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Ride the Man Down
Will Ballard, a range foreman, puts up a bitter fight to save the range he loves and discover the girl he loves. Will Ballard, tough, unscrupulous, and unbending in his loyalty to his cause, is a new kind of Western hero.
150 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1942
About the author
Luke Short
128 books36 followersLuke Short (real name Frederick Dilley Glidden) was a popular Western writer.
Born in Kewanee, Illinois Glidden attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for two and a half years and then transferred to the University of Missouri at Columbia to study journalism.
Following graduation in 1930 he worked for a number of newspapers before becoming a trapper in Canada then later moved to New Mexico to be an archeologist's assistant.
After reading Western pulp magazines and trying to escape unemployment he started writing Western fiction. He sold his first short story and novel in 1935 under the pen name of Luke Short (which was also the name of a famous gunslinger in the Old West, though it's unclear if he was aware of that when he assumed the pen name.)
After publishing over a dozen novels in the 1930s, he started writing for films in the 40s. In 1948 alone four Luke Short novels appeared as movies. Some of his memorable film credits includes Ramrod (1947) and Blood on the Moon (1948). He continued to write novels, despite increasing trouble with his eyes, until his death in 1975. His ashes are buried in Aspen, Colorado, his home at the time of his death.
Born in Kewanee, Illinois Glidden attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for two and a half years and then transferred to the University of Missouri at Columbia to study journalism.
Following graduation in 1930 he worked for a number of newspapers before becoming a trapper in Canada then later moved to New Mexico to be an archeologist's assistant.
After reading Western pulp magazines and trying to escape unemployment he started writing Western fiction. He sold his first short story and novel in 1935 under the pen name of Luke Short (which was also the name of a famous gunslinger in the Old West, though it's unclear if he was aware of that when he assumed the pen name.)
After publishing over a dozen novels in the 1930s, he started writing for films in the 40s. In 1948 alone four Luke Short novels appeared as movies. Some of his memorable film credits includes Ramrod (1947) and Blood on the Moon (1948). He continued to write novels, despite increasing trouble with his eyes, until his death in 1975. His ashes are buried in Aspen, Colorado, his home at the time of his death.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 3, 2017
Originally serialized in The Saturday Evening Post, Luke Short’s psychologically complex tale of a man standing alone in a bitter range war is one of the greatest westerns ever penned. Made into an underrated film with Rod Cameron in the role of Will Ballard, it made it into the Top 25 Westerns of all-time in a poll of the Western Writers of America, coming in at #16. Since Short has two in there, I might move it up to #10 where Vengeance Valley sits, but you could just as easily make the case that one of Short’s other Westerns could fill either spot. He was just that good.
The former newspaperman from Illinois also spent some time as a trapper in Canada during the very early 1930s. Times were so lean he tried his hand at pulp western writing. But by 1938 he was being published in Collier’s, and three years later his novel, Blood On the Moon (Gunman’s Chance) was serialized in The Saturday Evening Post. That noir western would eventually be filmed, like a lot of his popular books, but Short has somehow fallen out of vogue, and out of print, in our day. Perhaps it is the darker shadings to some of his stories, or the complex subtleties of plot. But there will be no doubt after reading Ride the Man Down, or any of his fine novels, that he was one of the best Western novelists of all time.
Will Ballard is the foreman for Hatchet, a spread everyone wants to move in on once Phil Evarts is dead. His brother has taken over responsibility for the 70 thousand acres of Hatchet land, but everyone knows he’ll be reasonable about giving some of it up. It is Will Ballard that Bide Mariner will have to worry about. Things quickly shape up into a range war as Ballard seems to be the lone man fighting to hang on, even against the owner. While this sounds typical, it is anything but, due to the complex underpinnings and masterfully hued personalities. A contrast is slowly drawn between Celia Evarts, and the schoolteacher, Lottie, whom Will is set to marry. The shadings revealed in their characters as things escalate is deftly painted by Short with a light stroke, until no doubt is left as to who they are. The romantic entanglements of Will and Celia are given a rich and mature depth, making both the people and the situation real. There are no picnics or buggy rides here, simply two people gradually realizing through circumstance just how much they were meant for one another.
The range war story itself is exciting, filled with action and danger. An act of vengeance by Will when Evart’s brother is killed, will prove the catalyst for everyone to pick a side. Which side is picked will reveal the character of each man and woman involved. Will brings things to a head by a clever strategy placing anyone encroaching on their range on the wrong side of the law. But hatred and jealousy will prove to be stronger motives than land in the end. Those motives lead to one final deadly confrontation in this fabulous Western, which was made into a very underrated film starring Rod Cameron. Short balances a rich and mature narrative with all the traditional elements that make a Western exciting, and fun to read. Low-key, gritty, this is one of the finest novels about a range war ever penned.
