Many a River [Hardcover]

Elmer Kelton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 27, 2008

The Barfield family, Arkansas sharecroppers, are heading west with their sons Jeffrey and Todd. In far West Texas their camp is attacked by Comanche raiders and the elder Barfields are killed and scalped. The younger boy, Todd, is taken captive by the Indians. The older son, Jeffrey, manages to hide and is rescued by the militia men.  Jeffrey is taken in by a home-steading family, while Todd is sold, for a rifle and gunpowder, to a Comanchero trader named January.

Both become caught up in the turbulence of the Civil War, which even in remote West Texas, the border country with New Mexico, pits Confederate sympathizers against Unionists. The brothers, separated by violence, are destined to be rejoined by violence.  Will they meet as friends or deadly enemies?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1855, young Jeffrey and Todd Barfield are orphaned in West Texas when their parents are killed by Comanches: Todd is carried off as a Comanche captive; Jeffrey is rescued by a Texas posse. For the next seven years each boy survives by his wits, hard work and good fortune—and each thinks the other is dead. When the Civil War arrives, the boys wind up on opposite sides during the Confederate Texas invasion of Union-held New Mexico, where meeting might mean death. As usual, Kelton (Hard Trail to Follow) provides stirring action and gripping suspense. His portrayal of the chaotic and bloody Battle of Glorieta Pass in 1862 is thrilling, especially his chilling depiction of the murderous Union Major Chivington. This is vintage Kelton, a solid western story well-told. (June)
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From Booklist

In Kelton’s latest novel, we see the West from a slightly different vantage point, one about waist high. Two young brothers, Jeffrey and Todd, are traveling across Texas when their family is attacked by Comanche, who butcher the parents and ride off with Todd. Left hidden, Jeffrey assumes his younger brother is dead and finds a home with a couple who have lost their own son. Meanwhile, little Todd is swapped for an old rifle to a scheming trader whose unpleasant demeanor and selfish motivations belie a tiny nugget of goodness, and who is easily the most interesting character here. Too bad he drops out about halfway through. The story goes on to follow the two boys as they grow up and get rattled around by the Civil War before their inevitable reunion. As always, Kelton’s writing and grasp of the era are impeccable, but you can see the ending coming from the first chapter, and by the time it finally arrives, it’s a bit of a yawner. Still, more Kelton is always welcome for high-end westerns fans. --Ian Chipman

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; First Edition edition (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765320509
• ISBN-13: 978-0765320506
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,012,145 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

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Blend of Classic Paperback and Hardcover Keltonia, June 4, 2008

By 

Mark Irwin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Many a River (Hardcover)

I've followed "Pop" Kelton's novels since meeting up with him at Baylor University back in the early 1980s, and this is one of his very finest. The plot resembles D. W. Griffith's Orphans of the Storm in that two siblings (brothers) are torn apart at an early age and we follow their separate adventures until the final pages of the novel. But what is startling here--for those like me who have a whole bookcase stocked with Kelton--is that he manages to do something rather unique here. He takes the best of his paperback style--finger-burning page-turning with loads of action, hard-knocks and bullets--and weds it to his hardcover style--meticulous historical sensibilities, fine dry humor, and utter believability. If you've found yourself getting a little sleepy with the last half-dozen or so novels, be prepared for a jolt. This one's a classic and a real corker, whether you're coming to Kelton for the first time or you're already carrying his brand.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT AUTHOR, June 25, 2008

By 

Betty B. Bernhard "Ross S. Bernhard" (Etowah, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Many a River (Hardcover)

This is a really good western-style book. Kelton never fails to evoke some joy of victory, as well as a tear of irony.He is a master of the metaphor.
I wish he published a new story every week! I have all of his novels and some of his short stories and biographical works, and love them all!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Typical Elmer Kelton, November 10, 2008

By 

Bill M. Roberts "western lover" (Abilene, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Many a River (Hardcover)

Once again, Elmer Kelton has presented a story that keeps you interested from the first page to the last. If you have read very many Kelton books, you think you know what will happen at the end, but he still keeps you guessing.

Excellent story.