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The Iron Orchard
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Incredible insight into the lives of those who live and die in the West Texas oil patch, including some of the finest writing on the subject of oil and oil men I've ever read. But praise for these inspired passages must be tempered—there are many clunky chunks of prose that feel dated or overly-wrought. The novel is also marred by the misogynistic, homophobic, and racist attitudes of the time; though it's worth noting the author does attempt (somewhat) to rise above these notions. Taken in its h
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Pendleton writes of a very real part of Texas history. He demonstrates that there were crooks and moral men among the great Oilmen of Texas, but regardless, they were a different breed of men all together. The risks they took, the way in which they were willing to gamble, the control they had is all here for the reader to enjoy. If you have any interest in Texas history or the oil business this is the book you should read. Tom Pendleton has written the best historical fiction on the Texas oil In
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Exceptional, true-to-life read.
Being in the industry and having read a number of iconic industry novels and non-fiction works, this stands out as the most honest, true to facts novel out there. Frankly, 360 pages are not enough and one is left wanting more. Incredible that Van Zandt, a neophyte writer, so beautifully captures the essence of the oilfields with compassion and empathy for the characters. Highly recommended.
Being in the industry and having read a number of iconic industry novels and non-fiction works, this stands out as the most honest, true to facts novel out there. Frankly, 360 pages are not enough and one is left wanting more. Incredible that Van Zandt, a neophyte writer, so beautifully captures the essence of the oilfields with compassion and empathy for the characters. Highly recommended.
This was a much better book than I expected. It was a book to be read for my book club. If not for that, I never would’ve read it. Interestingly, I’m not sure what I really liked about it. It was interesting from a historical perspective, but the main character was very flawed and not very likable. It was often quite predictable, even in silly ways. Still, I found it hard to put this book down. It was a real page turner.
Good story line. Descriptions were tedious at times.
Having grown up in west Texas in and around the oil industry this book hit home. It reminded me of a boss I had and was spot on in its portrayal of those rough and rugged men
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