The former newspaperman from Illinois also spent some time as a trapper in Canada during the very early 1930s. Times were so lean he tried his hand at pulp western writing. But by 1938 he was being published in Collier’s, and three years later his novel, Blood On the Moon (Gunman’s Chance) was serialized in The Saturday Evening Post. That noir western would eventually be filmed, like a lot of his popular books, but Short has somehow fallen out of vogue, and out of print, in our day. Perhaps it is the darker shadings to some of his stories, or the complex subtleties of plot. But there will be no doubt after reading Ride the Man Down, or any of his fine novels, that he was one of the best Western novelists of all time.
Will Ballard is the foreman for Hatchet, a spread everyone wants to move in on once Phil Evarts is dead. His brother has taken over responsibility for the 70 thousand acres of Hatchet land, but everyone knows he’ll be reasonable about giving some of it up. It is Will Ballard that Bide Mariner will have to worry about. Things quickly shape up into a range war as Ballard seems to be the lone man fighting to hang on, even against the owner. While this sounds typical, it is anything but, due to the complex underpinnings and masterfully hued personalities. A contrast is slowly drawn between Celia Evarts, and the schoolteacher, Lottie, whom Will is set to marry. The shadings revealed in their characters as things escalate is deftly painted by Short with a light stroke, until no doubt is left as to who they are. The romantic entanglements of Will and Celia are given a rich and mature depth, making both the people and the situation real. There are no picnics or buggy rides here, simply two people gradually realizing through circumstance just how much they were meant for one another.
The range war story itself is exciting, filled with action and danger. An act of vengeance by Will when Evart’s brother is killed, will prove the catalyst for everyone to pick a side. Which side is picked will reveal the character of each man and woman involved. Will brings things to a head by a clever strategy placing anyone encroaching on their range on the wrong side of the law. But hatred and jealousy will prove to be stronger motives than land in the end. Those motives lead to one final deadly confrontation in this fabulous Western, which was made into a very underrated film starring Rod Cameron. Short balances a rich and mature narrative with all the traditional elements that make a Western exciting, and fun to read. Low-key, gritty, this is one of the finest novels about a range war ever penned.
October 12, 2023
one against twenty
A fast-paced, well-written duster of a range war and one man against the whole county as they move in to steal the land out from under his feet. A woman, dismissed and rejected for having a mind of her own, a mind that is contrary to that of the mob, eventually stands with him.
“Voted one of the top twenty-five westerns of all time by the Western Writers of America and made into a 1952 Republic film starring Rod Cameron, Ride the Man Down showcases award-winning author Luke Short at the height of his writing powers.” (Amazon)
A fast-paced, well-written duster of a range war and one man against the whole county as they move in to steal the land out from under his feet. A woman, dismissed and rejected for having a mind of her own, a mind that is contrary to that of the mob, eventually stands with him.
“Voted one of the top twenty-five westerns of all time by the Western Writers of America and made into a 1952 Republic film starring Rod Cameron, Ride the Man Down showcases award-winning author Luke Short at the height of his writing powers.” (Amazon)
April 4, 2017
I wanted to like this book more than I was able to do so.
This book has a lot going for it:
It is well plotted;
There are many interesting characters;
The issue is both fundamental and not hackneyed; and,
Short has a talent with description of this land of open spaces and harsh conditions.
Will Ballard is the center of the story. He heads the range crew for the Hatchet Ranch. The man who ran things for decades, Phil Evarts, has died leaving his daughter, Celia, and his brother, John to carry on. Phil was a rapacious man who took what he could and ran over those who got in his way. Will was the force behind many of those "acquisitions" that mad Hatchet the focus of both envy and resentment in the town of Boundary and the territory beyond. Celia is about to marry Sam, another rancher who has no reverence about Hatchet and John is not at all like his brother. The other ranchers see this as an opportunity to regain the land that Phil took from them.
One subplot is Will's love for Lottie Priest, daughter of the owner of the general store in Boundary, and the town's "school marm." Lottie loves Will but not his role for Hatchet and wants him to leave it behind.
Another subplot concerns the cabal headed by Bide Marriner that is moving their stock onto Hatchet range. Hatchet has been losing ranch hands since Phil died and it is doubtful that the few remaining can hold Marriner off. Yet, Ballard intends to do so, and that may involve dragging John Evarts along for the ride.
