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The Charmed Life of Matt Draper
- From Riverboat Gambler to Frontier Banker
- Narrated by: J.P. Todd
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
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Publisher's summary
In 1866, Matt Draper is full of ambition but without money or family to help him succeed. On the Western frontier of an ever-expanding America, toiling as a riverboat gambler seems like the best option to raise enough capital to realize his dream of opening a small-town bank.
Though gambling is lucrative for Matt, it is also an unsavory enterprise fraught with danger. Fortuitously, before any harm befalls him, Matt and his friend Charlie discover an abandoned Confederate gold cache in a fake grave, which gives him the stake he needs to leave the treacherous gambling world behind.
From then onward, his life’s purpose becomes evident as all roads lead to Neosho, Missouri, where he opens the bank and becomes a major influence on its growth and prosperity.
Matt’s exciting and uplifting saga captures the day-to-day reality of life in the tumultuous post-Civil War era, including the hardships, relative lawlessness, and indomitable spirit of settlers bent on creating a good life for themselves and their neighbors.
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A western with a twist
- By Jean on 03-19-14
By: Stephen Bly
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Taming the Nueces Strip
- The Story of McNelly's Rangers
- By: George Durham, Clyde Wantland
- Narrated by: Jamie Renell
- Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Only an extraordinary Texas Ranger could have cleaned up bandit-plagued Southwest Texas, between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande, in the years following the Civil War. Thousands of raiders on horseback, some of them Anglo-Americans, regularly crossed the river from Mexico to pillage, murder, and rape. In desperation, the governor of Texas called on an extraordinary man, Captain Leander M. McNelly, to take command of a Ranger company and stop these border bandits. One of McNelly's recruits for this task was George Durham, a Georgia farmboy.
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A Narration Second Only to a Live Performance !!!
- By TejanoViejo on 03-16-21
By: George Durham, and others
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The Misadventures of Maude March
- By: Audrey Couloumbis
- Narrated by: Lee Adams
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Eleven-year-old Sallie March is a whip-smart tomboy and voracious reader of Western adventure novels. When she and her sister, Maude, are orphaned for the second time, they decide to escape their new self-serving guardians for the wilds of the frontier and an adventure the likes of which Sallie has only read about. This time, however, the wanted woman isn't a villain out of a dime novel: it's Sallie's very own sister!
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A fun book to listen to.
- By Jean on 09-04-13
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A Man Called Justice
- Silent Justice, Book 1
- By: John Deacon
- Narrated by: A.T. Chandler
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Justice is a drifter with no fear and no memory, trailed by a violent past. Nora is a beautiful widow bravely raising her young son on an isolated New Mexican ranch. When a ruthless cattle baron pushes longhorns into the valley, Justice vows to protect Nora and her boy. But how can he succeed against thirty hired guns… including the four outlaws who left him for dead?
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Home run!
- By Charlie on 08-30-22
By: John Deacon
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Death Rides a Chestnut Mare
- By: Ralph Compton
- Narrated by: Jason Culp
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Waylaid by a pack of murdering outlaws, Daniel Strange's lifeless body is left dangling at the end of a rope. Now, a mysterious gunslinger is on the vengeance trail, packing Strange's trademark twin Colts, and answering to the same name. With fiery green eyes and a temper to match, he won't stop until every last man who killed Strange shares the same fate. And as each bullet finds its mark, his victims will die never knowing the truth: that Daniel Strange may be dead and buried, but his daughter is alive - and killing....
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Excellent listen
- By Micah Balch on 01-22-19
By: Ralph Compton
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Father and I Were Ranchers
- Little Britches # 1
- By: Ralph Moody
- Narrated by: Cameron Beierle
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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The Moody family moves from New Hampshire to a Colorado ranch. Experience the pleasures and perils of ranching in 20th Century America, through the eyes of a youngster.
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Very dissappointed , too much cussing.
- By Lovelessnomore on 05-29-15
By: Ralph Moody
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The Virginian
- A Horseman of the Plains
- By: Owen Wister
- Narrated by: Robert G. Slade
- Length: 14 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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In this romantic and raw adventure set in the untamed wilderness of Wyoming of 1886, an anonymous college graduate ventures out west where he encounters gun fights, lynching, cattle rustlers, high-stake poker games, Indian attacks, and a brave, honest and imposing cowboy known simply as the Virginian. Presented as the archetypal, ideal hero of the "western" genre (which was novelized for the very first time in this same book), the Virginian, a foreman at Shiloh Ranch, carries a strong sense of justice.
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A Good Book of Perpetual Period Small Talk
- By wbiro on 02-06-21
By: Owen Wister
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The Goodnight Trail
- The Trail Drive, Book 1
- By: Ralph Compton
- Narrated by: Scott Sowers
- Length: 3 hrs and 31 mins
- Abridged
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Former Texas Rangers Benton McCaleb, Will Elliot, and Brazos Gifford ride with Charles Goodnight as he rounds up thousands of ornery, unbranded cattle for the long drive to Colorado. From the Trinity River brakes to Denver, they’ll battle endless miles of flooded rivers, parched desert, and whiskey-crazed Comanches. And come face-to-face with Judge Roy Bean and legendary gunslingers like Clay Allison. For McCaleb and his hard-riding crew, the drive is a fierce struggle against the perils of an untamed land. A fight to the finish where the brave reach glory - or die hard.
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lose of key parts of the story
- By caveman on 06-04-12
By: Ralph Compton
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The Virginian
- By: Owen Wister
- Narrated by: Richard Davidson
- Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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He is the Virginian-the first fully realized cowboy hero in American literature, a near-mythic figure whose idealized image has profoundly influenced our national consciousness. This enduring work of fiction marks the birth of a legend that lives with us still.
