Great book! Kelton shows us Charlie Flagg's country. You'll like it

Beyond the quality of Kelton's stories, especially this one, is the quality of his characters. His leading character, an individualistic, independent, honest and brave rancher, is one of the most admirable people I have ever read about. This was the first Kelton book I read, and I became a Kelton addict. I have read and re-read this, and highly recommend it. Excellent!

This book is, to me, the jewel in the crown of that outstanding body of work that convinced the Western Writers of America that Elmer Kelton should be disignated the best Western writer of all time. The author's obvious gut-level understanding of West Texas, the people who live here, and the lifestyle forced on its inhabitants by the vagaries of Mother Nature join to make this his finest contribution to literature to date. Mr. Kelton is without peer in his ability to develop characters so vividly that each reader truly feels that he/she has met them and known them for years. His descriptions of places and situations are so realistic and detailed that, with only a little imagination, a clear picture forms in the mind's eye of the reader. There is no doubt that Mr. Kelton has experienced more than one West Texas drouth. It is equally obvious that he has closely observed the drastic changes that befall the reigon, its people, and their livestock when these natural disa! sters occurr. A must for Kelton's fans, and for his fans-to-be who love stories based in the lore of the West, but have not yet experienced the rich satisfaction that can result only from reading the works of this master story weaver.

Legend is a wonderfully enjoyable story that will give you tears from every possible mood you can be in. Why it is listed in Amazon with Loren D. Estleman's name first is beyond me, he did not put this book together. I think it was Robert J. Randisi. At any rate, in my opinion all of the authors put in their best work. A book to be read again.

Another great anthology from some of the best western writers ever, and this is just a beginning. We can look forward to more great fiction from the new Western Writers of America anthology to be released next year. Great news for the genre! Meanwhile, read LEGEND!

I just recently finished Legend and throughly enjoyed it. I admit that I read "most" of the part about Speaks first love. Overall this was a very enjoyable western that kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. I have already passed it on to my neighbors father who enjoys westerns.

This book ranks among my top five personal favorite novels of all time. Mr. Kelton weaves a tapestry of West Texas culture and history and storytelling that will envelop a reader. The story of two men, Gideon Ledbetter, a former slave who becomes a US Cavalry soldier (or Buffalo soldier, as they were historically known), and Gray Horse Running, an American Indian fighting for his way of life, is an absolute must-read. His description of weary solidiers travelling through the West Texas desert will have you reaching for a glass of water!! I first read this book as a college assignment and have happily recommended it to friends and family for years. I consider it to be Mr. Kelton's masterpiece, even better than "The Good Old Boys" or "The Time It Never Rained" which are also outstanding. Some smart person is going to make a great movie out of this book one day.

