The Barons of Texas [Hardcover]

Jory Sherman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1997 | Series: Barons

The Barons of Texas is the gripping first novel of the epic Texas Cattle Quartet and the prequel to Grass Kingdom. When Texas was granted independence from Mexico, the first bold settlers did not know that the area was also claimed by the Apaches and Comanches. It was to this land that Martin Baron came, with a dream of wealth and a vision of an empire.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

In a prequel to Grass Kingdom (not reviewed), Sherman takes on early Texas history in a tale of two sailors turned cowboys in the antebellum Southwest. Fishermen-by-trade Martin Baron and Juanito Salazar bury their friend Jack McTavish and set out across southcentral Texas in search of good ranch land. Along the way, they encounter hostile Apaches and corrupt ranchers, as well as a host of honest, hard-working men who encourage them to try their hand at crossbreeding Longhorns with European cattle. The plot thickens, sort of, as Martin becomes smitten by Caroline Darnell, and as famed outlaw Jack Killian (unquestionably the most interesting character here, and one who is largely wasted) rides up from Mexico to seek revenge for the lynching of his brother. Shot through with incorrect armament and faulty history, Sherman's story lacks direction and is not at all helped by overly formal dialogue. Though some originality emerges in action sequences and narrative description, this first in the Texas Cattle Quartet ultimately comes off as somewhat silly--with neither credibility nor historical accuracy. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

"Jory Sherman's characters seem larger than life, which fits with his subject, for the history of Texas is also larger than life, a rich mixture of cultures, deep loves, and deep hatreds, of adventures on a grand scale."--Elmer Kelton

 

"Jory Sherman is a national treasure."--Loren D. Estleman

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; 1st edition (September 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312853610
• ISBN-13: 978-0312853617
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,321,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

You can find my biography on www.jorysherman.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sherman is an artist with words!, August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Barons of Texas (Hardcover)

In a way only Jory Sherman can fulfill, he takes you on an incredible journey, through a raging storm in the Gulf of Mexico, to settle the vast, arid, Apache stalked land of Texas. A fantastic read!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I thought it was and excellent historical western., February 18, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Springfield, Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Barons of Texas (Hardcover)

After reading Grass Kingdom, I waited for this addition to Sherman's series on a historical look at the early Texas years and found it to be another great Jory Sherman saga. The character of Martin Baron and his effort to build his own western kingdom was great. The flavor of Spain the character Miguel Fuentes added was wonderful seasoning.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading!, March 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Barons of Texas (Mass Market Paperback)

Sherman brings history to life, and paints a scene the way an artist would approach a canvas. Perhaps the best of modern Western lore. Sherman is at his best in this one. A compelling story, with dimensional characters you hate to leave