In the 1940s and 50s, when it was written, the USA was having a festival of "westerns." The "B" movies of the 1930s and 40s had become extravaganza in Cinamascope and Vistavision. This continued on to the 60s with more and more TV shows like Gunsmoke, Mavarick, Bonanza and Have Gun, Will Travel getting top ratings. But is was rare to find a show that could put drama in a valid context.
This novel has two problems: the first is to care about Will Ballard who is at best, a good guy who does bad things; and, second, Short displays little of the talent with dialogue that he shows with description. It is discouraging when you can predict (from all the Westerns you have seen and read) almost the exact words each character will use. This is a serious fault and the reason why it brings down my rating.
In sum: A good yarn that could have been better, deeper, and more satisfying.
This book has a lot going for it:
It is well plotted;
There are many interesting characters;
The issue is both fundamental and not hackneyed; and,
Short has a talent with description of this land of open spaces and harsh conditions.
Will Ballard is the center of the story. He heads the range crew for the Hatchet Ranch. The man who ran things for decades, Phil Evarts, has died leaving his daughter, Celia, and his brother, John to carry on. Phil was a rapacious man who took what he could and ran over those who got in his way. Will was the force behind many of those "acquisitions" that mad Hatchet the focus of both envy and resentment in the town of Boundary and the territory beyond. Celia is about to marry Sam, another rancher who has no reverence about Hatchet and John is not at all like his brother. The other ranchers see this as an opportunity to regain the land that Phil took from them.
One subplot is Will's love for Lottie Priest, daughter of the owner of the general store in Boundary, and the town's "school marm." Lottie loves Will but not his role for Hatchet and wants him to leave it behind.
Another subplot concerns the cabal headed by Bide Marriner that is moving their stock onto Hatchet range. Hatchet has been losing ranch hands since Phil died and it is doubtful that the few remaining can hold Marriner off. Yet, Ballard intends to do so, and that may involve dragging John Evarts along for the ride.
In the 1940s and 50s, when it was written, the USA was having a festival of "westerns." The "B" movies of the 1930s and 40s had become extravaganza in Cinamascope and Vistavision. This continued on to the 60s with more and more TV shows like Gunsmoke, Mavarick, Bonanza and Have Gun, Will Travel getting top ratings. But is was rare to find a show that could put drama in a valid context.
This novel has two problems: the first is to care about Will Ballard who is at best, a good guy who does bad things; and, second, Short displays little of the talent with dialogue that he shows with description. It is discouraging when you can predict (from all the Westerns you have seen and read) almost the exact words each character will use. This is a serious fault and the reason why it brings down my rating.
In sum: A good yarn that could have been better, deeper, and more satisfying.
July 2, 2020
Not just another western actioner
This is not just an action western shoot-em up. It is a serious novel about people, relationships, choices and challenges. In a poll several years ago (decades I think), the Western Writers of America Association chose RIDE THE MAN DOWN as one of the top 25 western novels.
It did impress me as a fine piece of writing and an entertaining western but I would not put it in the top 25. For one thing, I did not find some of the motivations and actions of the characters to be completely believable. I believe that if I put my mind to it I could find more than 25 westerns better than this one. But don't take these comments as a recommendation against reading the book. If you like Westerns it is worth reading. Besides, you may disagree with my assessment.
Ride the Man Down was also a 1952 movie directed by Joseph Kane, written by Mary C. McCall, Jr., and starring Brian Donlevy, Rod Cameron, Ella Raines, Forrest Tucker, Barbara Britton, Chill Wills and J. Carrol Naish. It was released on November 25, 1952, by Republic Pictures. IMDb gives the movie 6.2 stars. I don't know why Mary McCall is a junior. In trying to find out I did discover that she was a noted and prolific screen writer.
I have occasionally wondered about the connection between Luke Short, author and Luke Short, western gunman but never bothered to look it up. Here is some author information from the back of the book: "Luke Short is the pen name of Frederick Dilley Glidden (1908–1975), the bestselling, award-winning author of over fifty classic western novels and hundreds of short stories. Renowned for their action-packed story lines, multidimensional characters, and vibrant dialogue, Glidden’s novels sold over thirty million copies. Ten of his novels, including Blood on the Moon, Coroner Creek, and Ramrod, were adapted for the screen. Glidden was the winner of a special Western Heritage Trustees Award and the Levi Strauss Golden Saddleman Award from the Western Writers of America. Born in Kewanee, Illinois, Glidden graduated in 1930 from the University of Missouri where he studied journalism. After working for several newspapers, he became a trapper in Canada and, later, an archaeologist’s assistant in New Mexico. His first story, “Six-Gun Lawyer,” was published in Cowboy Stories magazine in 1935 under the name F. D. Glidden. At the suggestion of his publisher, he used the pseudonym Luke Short, not realizing it was the name of a real gunman and gambler who was a friend of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. "
This is not just an action western shoot-em up. It is a serious novel about people, relationships, choices and challenges. In a poll several years ago (decades I think), the Western Writers of America Association chose RIDE THE MAN DOWN as one of the top 25 western novels.
