Hard Land

The Hard Land is the story of Jess Sanford a poor farmer. Believing himself guilty of murder, Jess leaves Tennessee to carve a name for himself out west.Struggling to find work, Jess meets Joe Bob, a former slave, and the unlikely pair team up, to have several adventures before finally deciding to ranch cattle. I very much liked the relationship between Jess an Anglo, and Joe Bob, and African American. The struggles Joe Bob must face to be accepted, and the friendship between the two leads was heartwarming and at times humorous. Jess is the hardened tough member of the duo and Joe Bob is very much the brains and the heart. Together they make a great team.Towards the end, the novel was a tad too predictable, at least for this reader, but it was still quite entertaining. I recommend this for lovers of western fiction everywhere, and think this would make a great film.

Jack Ballas has written another good book. I have read several of his and I don't ever think I read a bad one. Jeff Sanford is forced into a fight with Simon Bauman, a rich spoiled young man. Sanford wins the fight and thinks he has killed Bauamn. He decides to run. He soon joins forces with Joe Bob Brown, another young man that is as broke as he is. Bauman lives and pledges to kill Sanford. The book tells of the life together of Sanford and Brown. They do many things for work and finally decide to get a herd of their own. They round up strayes and take off for Montana. Along the way they fight Commaches, Apaches outlaws and renegade whites. They are both tough and Sanford is good with gun, knife or fist. They each meet young women and hope to have a good life and family in Montana. This is their story. There is enough action to hold your attention but you know both men are fair and square. A very good western. Just remember, if you do read the book, Simon Bauman is lurkng in the background.