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Stand Proud
In Stand Proud, one of his most controversial novels, legendary Western writer Elmer Kelton takes on a character who is not as easy to like as he is to admire. Frank Claymore is cantankerous, stubborn, and intolerant--just the qualities that make him a success as an open-range cattle rancher on the West Texas frontier.
Stand Proud follows Claymore form the time of the Civil War to the dawn of the twentieth century--through marriage, births, deaths, and a creeping change in the society that once hailed him as a hero, and which later has him condemned as a despoiler and tried for murder.
Based in part of legendary rancher Charles Goodnight, Claymore is only one example of the many men who dreamed of cattle, and through their dedication to that dream came to change the face of Western history.
Stand Proud follows Claymore form the time of the Civil War to the dawn of the twentieth century--through marriage, births, deaths, and a creeping change in the society that once hailed him as a hero, and which later has him condemned as a despoiler and tried for murder.
Based in part of legendary rancher Charles Goodnight, Claymore is only one example of the many men who dreamed of cattle, and through their dedication to that dream came to change the face of Western history.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
14 people are currently reading
110 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 13, 2023
An amazing achievement, moving and profound. The trope is the ending of the Old West, and its morals and ways, as it slowly and reluctantly transitions into the new, with all the clashes and struggles that entails. This is great writing, a page turner with a spellbinding denouement. Terrific characterization. Many of you will enjoy the rugged and straightforward beauty and power of this novel. I’ll be looking for more of Mr. Kelton’s work. Sir, thank you for telling a good story well. May you rest in peace.
June 5, 2020
I can't believe I've lived this long without having read Elmer Kelton; will wonders never cease. This story was remarkable and historical fiction at its finest with heavy emphasis on "the land" of West Texas and a man who discovered his dream valley. Highly recommended.
September 14, 2012
This is my second western book and, compared to the first - Ralph Compton's The Goodnight Trail (1992) - I liked this more.
Like the first book, I just picked this up from the stacks of second-hand books at Booksale. I just wanted to read and discover more good western books without spending a fortune.
Elmer Kenton (1926-2009), a Texan journalist and writer, holds the record of having won the highest number of Spur Awards, the annual literary prize awarded by Western Writers of America. So, Kenton truly knew what he wrote about: cowboys, Comanche Indians, guns, horses, buffaloes, cattle, etc.
What I liked about this book is textured characterization of Frank Claymore, its main protagonist. Still based partly on Charlie Goodnight, the difference between this and Compton's book is that it tells the life of Claymore from the outbreak of the Civil War up to the time of the Last Frontier. However, instead of just tracing the trail and telling the encounters and fights against the raiding Comances, this book tells more about the family, friends and enemies of the man. It delves more on his internal complexities instead of appearing like an adventure book. Kelton chose to dwell on his thoughts, decisions and actions regardless of whether they are right or wrong. Also, in here, the cowboys cry like human being. It reminded me of John Le Carre's The Spy Who Came in From the Cold where the main protagonist - the spy - gets utterly nervous that is very different from the usual action thriller's depiction of spies: tough, brutal, emotionless and no nonsense. In short, this book shows us the softer sides of horse-riding and gun-totting cowboys.
I have two favorite scenes. First is the deception made by Claymore's friend to get Claymore's girlfriend. The friend volunteers Claymore to the Civil War for one month without telling Claymore's girlfriend. So, the girlfriend does not know if Claymore will be back alive. The friend seduces the girlfriend so when Claymore comes back after a month, the girlfriend is already pregnant and the child is Claymore's. Kind of sticky, right? But their fight and their terse verbal exchanges are heartfelt. The second is when a boy is found by a wandering old cowboy and the old cowboy brings the boy to Claymore. Incidentally, the old cowboy is so poor he has not eaten anything for a number of days. Because he is an old acquaintance, Claymore asks the old cowboy to live with them. The old cowboy refuses saying that he is too old and weak and cannot do his keep. After suggesting that the old cowboy can sell his horse, Claymore sincerely tells the old cowboy to stay. It is not really melodramatic but when the old cowboy has some tears in his eyes in appreciation of Claymore's kindness, I was a tad touched by that scene.
The book is an easy read: thin, prose is taut and not a word wasted. I would not know about the Spur Awards if not because of this book. I would now know that a good author like Elmer Kenton was yonder in the cattle ranch of Texas.