Luther Butler THE WOLF AND THE BUFFALO BY ELMER KELTON Elmer Kelton skillfully takes the rugged geography of West Texas, accounts of the Texas Comanche wars, mixes in the Buffalo soldiers with their hair the Indians thought looked like the curly buffalo, and adds white officers, Comanches, buffalo hunters, and makes an epic struggle of two cultures that will be enjoyed by many generations of readers. And to add spice to the story, he stirs in the women of San Angelo, Texas who washes not only clothes but who provide sexual relief for the men who chase dusty savages into a world unknown to them. The story centers around two strong characters. The Buffalo is Private Gideon Ledbetter, a recently released Louisiana slave who is now a member of the Tenth U.S. Calvary stationed at Fort Concho, Texas. Hated by most of the white settlers, Ledbetter has two jobs. When he is not chasing Comanches, he spends his time building adobe buildings and shoveling horse manure at the fort, but. he prefers to be on patrol trying to make the savage Comanches go to a reservation in Oklahoma Territory. He goes out with Lieutenant Hollander under Black Sergeant Nettles. Ledbetter grows stronger in his position until he eventually takes over Nettles job. The wolf is Gray Horse, a young Comanche warrior who tries to keep the invading settlers after the Civil War from killing his people's source of food, the buffalo. In constant visions, the wolf and the raven seek to lead the developing warrior to new buffalo herds. Symbolically, Gray Horse sees visions of a red buffalo calf. Unlike Ledbetter, Gray Horse declines in prestige until he is forced to make a suicidal attack before his people go into servitude on the Oklahoma reservation. Ledbetter almost loses his focus because of the beautiful mulatto, Hannah York, who gives a purpose for him to not only live, but to advance so he can earn enough money to marry and start a family. The old woman who controls the desirable young maiden saves her charge so she can sell sexual favors to the white officers. After the young soldier has enjoyed Hannah's body numerous times, he finds her with his commanding officer, Lieutenant Hollander. Hannah is forced to leave. Sergeant Nettles saves Ledbetter's career by talking sense to the betrayed young man who planned to marry his beloved. Hollander's subsequent marriage to a proper young lady and his attempt to repair the damaged relation with Ledbetter forms a hinge that much of the latter action pivots on. Gray Horse leads Ledbetter's unit on a wild chase into a land where there is no water. The chief thinks he has destroyed the enemy only to find the new enemy is invincible Even after the white government turns white hunters loose to slaughter the buffalo for their hides, does Gray Horse fail to acknowledge that the only hope for his people lies in going to Oklahoma Reservation where the Quakers will rule them. At Adobe Walls, the Comanche leader begins to glimpse the truth when a few buffalo hunters with their rifles that can kill at over a mile, turns back a gathering of the Indian nation. General Mackenzie's rout of Comanches at their winter quarters in Palo Duro Canyon makes Gray Horse realize the end is near. Gray Horse goes to the hated reservation a wounded and beaten warrior to shed his buffalo robes and become a cattle raiser. He realizes he must make one last try to find the red buffalo calf after he finds his wife with their son who is dying because of poor living conditions. Taking a band of warriors, he goes in search of the mystical calf. After he and his men brutally slaughter a group of buffalo killers, Gray Horse realizes his dreams of being free are over. After finding the red buffalo calf, the warriors kill it and eat it! To him, a way of life ends. Out numbered by the buffalo soldiers who come to punish the Comanche band for slaughtering the buffalo hunters, Gray Horse makes a suicidal attack on Sergeant Ledbetter's unit. Even though the Indian's arrow goes through Ledbetter's shoulder, he is able to fire the final shot that brings an end to his enemy. Like the end of a Greek epic, the defeated Indian is carried off on a symbolic shield to be given a hero's funeral. Ledbetter recovers from his wound so he can fight a new enemy, the Apaches. And I hope he eventually finds Hannah, nurses her back to health, and goes into retirement to live on a small farm and raise a family. END

A buffalo soldier fresh out of slavery tries to enslave the free Indians of West Texas. While you read this book try to find out why. It doesn't make sense, but it makes a good story. Try my novel by searching butler, luthe

There were many times as I read and studied this book I would blink away a tear. Bama's ability to capture REAL people with feeling is inspiring. It will touch your heart.

James Bama captures the real emotion of people in his works, lets you feel in touch with the subject/subjects,And gives you a feeling of inner nostalgia... Like you've been there before, but can't remember when.You take a journey when you look through this book! Nikki C.

I've been an admiror of James Bama since I first visited the Sheldon Art Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska some 15 years ago. His work has great photographic painting technique and his attention to the western and indian detail is very good. I hope that Mr. Bama has another book published soon. Norman D. Catlett

Buffalo Wagons had a grabbing attention getter in the first chapter. It had a GREAT plot and I felt involved with the characters quickly. The story had substance. I read the last four chapters by candlelight because our lights went out and I couldn't wait to read more! This is the first Elmer Kelton book I have read, but I guarantee, I will find more of his books.

I'm not normally a lover of Westerns, but I have Mr. Kelton's granddaughter in a class I teach and she talked a lot about her author grandfather, so I finally gave in and purchased a copy of one of his books. I guess I owe the granddaughter a big "Thank you," as "Buffalo Wagons" is terrific! Gage Jameson is an unusually well-rounded character for the genre. A veteran buffalo hunter, he has seen the northern herd wiped out. While he mourns the loss of the old ways, he also acknowledges his own role in that loss. Furthermore, even as he heads south into Comanche country, he agonizes that he is contributing to more destruction of the world he loves. This does not stop him, though, for buffalo hunting is all he knows. The antagonists include the Comanches desperate to save their way of life, although they are certainly not romanticized, and some of the white men Jameson trusts to travel south with him. Kelton's vivid descriptions of the llano estacado take the reader to that inhospitable land, with all of its beauty and danger. The plot contains enough twists--always credible and logical--to keep the most particular reader satisfied. I am eager to read more of Kelton's Westerns and am highly recommending them to my students and friends.

