The Blind Corral

1987 trade paperback, 9780140102659. Ralph Beer.(Afternoon Light;In these Hills).An emotionally damaged veteran returns to his family ranch in a rapidly changing Montana. Captures the atmosphere and dignity of a way of life that is slowly dying-Book Blurb

Army veteran Jack Heckethorn, his father, Smoke, and his grandfather, Harley, are longtime Montana ranchers pitted against greedy real estate developers. In this cautionary tale of the New West, Jack, Smoke, and Harley clearly represent the traditional American values of independence and love of the land. Montana is the center of the narrative focusthe state capital of Helena, the mining town of Butte, the Heckethorn ranch and timber land, etc. Reminiscent of E.M. Swift's Wyoming-set, anti-strip mining novel, Each Thief Passing By , Beer's first novel is both well written and socially aware of the dangers besetting the fragile ecology of the West. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries west of the Mississippi and a worthy purchase for libraries elsewhere. James B. Hemesath, Adams State Coll. Lib., Alamosa, Col.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.