I will definitely not hesitate to buy his other books.
Like the first book, I just picked this up from the stacks of second-hand books at Booksale. I just wanted to read and discover more good western books without spending a fortune.
Elmer Kenton (1926-2009), a Texan journalist and writer, holds the record of having won the highest number of Spur Awards, the annual literary prize awarded by Western Writers of America. So, Kenton truly knew what he wrote about: cowboys, Comanche Indians, guns, horses, buffaloes, cattle, etc.
What I liked about this book is textured characterization of Frank Claymore, its main protagonist. Still based partly on Charlie Goodnight, the difference between this and Compton's book is that it tells the life of Claymore from the outbreak of the Civil War up to the time of the Last Frontier. However, instead of just tracing the trail and telling the encounters and fights against the raiding Comances, this book tells more about the family, friends and enemies of the man. It delves more on his internal complexities instead of appearing like an adventure book. Kelton chose to dwell on his thoughts, decisions and actions regardless of whether they are right or wrong. Also, in here, the cowboys cry like human being. It reminded me of John Le Carre's The Spy Who Came in From the Cold where the main protagonist - the spy - gets utterly nervous that is very different from the usual action thriller's depiction of spies: tough, brutal, emotionless and no nonsense. In short, this book shows us the softer sides of horse-riding and gun-totting cowboys.
I have two favorite scenes. First is the deception made by Claymore's friend to get Claymore's girlfriend. The friend volunteers Claymore to the Civil War for one month without telling Claymore's girlfriend. So, the girlfriend does not know if Claymore will be back alive. The friend seduces the girlfriend so when Claymore comes back after a month, the girlfriend is already pregnant and the child is Claymore's. Kind of sticky, right? But their fight and their terse verbal exchanges are heartfelt. The second is when a boy is found by a wandering old cowboy and the old cowboy brings the boy to Claymore. Incidentally, the old cowboy is so poor he has not eaten anything for a number of days. Because he is an old acquaintance, Claymore asks the old cowboy to live with them. The old cowboy refuses saying that he is too old and weak and cannot do his keep. After suggesting that the old cowboy can sell his horse, Claymore sincerely tells the old cowboy to stay. It is not really melodramatic but when the old cowboy has some tears in his eyes in appreciation of Claymore's kindness, I was a tad touched by that scene.
The book is an easy read: thin, prose is taut and not a word wasted. I would not know about the Spur Awards if not because of this book. I would now know that a good author like Elmer Kenton was yonder in the cattle ranch of Texas.
I will definitely not hesitate to buy his other books.
March 21, 2011
I really liked this book. There is a reason that Elmer Kelton won the Spur Award seven times. Stand Proud is well done as it tells the tale of Frank Claymore using flashbacks to tell the story of his life during his trial for murder. I did not see the ending coming which is a pleasant surprise and after reading this western found myself still thinking about the story and outcome.
April 20, 2020
Recently re-read. At times wondered why I'd assigned four stars. Then came the five star ending.
June 29, 2013
When I first read that Elmer Kelton was voted the greatest western writer of all time, I assumed that was just more hyperbole that publishers use to sell books. Now that I have read a few of his works, I see that he indeed deserves the acclaim and his work should not be missed out by other readers just because he is a "western" writer.
Though I may put this one just below "The Time it Never Rained" and "The Man who Rode Midnight", I loved it. This is a great story, and told wonderfully. Though initially I read this as a library loan, I went out and purchased the book. It is too good not to have available to me whenever the urge to read it hits me.
Though I may put this one just below "The Time it Never Rained" and "The Man who Rode Midnight", I loved it. This is a great story, and told wonderfully. Though initially I read this as a library loan, I went out and purchased the book. It is too good not to have available to me whenever the urge to read it hits me.
January 12, 2015
The story is set in West Texas beginning during the civil war and covering some 40 years thereafter. Claymore is on trial for murder. As the trial progresses Claymore remembers the past and thus the story of the making of a cattle baron is told.
Personally I like my heroes with fewer faults. And I doubt that any trial would have been conducted like this one. Literary license I guess.
Personally I like my heroes with fewer faults. And I doubt that any trial would have been conducted like this one. Literary license I guess.