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I could have read it better
- By Emily Adams on 09-29-20
By: Owen Wister
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Whispers of the Greybull
- By: Stephen B Smart
- Narrated by: Rusty Nelson
- Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Twenty-two years old Cole Morgan struggled after a career ending football injury and then the tragic loss of his parents in the winter of 1937. He felt like a man with no destination... running from lost opportunities and memories better left alone. Maybe it was for this reason he accepted the offer of a near stranger to use his education and backcountry skills to work on the Greybull, one of the largest ranches in Wyoming. With little fanfare he packed all his worldly possessions in his beloved truck and headed for the small town of Meeteetsee.
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Good book and worth a listen
- By Daniel on 09-15-16
By: Stephen B Smart
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Crossed Arrows
- The Mountain Men, Book 1
- By: Terry Grosz
- Narrated by: Clay Lomakayu
- Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1829, Jacob and Martin left Kentucky to become Mountain Men, trappers of the Rocky Mountains. The rugged mountains that lay beyond America's frontier remained mostly unexplored. In those days, when beaver were plentiful and the buffalo roamed freely, the killing was good. The two young men would also find that life would be hardscrabble in the high frontier. They would face grizzly bears and hostile Indians. And they would risk horse wrecks and mountain storms to trade their furs each year at "rendezvous".
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Entertaining
- By Gvido on 07-24-18
By: Terry Grosz
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Gunsights
- By: Elmore Leonard
- Narrated by: Josh Clark
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Brendan Early and Dana Moon have tracked renegade Apaches together and gunned down scalp hunters to become Arizona legends. But now they face each other from opposite sides of what newspapers are calling The Rincon Mountain War. Brendan and a gang of mining company gun thugs are dead set on running Dana and "the People of the Mountain" from their land.
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Maybe The essential Elmore Leonard Western
- By Vales Tales on 08-20-15
By: Elmore Leonard
What listeners say about The Charmed Life of Matt Draper
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- LITRPG Audiobook Reviews
- 08-30-23
Its no gamble betting on this book
When dreams often collide with the harsh realities of life, "The Charmed Life of Matt Draper: From Riverboat Gambler to Frontier Banker" stands as a captivating testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the pursuit of a better life. Authored by the brilliant John Rayburn and brought to life through the eloquent narration of J.P. Todd, this audiobook takes listeners on an enthralling journey through the post-Civil War American frontier, where ambition, adventure, and the quest for prosperity intertwine in the life of a remarkable protagonist.
Set against the backdrop of the transformative era of 1866, the story introduces us to the charismatic Matt Draper, a young man overflowing with dreams but lacking the means to turn them into reality. The sprawling Western frontier of an ever-expanding America becomes his canvas, as he navigates a world fraught with challenges, possibilities, and the ever-present allure of risk. The intriguing premise unfolds with the notion of riverboat gambling as a stepping stone to his dream of establishing a quaint hometown bank. John Rayburn masterfully crafts a narrative that immediately draws readers into Matt's world, skillfully conveying the era's complexities, aspirations, and underlying tensions.
What truly sets this audiobook apart is its skillful narration by J.P. Todd. With a voice that resonates and captivates, Todd breathes life into the characters and landscapes, creating an immersive experience that transports listeners to the heart of the post-war American frontier. His ability to infuse emotions, nuances, and distinct tones into each character adds a layer of authenticity that enhances the overall storytelling. Todd's narration is not merely a recitation of words; it's a performance that envelops listeners in an auditory cocoon of suspense, excitement, and heartfelt connection.
The central turning point of the story, where Matt and his friend Charlie stumble upon an abandoned Confederate gold cache, is where the tale takes a riveting twist. This discovery propels Matt's journey in an unforeseen direction, offering him the means to escape the perilous world of gambling and instead embark on a path that aligns with his moral compass. As he sets his sights on Neosho, Missouri, the audiobook seamlessly transforms into a poignant exploration of Matt's unwavering pursuit of his life's purpose.
John Rayburn artfully weaves Matt's transformation from a risk-taking gambler to a frontier banker, as he assumes a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of Neosho. With meticulous attention to historical accuracy, Rayburn paints a vivid picture of the post-Civil War era's tumultuous landscape. Listeners are treated to a panoramic view of the struggles, the unyielding spirit of settlers, and the raw determination to carve out a haven of stability amid the uncertainties of the time.
"The Charmed Life of Matt Draper" transcends being just a tale; it becomes an insightful mirror reflecting the essence of the human spirit. Matt's journey resonates as a timeless reminder that despite the odds, the pursuit of dreams can lead to a life of significance, not only for oneself but for an entire community. Through Rayburn's eloquent prose, listeners are invited to witness the profound impact one individual can have when driven by integrity, resilience, and the belief in the possibility of a better future.
In its entirety, this audiobook offers an exhilarating blend of history, adventure, and the triumphant triumph of the human spirit. John Rayburn's ability to capture the intricacies of an era, combined with J.P. Todd's masterful narration, results in an auditory masterpiece that leaves a lasting impression. "The Charmed Life of Matt Draper: From Riverboat Gambler to Frontier Banker" is more than a story—it's an expedition into the heart of a remarkable era and the captivating journey of a protagonist who embodies the essence of perseverance and ambition. So, embark on this auditory voyage; let the words and voices carry you across time and space into a world where dreams and reality converge in the most enchanting way.
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- Virginia
- 01-23-19
Great Western!
John Rayburn has written a real adventure in the old west. I loved the history that was instilled in the story. J. P. Todd was the perfect narrator. His voice took me away to that time.
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1 person found this helpful
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Charmed Life is Right On
Sprinkled thoroughly with actual historical facts, this story keeps you interested enough to learn more of our US history and the expansion Westward following the Civil War.
And don’t worry about being brought down by bad news, Matt’s life is definitely charmed.
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