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Many a River
The Barfield family, Arkansas sharecroppers, are heading west with their sons Jeffrey and Todd. In far West Texas their camp is attacked by Comanche raiders and the elder Barfields are killed and scalped. The younger boy, Todd, is taken captive by the Indians. The older son, Jeffrey, manages to hide and is rescued by the militia men. Jeffrey is taken in by a home-steading family, while Todd is sold, for a rifle and gunpowder, to a Comanchero trader named January. Both become caught up in the turbulence of the Civil War, which even in remote West Texas, the border country with New Mexico, pits Confederate sympathizers against Unionists. The brothers, separated by violence, are destined to be rejoined by violence. Will they meet as friends or deadly enemies?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
14 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Elmer Kelton
196 books260 followersElmer 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...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/elmerk...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 20, 2022
This has the best supporting character of any novel I’ve read this year. His name is January. He’s a selfish opportunist and altogether a lousy son of a bitch, but at the same time he’s the closest thing to a guardian or father figure to Todd. January has a way of snapping everybody who strays back into his service. He can often say amusing things, too. He leapt off the page and I still remember him months after putting this book down.
The setup is that two brothers are separated after an Indian raid in which their parents are killed, and one ends up being kidnapped and traded by the Indians to January, who hopes to resell him, but that never quite pans out. It’s not really a plot-driven book. It’s more situation driven. If you’re looking for a highly action-oriented Western this probably isn’t it, but the characters and their plights certainly sustained my attention.
The setup is that two brothers are separated after an Indian raid in which their parents are killed, and one ends up being kidnapped and traded by the Indians to January, who hopes to resell him, but that never quite pans out. It’s not really a plot-driven book. It’s more situation driven. If you’re looking for a highly action-oriented Western this probably isn’t it, but the characters and their plights certainly sustained my attention.
July 9, 2014
In the words of Texas Governor Rick Perry, "Elmer Kelton is truly a Texas legend."
Can't get enough of these stories. If you like to feel the grit in your teeth, the smell of cooking bacon and camp bread, saddle leather, greasy villains, strong women and frontier justice than Kelton's writings are for you. You're transported every time you pick a story up. They're perfect for me. This one was a little extra special as it was about two brothers separated and then who find each other after many adventures apart.
Can't get enough of these stories. If you like to feel the grit in your teeth, the smell of cooking bacon and camp bread, saddle leather, greasy villains, strong women and frontier justice than Kelton's writings are for you. You're transported every time you pick a story up. They're perfect for me. This one was a little extra special as it was about two brothers separated and then who find each other after many adventures apart.
January 17, 2015
one of his best.
April 15, 2015
Best western ever...
December 8, 2021
Kelton is one of my favorite Western authors and this one did not disappoint.
July 10, 2011
This is the tale of two brothers, Jeffrey and Todd, who are separated as children in 1855 when Comanche raiders murder their parents. Jeffrey is fostered among good people, but Todd, taken as a captive is sold to a trader who treats him like a slave. Both their lives are changed when the Civil War begins uprooting settlers and forcing friends and families to choose, often opposite, sides.
If you're a fan of Westerns and looking for a good one to read, you might want to add a star or so to my rating. I'm not a fan, so it takes one that transcends the genre, a Big Little Man, a Ox-bow Incident, a True Grit or Lonesome Dove to make me want to put such a book permanently on my bookshelf. But I've been reading through a list of Westerns on which Kelton was recommended, and this was better than average--one that held me from beginning to end, and even if the style isn't impressive, it's at least clean and far more readable than Zane Grey, Max Brand or Louis L'Amour. And if the novel isn't groundbreaking or insightful in the way it handles the American Civil War or American dealings with Mexicans or Native Americans, it nevertheless offers up a solid, if fairly bland, adventure story and coming of age tale.
If you're a fan of Westerns and looking for a good one to read, you might want to add a star or so to my rating. I'm not a fan, so it takes one that transcends the genre, a Big Little Man, a Ox-bow Incident, a True Grit or Lonesome Dove to make me want to put such a book permanently on my bookshelf. But I've been reading through a list of Westerns on which Kelton was recommended, and this was better than average--one that held me from beginning to end, and even if the style isn't impressive, it's at least clean and far more readable than Zane Grey, Max Brand or Louis L'Amour. And if the novel isn't groundbreaking or insightful in the way it handles the American Civil War or American dealings with Mexicans or Native Americans, it nevertheless offers up a solid, if fairly bland, adventure story and coming of age tale.
