Publication date UK format 13/9/22 book 334 pages
I would like to thank the author, publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to pick this to read and review all my reviews are honest.
Synopsis
Tired, disoriented, and confused, Robert East was no match for the wolves when they arrived. Robert East loved his older brother, Tom, but always resented Tom’s favored role in the family cattle business based at their San Antonio Viejo ranch near Hebbronville, Texas, just north of the Rio Grande. Tom was a figure to be reckoned with, a cattleman with ambitions to supplant their Uncle Bob Kleberg, head of the enormous King Ranch, as the leading cattle raiser in Texas. Robert, by contrast, was a cowboy who cared little for what occurred beyond the San Antonio Viejo’s main gate. Handsome and ornery, with no head for business, he nevertheless chafed in his brother’s shadow until 1984, when Tom died young of a heart attack, just as their father, Tom East, Sr., had 40 years earlier. Suddenly Robert was the new and untested patrón of 250,000 acres of East Family ranchland—and the majority owner of the ocean of natural gas pooled beneath East rangeland. It was his turn to issue the orders. Robert’s contentious nature drove the Easts into bitter intra-family legal hostilities that persisted for a decade. He lost his beloved sister, Lica, to cancer, and as old age advanced, he found himself alone and isolated on a remote ranch with only an unreliable foreman and a scattering of vaqueros and other workers for company. The physical wear and tear from decades of working cattle on horseback began to show. Robert’s knees gave out, and he developed serious cardiovascular problems. His doctors prescribed pain pills, sedatives, and medications for his chronic depression. In 2000, drillers hit the most productive gas well in the U.S, if not the world, on East property, making the rich old man suddenly and spectacularly wealthy beyond his comprehension. Soon enough the wolves began to circle, and Robert’s grotesque final days were at hand.
My Review
This was an interesting read and rather complex story leading to a court case. The cover really drew me in as I love reading about ranches and cowboys. Robert was certainly a very interesting characters and rather stubborn that made me chuckle at times. His brother was very strict at running the farm but after the death of his brother it was Roberts turn to run the farm and he really change things up. Many changes that others did not like at all. Once Robert had made his money people started to turn on him and all he'll broke loose and the vultures decended. I really enjoyed reading about both Tom's and Roberts running of the farm but as it switches to the court case became very complex I was getting annoyed by the vultures and started to switch off. It was heartbreaking what Robert had to go through and made me quite mad. I felt so sorry for Robert his story did need to be told. If you love biographies that Inc family fueds and complex court cases then this book is for you. My average star rating is only one person's rating and might be your 5 star read so you can always try reading a sample of this book to see if it a perfect fit for you.
Many thanks to the author and publishers for bringing this terrible story to the light of day.
Where you can buy this book
Amazon US K $10.24, HC $26.96
Google Books ebook £8.28
B&N HC $29.95, EBOOK $9.99
Kobo ebook £5.99
Amazon UK K £9.17 HC £27.50
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HAPPY READING