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Sons of Texas #1
Sons of Texas
Mordecai Lewis and his sons Michael and Andrew ride into the Spanish province of Texas to hunt wild horses, planning to sell the animals back home in the Tennessee canebrakes. The expedition proves fatal for Mordecai and leaves the Lewis boys in peril on both sides of the border: with a murderous Spanish officer in Texas and a blood vendetta with the Blackwood clan, a neighboring Tennessee family.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
42 people are currently reading
306 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 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 6, 2017
I've been on this kick recently to get some more Westerns in my mix. After reading Cormac McCarthy's border trilogy (and recalling his awesome 'Blood Meridian') and currently being immersed in Pete Dexter's incredible novel 'Deadwood', I began to really fall for stories of the southwest. I'd heard that Elmer Kelton was one of the more celebrated and revered western novelists around, so I picked up Sons Of Texas expecting to be impressed.
In the back of my mind "Westerns" always took on a hammy kinda vibe, something I couldn't take all that seriously until I came into contact with some writers that do the genre all kinds of right. I was hoping Kelton would fall into this category. It turns out he doesn't.
'Sons Of Texas' is a mediocre read at best. It's mostly a plodding, meandering yawn of a novel that fails to excite or enrapture the reader at every turn. It's the story of a young man who slowly retraces his steps from Tennessee back to Texas, the place where his father was murdered before his eyes by Spanish soldiers. Although this set up feels like it could be quite compelling, it is far from it.
For such a celebrated novelist, Elmer Kelton's writing is not what I'd call good. He repeats himself often and continually reiterates points in the story. There are more than a few cringe-worthy similes in the narrative, and his propensity for using adverbs proves exhausting, particularly in dialogue. There is so much he/she said "dryly", "huskily", "excitedly" etc, that your eyes start rolling so much it becomes difficult to keep them on the page. Kelton's pacing is weak, and his prose fails to even remotely achieve the greatness that seems to be associated with him (at least in this novel). It's OK at times, but never rises much above that. All in all, it confirmed my fears about a lot of the Western genre. Nothing much intriguing or gripping from Elmer, but a fair bit on the boring and trite side.
After this experience, I think I'll avoid Mr. Kelton in the future. Or, if you prefer....
"I wouldn't bother with this novel or any of his others." I said dryly.
In the back of my mind "Westerns" always took on a hammy kinda vibe, something I couldn't take all that seriously until I came into contact with some writers that do the genre all kinds of right. I was hoping Kelton would fall into this category. It turns out he doesn't.
'Sons Of Texas' is a mediocre read at best. It's mostly a plodding, meandering yawn of a novel that fails to excite or enrapture the reader at every turn. It's the story of a young man who slowly retraces his steps from Tennessee back to Texas, the place where his father was murdered before his eyes by Spanish soldiers. Although this set up feels like it could be quite compelling, it is far from it.
For such a celebrated novelist, Elmer Kelton's writing is not what I'd call good. He repeats himself often and continually reiterates points in the story. There are more than a few cringe-worthy similes in the narrative, and his propensity for using adverbs proves exhausting, particularly in dialogue. There is so much he/she said "dryly", "huskily", "excitedly" etc, that your eyes start rolling so much it becomes difficult to keep them on the page. Kelton's pacing is weak, and his prose fails to even remotely achieve the greatness that seems to be associated with him (at least in this novel). It's OK at times, but never rises much above that. All in all, it confirmed my fears about a lot of the Western genre. Nothing much intriguing or gripping from Elmer, but a fair bit on the boring and trite side.
After this experience, I think I'll avoid Mr. Kelton in the future. Or, if you prefer....
"I wouldn't bother with this novel or any of his others." I said dryly.
May 3, 2017
Just the second book from Elmer Kelton that I have read/listened to. Not as good as the first "Hanging Judge" but an OK book made better by the reader Jason Culp, who is spectacular. The book takes place in the early 1800's (around 1820-21). The main character "Michael Lewis" was with his father who had gone to Texas 5 years earlier. His father was killed by a Spanish Officer along with everyone in the party that had come to Texas with his father looking for horses except Michael. Michael is haunted by the death of his father and has a yearning to return to Texas, avenge his father's murder and make a home in Texas. He, along with his younger brother, leave Tennessee and take the long journey back toward Texas in search of a place to settle. The journey however is full of surprises and danger. This is the first book in a trilogy of adventures of the Lewis family through the era of the Alamo and Texas Independence under Sam Houston.
