Customer Reviews

The Best Man

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There were a ton of great political movies made in the early and mid 1960's and this is the basis for one of the best. Originally a Broadway play, it was made into a movie starting Henry Fonda and a young Cliff Robertson. (I highly recommend the movie.)

It's the story of two very different men vying for the nomination of their party for President. One is moral and intellectual and the other, well, not so much. The dialogue is outstanding and has certain expectations of the reader. Younger readers may have to keep Google on stand-by. But it flows well and builds towards a great surprise ending.

One caveat: It is a play, not a novel.

Rancher Joe Roark has died. In his will, he agrees to leave all of his wordly goods including his ranch and money to his three daughters Alex, Freddy, and Les. But theres a catch...his daughters, all gently bred, must drive a herd of Longhorns to market in Abilene, Kansas. The three women have to deliver and sell 2000 longhorns at the end of the drive and they must do it alone with only 9 other men to assist them. The Roarke sisters do not get along well. Infact, they want nothing to do with eachother, but suddenly a fortune depends upon the three of them working together.
"The Best Man" was an enjoyable read. My only complaint that I have is that at times it became a little too easy to set down. While I enjoyed the growing affection between the sisters, I wanted more romance. I also felt that some of the situations that arose in the book and the way that they were handled was somewhat unrealistic and saccharine. This book just missed being a keeper for me, but it is still a story that I would recommend.

This script is just as timely today during the current election climate as it was when Gore Vidal first penned it back in the 60s. Yes...as with all writings, some material is a bit on the dated side, (especially the references to women before the women's right movement of the 70s) but all in all the same truths hold up today as they did back then. A good read. By chance the other night, I also happened to catch the film version with Henry Fonda and Cliff Robertson. It was faithful to the script and very good.

This wonderful Maggie Osborne story is a must read for anyone who loves her wit and style. These three sisters embark on a trek to save their fathers Texas ranch and legacy and end up in Kansas with all their personal hopes and dreams coming true. All the characters are easy to believe and trust. A true page turner. Read it in one day and didn't want it to end. A true Osborne classic right up there with The Promise of Jenny Jones. Another great tear jerker.

The reading of Joe Roark's will leaves four women is total shock. Joe accuses his three daughters and his fourth wife of not being "worth a sick spit". Instead of just allowing his three daughters to inherit his Texas ranch, he adds a stipulation. The three worthless girls (Alexander, Frederick, and Lester) need to drive 2000 herd of cattle from Texas to Kansas while performing all the duties expected of a male hand. If they fail to do so, the ranch goes to Joe's fourth and worst wife, Lola.

After the initial shock, the girls realize that they have no choice. However, no reputable trail boss wants to lead three helpless women, including one wheel bound, on this trek. Only, Dal Frisco, an alcoholic accepts the position. On the trip, Dal and Freddy fall in love. But she has dreams of being an actress and he is planning to go toMontana when they reach Abilene. Unless they are willing to compromise, it appears that this is one relationship whose trail leads to unhappiness.

THE BEST MAN is a well written, very interesting western romance that will excite fans of the sub-genre. The opening chapter is incredible as Joe's perspective on life is loud and clear in his will. From that stupendous start, the novel just seems to get better and better as the three female Roarks learn much about life, and Dal learns to live and love again. Magnificent Maggie Osborne will soon be recognized as one of romances writing maestros.

Harrietklausner

This was my first read by Maggie Osborne, and this book is now one of my top three favorites. Three estranged sisters must successfully work a 2000 head cattle drive, or lose their fathers inheritance to their greedy stepmother. Each sister overcomes her own personal obstacles, falls in love, and learns to love her sisters as well. This book is full of humor, and had me laughing out loud! I loved the cattle drive storyline, and at times felt as though I were there in the middle of it. If you are intrigued by life in the old west, this one is a must read!

Too sappy,predictable and unrealistic in places. In my opinion,the author, Maggie Osborne tries too hard in tying up all the loose ends. It's an insult to the reader to S-P-E-L-L every last detail out. Alex was the biggest disappointment!!! Totally made me sick how she was "hanging on to her dead husband" A husband she didn't even love! This is a perfect example how Osborne insults the reader! She spells it out-- over and over. Usually people who act the way Alex did -- don't know why they act that way. But Alex sure did, even told other people why she did what she did, and she STAYED in it until Freddy the saviour comes along. Same with Lester. Why couldn't Les figure out her own problems? But no -- along comes Freddy "the enlightened" to save the day. It's all kind of sick. And yet -- speaking of details -- A LACK OF -- I could not for the life of me figure out what time in history this book was in! The book says that it was soon after the Civil War but it sure didn't feel like it at all. Maggie Osborne does a really lousy job of taking you "back to the olden days." And giving you a flavor and feel for the time in history.

Good idea for a book though.

This book was so good. The best. If you love westerns like I do, you'll not put it down much til you're through. The trail drive was real. The descriptions of what happened, the longhorns, the horses, chuck wagon, it was all good. It put you in the time and place and then OF COURSE the people. They were great. Great job Ms Osborne. I loved Dal and Freddy, Alex and Les. They were all wonderful in they're different ways. But Dal was good, yep, he was the "best man". It's another keeper of yours, Ms O. Thanks again for the great entertainment.

Maggie Osborne does not write enough books to satisfy my hunger for her storytelling ability. It is one in which you will laugh, cry and stay awake until the last page is read.
Thanks, Maggie!

I liked this book, although it was a little slow starting out the gate. But I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. This was my second Ms. Osborne book and I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything else she puts out. If you haven't read Brides of Prairie Gold you're missing something special!