From Publishers Weekly An 89-year-old codger's reminiscences make for a zestfully youthful saga in this blend of Western, picaresque adventure and historical novel. Kiefer ( The Lingala Code ) charts the transformation of narrator Lee Garland from cattle smuggler and desperado to deputy sheriff, oil millionaire, banker, soldier with Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders, ambassador to Mexico, and last of the old-time robber barons. Betrayed by his business partner Charlie Bruce, who prevents Garland from marrying his sister Caroline, Lee marries a second choice, takes Caroline as his mistress, suffers tragic losses, but never loses his shrewd frontiersman's spirit. With hindsight our hero, whose story climaxes in 1968 in a symbolic act of protest, implicitly urges common sense, decency and hardy individualism as the best hope for survival in a nuclear world. His crusty, ironic narrative voice, as blunt as a sawed-off shotgun, adds a certain introspective dimension to this long, extroverted yarn of heartbreak, love, murder, Pancho Villa, Mormons, wars, scams and schemes. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more From Library Journal Lee Garland is the stuff of which legends are made, and Kiefer boldly weaves fact with fiction in the creation of this larger-than-life character. From the death of his parents at the hands of renegade Apaches to his own death at the age of 89 in a stand-off with U.S. marshalls over an eviction notice, Garland remains a law unto himself. Twice accused of murder, he avoids jail by his own wits and the help of friends. He serves with the Rough Riders in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, fights Pancho Villa on the Texas border, and sees action in France during World War I. He makes several fortunes. Romance with a woman, also larger than life, runs throughout the whole book. In a style reminiscent of Larry McMurtry and Thomas Berger, Kiefer presents a fast-paced panorama of American life from 1890 to 1970, as seen by one of the last legendary (fictional) heroes of the Old West.- Thomas L. Kilpatrick, Southern Illinois Univ. at Carbondale Lib.Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more
T**N
An excellent tale of the old west.
An excellent book. Told first person by a great writer. It is about the old west, centered in northern New Mexico. It is a tale of an orphan who is adopted who grows up to be a cattle thief . He later becomes rich through honest work. The story spans several decades and bring us up to modern times. It is a bittersweet tale of changing times. It is a novel based on a true story. Hard, hard hard to put down.
S**Y
Western Romp
I had read this years ago, loaned out my paperback copy and never got it back. For me, this is one of a few select novels I will re-read.So when I found it on Amazon, I ordered several hardcover copies-- a replacement for mine, and some to give out to people I knew would appreciate Kiefer's style of writing.It's a fast-paced, easy read if colloquial lingo doesn't bother you. An epic-style story of a larger-than-life character. No earth-shattering revelations or social commentary here, but a fun western romp for pure entertainment.
F**R
One of the best books ever
If you want to read a good adventure while on vacation or traveling I'd suggest you purchase Outlaw. it's too bad Warren Kiefer didn't write more books or he would have become my favorite author. Set in New Mexico this is the story of an orphan named Lee Oliver Garland who after having his family wiped out by Apache raiders is taken in my a Mexican family. Follow his journey from cattle rustler to oil baron, from bordellos to mansions on Fifth Avenue with a sojourn with the Rough Riders in Cuba thrown in. this is the story of one man's trip through life. A little bit of the magic and a little bit of the tragic. A great book
W**X
Not too ......
The books condition was very poor. No cover. Scotch tape holding it together
A**N
Couldn't put this book down!
If you liked Lonesome Dove, you will like Outlaw.
M**S
Favorite Book Ever
I read constantly and this is my all-time favorite book. It's like Forrest Gump in the 1800's.
J**N
Should be a movie
One of the best paper backs I have ever read.
B**O
Five Stars
Fabulous book. Wish someone would make it into a movie
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
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