Other Men's Horses

Texas Rangers #8

by Elmer Kelton

Texas Ranger Andy Pickard is assigned what appears to be a routine duty. Donley Bannister, a West Texas horse trader, has killed a thug named Cletus Slocum, who stole one of Bannister’s horses. Ranger Pickard is ordered to find and arrest Bannister and bring him to trial. The Bannister case turns out to be anything but routine. Pickard picks up Bannister’s trail and finds him holed up with some cohorts who wound and vow to kill the young Ranger. Ironically, Bannister saves Pickard’s life by fending off the would-be killers and taking Andy to a cow camp where his injury can be treated. When he is able to ride, Andy locates and trails Geneva Bannister, Donley’s young wife, hoping she will lead him to the wanted man. The trail takes unexpected turns and Near Fort Concho Andy’s mission is interrupted by an ugly racial incident in which a black soldier is killed; Bannister is shot by outlaw Curly Tadlock and left for dead; and Tadlock brutally assaults Geneva. Andy Pickard, newly married, still unsure of himself and his choice of Rangering as a career, must unravel this tangled series of events and accomplish his mission of bringing an accused killer to justice.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Adventure

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 2002

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

[Chris G Derrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good easy read.
Not difficult to put down if you needed to, or to pick up again when you had the time.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Experts say that to write a book that people will like you need characters that interest you. Andy is a Texas Ranger and from the beginning you like him. You meet other interesting characters. Ther is a horse thief wanted for murder, his wife, and a Buffalo soldier that round out the memorable characters. This is a good western and well worth the read.

[Candace Simar · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my first Elmer Kelton book but it will not be my last. Mr. Kelton did a superb job in creating such a story. wonderful!

[seven · Rating 2 out of 5]

lackluster narration mildly interesting plot

[Cepal · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written. This was the first read of his I've done. Thought him to be an excellent writer of a believable western.

[Bill Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like it. Love his style of writing.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book is spot on.

Donley Bannister tracks down Cletus Slocum and shoots him down dead. The Slocums are known horse thieves and scoundrels and it would be a clear case of defending one's property, except that Slocum's accomplice claim the shooting was done in cold blood--an execution! So Donley Bannister departs for places unknown, leaving behind a beautiful wife.

Andy Pickard, Texas Ranger goes out to get Bannister and bring him back to face justice, convinced it will be an easy task since everyone hated the Slocums and no jury would likely convict him. But Bannister is running with a hard crowd and Pickard is ambushed and wounded. Bannister protects him and gets him help before vanishing once more.

As Pickard heals up, his commander assigns him what should be an easy task-- Watch Bannister's wife in hopes she will lead the law to the fugitive. From there-- the story heats up as we read about Texas having changed from buffalo country to cow country... telephone wires are strung up in certain areas-- and the Indians are kept on the reservations by the African-American "Buffalo" soldiers-- who must face racism everyday. In the midst of it all, Kelton stirs in a mix of outlaws, cowpunchers, ranchers, soldiers, lawmen, etc. and creates a masterful tale about life in the old west.

Kelton's skill is unsurpassed when it comes to communicating a story while apparently avoiding strong language. Though there is a rape in the book-- Kelton avoids going graphic-- instead focusing on the shame felt by the woman. Though there is racism, Kelton scrupulously avoids the use of the "N" word, though it would have been historically accurate. The characters speak in strong and realistic manner, but avoid outright profanity. Kelton's ability to tell this story in such a realistic fashion, even though it would be authentic to use such, is a testimony to his skill as a writer. His characters are every bit as tough.

Further-- this tale weaves our Ranger hero's path with that of Mrs. Bannister and her husband in almost seamless storytelling. Each person's story becomes larger and includes more episodes, never distracting the reader from the REAL story.

This was an excellent western and far superior to most.,

[Joyce B. Lohse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great read from Elmer Kelton! Other Men's Horses was published in 2009, shortly after Mr. Kelton passed away. The story revolves around Texas Ranger Andy Pickard who undertakes a long and gruelling journey into remote areas of Texas to track down a potentially murderous horse thief who once saved him. Hoping for an arrest, Pickard stealthily follows the man's wife to her husband. The ranger, who longingly misses his own wife and home, tries to maintain his cover during the long journey, yet avoid further danger to the woman.

Kelton was on top of his craft when he wrote this story for his Texas Ranger series. His knowledge and research are always thorough and well-placed. His viewpoint and outlook on race and gender issues are sensitive and meaningful. I appreciate that he left his readers with a large library of work for further reading, learning and enjoyment for a long time to come.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple, fun read with all the characteristics of the trad Western: good guys and bad guys, honesty and duplicity, kindness and cruelty. The characters are well drawn but not overdrawn. The plot sets forth the novel’s themes with a few rambunctious twists. Like most if not all of Kelton’s novels, it is set in Texas, with the tones of personal toughness, self-reliance, and tough livin’ that Westerns in general and Texans in particular like to highlight. The protagonist, Texas Ranger Andy Pickard, sets the story rolling in pursuit of a fugitive murder suspect, and Geneva Bannister, the fugitive’s wife, adds pathos and spice, with a motley array of frontier types along the way. So, yeah, If you like straightforward Westerns, this one should do it for ya.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

The woman who is featured in the story begins in Earth County, goes in a horse and buggy to Junction City and then to the panhandle of Texas. All localities that I am familiar with as I have been to each of these localities but only briefly to Vernon in the panhandle. I am amazed at Kelton's ability to describe life that you feel you are there. Conflict between evil white men, Comanches, buffalo soldiers and the Texas Rangers is the essence of this story.

