Knights of the Range: A Western Story

I love well written western novels by Zane Gray, Louis Lamour and Elmore Leonard. And this particular novel is one of my favorites, right alongside Riders Of The Purple Sage, Conagher and Hombre.Like most Zane Gray novels, it is written with a deep love of the landscape and culture of the American Southwest. The descriptions of life on the range, the mountains, the life the cowboys lead, is written out to show the hardships, the toughness of the land and culture, the bond of camaraderie of the cowboys and the fierce loyalty they have to whoever employs them. As Zane Gray says, they ride for the brand. And in this story we meet a strong young woman named Holly, raised on the Range but sent away to school. When she comes back her father, who owns one of the most powerful ranches in New Mexico, is dying and he leaves the ranch to her. The head ranch hand Captain Britt, who is a former Texas Ranger, and dearly devoted to the young woman as if she is his own daughter, warns her that the range wars are coming. (This is set in the era of the Lincoln County Wars in New Mexico, a lawless, bloodbath between cattlemen). The old ranch hand pulls together the toughest bunch of cattle punchers and gun hands on the range and they have to fight to keep their ranch together. Captain Britt ends up hiring the fastest gun in the west as part of his outfit. And as this mysterious gunslinger becomes devoted to protecting the ranch, he also falls in love with Holly. The whole story builds to a great, and classic gunfight, which is beautifully written out by Zane Gray.

While I like this book, it does sort of deviate from the usual Zane Grey formula that has made the author successful. While the story is interesting about western ranch life, the real problem to be solved never seems to make itself known. You get the feeling the main issue is getting the mistress of the ranch, Holly, married off so that her late father's best friend, Britt, can feel the ranch's future is secure. Problem is that Holly seems to have little interest in the men she knows in spite of numerous marriage offers. She does, however, claim to love all her cowboys (as brothers) and gives them the title of Knights of the Range. Most have been carefully hired and brought into the ranch over the years, but when a rustler, Renn Frayne turns on his buddies to rescue Holly from harm, he is instantly offered a job on the ranch and he accepts earning a respect among Holly, Britt, and the cowboys, a respect that at times he seems not to want. Real good book, just takes extra time to develop.

A great collection of stories. I tend to use my Kindle only as a portable electronic library of the hardcopy books I own, as I find proprietorship is as important an aspect of knowledge as is the information, itself. So I have read these stories many, many timesnof the course of my life. Now, I read them aloud to my 10 year old son while we wait for the fish to bite or bedtime after a lony winter day's hunt, just as my father did with me and his with him. With the Zane Grey museum less than 50 miles away from our home, we've visited enough to feel he and his stories are woven into the fabric of our family.

I am 64 years old and read all of the Zane Grey books I could find when I was young. I am one of those folks who can read a book over and over. My copy of this was falling apart. This book was my fist Zane Grey book and it is my favorite. Shadow on the Trail is my 2nd favorite followed by The Drift Fence and The Hash Knife Outfit.Brazos Keene from Knights of the Range is my all time fsvorite character followed by Wade Holden Shadow on the Trail.I liked the Trail Driver but the ended sucked when all the cowboy got killed by each other because of a prank.It is easy to see why all of the movies were made based on these books. Sadly, none of the movioes came close to the books.

What makes Zane Grey's books exceptional is that he can bring a world to life. His personal travels and adventures are evident in every description, and every character.

A friend recommended Grey's stories some years back, so when the inexpensive, easy access presented itself I took advantage of it. This read very much like the cowboy tales starring the likes of Gene Autry and John Wayne which I used to watch on my family's black & white TV set. This was a great summer read.

There was more description of the land than the plot or characters. I became lost in the descriptions. Probably would not recommend to anyone else.

Wow! This is a great action western! A love story and chaos during the Lincoln County Wars. Somehow during all the cattle rustling and killing the love story between Holly and Renn comes to fruition. Great cowboy characters and struggle to maintain their independence. Loved it.

Enjoyed it when I was 12 years old, and just as much at 74! Action with a description of a past that the author understood completely, coupled with an ability to paint a picture with words that enable the reader to see a range as it was back in time.

Takes me back to my yout h. Always considered Zane Grey the best writer for the wild west. I suppose one could guess the ending but the telling was good

A bit drawn out but readable and interesting it could be cut in half and then it would be a good story

Almost historical. Many known personalities mentioned.

I bought this book for my brother for his birthday. He is a Zane Grey fan and this particular book we could not find. Needless to say he was delighted to get it and loves it. Thank you.