Jericho's Road

By: Elmer Kelton

Narrated by: Elmer Kelton

When Texas Ranger private Andy Pickard is assigned to help patrol the Texas-Mexico border country he rides directly into a deadly feud. At odds are two land and cattle barons—Jericho Jackson, whose great spread lies just north of the Rio Grande, and Guadalupe Chavez, whose domain lies south of the river.

The men are alike in only one respect: their hatred for each other, a hate born at the time of the Alamo and the U.S.-Mexican War, when Mexican lands were confiscated by ruthless Americans. The old rivals have turned to preying on each others' cattle with resulting bloodshed on both sides of the river.

Between the two camps, Big Jim McCawley's ranch seems almost symbolic of the opportunity for the people of the two nations to live together. McCawley is married to Guadalupe Chavez's sister, Juana—a fact that does not ingratiate him to either the Chavez or Jackson faction.

To Andy Pickard, who as a child was taken captive by Comanches, old prejudices are familiar territory, but the Jackson-Chavez war is flaring out of control by the time he reaches the Ranger camp on the border in the company of fellow Ranger Farley Brackett. The two Rangers find themselves caught up in the feud, risking arrest for crossing the river into Mexico, and risking death for not heeding the warning sign at the edge of Jericho Jackson's domain: This is Jericho's Road. Take the Other.

Inevitably, the cauldron boils over and the forces of Jericho Jackson and "Lupe" Chavez meet in bloody combat. In the midst of this battle on Mexican soil are Andy Pickard—longing to court and marry Bethel Brackett and live a peaceful life as an ex-Ranger—and Brackett himself, falling in love with Teresa, Big Jim McCawley's half-Mexican daughter.

Jericho's Road, the sixth book in Kelton's acclaimed Texas Ranger series, typifies "the right blend of action, drama, romance, humor and suspense" that Publishers Weekly said has made Kelton "a master of both plot and character development."

©2004 Elmer Kelton (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC.

Critic reviews

"This is arguably the best ongoing western series in the genre today. It shouldn't be missed." (Booklist)

"Once again, Kelton offers an exciting tale in which the bad guys are really bad and some of the good guys are, too. His characters are sharply defined, the historical background is vivid, and the gunplay can't be beat." (Publishers Weekly

liked the book

Would you consider the audio edition of Jericho's Road to be better than the print version?

Did not read the printed book

What did you like best about this story?

It kept your interest all the way

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The people were interesting

If you could rename Jericho's Road, what would you call it?

Wouldn't change it

Great

Very good and interesting. Great narration. This is one of my favorites. You won’t regret listening to this one

all of this series is great. start at the beginning

this is a great story I love this series. the reoccurring characters are great and the new ones are too.

You won’t want to stop listening!

This story takes place on the border at a time when bandits were on both sides and nobody was safe! Even the Rangers! Definitely recommend this Kelton book.

good read

This book is well written in true Elmer Kelton fashon. It mooved well and spoke to the ways of the day. Many might find it to be racially insensitive, but for the time depicted it is true to form. I reccomend this book to anyone interested in the Rangers and the time period after the Alamo.