September 23, 2011
Excellent book about two brothers separated at an early by an Indian raid that killed their parents. Each thinks the other is dead. They live separate lives until the Civil War strangely brings them together. Kelton is a great author and this is highly recommended.
January 23, 2013
For a western, I liked it better than I thought I would. Might have to read more from this author.
November 7, 2021
With Elmer Kelton's name on it, a book is almost guaranteed to be good.
This is no exception.
Two brothers are separated, traumatically, and neither knows the other is still alive. How they live their separate lives is the substance of the story.
Whom they meet in those separate lives makes it both interesting and sometimes heart-breaking.
There is a sub-story, the War Against Southern Independence and a sub-plot to that vicious and totally unnecessary war, the stupid act of aggression that was the invasion by Texas of New Mexico.
The government and armed forces of Texas were doing to New Mexico just what the Yankees east of the Mississippi River were doing to the sovereign and independent states of the Confederacy.
According to this story, the Texas general, Sibley, was a drunk, or at least an over-drinker, and a not very capable officer. His troops were mostly just-off-the-farm boys with little or no training.
As with most wars, the soldiers of all sides suffered and died, but even the civilians were harmed, people who had not only no vested interest in a victory by either side but often wanted both sides to lose.
(Author Kelton manages, again, to bring in the name of Santos Benavides, a Confederate hero who gets almost no mention in history books, but who deserves more recognition and, in my not-at-all-humble opinion, a good movie.)
Kelton makes one sadly common mistake: He writes as if slavery were the cause of Lincoln's invasion, despite the easily available information that Northern aggression was based entirely on the desire to maintain the empire, that is, to keep the South part of the Union so the tax dollars would keep flowing in to the central government. (Honestly, all the facts can be found with even a cursory search of, for example, Lincoln's own statements, including his famous letter to editor Horace Greeley. For another example, for many months after hostilities began, Northern troops were still enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act.)
But Kelton continues, as a deservedly well-loved author, to create and present likeable characters, people about whom we readers will care -- and some really despicable individuals about whom we can cheer when they get their just deserts.
How the strings and threads of the stories come together is not only satisfying, but logical and reasonable.
Elmer Kelton is one of my favorite writers, and has been ever since I, by accident, read his "The Time It Never Rained," in my opinion one of the greatest of Great American Novels. I urge everyone to read as many Kelton books as possible, and I do recommend "Many a River."
This is no exception.
Two brothers are separated, traumatically, and neither knows the other is still alive. How they live their separate lives is the substance of the story.
Whom they meet in those separate lives makes it both interesting and sometimes heart-breaking.
There is a sub-story, the War Against Southern Independence and a sub-plot to that vicious and totally unnecessary war, the stupid act of aggression that was the invasion by Texas of New Mexico.
The government and armed forces of Texas were doing to New Mexico just what the Yankees east of the Mississippi River were doing to the sovereign and independent states of the Confederacy.
According to this story, the Texas general, Sibley, was a drunk, or at least an over-drinker, and a not very capable officer. His troops were mostly just-off-the-farm boys with little or no training.
As with most wars, the soldiers of all sides suffered and died, but even the civilians were harmed, people who had not only no vested interest in a victory by either side but often wanted both sides to lose.
(Author Kelton manages, again, to bring in the name of Santos Benavides, a Confederate hero who gets almost no mention in history books, but who deserves more recognition and, in my not-at-all-humble opinion, a good movie.)
Kelton makes one sadly common mistake: He writes as if slavery were the cause of Lincoln's invasion, despite the easily available information that Northern aggression was based entirely on the desire to maintain the empire, that is, to keep the South part of the Union so the tax dollars would keep flowing in to the central government. (Honestly, all the facts can be found with even a cursory search of, for example, Lincoln's own statements, including his famous letter to editor Horace Greeley. For another example, for many months after hostilities began, Northern troops were still enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act.)