June 18, 2019
Not my favorite Elmer Kelton.
July 11, 2019
Don't think I've ever read an Elmer Kelton book that I didn't enjoy, but I admit that I did not like this one as well as "The Rebels" that came later in the series.
February 21, 2025
This is a new Western series for me, and I might continue with it. I liked the less certain trajectory of this book, as opposed to most Louis L'Amour novels. At the same time, I don't want to read anti-westerns such as Blood Meridian too often. That might be just a tad depressing.
January 24, 2020
**This review has also been posted to https://edwardrickford.com/ and Amazon**
I never had much interest in Westerns when I was younger but I figured I would give Sons of Texas a read in the interests of trying something new. I’m glad I did as it’s easily one of the most engrossing books I have happened across this year. Considering we are not even one month into the new year, I know that may not mean much but I did really enjoy the book.
Sons of Texas starts in 1816 and transports readers back to a time when the west was a rough, dangerous place and borders were as fluid as the Sabine. Having spent all his life on a small farm in Tennessee, Michael Lewis has largely been sheltered from frontier violence but his wayward father, Mordecai, served with Andrew Jackson and know just how violent the western territories can be. Nonetheless, he can’t help but pine for the free lifestyle offered by frontier living.
The author makes it clear that Mordecai is far from the first Lewis to suffer from wanderlust, Michael wonders to himself at one point if his family would have ever crossed the Atlantic had it been any other way, but Mordecai’s wanderlust verges on deadly. Often times, he goes days without his food and weeks without seeing his children. Such hardship exacts a toll but Mordecai is quite content with “living on water and air for days at a time” because he figures that “a man was not so easily killed as was commonly supposed.” Nonetheless, his penchant for exploring and adventuring is not without risk and Mordecai has borrowed more than he can ever hope to pay back. Unless of course he can pull off his latest get-rich-quick scheme. To pull it off, all he needs to do is sneak into the mysterious place known as Texas, round up some wild horses, and then return to Tennessee with them. Only problem is Mordecai will have to break the law to do so and the Spanish authorities have little love for the “Americanos” who sneak over the border to help themselves to the bounties of Texas.
While Mordecai has little compunction about breaking the law, he fully understands that capturing the wild horses will not be easy. Convinced, however, the money is worth the risk he returns to Tennessee to recruit men and gather resources. His own children hardly recognize him, but Mordecai only stays a few days before he leaves Tennessee to return to Texas. This time, however, Michael follows him and learns for himself just how rough frontier life can be when he comes across two outlaws with a penchant for violence. He barely escapes the encounter with his life, but it will not be his final brush with violence. Michael assumes that he will be safe once he links up with his father’s posse, but a group of Spanish soldiers ambush them after they have caught the horses and Michael suffers a near-fatal injury.
In the interests of not giving away the entire story, I won’t say any more about the plot but it’s worth noting that Michael’s first encounter with the Spanish soldiers is not the climax of the story. It is certainly a high point, but the book does not lack for harrowing sequences, whether it’s an encounter with a murderous priest or a blood feud with a neighbor. As gripping as these plot points are, I think what I will really remember about this book is the way author Elmer Kelton makes us sympathize with characters we shouldn’t like.
There may be no better example of this than Mordecai. Mordecai is a terrible father--he provides next to nothing for his children and spends almost no time with them--but he’s a surprisingly sympathetic character. Absentee fathers are a staple in Westerns but Mordecai is different. He neglects his family not so he can tend the bottle or chase skirts, but to search for greener pastures. He’s convinced that he can always find something better for his family and constantly casts his gaze west in search of that better living. He can’t give up on the hope that greener pastures can be found elsewhere so he can never be there for his family as he should be. There’s something very heart-rending about that and I suspect that readers will remember the characters of Sons of Texas long after they finish it. I strongly recommend the book to anyone interested in frontier history, Antebellum history, or Texas history and will be sure to read more of Kelton’s work.
