Code of the West [Paperback]

Aaron Latham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2002

From Aaron Latham—one of the premier voices in western fiction and the author of Urban Cowboy—comes a tale of two men, a dream, an the woman who comes between them: a classic Texas saga of friendship and love, hatred and war, and the never-ending conflict between good and evil in all men's hearts.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a captivating barnburner of romance, adventure and gruesome frontier justice, Latham takes the mythical legend of King Arthur and Camelot and dresses it in buckskin, sweat and cow manure to create a sweeping saga of three decades of Texas cowboy history. From the 1860s to the 1880s, Jimmy Goodnight runs the Home Ranch, a cattle empire hidden in a canyon paradise. One-eyed Jimmy is gifted; he's a natural leader of men and he's able to talk with animals. Ever since he pulled an ax out of an anvil at a county fair, the ax has been his weapon of choice, and Jimmy is mighty handy with it as he smashes thumbs and skulls to bring law and order to his empire. When Jimmy and his knightly cowboys rescue a young woman from a gang of outlaws, he is smitten by her beauty and charm. Revelie Sanborn marries the ax-wielding cattle baron, and they begin a short-lived life of bliss. Jimmy's best friend, Jack Loving (read Lancelot), takes advantage of incipient marital discord, and his betrayal begins a spiral of lust and murder that no one can stop. Throw in a bloodthirsty gang of foul-smelling outlaws; a violent cowboy rebellion; a bitter, long-lost son; and dark secrets from Jimmy's past; and this yarn picks up speed and intensity like a runaway herd of cattle. In melding ancient legends with our cowboy mythos (and a few real-life historical details), the narrative is far more sophisticated than a typical good vs. evil western; indeed, almost everyone has a mean streak, a powerful passion and a finger on the trigger. Latham, a versatile writer whose novels and screenplays (Urban Cowboy; Perfect) have earned him critical acclaim and an Oscar, carries off this rollicking tale with class and style. Agent, Sterling Lord.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Few laws existed in late 1860s Texas, where settlers and natives fought brutal wars and outlaws took advantage of the weak. It is here that Latham, author of Urban Cowboy, brings to life the legend of King Arthur through his main character, Jimmy Goodnight. Taken by the Comanche Indians as a boy and recaptured by the whites, Goodnight returns to his Camelot: the beautiful red canyon of his shaman Comanche father. His adopted people are long gone, but with the help of his cowboys, Goodnight begins to build his dream. His Guinevere is a banker's daughter named Revelie, and he finds his Lancelot in a drifter cowboy named Loving. Finding his strength in love, Goodnight must face all of the trials of the legendary Arthur. Latham's fable is full of rich symbolism, and his writing (especially the use of short chapters) puts the reader at ease. Readers won't soon forget this new twist on an old story. Highly recommended. Loree Davis, Broward Cty. Libs., Pembroke Pines, FL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (May 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425185133
• ISBN-13: 978-0425185131
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,204,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER ICONIC TALE FROM LATHAM, March 26, 2001

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Code of the West: A Novel (Hardcover)

Recognized for his novels and screenplays, Aaron Latham created an iconic Western tale with "Urban Cowboy." He's done it again with "Code Of The West," a pleasurable blend of the Arthurian legend and cowboy lore.

This epic tale, which spans three generations, introduces Jimmy Goodnight, a former Comanche captive, who runs a cattle empire, the Home Ranch. One-eyed Jimmy visits a county fair where he accomplishes a feat that has defeated the strongest Texans - he smoothly pulls an ax from an anvil.

After Jimmy and his crew rescue a beautiful young woman, Revelie Sanborn, from an evil outlaw, Jimmy falls hopelessly in love. Reverting to the Comanche tongue, he tells Revelie, "My mind cries for you." They marry.

But living happily ever after isn't in the cards with the appearance of Jimmy's best friend, Jack Loving (remember Lancelot?)

Desperados, feuds, jealousy, rebellion, chivalry, love, and sacrifice are all part and parcel of this adventuresome, highly enjoyable tale. Kudos to Aaron Latham.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Expect This To Be A Typical Western, June 10, 2001

By 

Michael Thomas (Ellijay, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Code of the West: A Novel (Hardcover)

I recently received this book as a gift. I wasn't expecting that much, but I started on it quickly so I could discuss it in the thank you note I was needing to send. I was astounded, a great read, a great plot, and a great ending. This was my first Aaron Latham book and I was really pleased. This book could easily be on the best seller list if it's promoted correctly. I would have skipped right over it, expecting it to be just a Western. Code of the West is so much more.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your time or money!!!, April 7, 2009

By 

pookie (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Code of the West (Paperback)

This is one of the poorest example of "literature" I have ever had to force my way thru. I'm an avid reader and this was one of worst. The continuation book "Cowboy with the Tiffany Gun" is a continuation of the same style of writing and not worth your time! The hype of the reviews must have been paid for!