to Texas.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like westerns you will like this one.

[DocHolidavid · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Novel = Joe Pepper, good average western tale.

Second Novel = "Long Way to Texas": I believe this says something about humanity as does the third novel, "Eye of the Hawk."

The latter two, as is Elmer Kelton's wont, is not about good guys and bad guys. It's about the nature of men. What they think about and act on determines who they are. Is this man or that man good or bad, well part of life is determining such things about those around you.

These two novels read more like Judges or Job than Zane Grey or Louis L'Amour.

Doc Holidavid.

[Julie Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really three short novels in one book. I loved Joe Pepper. The vernacular is Elmer Kelton at his best. Such a great story and a lovable character.

The second is Long Way to Texas. It was good. My least favorite of the three, but still good from a historical perspective.

The last one is Eyes of the Hawk. Now that was a good story. Suspenseful. And once again full of history. Google any of the story lines of Elmer Kelton and you'll find they are base in truth.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I made a mistake. The edition of this book which I read only contains one novel, The Long Way to Texas.

It's a fine western, well written by a master of the genre, Elmer Kelton.

Highly recommended.

[David Brimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Buckalew family novels are among the best of Elmer Kelton’s “minor” works. This one, the fourth in the saga, is a rip roaring Civil War yarn. A quick page turner with a decent amount of heart. Recommended.

[Dennis O'Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy this author very much. I find him accurate in details and when I need a break from heavier reading subjects this writer I enjoy

[Candace Simar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elmer Kelton is a master storyteller. I liked this one very much.