I never had much interest in Westerns when I was younger but I figured I would give Sons of Texas a read in the interests of trying something new. I’m glad I did as it’s easily one of the most engrossing books I have happened across this year. Considering we are not even one month into the new year, I know that may not mean much but I did really enjoy the book.
Sons of Texas starts in 1816 and transports readers back to a time when the west was a rough, dangerous place and borders were as fluid as the Sabine. Having spent all his life on a small farm in Tennessee, Michael Lewis has largely been sheltered from frontier violence but his wayward father, Mordecai, served with Andrew Jackson and know just how violent the western territories can be. Nonetheless, he can’t help but pine for the free lifestyle offered by frontier living.
The author makes it clear that Mordecai is far from the first Lewis to suffer from wanderlust, Michael wonders to himself at one point if his family would have ever crossed the Atlantic had it been any other way, but Mordecai’s wanderlust verges on deadly. Often times, he goes days without his food and weeks without seeing his children. Such hardship exacts a toll but Mordecai is quite content with “living on water and air for days at a time” because he figures that “a man was not so easily killed as was commonly supposed.” Nonetheless, his penchant for exploring and adventuring is not without risk and Mordecai has borrowed more than he can ever hope to pay back. Unless of course he can pull off his latest get-rich-quick scheme. To pull it off, all he needs to do is sneak into the mysterious place known as Texas, round up some wild horses, and then return to Tennessee with them. Only problem is Mordecai will have to break the law to do so and the Spanish authorities have little love for the “Americanos” who sneak over the border to help themselves to the bounties of Texas.
While Mordecai has little compunction about breaking the law, he fully understands that capturing the wild horses will not be easy. Convinced, however, the money is worth the risk he returns to Tennessee to recruit men and gather resources. His own children hardly recognize him, but Mordecai only stays a few days before he leaves Tennessee to return to Texas. This time, however, Michael follows him and learns for himself just how rough frontier life can be when he comes across two outlaws with a penchant for violence. He barely escapes the encounter with his life, but it will not be his final brush with violence. Michael assumes that he will be safe once he links up with his father’s posse, but a group of Spanish soldiers ambush them after they have caught the horses and Michael suffers a near-fatal injury.
In the interests of not giving away the entire story, I won’t say any more about the plot but it’s worth noting that Michael’s first encounter with the Spanish soldiers is not the climax of the story. It is certainly a high point, but the book does not lack for harrowing sequences, whether it’s an encounter with a murderous priest or a blood feud with a neighbor. As gripping as these plot points are, I think what I will really remember about this book is the way author Elmer Kelton makes us sympathize with characters we shouldn’t like.
There may be no better example of this than Mordecai. Mordecai is a terrible father--he provides next to nothing for his children and spends almost no time with them--but he’s a surprisingly sympathetic character. Absentee fathers are a staple in Westerns but Mordecai is different. He neglects his family not so he can tend the bottle or chase skirts, but to search for greener pastures. He’s convinced that he can always find something better for his family and constantly casts his gaze west in search of that better living. He can’t give up on the hope that greener pastures can be found elsewhere so he can never be there for his family as he should be. There’s something very heart-rending about that and I suspect that readers will remember the characters of Sons of Texas long after they finish it. I strongly recommend the book to anyone interested in frontier history, Antebellum history, or Texas history and will be sure to read more of Kelton’s work.
March 30, 2020
The book may be called Sons of Texas, but the heroes of this thing are from Tennessee. Most of the action occurs on the wrong side of the Sabine River to justify the title. The time is the 1810s-1820s, when there wasn’t really a Texas or even a Mexico.
This story is written in an old fashioned heroic style, befitting this high flown tale of real men with a wandering spirit, and not really much use for the womenfolk they leave behind them. Alas, this fine rhetoric is set loose on a story which involves a lot of tramping about the countryside, some random feuds, and a little revenge sprinkled in because what’s a western without a revenge plot? Course, there are some high spirited women, because real men have periodic needs, even when pushing on to the frontier.
The result isn’t anything that resembles a complete novel. I find myself underwhelmed. Nothing gets resolved. Even the villain of the piece is likely not dead, though he disappears into the river after being shot. This is all just a frenetic preamble to some other story — and not one I am all that interested in. Not even to find out if the villain’s dead.
