The Man Who Rode Midnight

By: Elmer Kelton

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Nearly 70, Wes Hendricks has led a tough and colorful life as a cowboy and broncobuster, and all he asks now is that he be left alone on his poor, hardscrabble ranch in the West Texas hill country. Not a chance - the powers that be in the little town of Big River (including Wes' old cowboy pal, druggist/Mayor Orville Levitt) have decreed that an artificial lake will be created to generate tourism, and Wes' ranch stands squarely in their way.  

Wes is offered great sums of money and is even threatened by the strong-arm tactics of Sheriff Wally Vincent, but he stands firm.  

©1987, 1990 Elmer Kelton (P)2018 Recorded Books

None better

Elmer Kelton and George Guidall, both brilliant tellers of tales which enlighten and entertain us all.

Depth of characters is amazing....

I wasn't prepared for how connected I would become to the characters in this story....very emotional... wonderful story

Best western I’ve read

I was skeptical at first because it was of a more recent time. But after listening to it , it is my favorite book, and I have listened to several hundred westerns. Highly recommend it, you won’t regret it.

The man

I am a great fan of Mr Kelton and I thought his book “The time it never rained” is as good a book as Grapes of Wrath. Mr. Kelton out did himself with this book. You will not go wrong reading The Man Who Rode Midnight. Exceedingly enjoyable. If you listen to it George Guidall’s narration will only increase your pleasure. I only wish it would have gone.

Close to home

My husband and I have farmed cotton in West Texas for nearly fifty years. We farm land his parents own and lands his grandfather farmed before them. This book hits close to home for us. Elmer Kelton was a friend of an old rancher we knew in our part of the world, Tee Knox. Elmer is the real deal. He writes from his heart.

Boring and Predictable

Jim Ed shows up to his Grandfather Wes’s ranch with a directive to convince Wes to sell his ranch so a lake could be built. Wes is a 70 year old, hard working man who used to ride broncos. Jim Ed has a lot to learn about life. He is a directionless college drop out and has the ignorance of youth. The man works the ranch but ranch works him too. Jim Ed falls in love with the ranch, the lifestyle and a girl named Glory B. I wish I could say this book was great, or touching or not completely and utterly predictable. Yes Jim Ed gets the girl, yes Wes fights a good fight and yes Jim Ed learns how to be a man with purpose. If you think these are spoilers, think again. The book is so predictable it’s impossible to have spoilers.

Ma and pa

Best ending I’ve read in a long time! George Guidall makes the stories come alive. I will read anything he narrates.

Don’t expect blazing six guns

This novel takes place in the 1980s, not the 1880s, but don’t give up on it for that reason. It’s a story with real heart. With compelling characters that you believe in and root for, this is a tale of West Texas ranchers struggling to keep their way of life alive. It pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. I was reluctant at first to spend a credit on it, but I’m glad I did. I couldn’t stop listening. Highly recommended.

What you would want out of a modern western

It's not a fast or complicated book. Just great character development and quality writing narrated by the best in the business.

Great read great listen

Listen pilgrim and you might learn something. One of the best audio books I’ve listened to in a while. I was able to get invested into the story and was sorry to see it end.