Flat Top Mountain Ranch: The Beginning

Life After the War





The American Civil War displaced many civilians as well as scattered countless animals. With no one to tend to them, the cattle stray everywhere, making them free to own. Jack Donaldson sees this as an opportunity to collect the animals for himself. He wants to set up a ranch. This is basically what consists of James E. Doucette's novel, Flat Top Mountain Ranch: The Beginning.

It’s the 19th century, and America is engaged in Civil War. Two individuals in the battlefront take the center stage in James E. Doucette’s novel, Flat Top Mountain Ranch: The Beginning.

The story begins with the armed conflict between the Confederates and the Union. In one camp, there is Tiberius “Ty” Jones. He is a multiracial man, but a freeborn. He fights for the Confederates. While in the enemy camp is Jack Donaldson. He’s a white man who defends the Union. So to speak, the two men are total strangers to each other. They both stand on different political views.

Life Journey to the Mountain Ranch

As soon as the war ends, Ty’s father advises him to leave their home for a good reason. As a non-white man, his life is now in danger. So, he sets out for the countryside and eventually joins a group of hunters in Texas.

On the other hand, Jack intends to go west after serving the Union. He thinks of the cattle that were let loose when their owners fled to safety. Since the animals are now without owners, Jack sees an opportunity to collect the strays. He plans to start a ranch. And so, after his discharge from the army, Jack buys a packhorse and a mare for his journey.

Eventually, the two former servicemen cross paths along the way. Soon, a friendship and partnership begins between them. Jack and Ty agree to establish a cattle ranch. To prepare themselves for their new undertaking, they seek the help of the cowboys and the wagon train master.

Will the two friends succeed in their endeavor? Follow Jack and Ty’s journey in the countryside.

The Book and the Author

Flat Top Mountain Ranch: The Beginning begins with an adrenaline rush. The author describes how the war is fought. His descriptions are so vivid that the reader is transported to where the action takes place. Likewise, Doucette builds up the two major characters well.

Sadly, though, the author fails to maintain the momentum of his story. As Jack and Ty start their respective journey after the war, the story slackens. The subsequent events and scenes take on a monotonous flat tone until the end.

For a reader not interested in chasing cattle and cowboy activities, Flat Top Mountain Ranch is a boring book to read. But, in fairness to the author, these parts of the plot serve as a guide or manual. People who wish to start a ranch may find this whole book helpful. It talks about the challenges that await a beginner rancher. The book describes in detail the ins and outs of ranching.

Meanwhile, Flat Top Mountain Ranch is well-proofread, I didn’t notice any typographical or grammatical errors in it. And so, I give it a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to readers interested in the ranch business. This book offers several tips about the trade.

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