So really just 2.5 stars, rounded up because I like a heroic writing style
This story is written in an old fashioned heroic style, befitting this high flown tale of real men with a wandering spirit, and not really much use for the womenfolk they leave behind them. Alas, this fine rhetoric is set loose on a story which involves a lot of tramping about the countryside, some random feuds, and a little revenge sprinkled in because what’s a western without a revenge plot? Course, there are some high spirited women, because real men have periodic needs, even when pushing on to the frontier.
The result isn’t anything that resembles a complete novel. I find myself underwhelmed. Nothing gets resolved. Even the villain of the piece is likely not dead, though he disappears into the river after being shot. This is all just a frenetic preamble to some other story — and not one I am all that interested in. Not even to find out if the villain’s dead.
So really just 2.5 stars, rounded up because I like a heroic writing style
May 5, 2017
Sixteen-year-old Michael Lewis has the wanderlust, just like his papa. So, in 1816 he trails his father from Tennessee to Texas where really bad things happen, but on the plus side, Michael meets the lovely Marie Villaret. He returns home to Tennessee, but the memories of Texas and Marie haunt him. Five years later a blood feud with the lowdown Blackwood family turns deadly, giving Michael the excuse he needs to head west once again, this time with brother Andrew in tow.
It’s a rousing tale of adventure complete with rebellious Mexicans, manifest destiny Americans, backstabbing bad guys and power-hungry villains. The first in a Texas trilogy, good enough to take on the next two volumes.
It’s a rousing tale of adventure complete with rebellious Mexicans, manifest destiny Americans, backstabbing bad guys and power-hungry villains. The first in a Texas trilogy, good enough to take on the next two volumes.
December 14, 2024
Early Texas
Absolutely wonderful book telling how some of the earliest Texas settlers were motivated to make their way into Texas and the animosity and hostility along with the hardships they faced. Written by Elmer Kelton, in my opinion, the best writer of the western genre ever to live.
Absolutely wonderful book telling how some of the earliest Texas settlers were motivated to make their way into Texas and the animosity and hostility along with the hardships they faced. Written by Elmer Kelton, in my opinion, the best writer of the western genre ever to live.
September 14, 2018
I picked up this book to help me with understanding the historical setting of Texas in the 1800’s for a writing project. This book was perfect, although I didn’t realize it was the first in a series. Now I am inspired to look for the next book!
January 21, 2022
good story, new characters and some history as well
January 21, 2024
Easy to follow along western story without overcomplication. Establishes the foundation for the continuation of the series.
August 3, 2013
Sons of Texas, the first book in the series that bears its name, is an excellent book. The cover is bit misleading, since it shows a 'typical Texas cowboy' of the 1870s/1880s, but the book is much earlier than that. The book begins in 1816, with Mordecai Lewis leaves his home in Tennessee with a party of men which includes his new friend, Eli Pleasant, who trades and smuggles goods into the Spanish province of Texas, several neighbors and his son, Michael Lewis to gather wild horses in Texas, and sell them in Tennessee. (The blurb on the back cover of the book and on this site is incorrect. Mordecai's son, Andrew, does not accompany the men on this trip)
However, they run afoul of a vindictive Spanish office, Lt. Rodriguez while Pleasant is chasing a runaway horse, and everyone except Michael Lewis and a man named Cyrus Blackwood are excueted. Lewis is badly wounded. Rodriguez details a Sgt Zaragosa to finish him off (and kill Pleasant at the same time) and rides away. Zaragosa, however, understands the difference being a soldier and a murderer and leaves the two men, with instructions to Blackwood to assist Lewis and get the wounded boy (he is 15) back to Tennessee. But Blackwood abandons Lewis, leaving him for Pleasant to find, get back across the Sabine into the US, and be nursed back to health.
The remainder of the book details that struggle, Michael Lewis's return to Tennessee, his confronting Blackwood and his family, creating a feud that will reverbarate through the remaing two books of the series, (Sons of Texas: The Raiders, and Sons of Texas: The Rebels) before jumping to 1821, and the now grown Michael Lewis's own struggle with his demons and his return to Texas with his brother Andrew.