But Kelton continues, as a deservedly well-loved author, to create and present likeable characters, people about whom we readers will care -- and some really despicable individuals about whom we can cheer when they get their just deserts.
How the strings and threads of the stories come together is not only satisfying, but logical and reasonable.
Elmer Kelton is one of my favorite writers, and has been ever since I, by accident, read his "The Time It Never Rained," in my opinion one of the greatest of Great American Novels. I urge everyone to read as many Kelton books as possible, and I do recommend "Many a River."
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March 25, 2024Another Elmer Kelton book that I greatly enjoyed. He sure knew how to craft a compelling story.
I believe Many a River is his last book, published in 2008. It takes place in the mid-1800s and follows two brothers who are separated during a Comanche raid that kills their parents. The older brother is taken in by a kind farming couple, while the younger is captured by the Comanches and sold into semi-slavery to a charismatic rancher. The story follows them over several years into the Civil War as they mark different paths and develop separately as young men. It’s told well, with great dialogue, adventure, hardships, memorable characters, humanity, and a rich sense of place that Kelton captures with ease. I learned a lot about the early days of the Civil War in the southwest, too. The book is transporting in a way that historical novels should be.
Many a River held my attention from the first page to the last.
I believe Many a River is his last book, published in 2008. It takes place in the mid-1800s and follows two brothers who are separated during a Comanche raid that kills their parents. The older brother is taken in by a kind farming couple, while the younger is captured by the Comanches and sold into semi-slavery to a charismatic rancher. The story follows them over several years into the Civil War as they mark different paths and develop separately as young men. It’s told well, with great dialogue, adventure, hardships, memorable characters, humanity, and a rich sense of place that Kelton captures with ease. I learned a lot about the early days of the Civil War in the southwest, too. The book is transporting in a way that historical novels should be.
Many a River held my attention from the first page to the last.
February 18, 2024
As expected from a story by Kelton the writing immerses the reader in the time period and locations. His writing keeps the reader engaged. Kelton’s story writing lifts this story above the pulp style shoot ‘em up as it’s the characters and the situations they face that drive this story. There isn’t too much variety with the personalities and behavior of most of the characters, except for the opportunistic trader, January. He leaps off the page when the story involves him.
Civil War enthusiasts should find this story interesting because of the depiction of the war in the southwest.
Civil War enthusiasts should find this story interesting because of the depiction of the war in the southwest.
December 8, 2020
A moving tale of the reunification of two brothers torn apart by violence and war. The narrative is epic in scope; the dialogue and settings are authentic and honest.
This is one of Kelton’s few novels where New Mexico culture and setting plays a prominent role. It makes for a welcome and fascinating change from a solely Texas locale.
An outstanding novel, transcending the Western genre; worthy of placing alongside the very best of American literature.
This is one of Kelton’s few novels where New Mexico culture and setting plays a prominent role. It makes for a welcome and fascinating change from a solely Texas locale.
An outstanding novel, transcending the Western genre; worthy of placing alongside the very best of American literature.
March 22, 2021
Two young men are the survivors of an Indian attack where their parents were killed. One brother was captured and sold. The other brother was away from camp and survived. The book follows the brothers as they grow into young men. The ending was amazing. I enjoyed this book so much that I would read it again. I will also look for other books written by this author. I tend to be a stingy grader but this book just blew me away.
January 19, 2021
For me this was a very fascinating book on many levels. Westerns usually leave me amazed and humbled at the strength and determination of our ancestors. This book was no exception.
I was not aware that Civil War battles occurred in the SW USA so this was interesting. Finally, the characters in the book were interesting and plausible.
Great read!
I was not aware that Civil War battles occurred in the SW USA so this was interesting. Finally, the characters in the book were interesting and plausible.
Great read!
December 18, 2023
Authentic southwestern United States pioneer history, interesting characters and well developed storyline, make Kelton's MANY A RIVER a compelling enjoyable read. The plot takes us through the hardships, trials, and determined efforts of settlers during the Civil War, emphasizing Christian family values. (4.5 rating)
August 22, 2024
This book follows 2 brothers that are separated when Indians kill their parents. But the description is a little misleading as it makes it seem like the brothers meet again as adult soldiers. The books follows them thru to their young teen years. I like survivor stories and ones with kids so I did enjoy this book but it dragged a little in places. It also had kind of an abrupt ending.
