Reviews for Captain's Rangers

The average rating for Captain's Rangers based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2021-02-08 00:00:00 Nathan Hall Fictionalized tale of famous Texas Ranger, Captain Leander McNelly Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2021 A very good fictionalized account of Texas Ranger Captain Leander McNelly's 1875 foray into the Nueces Strip. Part of Texas by treaty but plagued by Mexican "patriots" and bandits as well as fed up Texans who shot or hanged Mexicans just suspected of being bandits. McNelly was determined to bring peace to the strip no matter who he had to shoot - Mexican or Texan. At one point, a frustrated and very sick McNelly also led a raid across the Rio Grande to recover stolen cattle. A major part of the story is told through the eyes of Laham Neal, a cowboy turned ranger. A man who is not completely unsympathetic to the Mexican point of view. A subplot concerns his rocky wooing of a rancher's daughter.

Review # 2 was written on 2010-12-15 00:00:00 Joshua Doty I haven't been prone to much reading of westerns of late, but in the past I read quite a few. Of course in my life I've read some of most genres (LOL). I had never read any of Elmer Kelton's novels before this one though he's written quite a few. I picked this one up mainly because I'm somewhat of a history buff and this one deals with the conflict over the Nueces Strip. This is a strip of land between the Nueces River and the Rio Grand the ownership of which remained in question for some time after the Texas and Mexican war. Mr. Kelton makes a real attempt at telling of the feelings on both sides here. The Mexican bandits who were hated in Texas but thought of as patriots by some south of the Rio Grand. The killings and raids against the Texas settlers, the war that was fought for many years with no quarter given. I'm also interested in (and frankly an admirer of) the Texas Rangers. They are pretty much painted as the heroes here. A look at the attempt to keep them honest and honorable after the disaster of the Reconstruction Era Texas State Police (who were famous for their dishonesty)is also a big part of this book. Saying anymore will of course lead me into the story and entail spoilers...so. The story itself isn't bad. The writing is workman like and will hold the interest. I felt that it took a little while to actually get going. That's not to say that it was slow moving,the action pretty much kicks in as we get to know the characters, but it takes a bit to fit itself into a coherent tale. Personally I found the romance that meanders through the book a little silly, but I suppose some must get into it pretty thoroughly, to each their own. If it's your cup of tea enjoy. I won't say I enjoyed all of the book, but I liked, enjoyed parts of it and it tied up it's story in the "satisfactory" manner of the "standard western". I may read more by this writer, if the mood strikes me, but I don't plan to run out (or to my computer) and get more right away. I don't feel the urge to strap on my 6 gun and saddle up as often as I once did (like when I was 12 or 13) but I do now and again. I will say this, Kelton in one of a few writers who writes a west that seems real, with horse sweat you can smell, dust that grits in your teeth, and characters who remember that you need to loosen a revolver in it's holster if you may need it quickly as they tend to stick a bit after setting in leather for a while. 3 stars...didn't love it, but it was pretty good.