Kelton was a native Texan and writes well and helps us understands the little 'footnotes' that make up such a large part of history, and how our country was created. Sons of Texas set the stage in such a wonderful way, it is well worth reading.
However, they run afoul of a vindictive Spanish office, Lt. Rodriguez while Pleasant is chasing a runaway horse, and everyone except Michael Lewis and a man named Cyrus Blackwood are excueted. Lewis is badly wounded. Rodriguez details a Sgt Zaragosa to finish him off (and kill Pleasant at the same time) and rides away. Zaragosa, however, understands the difference being a soldier and a murderer and leaves the two men, with instructions to Blackwood to assist Lewis and get the wounded boy (he is 15) back to Tennessee. But Blackwood abandons Lewis, leaving him for Pleasant to find, get back across the Sabine into the US, and be nursed back to health.
The remainder of the book details that struggle, Michael Lewis's return to Tennessee, his confronting Blackwood and his family, creating a feud that will reverbarate through the remaing two books of the series, (Sons of Texas: The Raiders, and Sons of Texas: The Rebels) before jumping to 1821, and the now grown Michael Lewis's own struggle with his demons and his return to Texas with his brother Andrew.
Kelton was a native Texan and writes well and helps us understands the little 'footnotes' that make up such a large part of history, and how our country was created. Sons of Texas set the stage in such a wonderful way, it is well worth reading.
February 11, 2012
Elmer Kelton is a great story teller and this one sets the tone for the upcoming books in the series. Kelton hits dead center as he immediately gets you entwinted in the characters and adventure. There is always enough intrigue and danger to keep you glued to the pages to see where it all heads and this one is no differetn. For years I read Louis L'amour and always hoped to find a story teller who could come close to his books. Several years ago I picked up my first Kelton book and my favorite "Many a River" at a book store and not only have I found that story teller to line up with L'amour I think he in some ways surpasses him.
September 28, 2009
NOTE: I do not usually give any book but the Bible five stars, but books by Elmer Kelton deserve five stars.
While Louis L'Amour does capture the West and has written widely bout it, Elmer Kelton tells of early Texas. He has captured the thought process and colloquial slang of the Texans. His books are non-stop page turners that are hard to put down.
Elmer Kelton is such a good author that I intend to read every one of his books that I can get my hands on.
While Louis L'Amour does capture the West and has written widely bout it, Elmer Kelton tells of early Texas. He has captured the thought process and colloquial slang of the Texans. His books are non-stop page turners that are hard to put down.
Elmer Kelton is such a good author that I intend to read every one of his books that I can get my hands on.
February 6, 2016
This is the first novel in Kelton's Sons of Texas multi-generational trilogy that traces the fortunes of the Lewis family from the time they first migrate to then-Mexican ruled Texas through the Battle of San Jacinto. All three are distinguished by their historical accuracy and depict the events from both the both the Mexican and Tejano perspective.
The subsequent Sons of Texas trilogy takes events forward from that point through the Civil War.
The subsequent Sons of Texas trilogy takes events forward from that point through the Civil War.
March 20, 2011
A vivid retelling of the life of the early Texas colonists. It was very true-to-life and the story was engrossing. The only thing that kept it from being 4 stars for me was the number of characters. I had a little trouble keeping them all straight. This is the first of a trilogy and I look forward to reading the next book.
August 23, 2015
This is a really good book. I just "found" Elmer Kelton. He's written dozens of books with Texas as a common background. His descriptions make you feel you are really there. I can't wait to read on in this trilogy. It's just starting to get good!
February 17, 2009
read this while in Ohio, had forgotten it until I checked it out for Jack
May 4, 2009
An absolute must read for the Texas History buff. Gives a look at Texas during the very early 1800's at time it was occupied by Spain.
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July 20, 2009my grandma read this book "figure" i might try it out.
April 29, 2010
Wonderful, suspensful, western history/fiction, wow, very accurate like Lamour.
September 8, 2011
A good story burdened by glacial pacing.
January 16, 2011
Early 1800's, Tennessee to Texas, survival. Recommend as historical fiction or western.
July 26, 2016
This was my first read by this author but will not be my last. very interesting characters and story line, a page turner with several surprises. will order his other books tonight.
September 19, 2009
Really liked this book!
March 29, 2017
Enjoyable book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews