Hot Iron [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Elmer Kelton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2005

In the early days of the Texas panhandle, starting a new life is hard--but keeping it is even harder.

Espy Norwood is a troubleshooter who's got troubles of his own--and more troubles find him when he lands a job on a ranch on the Texas plains. Bitter landowners plot against him, determined cattle thieves sneak right under his nose, and his own son refuses to trust or even know him. Can he catch the thieves, save the ranch, and win his son's love?

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the best of a new breed of Western writers who have driven the genre into new territory."--The New York Times

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

About the Author

Elmer Kelton (1926-2009) was the award-winning author of more than forty novels, including The Time It Never Rained, Other Men’s Horses, Texas Standoff and Hard Trail to Follow. He grew up on a ranch near Crane, Texas, and earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas. Hot Iron was his first novel and was published in 1956. Among his awards have been seven Spurs from Western Writers of America and four Western Heritage awards from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. His novel The Good Old Boys was made into a television film starring Tommy Lee Jones. In addition to his novels, Kelton worked as an agricultural journalist for 42 years, and served in the infantry in World War II. He died in 2009.

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

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Center Point Large Print (November 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585476285
• ISBN-13: 978-1585476282
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,491,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elmer Kelton of San Angelo, Texas is a native Texan and author of over 50 Western novels. He has won many awards for his work and has been recognized as the Greatest Western Writer of all time by the Western Writers of America, Inc. He is the author of Forge's Texas Ranger series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book to read..., June 23, 2000

By 

Ronald M. Mazak "Amazing Mazak" (Johnston, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hot Iron (Mass Market Paperback)

In my estimation, this title does not measure up to Elmer Kelton's previous titles (The Smiling Country,The Pumpkin Rollers, etc), but nevertheless, it is a great storyline and runs smoothly. I was hoping that Elmer would flesh out the father/son relationship of Espy and Kenny Norwood more, but other than that, I really liked it.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great old-fashioned story, January 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Hot Iron (Mass Market Paperback)

This book of Kelton's is written a lot more in the old style of western writing that older readers will understand and love. Even younger readers! It reads like a Louis L'Amour, only a lot more factual and believable. Kelton is no doubt the best of the best! Well, I can't say that. He is neck and neck with Kirby Jonas, whom critics call the New Louis L'Amour. But between the two of them you have a perfect, winning pair. They bring the West to life!

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot Iron +Kelton=Hot Read!!, March 4, 2011

By 

K J Gardner - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hot Iron (Mass Market Paperback)

I was thinking this might be the first Kelton book that might not be quite as good of a book as the others I have read as I started turning the pages boy was I wrong. It was just impatience knawing at me to get to the grit and savy of his other books. This one took a little more time to set up the story more like a mystery as Espy Norwood the main character was set off to the Texas Panhandle by his boss to figure out the losses at the Figure 4. Hang in there as this becomes a barn burner just like his other great books. In no time you will be turning pages with a fervor to the exciting conclusion and trying to get all the answers to your questions that have been burning like a raging fire along the way. I personally found myself waking up at 3 in the morning to finish off this great little book-I just couldn't wait any longer to get my questions answered in this great story!!! I disagree with one of the other comments as I liked the way Kelton develops the story around Espy and his son Kenny. Kenny was taken to the Figure 4 with his father to a world unknown to him leaving behind his aunt and the big city. Throughout the story little by little Kenny starts to develop and mature with the experiences laid before him on the Figure 4-from cowboys, outlaws/ruslters to friendships, horses, and cattle. Also seeing along the way what kind of man his father is! Settle in for a good ride as this piece eventually has the guns ablaze as the story unfolds to the final pages. This like any other great book was almost a dissapointment when it was over, but as any good read its the satisfaction and contentment once its completed to know the pleasing picture it painted in your heart and mind just as any great adventure!