The Man Who Rode Midnight [Hardcover]

Elmer Kelton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 1987

Wes Hendrix, an aging cowboy and bronco-buster, wants to be left alone on his poor, hardscrabble ranch, away from the ruthlessly approaching new world and all its big money, and soon Wes's city-bred grandson succumbs to the ranch's wild beauty.

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

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This warmly human story about a generation gap that closes is set in west Texas of the 1980s where the old and new ways are in serious conflict. Wes Hendricks is an old-time rancher who loves his land and animals and refuses to sell out to make way for progress in the shape of an artificial lake that will flood his home. His grandson, Jim Ed, sent to convince him to sell, gradually becomes a supporter of his grandfather. The old ways of Wes and the new ways of Jim Ed and Glory Be (neighbor and romantic element) are joined and all ends well. Very pleasant reading by a much-praised Texas author. Sister Avila, Acad. of the Holy Angels, Minneapolis
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 261 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (August 18, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385240201
• ISBN-13: 978-0385240208
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,094,195 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

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As usual, a superb Kelton book, February 27, 2000

By 

Michael Morrison "morrisonhimself" (Tennessee, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Man Who Rode Midnight (Mass Market Paperback)

What makes Elmer Kelton stand out is not only his style of writing, and his subject matter (the value of which, I admit, is subjective), but the admirable qualities of his characters. In so many other books, main characters are filled with angst and cynicism, and a reader won't care if they live or die. Kelton's, though, a reader cheers on and wishes success. I've read and re-read "The Man Who Rode Midnight." The hero opposes not progress, in whatever guise, but greed, especially greed with him as the victim. He is a man who loves his life and feels pride in how he has lived, pitting his best against the best. Great.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, November 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Man Who Rode Midnight (Mass Market Paperback)

What makes Elmer Kelton stand out is not only his style of writing, and his subject matter (the value of which, I admit, is subjective), but the admirable qualities of his characters. In so many other books, main characters are filled with angst, and a reader may wish they would all take gas. Kelton's, though, a reader cheers on and wishes success. I've read and re-read this one. Great.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Kelton's best., October 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Man Who Rode Midnight (Mass Market Paperback)

For me, it was hard to choose between The Time It Never Rained and The Man Who Rode Midnight as Kelton's best. Kelton is a great novelist that brings issues concerning Texas and the west to life. This book is definitely a page turner that will keep any reader interested.