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

Great beginning to an epic western

Great characters...great story of a part of the wild brutal west. Narrator was outstanding . I felt like I was there. It makes me want to visit that part of new mexico.

Closer to the truth of the 'old' West

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story had was interesting but the ending felt like walking off a cliff.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

narration was very good

Do you think Dead Man's Walk needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I think the ending left you so high and dry it begs for a follow-up book

Any additional comments?

I have not read all the Lonesome Dove series and it would probably be helpful to do so to understand the whole complexity of this saga. I love the western open lands and love the visions created by the author. All in all it's a good story.

Outstanding!

First audible experience. Made the car ride seem short as characters came to life. The voices were consistent and well portrayed the great expedition. Learning how the Hat Creek outfit got started is an exciting adventure. Look forward to the next book in the series.

for the fans

I've always loved the lonesome dove books and this one is a great addition as a prequel. the narration brings Gus and Call to life as teenage rangers. the book highlights some early history between the two, the introduction of Clara, and the long standing beef between the boys and the Comanche's. I found it was easy to get through and finished it in a few short days

Mmm. Young Gus McCrae.

If you thought Gus was the hero of Lonesome Dove, you'll love this tale of his youth. Read with real character by Will Patton and written while McMurtry was still knocking them out of the ball park.

Great sorry. Terrible fake accents.

The very unpracticed fake accents affected by Patton kind of ruined this one for me.

Great performance, but story dragged on

The narrator was really good. The characters were fantastic and you really rooted for them to succeed. However, there were parts that dragged on and on. Plan on listening to Comanche Moon next!

Real good stuff.

As others have said. Not Lonesome Dove, and a great fun story about the younger days of the 2 famous Rangers. Big bold characters all around. I like a good story and this was one. I like the length and it is neat to read about the formative years of Gus and Captain Call’s relationship and personalities as characters. You can “see” the personalities taking shape that define the two men in LD.

Great background on great characters

A great foundation to build upon to establish two of the genre's most memorable characters.

Good story.

Very enjoyable. It's a very good beginning for the Lonesome Dove saga with all of the beloved characters!