Many a River

In the mid-1800s, young Jeffery and Todd Barfield and their family are traveling across Texas in search of good farmland when the parents are killed by Comanches. Ed Sala delights listeners with his vocal prowess and engaging style. His conversational delivery pours emotion into the action, sympathizes with the many hard knocks taken by the characters, and adds believability and humor to the numerous hardships of the frontier. He nimbly shifts gears and uses carefully placed pauses, allowing listeners to easily follow the lives of the two boys as they encounter the Civil War. This adventure Western is more about relationships than violence, but physical courage and moral dilemmas also play a part. S.C.A. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

April 7, 2008
In 1855, young Jeffrey and Todd Barfield are orphaned in West Texas when their parents are killed by Comanches: Todd is carried off as a Comanche captive; Jeffrey is rescued by a Texas posse. For the next seven years each boy survives by his wits, hard work and good fortune—and each thinks the other is dead. When the Civil War arrives, the boys wind up on opposite sides during the Confederate Texas invasion of Union-held New Mexico, where meeting might mean death. As usual, Kelton (Hard Trail to Follow
) provides stirring action and gripping suspense. His portrayal of the chaotic and bloody Battle of Glorieta Pass in 1862 is thrilling, especially his chilling depiction of the murderous Union Major Chivington. This is vintage Kelton, a solid western story well-told.