The Beginning

Longhorn #1

by Dusty Rhodes, Gene Engene (Narrator)

Buck Cordell is a giant of a man in a giant, untamed land called Texas. He builds a cattle ranch where ordinary men all say it can't be done a cattle empire that defies all odds, a family that changes the course of Texas history, and a legacy that outlives the Old West.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

Audio CD

First published March 30, 2006

Reviews

[✨Susan✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the Civil War many soldiers on both sides did not know the war was over. Buck and Chester, our main characters learn of the cease fire only after an unfortunate, unnecessary battle, where all but four of them were killed. The Union shipment they com-endeared had letters announcing the end of the war and $20,000. Because there was no one to return the money to they decided to split it four ways. While two of the lower ranked soldiers were counting the money they decided it would be better to take it for themselves, well Buck and Chester ended up on the better side of that deal. Confederates stuck in the North had a very hard time making it back to their homes in the South because there were many that still had vendettas to satisfy.

They headed South from Virginia to Texas together and along the way they recognized that they had similar mind sets and specific skills that offset eachother. The trip was demanding and at times deadly but it helped them to learn to trust each other, develope a friendship and eventually become partners in the cattle business. They decided to purchase Longhorn cattle that at the time were pretty specific to Mexico but had a large untapped market in the US. It turned out to be very lucrative but dangerous. Adventures abound as these two rough and tumble, no nonsense characters go up against everything from Indians to cowboy desperadoes. A little romance, cherished family members and loyal employees round out this well told, Old Wild West story.

When the narration first started, Gene Engene's voice reminded me of the narrator of the old Walt Disney, documentary movies which made the live animals seem so funny. He does a great job with these tough characters. This would be an excellent series for anyone who loves old western TV series. Not my genre but I liked these characters very much and it was a great Daily Deal.

[Nadene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangely, I loved this series of meandering tales of the west--Texas 1860's. I have never read a cowboy story before, but I loved the characters and the lives they built. The main part of the story is about longhorn cows and taking them across the trail .No sex or swearing--plenty of cowboy violence without the gory details (iie Koontz).

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. An old timey western.

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I stumbled over this series. I love my western books and this is a very good read. Love the story, the setting, and the characters. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Alli · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 The book had a thrilling start, but took a sort of simple-minded turn about 1/3 through. The author must be an obsessive coffee drinker - its presence is so frequent that it bordered on peculiar & kicked me out of the story after the four dozenth mention. Minus some extreme violence, the story is profanity free & chastely romantic. Anyone who likes an old fashioned western will probably enjoy.

[Holzster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read if you like westerns

[Kristy Venable · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical shoot-em-up with a decent love story thrown in. Pretty short on depth, pretty standard plot.

[Butch Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story but I love westerns :-)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longhorn IV - The Family

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

good stories

[Holzster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read if you like westerns

[Shayz · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!!! I ssooooo loved this book. Can't wait for book 2.