[Dacy Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Mr. Kelton. I love the way he weaves each person's story together in the narrative in this one, with cliffhangers and twists and turns. Looking forward to reading more from him.

[Abonrat · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ok enough story, but imo not of the L'Amour, class. I'd give it a 2.5 if such were allowed.
Cowboy pulp.

[Alyx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelton does no wrong in my book.
I liked this book. Don't know why it took so long for me to finish it.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this series about the Texas Rangers. I wish Elmer Kelton was still writing but hope he is resting in peace.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a thing for Old West. Strong virtuous men. The Louis L'Amour stereotype. Stays with women.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horse stealing was a hanging offense

Frontier justice tended to be harsh and quick without the need for a properly constituted judge and jury. Excellent characters in a well-crafted story that sometimes doubles back into itself. The old west and well worth the time.

[Jeff Tankersley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jeff Book Review #26

Other Men's Horses, Elmer Kelton (western)

"Other Men's Horses" is the 8th in a nine-book series by Elmer Kelton, and this installment is about a Texas Ranger who is hunting down a horse thief to bring him in on a murder charge, while that thief's wife is attempting to also reunite the thief.

I wrote some lengthy notes here at first, about stupid plot developments and the concept of “justice” he was trying to hammer on me, the reader, but am discarding those now because they are spoilery and don’t think you’d care anyway. I'll instead just say, because Kelton has credibility as a classic western author and this is the first of his that I've read, I'm going to try another Kelton book at some point. I'm hoping this one just wasn't up to his usual standard.

Verdict: I didn't really like this one.

Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)

next up: Counter Strike, Bruns/Olson

[Megargee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a somewhat richer and more complex tale with more a more interesting array of characters than most in this series. Recently married young Texas Ranger Andy Pickard, whom we have encountered in previous novels in Kelton's Texas Ranger series (he's the one who was abducted and raised by the Comanche) is assigned to track down fugitive Donley Bannister, but when Andy is shot by another outlaw it is Donley who saves his life. Nevertheless, once he is recovered Andy resumes the quest by stalking Mrs. Bannister in the hope she will lead Andy to her husband. From this point on the main focus of the book is on her search for husband who is not the man she thought he was. In addition to the issues facing women on the Texas frontier, the narrative also touches on race relations when Andy encounters a black Buffalo soldier who is also a fugitive.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is so nice to come back and listen (audiobook) to a good western and this book definately fit the bill. The good guys are good guys...stop. The bad guys are either trying to get out of the pickle they are in and redeem themselves or are truly no good bad guys. The values, their integrity, what they believe in, it is all there and their is no second guessing. This story contains it all. Believe me this is not a 1950's "Leave it to Beaver" cowboy story. This was a captivating story that had plenty of delightful twists and turns. Kept you guessing and kept you engaged.

With some of the other books that I have listened to lately about right and wrong, values, etc., this was so refreshing and rewarding. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The western has long relied on a familiar formula, with its roots in the dime novel. A writer departs from that formula at some risk of losing an audience. You admire someone who manages to get away with it, and Elmer Kelton has been one of them.

Other Men’s Horses has several elements of a typical western plot: a Texas Ranger, horse thieves, a cavalry officer, a sheriff, a lynch mob, and a long pursuit over sparsely settled frontier. At the center of the story is Texas Ranger Andy Pickard, out to bring in a man for trial who has killed another man over the theft of a horse...

More at my blog.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bannister kills a man who stole a horse from him and goes on the run leaving his wife behind. Recently married Texas Ranger Andy Parker is set out on his trail. After he is wounded, he stakes out the wife hoping that she will lead him to her husband. What follows are the adventures of Mrs. Banister and Ranger Parker. A story in the tradition of Zane Grey.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

To the best of my knowledge this is the third western I’ve ever read. That makes an average of almost one every twenty five years. Even though this is part of the “Texas Rangers” series, it is more about the hardships of women in the west.. It also deals with the Black soldiers who had gone West following the Civil War.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent western, as almost all of Mr. Kelton's books are. Andy Pickard goes after a man who is wanted for killing another man, possibly justified. To find him he trails his young wife as she sets out to go to her husband. A well told tale with a slightly obvious ending. Recommended.

[Tommie Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband and I enjoy most of Elmer Kelton's books, but this story didn't quite come up to the standards I've learned to expect from him.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my style, but true to the genre.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's about horses (sort of) and the protagonist's wife'e name is Beth...I didn't know it was a series til I added it here.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good quick read. The story was read in two days.

[Dennis O'Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story_ I enjoy his writing

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great western from Elmer Kelton.