The Last Rancher

By: Robert Rebein

Narrated by: Robert Rebein

Leroy Wagner has given his heart and soul to the Bar W Ranch. He knows no other way. His wife, Caroline, born in the city, struggles with the loneliness of marriage to a man committed first to his land. When tragedy robs them of their firstborn, the handsome and talented Wade, it’s all either can do to face the world.

Their second-born, Michael, attempts to fill his brother’s shoes, and their only daughter, Annie, searches for a way to reconcile her love for the Bar W with her feeling that she must flee it if she is to survive. Finally, there’s Jimmy, the Wagners’ unplanned replacement child, born too late into a world of broken hearts.

When a near-fatal accident befalls Leroy, the Wagner children must return to the Bar W to save the ranch and what remains of their family ties. Secrets are unearthed. Truths are told. Consequences are faced.

Giving voice to the contemporary American West, The Last Rancher follows one family’s quest to survive on the demanding and starkly beautiful high plains of Kansas. Doing so will require them to come together as never before to acknowledge the challenges of the present and the long and lingering shadows of the past.

©2024 Robert Rebein (P)2024 Robert Rebein

the characters and scenes are so evocative of life on a ranch.

This audiobook brought back such memories of growing up in Kansas, and living with my cattleman husband on ranches and feedlots from eastern Kansas to western Kansas, to Oregon, Nebraska, Virginia and Iowa. (We moved a lot during the farm crisis years). Thanks for the memories. I enjoyed the novel tremendously.

Language

Narration quality poor. While the author tried to
portray the reality of the characters' conversational style the cursing & use of the
"F" word was overdone. The author treated the themes of grief, forgiveness how secrets & lies
destroy trust.

this book took me back to my youth in southwestern kansas.

This book is not my usual genre but turned out to be a very good listen. I found myself kind of anticipating the story line only to be surprised at the direction it went. I grew up in the area this novel is set in and it sure brought back memories. (can't say how many times I ate at Kate's) I would definitely recommend it for that long drive as it will make the miles go by faster.