Dead Man's Walk

By: Larry McMurtry

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

In Streets of Laredo, McMurtry brought the story ahead, giving us Call in his old age. Now, in Dead Man's Walk, he takes us back to the days when Gus and Call were young Texas Rangers, first experiencing the wild frontier that will form their characters. We also meet Clara Forsythe, the unforgettable young woman whose effect on Gus McCrae is immediate and unshakable. Danger, sacrifice, comradeship, and love give them the strength and courage to survive against the almost insurmountable odds of the frontier.

In Dead Man's Walk, Gus and Call are not yet 20, young men coming of age in the days when Texas was still an independent republic. Enlisting as Texas Rangers under a land pirate who wants to seize Santa Fe from the Mexicans, Gus and Call experience their first great adventure in the barren great plains landscape, in which arbitrary violence is the rule -- whether from nature, or from the Indians whose territory they must cross in order to reach New Mexico.

From the Indians defending their land with unrelenting savagery, to the Texans attempting to seize and "civilize" it, and the Mexicans threatened by both, the reckless men of the untamed frontier make this at once a riveting adventure story and a powerful work of literature.

©2000 Larry McMurtry (P)2000 Simon & Schuster

Very enjoyable listen in the series!

Great book, and the narration was SPECTACULAR with the exception of his French accent. YIKES. The ending was less than fulfilling but I have felt that way about just about all of the Lonesome Dove books.

A fun romp through the old west, with old friends

Loved the narration and loved getting to hear from Gus again, as well as Woodrow's origin story.

Best book and narrator!

I could not put this one down! The narrator is awesome his voice and dialect is perfect for the characters!

Another good book with great voice acting.

Would you consider the audio edition of Dead Man's Walk to be better than the print version?

I wouldn't know I haven't read the print version.

What other book might you compare Dead Man's Walk to and why?

Lonesome dove of course because its the only other western I have read.

What about Will Patton’s performance did you like?

He changed characters very well. He really made you feel the characters emotions.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh a few times.

Any additional comments?

This book really helps you understand Gus and Call's characters more. Especially Call.

Outstanding!

This is one of the best, period. I listened to it for the first time when I was about 15. At 26 I really wanted to revisit it. Boy am I glad I did. What a book. My boyfriend went absolutely crazy over it. We can't wait to continue the series.

Excellent!

I live in New Mexico and traveled thru Texas a good bit so hearing this historical and descriptive narration of the land I love was so neat. Excellent storyteller with a great ability to change his voice depending on the character he was narrating.

One of my faves

I really enjoyed the character development. I think had I started with Lonesome Dove, I would have not read this book. Some detractors of this book was hoping it was more like Lonesome Dove. It is not.

One criticism of this book I read was it was not very detailed, in terms of the landscape, settings, etc. I didn't notice that upon the first time I read this book because the story really drives this. However upon my second read (actually listening) of this book, I did see that it was a valid point. Yet it never detracted from the story, in fact, I don't know how being so detailed about cactus or the stream, or whatever would enhance the story.

It's one of those stories that one really wants more of. It's a world building that feels real, that puts you in the picture even.

Must read after Lonesome Dove

A compelling story from start to finish. McMurtry is Texas's literary master who has no equal. Dead Man's Walk is a textbook of what a good novel should comprise. We follow Texas Rangers Gus McRae and Woodrow Call, and a slew of other remarkable characters on a quest for survival, tension-wrought throughout as the Rangers contend with murderous Comanches and Apaches, and the Mexican Army displeased with the Rangers' ill-fated and ill-advised mission to invade New Mexico seeking riches. The descriptions and dialogue are marvelous, the action endless. I listened to the book on Audible, splendidly read by Will Patton. Highly recommended. I have now completed the seminal Lonesome Dove, and the prequel Dead Man’s Walk. On to Comanche Moon!

Riveting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I found myself driving much slower just to have more time to listen. It’s so interesting to catch a glimpse of Gus, Woodrow and Clara as young pups and have a little more understanding of Lonesome Dove.

Will Patton's voice paintes a vivid picture.......

Loved every second of this wonderful tale. A true masterpiece in my humble opinion. Thanks.