Ken Ward in the Jungle

Ken Ward Series #1

by Zane Grey

Ken Ward and his younger brother Hal have many adventures as they try to follow the course of the Santa Rosa River through uncharted jungles in Mexico.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Adventure

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1912

About the author

Pearl Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the rugged Old West. As of June 2007, the Internet Movie Database credits Grey with 110 films, one TV episode, and a series, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater based loosely on his novels and short stories.

Reviews

[Taneeka Smith]

I have a 1956 edition, it was given to my grandfather when he attended school. He gave it to me when i was a pup and still have it today. I will not say it is in the brand new condition but it is very much mine.

[Lauren Hiebner · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book by Zane Grey is more of an adventure story. Here two brothers travel to Tampico, Mexico and with little experience plan to travel and map the Panuco River. They employ two locals to help them on their journey. They encounter about every kind of animal the jungle contains with the worst being the various insect, ticks that infest them. They are chased by wild pigs, jaguars, and crocodiles. They are after the elusive fish, the tarpon. They often shoot for sport when they see wildlife and do take some specimens and skins. Eventually the jungle wears them down and several become sick and in the end barely make it out alive. One annoying item of Grey is that he says the natives speak Mexican rather than Spanish. A bit of a naive approach to what the jungle is all about. Not a typical Grey novel.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Quick read. I have always appreciated Zane Grey from his quaint westerns, to adventure books such as this, and his awesome fishing books.

This book is an adventure in the jungles of Mexico. Ken and his little brother Hal are joined by another American George and their Mexican guide Pedro. They are tasked with traversing and mapping a little known jungle river and collecting specimens for the Smithsonian. They are greeted with adventure at every bend of the river. Very entertaining, the writing and language quite interesting.

I would recommend.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Ken and his friends exploring a river in the jungle south of Mexico. Very descriptive as only Zane Grey can do, but since Mr. Grey is long gone from this world I assume that someone else has ghost written it. There is no explanation about that, so I am left wondering. However, the trip down the river is believable with mention of ticks, snakes, and wild pigs, as well as all manner of birds. Easy read and entertaining.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual desired read, but I wanted to read at least one Zane Grey. Now I have. I will never understand why the first instinct is to kill, rather than observe and study when confronted with new wildlife. I can see where young men would love this sort of story, very much an adventure story, exploring a previously unexplored river in Mexico and all the incredible adventures that accompany such a trip.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful reading 📚

A will written adventure novella in the jungle by four young men going down several rivers. The characters are interesting. The story line is fast moving with lots of risk to life and limb racing to the conclusion. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy reading 🔰2021 😮

[Barry Jenkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

I've read several of Grey's books and really enjoyed only one of them. This one is not the one. Very difficult to continue thru this book. ,,3 boys in the jungle, outrunning tigers and wild board and many other things basically impossible. I'll read no more of Zane Grey

[Richard Koerner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. I have really enjoyed the stories of Ken Ward and his brother. This was a Mexican adventure as they charted a river. An entertaining read in this time of Pandemic.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. Ken and Hal go canoeing in Mexico. The writing has a very early 20th century feel to it, it almost feels as though I'm watching an old classic movie on Saturday afternoon. It provides a curious insight into the beginnings of writing adventure novels.

[Filip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Illustrations look good. And that's about it. The story is very short, without details, and characters are flat. And saying that killing animals just for sport is okay doesn't impress either. Very famous author, very irritating read. Or it might be that I'm just not the intended audience.