It did impress me as a fine piece of writing and an entertaining western but I would not put it in the top 25. For one thing, I did not find some of the motivations and actions of the characters to be completely believable. I believe that if I put my mind to it I could find more than 25 westerns better than this one. But don't take these comments as a recommendation against reading the book. If you like Westerns it is worth reading. Besides, you may disagree with my assessment.
Ride the Man Down was also a 1952 movie directed by Joseph Kane, written by Mary C. McCall, Jr., and starring Brian Donlevy, Rod Cameron, Ella Raines, Forrest Tucker, Barbara Britton, Chill Wills and J. Carrol Naish. It was released on November 25, 1952, by Republic Pictures. IMDb gives the movie 6.2 stars. I don't know why Mary McCall is a junior. In trying to find out I did discover that she was a noted and prolific screen writer.
I have occasionally wondered about the connection between Luke Short, author and Luke Short, western gunman but never bothered to look it up. Here is some author information from the back of the book: "Luke Short is the pen name of Frederick Dilley Glidden (1908–1975), the bestselling, award-winning author of over fifty classic western novels and hundreds of short stories. Renowned for their action-packed story lines, multidimensional characters, and vibrant dialogue, Glidden’s novels sold over thirty million copies. Ten of his novels, including Blood on the Moon, Coroner Creek, and Ramrod, were adapted for the screen. Glidden was the winner of a special Western Heritage Trustees Award and the Levi Strauss Golden Saddleman Award from the Western Writers of America. Born in Kewanee, Illinois, Glidden graduated in 1930 from the University of Missouri where he studied journalism. After working for several newspapers, he became a trapper in Canada and, later, an archaeologist’s assistant in New Mexico. His first story, “Six-Gun Lawyer,” was published in Cowboy Stories magazine in 1935 under the name F. D. Glidden. At the suggestion of his publisher, he used the pseudonym Luke Short, not realizing it was the name of a real gunman and gambler who was a friend of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. "
July 2, 2024
Satisfying junk food for the brain. Considered on of the best Western fiction books written. I liked it.
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November 21, 2017Luke Short is one of the finest western writers of all time, but seems to be a bit overlooked due to the popularity of Louis Lamour. Ride The Man Down is one of his best. The familiar theme of a man alone against great odds and worthy villain makes this rangeland war story outstanding. Characters are well fleshed and the story progresses at a believable pace. The hero, Will Ballard feels real. Not a super hero gunslinger and killer as is popular in today’s westerns.Harken back to earlier days when the West was portrayed as a land o proving ones self and honor. You cannot go wrong reading this book.
October 7, 2018
A Luke Short western about a man of the west. A man works as a trail hand, a cowboy, a ranch hand and finally a Range Manager. He has worked at the same place for years and has settled into a more than happy life until someone or a group decide that the ranch is more theirs than the actual owner. This novel was made into a screen play and the movie started Brian Donlevy and Rod Cameron. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
May 18, 2017
Good old ('42) western of a man who tries to save a ranch from outsiders. This was made into a movie in '52 starring Brian Donlevy. Lots of gunplay and conflicting love interests makes this one a winner. Recommended to western fans.
July 4, 2019
I honestly don’t know how I feel about this book. Is it a good story? Yeah, it’s pretty good. Is it the greatest western story of all time? No, definitely not. Maybe a few other reviews built this up into something leading me to expect more than was there. It just feels typical of its time, really. It actually reminded me a bit of the Randolph Scott western, Tall Man Riding, about a hated rancher who was despised by everyone including Scott and they all try to take his land away or kill him. Likewise in this story, the Evarts family holds reign over a vast cattle range, some by deed, some by just will power, which rankles every small time and wannabe big time rancher around. When the elder generation dies, the competition decides now is the time to move in and take Evarts land by force. The only person to stop them is the ranch foreman, Will Ballard, playing a lone hand in a run and gun fight. An interesting look at loyalty as people switch allegiances, offer them unswervingly, are questioned about their true motives, or believe in themselves right or wrong. In the end, it works more than it doesn’t, but it doesn’t feel much above average.