July 21, 2019
Elmer Kelton is one of my favorite trash Western authors, and this book is a good reason why he's good - he keeps the story moving quickly (maybe too quickly), makes the story a little complex without being complicated, and keeps things interesting.
March 16, 2020
Good read
Kelton is always good. Love the history, clean language and his plotting. And, his Texas and southwest locations appeal to this native Texan!
Kelton is always good. Love the history, clean language and his plotting. And, his Texas and southwest locations appeal to this native Texan!
August 21, 2020
Great reading.
February 20, 2021
Couldn’t put it down. Fast-moving story with lots of action.
May 23, 2022
While I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to get through at times because it was super slow in parts
June 23, 2022
4.5 listened very abrupt ending
November 5, 2022
Two boys orphaned by a Comanche attack in the chaos of the civil war get reunited. Elmer Kelton does his bit and well goes into love, justice and honor good story fun way to spend a few hours.
February 5, 2025
Very good. Interesting characters throughout. But the abrupt but happy ending cost it a star. Desperately needed an epilogue.
September 17, 2025
An orphan boy comes of age in Texas. Pretty much hots every cliche of Western fiction.
October 11, 2025
A good narrative, but I spotted the thinly-disguised "twist" very early. Looks like few Goodreads patrons are reviewing westerns.
December 23, 2025
So very good! I felt I have hiked these ares and definitely I’ve ridden the trail mostly by pickup’
July 22, 2012
Author: Elmer Kelton
Title: Many a River
Genre: Western
Publication Date: 2008
Number of Pages: 335
Geographical Setting: Texas and New Mexico
Time Period: Civil War era
Plot Summary: The story of the Barfield brothers, who are small children traveling west when Comanche Indians attack their family and kill their parents. Todd is taken by the Indians and sold, while Jeffrey manages to hide and is eventually picked up by some traveling militiamen and given a home. The book follows the lives of each boy through adolescence as they get caught up in the drama of the Civil War in the Southwest.
Subject Headings:
Civil War period, Brothers, Indians of North America, Comanche Indians, Comanche Indians- Captivities, Mexico, Confederate States of America, The Civil War, Coming-of-Age Stories, Western Stories
Appeal:
Densely written, detailed characterization, multiple points of view, complex story line, episodic, gentle, detailed setting, historical details, candid, simple, clean, stirring
3 terms that best describe this book:
Densely written
Solid historical details
Multiple points of view
Similar Authors and Works (why are they similar?):
3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors
Manifest Destinies: America’s Westward Expansion and the Road to the Civil War- Steven Woodworth
A history of the 1840s, Manifest Destinies discusses how the acquisition of western territories forced the nation to come to grips with the approaching Civil War.
Rebel Private: Front and Rear: Memoirs of a Confederate Soldier- William A Fletcher
This surviving journal of a Confederate footsoldier details what life was really life in the trenches of the Civil War. This memoir is a true-life version of Todd and Jeffrey’s time with the soldiers during the Civil War.
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History- S.C. Gwynne
This book is the story of the Comanche Indians, and their battle with the American settlers for control of the West. Would be a good choice for readers interested in the tribe that attacked the Barfields and kidnapped Todd.
3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors
Telegraph Days- Larry McMurtry
The story of two siblings orphaned by their father’s suicide who must move from their prosperous ranch to the nearby town and start new lives. Telegraph Days is another descriptive Western story about siblings starting over after tragedy.
Runaways- Andrew Fenady
Fleeing the devastation of the Civil War, Shad Parker shuts himself away on his farm in Texas. The arrival of three orphans during Christmas week of 1867 gives him something to live for. This inspiring novel features the same type of happy ending for young orphans in the West.
The Shadow of a Noose- Ralph Compton
Young twins Jed and Tim Strange set out to find their sister, who left home to avenge their father's murder over a year ago. But when they're accused of a murder they didn't commit, they must go on the run to find the true killers. This is another descriptive, atmospheric Western tale like Many a River.
