Product Description

From the author of "St. Agnes' Stand". For 30-years Samuel Jones has lived as an Apache, and now he is returning to the family he abandoned . When a band of marauding Indians captures his granddaughter, it is Samuel that must ride against them.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #420204 in Books
• Published on: 1996-04-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Customer Reviews

The Last Ride is a good, fulfilling journey
Eidson's the last ride forms a sort of trilogy with his previous books All God's Children and St Agnes' Stand. The Last Ride, made over into The Missing, is a solid example of how the book is better than the film. Though a decent film, the Last Ride is a much better character study (books have that advantage). However, the richness of the character interaction makes this a delightful read. The conversations are well thought out, the plot keeps a good pace, and you do immerse yourself in the dust of the desert. Characters and conversations stay with you after you're done, I even went back to re-read parts between Maggie and her father.

Summed up:
If you have seen the film, and want to read how it should have been, read this. If you like Western-type novels with good, original characters, try it. A good, solid, representation of its genre, you're likely to enjoy The Last Ride.

A masterly story of the triumph of the human spirit
Eidson creates a world which is simple but at the same time complex, in his attempt to capture the spiritual world of the native American in contrast to, and at times in conflict with, the Christianity of the white settler. It is an unforgettable tale of redemption and ultimate reconciliation set amidst an exciting adventure story. The characters are superbly created and the narrative grips like a vice.

A western thriller, mixed with Apache mysticism.
I wanted to read this book after watching the movie "The Missing" which is based on this book. The movie I thought was excellent but, as is often the case, the book is even better as it enables you to delve deeper into the characters. There was even a surprising amount of humor mixed into the story that was not in the movie. The story of Samuel Jones and his daughter Maggie is told in stark yet humanistic terms, tough related each comes from a completely different world. The story is a quest to free Maggie's own daughter who has been taken captive by Apaches. I loved the mystery and native American mysticism woven into the story. This a beautiful though sometimes brutal read that I highly recommend. For another excellent read set in the modern American west, I have to give a shout out for "Across the High Lonesome!"