February 4, 2012
One of the best westerns I have ever read. The life of Frank Claymore, West Texas rancher, is reviewed from his being a young man to being an old hard-bitten rascal on trial for murder. Nifty surprise ending! Highly recommended to anyone, not just western fans!
April 19, 2021
Enjoyed this book. Most westerns that I have read seem a little cheesy. This book was not. The characters were realistic (with flaws). This is the first Kelton book I have read, and I will definitely read more.
April 10, 2012
Great story. Always looking for something to listen to on the way to and from Gettysburg. This fit the bill nicely.
August 11, 2013
Started a bit slow to me but turned into another great Kelton story of the west and the conflicts between the old and new west.
February 11, 2014
Very sensitive writing.
May 15, 2017
Epic. Gritty and heartfelt. I wish it was longer. I feel like I just said goodbye to a friend when I finished it.
April 27, 2020
Did not finish.
I was really surprised and disappointed by this book. To my consternation, it came across like all typical modern revisionist
Westerns: cynical. Why in modern society do we hastily trade honor and integrity for dishonor and roguery -particularly in our literature and entertainment?
I had always thought more of Kelton. In an attempt at realism, all Kelton does in Stand Proud is to subvert the roles and themes of earlier beloved Western classics like the Virginian and instead focus almost exclusively on the ‘bad’ in people. In Stand Proud, men are weak, flawed and unchivalrous; women are power hungry, and conniving. No one is happy. Life is drudgery. Life, history and art comprise a half-empty glass of disappointment. This, like most modern Western fiction passes as praiseworthy. I wanted to see this book as more than that, but struggled.
With respect to so-called “realists”, Eugene Manlove Rhodes said in 1921 in his exceptional novel ‘Stepsons of Light’: “they write very long books in which they set the evil on one side-and nothing on the other. That is ‘realism’. Whatsoever things are false, whatsoever things are dishonest, whatsoever things are unjust, whatsoever things are impure, whatsoever things are of ill report; if there be any vice, and if there be any shame -they think on these things.”
I believe Rhodes may very well have seen a vision of Stand Proud by Elmer Kelton -or indeed many Western novels in the second half of the 20th Century- as he penned those words back in 1921. His words were lamentably prophetic.
I didn’t see this same cynicism in The Good Old Boys. That was a touching, moving book, filled with hope, compassion and forgiveness. Clearly Kelton is capable of better things. Writers have a clear choice. It’s a harder one to find the good in the world.
As an aside, a Pastor once said of Kelton that almost any member of the family could pick up one of his books and know it would be a clean and inspirational read. He must have missed this one. I gave up on this book because I kept stumbling into rated R material. It was frustrating. I didn’t want to read it, and I certainly wouldn’t want children to do so.
If you want an inspiring, authentic and riveting story of the early days of frontier Texas, try ‘The Log of a Cowboy’ by Andy Adams, or ‘North of 36’ by Emerson Hough. For more intense drama that you could still feel comfortable having a younger audience read/listen to, you also can’t go wrong with ‘The Searchers’ or ‘The Unforgiven’ by Alan Le May. Don’t get me wrong, these titles don’t all paint frontier life with rosy hues, but they -in their own way- find the good in the world and present it to the reader.
I was really surprised and disappointed by this book. To my consternation, it came across like all typical modern revisionist
Westerns: cynical. Why in modern society do we hastily trade honor and integrity for dishonor and roguery -particularly in our literature and entertainment?
I had always thought more of Kelton. In an attempt at realism, all Kelton does in Stand Proud is to subvert the roles and themes of earlier beloved Western classics like the Virginian and instead focus almost exclusively on the ‘bad’ in people. In Stand Proud, men are weak, flawed and unchivalrous; women are power hungry, and conniving. No one is happy. Life is drudgery. Life, history and art comprise a half-empty glass of disappointment. This, like most modern Western fiction passes as praiseworthy. I wanted to see this book as more than that, but struggled.
With respect to so-called “realists”, Eugene Manlove Rhodes said in 1921 in his exceptional novel ‘Stepsons of Light’: “they write very long books in which they set the evil on one side-and nothing on the other. That is ‘realism’. Whatsoever things are false, whatsoever things are dishonest, whatsoever things are unjust, whatsoever things are impure, whatsoever things are of ill report; if there be any vice, and if there be any shame -they think on these things.”