I couldn't believe when I opened this up that no one else had reviewed the book! You folks are missing out. This is the book that introduced me to Elmer Kelton, which is perhaps why it's my favorite. But everything about it is SO GOOD. The guns, the buffalo hunting, the Indians, the characters. Kelton is supreme. He is far better than Louis L'AMour in his authenticity and believablility, and everyone ought to see that in this book. The only writer I know of who is neck and neck with Kelton is Kirby Jonas, whom critics call the New Louis L'Amour. That's actually a disservice though, because he's far better. He rounds out his characters. Between Kelton and Jonas, the western field is filled!

Ben K. Green was equally adept at roping a steer, riding a bronc and spinning a yarn. You will feel that you are sitting around his campfire eatin' a mess of good chuck and slapping your sides laughing at one of his longest adventures ever; rounding up a renegade herd of mustangs in Old Mexico, doing the least necessary to make them seem rideable and trail driving them a thousand miles almost single-handedly, hoping to be able to sell them at a time when money was very tight. Along the way, you will meet some assorted colorful characters and witness Ben at his horse-trading best. This is a gem of a story told with lots of humor and a west Texas drawl.

Ben K. Green was a cowboy who could spin a yarn as well as ride a horse or rope a steer. In this Wild West Adventure, young Ben sets off at the end of the Great Depression to Mexico to try to find an elusive band of mustangs. Along the way he meets some colorful characters, gathers quite a herd of horses and mules, and has to figure out how to get them back home and sell them to make the one-year journey worthwhile. A wonderful adventure, chock-full of humor, told with a west Texas drawl. You will feel that you are sitting around the campfire late at night after another day on the trail listening to Ben tell his tales. Get ready to be entertained! This book is Ben K. Green at his best.

For Kelton fans, this audio like all of his others should not be missed. Unlike most authors, Mr. Kelton is a wonderful speaker. This audio elaborates on his writing style and the way he combines history, myth and folklore in his books. It offers valuable insights into his books and the way he borrows stories he has heard and people he has met for use in his outstanding novels like The Time It Never Rained, The Day the Cowboys Quit, etc. Plus a listener realizes what a fine, generous, and modest individual Mr. Kelton actually is which will further enrich each rereading of his books. I can't recommend this audio too highly. Any aspiring writer or fan of Western American literature will love listening to it as I do.

Howard Terpning is the one of the if not the best artist in this century.His spectacular artistic style is definitly far more superior to any other famous artists out there.The way he uses his colors and the way he applies brush strokes is unbelievable.When you read this book written by Elmer Kelton you will travel back in time and enjoy beautiful paintings done by a master.Such a great book,as a proffesional artist I recommend this every artist,art enthusiast and Indian art lovers,hurry up before it becomes out of print.

What a great book. It is the story of part of the life of Hewey Calloway. One of the last of the true cowboys. He hates to see cars, trucks and telephone lines. He is, I think, really what most of the cowboys were like. It is not full of gun fights and running from the sheriff. He is a hard working man that moves on when he feels like it. A real good story. Has places that are sad and many places that will make you smile. The ending is very good. I just got a happy feeling from reading the book. Makes me wish I had been Hewey Calloway.

Too often sequels are a dud. Not so with Elmer Kelton's follow-up to "The Good Old Boys." Hewey Calloway is 4 years removed from leaving Spring Renfro, but he hasn't wised up much or changed his ways. But things are a changin' around him. And, if fact, Hewey IS changing--he's getting older if not wiser. Will Hewey wise up--about his lifestyle and about Spring before it's too late? Kelton tells us in his own remarkable style.

Having been born in the first third of that century, and having worked with buckaroos that were contemporaries of Hewey Calloway, I couldn't get enough of Kelton's continuation of The Good Old Boys. He had to know those men who had a difficult time walking down a sidewalk but sat in a saddle like it was a rocking chair. They really existed! I wonder if Hewey would have carried a cell phone, or what he would think of Interstate 10? I thank Elmer for letting us revisit Hewey and Miss Renfro to see how things worked out. This book is wonderful