September 29, 2023
Riding for the Brand
This was a phrase in the West that meant you ride and fought for the man, who you worked for. We call it loyalty today. In this story Will Ballard works for the Hatchet spread and its owner Celia Evarts. Will has loyalty to the Evarts family first it was Phil the father, then John the brother and finally Celia the daughter. There are those, who think that the Hatchet is up for grabs, but Will Ballard thinks that Hatchet belongs to the Evarts family. That is the crux of the story a range war and there are plenty of people that want to take the land belonging to Hatchet. All of this makes for an intriguing story. One thing that I liked was how the Sheriff was standing aside until the law was broken by one side of the other. This is much like the book, Ramrod, by this author. My only problem was the typos of which I counted only five in the whole book, but even so they did not take away from the story flow. Guess I will have to add Luke Short to my list of Western writers I like.
This was a phrase in the West that meant you ride and fought for the man, who you worked for. We call it loyalty today. In this story Will Ballard works for the Hatchet spread and its owner Celia Evarts. Will has loyalty to the Evarts family first it was Phil the father, then John the brother and finally Celia the daughter. There are those, who think that the Hatchet is up for grabs, but Will Ballard thinks that Hatchet belongs to the Evarts family. That is the crux of the story a range war and there are plenty of people that want to take the land belonging to Hatchet. All of this makes for an intriguing story. One thing that I liked was how the Sheriff was standing aside until the law was broken by one side of the other. This is much like the book, Ramrod, by this author. My only problem was the typos of which I counted only five in the whole book, but even so they did not take away from the story flow. Guess I will have to add Luke Short to my list of Western writers I like.
July 13, 2019
Luke Short (pen name of Frederick D. Glidden) wrote concise, satisfying westerns. Ride the Man Down was made into a movie by those who enjoyed his writing and found it translated to film almost exactly as was. Luke Short's westerns consisted of strong characters trying to do what was right -- often against the odds. The women in his stories were also strong and intelligent -- different from other novels. They were quite the match for his male characters. A few Luke Short books always made their way into my father's packing for camping trips on which I would read them. A fine tradition.
August 16, 2024
And I thought that the streets of Washington, D.C. were dangerous
A lot of shooting and people being killed in this book. It was mostly over land and grazing rights. I don't remember a year or an area where this fictional story took place. But it was definitely in the Wild west. A Good read
A lot of shooting and people being killed in this book. It was mostly over land and grazing rights. I don't remember a year or an area where this fictional story took place. But it was definitely in the Wild west. A Good read
December 1, 2024
If you like action start to finish you will like this book. A tough ranch foreman who won't back down from anybody who hangs on to his principles despite the odds against him. You can't go wrong on this book.
December 28, 2021
Good Western Yarn
Good story with good characters and lots of action made no less enjoyable by the many typos. Would make for a good movie.
Good story with good characters and lots of action made no less enjoyable by the many typos. Would make for a good movie.
January 29, 2023
I'd say this was a little better than 3 stars, 3 and a half. It started out kind of slow but picked up strongly. The ending was dynamite. A good, strong tale.
September 25, 2023
Enjoyed this book
This book is an excellent read for western enthusiasts. Plenty of action and I don't believe it has any dull moments.
This book is an excellent read for western enthusiasts. Plenty of action and I don't believe it has any dull moments.
September 5, 2025
A powerful little "range war" novel with a good balance of intrigue and action.
August 21, 2009
Ranch foreman Will Ballard has trouble after the owner of his ranch dies. The surrounding ranch owners want to take over all of the land. How will the two women in Will's life react to his violent measures to keep the ranch intact? How will he succeed against several enemies with little help on his side? As one of the best Western writers, Short clearly shows the motivations of all the key players, but keeps the action moving. Made into a decent 1952 movie with Rod Cameron, Brian Donlevy, and several of Republic Pictures' usual supporting cast.
November 7, 2023
One of Luke Short's most noirish westerns, a hard-boiled barn burner about a range war as ruthless as the one depicted in the 1923 series. I recently posted a look at a recent book on the film "Blood on the Moon" by Alan K. Rod, where I also discuss this novel, via the link below.
https://thomburchfield.medium.com/the...
Thanks!
https://thomburchfield.medium.com/the...
Thanks!
April 24, 2015
Love myself a good Western. Love Louis L'amour. Not this novel.
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April 29, 2008short,luke
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