I believe Rhodes may very well have seen a vision of Stand Proud by Elmer Kelton -or indeed many Western novels in the second half of the 20th Century- as he penned those words back in 1921. His words were lamentably prophetic.
I didn’t see this same cynicism in The Good Old Boys. That was a touching, moving book, filled with hope, compassion and forgiveness. Clearly Kelton is capable of better things. Writers have a clear choice. It’s a harder one to find the good in the world.
As an aside, a Pastor once said of Kelton that almost any member of the family could pick up one of his books and know it would be a clean and inspirational read. He must have missed this one. I gave up on this book because I kept stumbling into rated R material. It was frustrating. I didn’t want to read it, and I certainly wouldn’t want children to do so.
If you want an inspiring, authentic and riveting story of the early days of frontier Texas, try ‘The Log of a Cowboy’ by Andy Adams, or ‘North of 36’ by Emerson Hough. For more intense drama that you could still feel comfortable having a younger audience read/listen to, you also can’t go wrong with ‘The Searchers’ or ‘The Unforgiven’ by Alan Le May. Don’t get me wrong, these titles don’t all paint frontier life with rosy hues, but they -in their own way- find the good in the world and present it to the reader.
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May 17, 2024While on trial for the murder of an unarmed civilian, stubborn cattle rancher Frank Claymore reflects on his life from the end of the Civil War to the turn of the century. We learn of his days settling the Texas plains and buying and herding cattle, as well as his loves, losses, and various tragedies that befall him. As the story progresses, the details of Frank's trial come into view, and we grasp the scope of this cantankerous man's life in an era of vast societal change.
Man, Elmer Kelton sure could write a story. This one is pretty remarkable. On one hand, it's a portrait of a rancher's life (with a love story at the core of it), but it's also about a society that once saw him as a hero and now sees him as a villain. Like so many great westerns, Stand Proud is about change in America and what that change does to people. I can see how some might view Frank as too flawed a protagonist, but I feel that his flaws are what make him such a compelling character. The way the story is told - each chapter beginning with a few pages of the trial followed by a lengthy flashback, linked thematically - works well. I just had to know who Frank was accused of killing and how the trail played out. At the same time, the flashbacks tell of a sweeping, tragic life that's almost Shakespearean at times. And the ending is perfect for the story.
My one gripe - and this is common in westerns, I've found - is that Kelton often tells you what characters are thinking rather than showing through dialogue, action, or inference. The story is good enough that I wasn't overly bothered, but it's there. I wish Kelton would do a little more showing than telling.
Still, this is helluva good read. If you like westerns, or even just dramatic stories of interesting people, Stand Proud is an easy sell.
Man, Elmer Kelton sure could write a story. This one is pretty remarkable. On one hand, it's a portrait of a rancher's life (with a love story at the core of it), but it's also about a society that once saw him as a hero and now sees him as a villain. Like so many great westerns, Stand Proud is about change in America and what that change does to people. I can see how some might view Frank as too flawed a protagonist, but I feel that his flaws are what make him such a compelling character. The way the story is told - each chapter beginning with a few pages of the trial followed by a lengthy flashback, linked thematically - works well. I just had to know who Frank was accused of killing and how the trail played out. At the same time, the flashbacks tell of a sweeping, tragic life that's almost Shakespearean at times. And the ending is perfect for the story.
My one gripe - and this is common in westerns, I've found - is that Kelton often tells you what characters are thinking rather than showing through dialogue, action, or inference. The story is good enough that I wasn't overly bothered, but it's there. I wish Kelton would do a little more showing than telling.
Still, this is helluva good read. If you like westerns, or even just dramatic stories of interesting people, Stand Proud is an easy sell.
November 14, 2024
'Stand Proud' makes over a dozen or so Elmer Kelton novels, many of which I read during those few years I lived in Texas. That was long before Goodreads so I have no real record of those other than paperbacks on a shelf that continue to survive various book purges! Kelton was a true Texas treasure and he remains so through the magic of writing. He was prolific and won seven Spur Awards , more then any other writer by a comfortable margin. His books often have deep connections to Texas history and he is careful to adhere to the actual background in his stories. This one covers the period from the Civil War to around 1900, a time of incredible turmoil and change. The background is the post-war development of the cattle business and the battles over land. But the story overlaid on that canvas is powerful and gripping, albeit a little frustrating! His main character Frank Claymore is indeed a hard guy to like! 3.5 stars rounded up.
