Ann J answers “I've read that each book from this...”

Jordan asked this question about Lonesome Dove (Lonesome Dove, #1):

I've read that each book from this tetralogy can be read as a standalone, particularly Lonesome Dove. Is there any benefit to reading them in order?which I understand to be... 1.) Dead Man's Walk 2.) Comanche Moon 3.) Lonesome Dove 4.) Streets of Laredo I have also heard that I should read Lonesome Dove first, followed by the rest, chronologically. Any input or advice would be appreciated! Thanks =-)

Ann J For what it’s worth, I read online when I googled that the books were intended to be read in order of publication:
Lonesome Dove: (1985)
Streets of Lar…moreFor what it’s worth, I read online when I googled that the books were intended to be read in order of publication:
Lonesome Dove: (1985)
Streets of Laredo: (1993)
Dead Man's Walk: (1995)
Comanche Moon: (1997)
and not chronologically ( This order follows the events of the story from earliest to latest):
Dead Man's Walk: (Set in the early 1840s)
Comanche Moon: (Set in the 1850–60s)
Lonesome Dove: (Set in the mid-to-late 1870s)
Streets of Laredo: (Set in the early 1890s)
I just finished Lonesome Dove. I was so taken with the book as I was reading it, I actually went to my local Half Price Books (an independent second hand book store we have here in Texas) and was hoping to find other books in the series. They were having a sale and I got there on the last day and all that was left was Dead Man’s Walk, so I bought it. Apparently, lucky for me, they can be read the way you are suggesting as well. So I can read Dead Man’s walk without any problem. It is a sort of prequel time-wise, although it was written & published after Lonesome Dove. You can take your pick on how you go about reading the series. I think I prefer the order of publication. Lonesome Dove can even just be a stand alone. Many say it is the best in the series, while the other books are fine. Definitely McMurtry’s best work, with Terms Of Endearment coming in a close second. I was surprised by how many series he actually wrote. Terms Of Endearment is part of the Houston series. I also picked up books from a series called: The Berrybender Narratives. (less)

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