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The Smiling Country

By: Elmer Kelton
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Publisher's summary

Elmer Kelton, author of over a dozen popular westerns, was named the Greatest Western Writer of All Time by the Western Writers of America. He has won multiple Golden Spur Awards.

The Smiling Country, filled with pathos and humor, is set in the last days of the Old West. Hewey Calloway may be pushing 45, but he can still rope and outride most things on four legs. Refusing promotions, he prefers to remain a simple ranch hand. But as he rides the West Texas plains, automobiles are beginning to dot the landscape. When Hewey is critically injured by a wild horse, he must admit that his world - and an age - are passing away.

©1998 Elmer Kelton (P)2001 Recorded Books
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What listeners say about The Smiling Country

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Hooked on Kelton

This is the 3rd Kelton I have listened to and I am hooked. I have never really read any Westerns in the past besides Larry McMurtry. I thought I’d try a Zane Gray but did not care for it.

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Great read

Started out a little slow but once I got into the story I had a hard time turning it off. Another great narration by GG.

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Another Kelton hit

A really good story that I was sorry to get to the ending.
Can’t go wrong with a great writer like Elmer Kelton and George Guidall is an excellent narrator.

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As engaging as Gus McCrae of Lonsome Dove

One of the most enjoyable series of books I have ever read or listened to and hated for it to come to end. I will relisten to this and the remainder of the quartet many times again.

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Enjoyed it a lot....

This author has, at some point, been exposed to the authentic cowboy culture. This story warmed my heart.....one of those that you just hate to see come to an end

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Perfect

perfect story perfect narrator perfect author so easy to listen to we're not author knows what he's talking about and so easy to listen to when the narrator reads it right.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Little slow to start

It took a while to develop but, once drawn in it was pretty good. George Guidall as usual is great. GG is why I selected this book. Came in expecting something different, more action than story. Still overall very enjoyable.

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Relatable people

Wonderful story Characters so well developed a western problems being worked out without being solved by guns.

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Great snapshot of the classic western personality

Which shines through almost most every character.
Those few exceptions belong back East, then and now.
Great book. excellent narration

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Kelton is king amongst all western authors

he does it again and again. loved it like every other one of this books.

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