October 18, 2020
Elmer Kelton’s writing style with this book is interesting. It starts with Frank Claymore, old and weathered, being tried in a court. In between scenes of the trial are recollection scenes that fill in the story of why he is on trial. The recollection scenes begin when Frank is young and work until just before the trial.
I really enjoyed how the story unfolded and especially the twist at the end! As usual Kelton does an excellent job of setting the scene, and setting the characters to be sympathetic.
I really enjoyed how the story unfolded and especially the twist at the end! As usual Kelton does an excellent job of setting the scene, and setting the characters to be sympathetic.
February 22, 2018
Spanning a period of four decades, the story traces the life of Frank Claymore and changes in the way of life in West Texas during the last half of the nineteenth century. Frank is on trial for killing a former friend and has flashbacks to various events in his life. A thought provoking Western novel.
April 18, 2022
Lot of quality in relatively short novel hisorical fiction meets Matlock with a surprise ending. Elmer Kelton knows the region which he writes and understands nuance of history..... this is what makes this novel good ..... enough descriptions of the land and weather to put the reader there.....great read....
July 27, 2020
I am huge Kelton fan. However I am also an attorney so for much of the book I was disappointed in the courtroom scenes. Kelton is the historian and chronicler of powerful characters, not a writer of courtroom drama. I highly recommend it and the surprise ending is worth the wait.
November 9, 2020
Elmer Kelton
Elmer is one of those writers that is very knowledgeable about Texas having grew up there. His writing speaks to me in so many ways it's like I am there. Highly recommend his books.
Elmer is one of those writers that is very knowledgeable about Texas having grew up there. His writing speaks to me in so many ways it's like I am there. Highly recommend his books.
September 25, 2019
Another great western by Elmer kelton
July 11, 2022
I was looking for a Western as a change of pace and found a pretty good one. Cattle barons, changing times, Camanches, love triangle and more. Entertaining.
July 11, 2022
Elmer Kelton does it again.
December 22, 2023
Stand Proud, Elmer Kelton (western)
Jeff Book Review #225
I'm reading and reviewing my 100th western! A ranking of my top ten westerns is coming in my next review
Elmer Kelton is illustrating the history of the cattle trade in west Texas 1865-1895 via his protagonist, good-but-bad guy Frank Claymore in “Stand Proud” (1984). Claymore is a second son, a loner trying to make his way and do the right thing, subordinate to no one, distrustful, unwilling to accept a handout, quick to make a stubborn decision, slow to set aside a grudge, and refusing to work for a boss that isn't himself. He loses out on the girl of his dreams and is tried for murder when progress catches up with him. Several times it is pointed out that stubborn Frank isn't changing but his world is.
The chapter format is important. Each chapter starts with a page or two of old-guy Claymore being tried for murder in court. Then there are a dozen pages of prior narrative flashbacks that tell the true story.
Verdict: Frank Claymore is an interesting western character. An easy weekend read with some surprising twists and turns. Classic Kelton.
Jeff's Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG-13
Jeff Book Review #225
I'm reading and reviewing my 100th western! A ranking of my top ten westerns is coming in my next review
Elmer Kelton is illustrating the history of the cattle trade in west Texas 1865-1895 via his protagonist, good-but-bad guy Frank Claymore in “Stand Proud” (1984). Claymore is a second son, a loner trying to make his way and do the right thing, subordinate to no one, distrustful, unwilling to accept a handout, quick to make a stubborn decision, slow to set aside a grudge, and refusing to work for a boss that isn't himself. He loses out on the girl of his dreams and is tried for murder when progress catches up with him. Several times it is pointed out that stubborn Frank isn't changing but his world is.
The chapter format is important. Each chapter starts with a page or two of old-guy Claymore being tried for murder in court. Then there are a dozen pages of prior narrative flashbacks that tell the true story.
Verdict: Frank Claymore is an interesting western character. An easy weekend read with some surprising twists and turns. Classic Kelton.
Jeff's Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG-13
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March 31, 2014Engaging tale
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