Hard Country

A Novel

By: Michael McGarrity

Narrated by: George Guidall

National best-selling author and New Mexico native Michael McGarrity takes listeners to the wild territory of the late 19th-century American Southwest for this epic tale. After the deaths of his wife and brother, John Kerney gives up his West Texas ranch and heads south in search of a new home. Soon Kerney is offered work trailing cattle to the New Mexico Territory - a job that will forever change his life.

©2012 Michael McGarrity (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Engrossing historical fiction of the Tularosa area

I loved this book in part because I live in Southwest New Mexico and the novel is based on real historical figures from Pat Garrett to Eugene Rhodes. The description of the Tularosa Basin before it was overgrazed was so accurate - also known as the short grass prairie - it is gone now because of drought and overgrazing. The ranching descriptions are dead-on. The people who settled this country fell in love with the mountains and valleys and despite often incredible hardships made a living. I also appreciated the fact that this was not just about the Anglos (white men and women) who settled the area but also brought to life the roles of the early Hispanic settlers, Buffalo soldiers and Apaches. New Mexico is a land rich in history and cultural diversity and Michael McGarrity makes it come alive. Bravo also to George Guidall whose narration is terrific.

Not a formula cowboy story

Characters with depth, unexpected events, insights into regional history, outstanding reader. You do not have to like western novels to appreciate this book.

Settling the West

A very good novel of the hard life of the pioneers of the west and the characters, especially the heroine and the Mexican pioneers, were complex and very fairly written. I think I will listen to anything George Guidell reads and love it, though!

new Mexico history

loved it,best book I have read for years. I can't wait to read more in the series

Times are a changin

A variety of personalities struggle with lifes travails as cars replace ponies in New Mexico.