Title: Many a River
Genre: Western
Publication Date: 2008
Number of Pages: 335
Geographical Setting: Texas and New Mexico
Time Period: Civil War era
Plot Summary: The story of the Barfield brothers, who are small children traveling west when Comanche Indians attack their family and kill their parents. Todd is taken by the Indians and sold, while Jeffrey manages to hide and is eventually picked up by some traveling militiamen and given a home. The book follows the lives of each boy through adolescence as they get caught up in the drama of the Civil War in the Southwest.
Subject Headings:
Civil War period, Brothers, Indians of North America, Comanche Indians, Comanche Indians- Captivities, Mexico, Confederate States of America, The Civil War, Coming-of-Age Stories, Western Stories
Appeal:
Densely written, detailed characterization, multiple points of view, complex story line, episodic, gentle, detailed setting, historical details, candid, simple, clean, stirring
3 terms that best describe this book:
Densely written
Solid historical details
Multiple points of view
Similar Authors and Works (why are they similar?):
3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors
Manifest Destinies: America’s Westward Expansion and the Road to the Civil War- Steven Woodworth
A history of the 1840s, Manifest Destinies discusses how the acquisition of western territories forced the nation to come to grips with the approaching Civil War.
Rebel Private: Front and Rear: Memoirs of a Confederate Soldier- William A Fletcher
This surviving journal of a Confederate footsoldier details what life was really life in the trenches of the Civil War. This memoir is a true-life version of Todd and Jeffrey’s time with the soldiers during the Civil War.
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History- S.C. Gwynne
This book is the story of the Comanche Indians, and their battle with the American settlers for control of the West. Would be a good choice for readers interested in the tribe that attacked the Barfields and kidnapped Todd.
3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors
Telegraph Days- Larry McMurtry
The story of two siblings orphaned by their father’s suicide who must move from their prosperous ranch to the nearby town and start new lives. Telegraph Days is another descriptive Western story about siblings starting over after tragedy.
Runaways- Andrew Fenady
Fleeing the devastation of the Civil War, Shad Parker shuts himself away on his farm in Texas. The arrival of three orphans during Christmas week of 1867 gives him something to live for. This inspiring novel features the same type of happy ending for young orphans in the West.
The Shadow of a Noose- Ralph Compton
Young twins Jed and Tim Strange set out to find their sister, who left home to avenge their father's murder over a year ago. But when they're accused of a murder they didn't commit, they must go on the run to find the true killers. This is another descriptive, atmospheric Western tale like Many a River.
January 13, 2016
It is a good yarn; however, it is NOT as interesting as the movie "Dances with wolves" (I have not read what must have been a book?)!
I think more sympathy should be shown to the native americans (after all, I am reading the book about the Trail of Tears!
Recently, I attended this local event: SPECIAL PROGRAM - Ben F. Tahmahkera, great-great-grandson of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker, will speak at the Wise County Historical Society meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Heritage Museum in Decatur. (http://www.wcmessenger.com/data/updat...)
The relative of Quanah Parker related the events that resulted in his distant grand-mother to be captured by the Comanche! The resulting actual incidents have many parallels with this Kelton book.
I think more sympathy should be shown to the native americans (after all, I am reading the book about the Trail of Tears!
Recently, I attended this local event: SPECIAL PROGRAM - Ben F. Tahmahkera, great-great-grandson of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker, will speak at the Wise County Historical Society meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Heritage Museum in Decatur. (http://www.wcmessenger.com/data/updat...)
The relative of Quanah Parker related the events that resulted in his distant grand-mother to be captured by the Comanche! The resulting actual incidents have many parallels with this Kelton book.
March 14, 2009
When you think about the Civil War you usually think about the North and the South. This book is fiction but focuses on both sides with two brothers who are separated by an Indian attack. One grows up in Texas and one grows up in New Mexico. Both get drawn into the War in different ways. Neither are really sure what the War is about or what it has to do with where they live. They just see the pain and the bodies and the corruption.
It is not the type of book I normally read but I liked it. It was slow and the conclusion was evident throughout the book. The author led you through each of the brothers' from the time of the attack until they meet again.
It is not the type of book I normally read but I liked it. It was slow and the conclusion was evident throughout the book. The author led you through each of the brothers' from the time of the attack until they meet again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews