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The Great Trek
Sterl Hazelton is no stranger to trouble. But the shooting that made him an outlaw was one he didn't do. Though it was his cousin who pulled the trigger, Sterl took the blame, and now he has to leave the country if he wants to stay healthy. Sterl and his loyal friend, Red Krehl, set out for the greatest adventure of their lives, signing on for a cattle drive across the vast northern desert of Australia to the gold fields of the Kimberley Mountains. But it seems no matter where Sterl goes, trouble is bound to follow!
One of the finest novels of Zane Grey's career, The Great Trek has never been available in paperback as Grey wrote it—until now. Faced with war-time paper shortages, his publisher cut the novel to barely one-third of its original length and published the result as The Wilderness Trek. Now, finally, Grey's epic full-length novel has been restored and can be read the way it was meant to be.
497 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1999
408 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
About the author
Zane Grey
2,069 books590 followersPearl Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the rugged Old West. As of June 2007, the Internet Movie Database credits Grey with 110 films, one TV episode, and a series, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater based loosely on his novels and short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 12, 2013
Zane Grey is good at some things, adequate at others, and really lacking in some areas of writing. As a storyteller, he can create a believable and engaging plot lilne with a very descriptive talent for place soemtimes, but his characters are very stock, "off-the-shelf" individuals with predictable (sometimes wooden) dialogue. The book was severely edited when it first published and really could have benefited from judicious editing in the unabridged version I read.
Australia was the real protagonist in this tale, not the characters.
Australia was the real protagonist in this tale, not the characters.
September 16, 2023
Thourally enjoyed every 798 pages. Now I know why my dad read Zane Grey!
April 7, 2018
Zane Grey is famous for his westerns...of which he wrote boatloads. The Great Trek is, and isn't, one of them. It has cowboys, horses, natives, and cattle. But it is set in Australia, not the western US. When he originally submitted it to his publishers, they refused to publish it. They claimed it was too long, etc. etc. So until recently, all that was available was a severely abridged edition. His heirs have now published he novel in its entirety, as Grey submitted it.
First the bad news: The Great Trek was written in 1937. Its treatment of the Australian Aborigines is despicable, but fully reflective of the racism of the time. This may be enough to persuade many to read no further. Such an attitude is fully understandable. If this blatant racism isn't a total turn off to you, then read on.
The story itself--that is, the part that focuses on the white people, is pretty good. The basic plot is that a pair friends, bot cowboys (Red and Sterl) leave the US for Australia to get away from a messy break up between Red and his girl friend. They join a cattle drive, heading from Australia's East Coast, all the way across the middle of the continental dessert ("The Never Never Land). This has never been tried before, but if successful, great riches await the cattle owners.
Along the way, ed and Sterl meet great Australian cowboys, fall in love, defeat outlaws and the weather. As with every Zane Grey novel, in the end, the honest, simple cowboys prevail against all odds....and live happily ever after.
Others have criticized the book as too long. It is (by far) the longest Zane Grey novel, so if you are used to his 100--200 pagers, then it seems interminable. However, by modern standards, t is long,but not overly so--lots happens, and Grey is a good story teller, able to sustain the narrative flow for all 600 or so pages.
If you like the early 20th Century western (virtually all of which have the same problem with deeply
embedded racism) this is an interesting twist on the genre. If you don't, then this is definitely not for you. If you aren't sure, try one of Grey's (or Louis L'Amour's) more traditional books first If you want a more modern take (absent most of the racism), try Elmore Leonard's early westerns (before he switched to crime novels).
First the bad news: The Great Trek was written in 1937. Its treatment of the Australian Aborigines is despicable, but fully reflective of the racism of the time. This may be enough to persuade many to read no further. Such an attitude is fully understandable. If this blatant racism isn't a total turn off to you, then read on.
The story itself--that is, the part that focuses on the white people, is pretty good. The basic plot is that a pair friends, bot cowboys (Red and Sterl) leave the US for Australia to get away from a messy break up between Red and his girl friend. They join a cattle drive, heading from Australia's East Coast, all the way across the middle of the continental dessert ("The Never Never Land). This has never been tried before, but if successful, great riches await the cattle owners.
Along the way, ed and Sterl meet great Australian cowboys, fall in love, defeat outlaws and the weather. As with every Zane Grey novel, in the end, the honest, simple cowboys prevail against all odds....and live happily ever after.
Others have criticized the book as too long. It is (by far) the longest Zane Grey novel, so if you are used to his 100--200 pagers, then it seems interminable. However, by modern standards, t is long,but not overly so--lots happens, and Grey is a good story teller, able to sustain the narrative flow for all 600 or so pages.
If you like the early 20th Century western (virtually all of which have the same problem with deeply
embedded racism) this is an interesting twist on the genre. If you don't, then this is definitely not for you. If you aren't sure, try one of Grey's (or Louis L'Amour's) more traditional books first If you want a more modern take (absent most of the racism), try Elmore Leonard's early westerns (before he switched to crime novels).
August 3, 2023
Two cowboys in Australia
The first time I read this story was back in the 1960's. It was the truncated version, I knew that and wondered at the time why it was shortened, it did not seem complete. Coming down approximately 60 years later I saw that the full version had at last been published so I bought the Kindle version. I'm glad I did. At last the story is complete!
Zane Grey had a way of writing that makes the reader see the landscape in the mind's eye, beautiful! The characterizations of the story's principal protagonists are very good. The adventure, drama and romance is absorbing and realistic. In all a good read.
If you like all the elements of a good Western, you should like this story. It has all those elements set in the Australian outback. The foreword, written by Zane Grey's daughter, reveals that he was in Australia for its game fishing at one point, doesn't say that he was in the outback at all during that time but he writes like he was there, whether he got it right only his Australian readers can tell us.
The first time I read this story was back in the 1960's. It was the truncated version, I knew that and wondered at the time why it was shortened, it did not seem complete. Coming down approximately 60 years later I saw that the full version had at last been published so I bought the Kindle version. I'm glad I did. At last the story is complete!
Zane Grey had a way of writing that makes the reader see the landscape in the mind's eye, beautiful! The characterizations of the story's principal protagonists are very good. The adventure, drama and romance is absorbing and realistic. In all a good read.
If you like all the elements of a good Western, you should like this story. It has all those elements set in the Australian outback. The foreword, written by Zane Grey's daughter, reveals that he was in Australia for its game fishing at one point, doesn't say that he was in the outback at all during that time but he writes like he was there, whether he got it right only his Australian readers can tell us.
April 24, 2020
I really enjoyed the book. It gave me a view of Australia as seen from some Texas cowboys. There was romance in the book but it was very clean. I think it had just the right amount of variety that it didn't start to sound like living the same day over and over again. There were good guys and bad guys and many hard working people in the middle. I'd recommend this book to anyone that likes to read westerns.
March 31, 2021
Fantastic adventure
2 cowboys escape trouble in Texas, travel to Australia and join a group of other adventurers/ business man on the greatest trek ever taken.
A great cattle drive across Australia
6000 head plus horses and many wagons.
Sterl and Red along with the others faced heat and drought, natives (some good some not so) and crocodiles too. A more than 2 year trek.! Some romance too. Great book.
2 cowboys escape trouble in Texas, travel to Australia and join a group of other adventurers/ business man on the greatest trek ever taken.
A great cattle drive across Australia
6000 head plus horses and many wagons.
Sterl and Red along with the others faced heat and drought, natives (some good some not so) and crocodiles too. A more than 2 year trek.! Some romance too. Great book.
October 26, 2023
I was in the mood to read something more classic and as I had never read this author, it caught my eye. It was tough to get rolling into the almost 500 pages, but a fourth of the way in, it became interesting as the characters' challenges, deceptions and achievements played out in the context of a rustic landscape and its native peoples. Fascinating to compare this perspective written from the early 1900s to modern stances.
December 27, 2024
an interesting book taking two US cowboys to Australia with an epic scope of description of the continent. I was interested in reading one of Zane Grey's novels as they contributed much to the lore of the American West.
In the end, I found it to be overly long with some repetitive description. It's a product of its time, so I can overlook that but it didn't make me want to read more of the Grey novels.
In the end, I found it to be overly long with some repetitive description. It's a product of its time, so I can overlook that but it didn't make me want to read more of the Grey novels.
August 2, 2019
A wonderful story of the outback of Australia
This endless land, it's hard people, all interwoven with adventure, cattle drive across never never land mixed with a double love story.
This endless land, it's hard people, all interwoven with adventure, cattle drive across never never land mixed with a double love story.
Read
August 12, 2019Marvelous
There were so many actors whose personalities were so well defined.
The Australian Outback and its denizens were so well described I feel like I've
been there. One of the finest books I have ever read.
There were so many actors whose personalities were so well defined.
The Australian Outback and its denizens were so well described I feel like I've
been there. One of the finest books I have ever read.
November 27, 2019
Stunning adventure for two cowboys in the Australian Never Never!
Excellent story of friendship, adventure, love, and courage in a faraway place. One of Zane Greg best. Full of Old West honor in Australian Outback.
Excellent story of friendship, adventure, love, and courage in a faraway place. One of Zane Greg best. Full of Old West honor in Australian Outback.
March 30, 2021
Wondering Beyound
Poetic prose with so many ways of creating adventure, exhilaration, mystery, senses beyond understanding, and the ability to place you as if you too were there! Expressive thoughts to romantically put you into story!
Poetic prose with so many ways of creating adventure, exhilaration, mystery, senses beyond understanding, and the ability to place you as if you too were there! Expressive thoughts to romantically put you into story!
April 6, 2022
Australia is huge. Men,women,cattle,horses and lots of outback.
A long trek , a lot of adventure. Love and death , On to the Kimberleys
Men and women ,find each other , horses and cattle ,and a sweet happy ending
A long trek , a lot of adventure. Love and death , On to the Kimberleys
Men and women ,find each other , horses and cattle ,and a sweet happy ending
July 3, 2023
This had excellent descriptions of Australia. As always, it had a love story, this time two of them. I really enjoyed this book and wish there had been a sequel. I shelved it as a Western, because the two central characters are cowboys from the American west who join a cattle drive in Australia.
July 13, 2023
Very Different Cowboy Story
Two rough neck cowboys from Texas go to Australia and join a the largest cattle drive ever. The trek take overs two years and covers everything an American cowboy would ever face . It takes,a,while to read, but is very entertzininv. Enjoy.
Two rough neck cowboys from Texas go to Australia and join a the largest cattle drive ever. The trek take overs two years and covers everything an American cowboy would ever face . It takes,a,while to read, but is very entertzininv. Enjoy.
August 16, 2023
Great story
Another land and great tale as seen through the view point of two cowboys.
Great description of the country and the people who live there.
Enjoyed the journey and the experience of another time period.
Good writer thoughtful and well written.
Another land and great tale as seen through the view point of two cowboys.
Great description of the country and the people who live there.
Enjoyed the journey and the experience of another time period.
Good writer thoughtful and well written.
October 25, 2023
The Great Trek by Zane Grey
Such a marvelous action/adventure story about a cattle drive through Australia's unexplored "outback." An unusual but wonderful, western-like novel. Some romance added nicely, especially to the happy ending.
Such a marvelous action/adventure story about a cattle drive through Australia's unexplored "outback." An unusual but wonderful, western-like novel. Some romance added nicely, especially to the happy ending.
January 2, 2024
Unputdownable.
I read a lot of books that were described as being unable to be put down, but this is the first I would describe as such. Zane Grey makes the Australian outback come alive and the heroic live and ultimately prosper in it.
I read a lot of books that were described as being unable to be put down, but this is the first I would describe as such. Zane Grey makes the Australian outback come alive and the heroic live and ultimately prosper in it.
March 9, 2024
Amazing story!
I thought I had read every book by Zane Grey but was delighted to find this one! So different and yet so like him! No other author can compare to the way he could describe the scenery, sounds, and animals! Though I may have nightmares of some of the river crossings.
I thought I had read every book by Zane Grey but was delighted to find this one! So different and yet so like him! No other author can compare to the way he could describe the scenery, sounds, and animals! Though I may have nightmares of some of the river crossings.
May 30, 2018
Slow, but lovely
February 17, 2019
Honest American cowboys take cows across Australian desert, but someone in the group is a traitor. Sweet romance. Setting is dramatic character in whole. Harsh climate threatens their lives.
August 2, 2019
Outstanding
Outstanding and Moral!Thanks for the best book I have read in a long time.Great job and ethical values thanks Zane!
Outstanding and Moral!Thanks for the best book I have read in a long time.Great job and ethical values thanks Zane!
October 12, 2019
Great read
Another great book by Gray. I could hardly get away from this book. long enough to eat or sleep, Beautiful to say the least.
Another great book by Gray. I could hardly get away from this book. long enough to eat or sleep, Beautiful to say the least.
February 12, 2020
What a writer
Really good read. Wish we had more current day authors like Zane Grey.
It is like you are there and a part of the adventure
Really good read. Wish we had more current day authors like Zane Grey.
It is like you are there and a part of the adventure
March 31, 2020
An awesome story!
Allowing for the big words, this is a great love story as well as an exciting drama. As always an excellent read.
Allowing for the big words, this is a great love story as well as an exciting drama. As always an excellent read.
April 13, 2020
Typical Grey
This story is Zane Greg all The way.The visuals are what I expect from his books. It is as if you are on the trek with them.
This story is Zane Greg all The way.The visuals are what I expect from his books. It is as if you are on the trek with them.
May 22, 2020
Outstanding
The great trek is arguably one of Zane grey’s greatest stories. It is certainly one of my favorites. Read it!
The great trek is arguably one of Zane grey’s greatest stories. It is certainly one of my favorites. Read it!
Currently reading
February 17, 2021The best western writer ever!
I have a library full of Zane Grey and Louis Lamour. I will have plenty to read well into my old age
I have a library full of Zane Grey and Louis Lamour. I will have plenty to read well into my old age
March 24, 2023
An outstanding read!
Extremely well written. Felt like I was along for the trek. Quite an emotional ride. Think I’ll go visit Australia.
Extremely well written. Felt like I was along for the trek. Quite an emotional ride. Think I’ll go visit Australia.
May 12, 2023
One Of His Best
Zane Grey has a style I like, but this story was a little different. Among his novels I've read (so far) this was exceptional.
Zane Grey has a style I like, but this story was a little different. Among his novels I've read (so far) this was exceptional.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews