Customer Reviews

The Chicken Ranch: The True Story of the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

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

 

 

It's too bad this book is out-of-print. It's a dandy. Maybe you can get a copy through Amazon's rare and out-of-print service. It is the story which led to the movie, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," a great movie with Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.

But, the book is nothing like the movie! It's even better. This is the story of the oldest continuously operating whorehouse in Texas. It first opened for business in 1844, in La Grange, Texas, where it became an institution which the community not only tolerated, but looked at with a certain pride.

It was protected by a succession of sheriffs, who, supposedly, did so out of the goodness of their hearts, and because the Chicken Ranch was a source of invaluable intelligence into criminal activities in the county.

The author, Jan Hutson, seems to write from a knowledgeable--even intimate--viewpoint. She says in her Acknowledgements that she could not have written it without her husband's "enthusiasm in humoring my eccentricities" and her children's patience and pride.

Hutson is extremely hard on the TV personality, Marvin Zindler, whose efforts she credits for shutting the famous old whorehouse down.

She portrays him as a toupee wearing, sensation-seeking "jerk" who went on a vendetta against the Chicken Ranch, seeking personal aggrandizement by making it a cause celebre.

"Busting sixteen obscure whores from Houston was not going to grab any headlines. But the Chicken Ranch was not obscure; it was a name familiar to every schoolboy in Texas. The house was doomed because its public relations had worked too well." (Page 109)

This is a great little book. If you can get hold of a copy, you will not be able to put it down.

Joseph Pierre,
Author of THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Our Journey Through Eternity

This is the story of the longest continually operating brothel in the state of Texas

It is the story which led to the movie, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," a great movie with Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.

But, the book is even better than the movie. It is a factual account, rather than a fictionalized version, as was the movie. The Chicken Ranch first opened for business in 1844, in La Grange, Texas, where it became an institution which the community not only tolerated, but looked at with a certain local pride, resisting all out-of-town efforts to close it down.

It was protected by a succession of sheriffs, who, supposedly, did so out of the goodness of their hearts, and because the Chicken Ranch was a source of invaluable intelligence, used to control criminal activities in the county.

The author, Jan Hutson, writes from a knowledgeable viewpoint, having moved to Texas upon her marriage, where she developed an intense interest in local history.

Hutson is extremely hard on the TV personality whose efforts she credits for shutting the famous old house down. She portrays him as a toupee wearing, sensation-seeking "jerk" who went on a vendetta against the Chicken Ranch, seeking personal aggrandizement by making it a cause celebre.

"Busting sixteen obscure whores from Houston was not going to grab any headlines. But the Chicken Ranch was not obscure; it was a name familiar to every schoolboy in Texas. The house was doomed because its public relations had worked too well." (Page 109)

This is a great little book. It is full of chuckles. You won't be able to put it down.

Joseph Pierre,

This is a great little book. I'm delighted that it is back in print. It is the story which led to the movie, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," a great movie with Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.

But, the book is nothing like the movie! It's even better. In the first place, it is history, not fiction. This is the story of the oldest continuously operating brothel in Texas. It first opened for business in 1844, in La Grange, Texas, where it became an institution which the community not only tolerated, but looked at with a certain pride.

The Chicken Ranch was protected by a succession of sheriffs, who, according to the author, did so out of the goodness of their hearts, and because the Chicken Ranch was a source of invaluable intelligence into criminal activities in the county.

The author, Jan Hutson, who moved to Texas when she married, and is intensely interested in Texas history, writes from a knowledgeable and sympathetic viewpoint.

Hutson is extremely hard on the TV personality, Marvin Zindler, whose efforts she credits for shutting the famous old house down. She portrays him as a toupee wearing, sensation-seeking "jerk" who went on a vendetta against the Chicken Ranch, seeking personal aggrandizement by making it a cause celebre.

"Busting sixteen obscure whores from Houston was not going to grab any headlines. But the Chicken Ranch was not obscure; it was a name familiar to every schoolboy in Texas. The house was doomed because its public relations had worked too well."(Page 109)

This is a great little book. This new edition is a reprint and virtually identical, but of far better quality and less expensive than the first edition.

The book is full of chuckles, and is a delight to read. I recommend it highly.

Joseph Pierre

Five stars are reserved for special books; this one is not quite so.

I'm a multi-generation Texan and hold quite an interest in Texas history. Passed thru La Grange several times during "The Ranch's" heyday though I never stopped. Many of my peers; however, did. Also followed its closing (as wrought by Marvin Zindler - may he rest in H.E.double.Hockey.Sticks). I suppose I grew up looking upon it as a sort of Texas institution. And, like a lot of things Texan, mourned its passing; though I didn't know much about it other than its location and purpose.

So, I really enjoyed this small, easy to read volume. No real enlightenment with regard to the goings on, and no stories of who did what or when. It is simply a well presented history of a now long silent bit of Texana. If one is looking for titillation or expose pass it by, else you'll be disappointed. But, if you're looking for the story of how the Chicken Ranch operated for quite some period of time, give it a try. It's worth your while.

Hutson's intentions may be good, but the end product leaves a lot to be desired. Despite one reviewer who loves it so much he feels compelled to give it gushing reviews over and over again, this slender volume is short on anything resembling depth. Hutson devotes much of her effort to tracing the history of the Chicken Ranch, but she jumps the proverbial shark when she reaches modern times. Interviews with the actual participants--apart from some paraphrased conversations with anonymous former employees--are sadly lacking, and Hutson's prose is gossipy and prone to rambling editorializing. For pure entertainment value, check out Larry L. King's "The Whorehouse Papers" instead.

I first read this book when it was published, while I was in high school and dating Jan's son. She inscribed a copy for my father, and it has fallen into my hands again with his passing. Dad had alluded to the infamous "Chicken Ranch," but I never knew much about it until I read the book. Jan's writing style is informative yet fluid; the entire book can be read in one sitting -- and, in fact, that's exactly how I read it, completely engrossed and unaware of time passing. I'm happy to see the book is back in print.

The story of the Ranch is pretty well accurite... of course there are thing that could be ... uh expounded upon. I wonder if the author talked to the last Madame to run the ranch? I was in the ranch the day it closed & I'm sure Miss Edna could tell some more true stories of the Chicken Ranch. I know. She a relative of mine & is alive and well.