Based on a true story you follow Tom Candy Ponting from England where he learned about cattle and life. How to fight and what to do when you get taken by a swindler. He ends up in America and then eventually to Texas where he decides to raise cattle and then drive them to New York City or close. A very interesting story that was entertaining and very surprising at the amount of money he got even though he lost a lot of steers. The ending was good as well he ends up in Canada with his wife, a very good story.

Tom Candy Ponting was a trail boss from England. He also like to gamble on different things. Tom bet someone he could travel with a 1000 head of cattle to New York from Texas in a certain period of time. He did some interesting things in his life time and met many different personalities in his life timer. I had a hard time getting into the book and finishing it. It was not the normal cattle drive type of book.

So much wonderful history in this adventure it makes me want to learn more about the main character this story is based on. Tom came to America from England at an age most of us can’t fathom. He eventually settled in Illinois, where he will meet the love of his life. This was an era when young ladies were courted under austere parents. His determination to buy a special breed of Texas cattle and drive them all the way to NYC is an epic undertaking. Many diverse people, are represented - crooks, scammers, thieves, farmers, Indians, Germans and all sorts of immigrants to this new land. The saga follows Tom through the 1840’s and 1850’s and concludes near the end of his life. It was beautifully written and reminded me of growing up with cattle in a much different era thanks to people like Tom. If you enjoy western history, I certainly recommend this author and his wonderful rendition. I’m always excited to find a new author and he’ll be someone I watch for.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “Longhorns East” by Johnny D. Boggs, Kensington Publishing. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

I've enjoyed previous books from Johnny D. Boggs and this was no different. It had what I was looking for and worked well overall. I was glad it was a great Western novel and I enjoyed how good the story was. I enjoyed that it had a true-story based on it. I enjoyed how good the characters were written and glad I read this.

"Chew swore underneath his breath, but took the cup from his right hand, which hardly moved, squatted by the pail, and filled the cup with water. This he set in front of Tom before he turned and went to the kegs. He found a jug, shook it slightly with his left hand, and returned. The right arm still hung at his side. Noticing this, Chew smiled. “Right arm don’t work so good no more. Not after your pard busted my shoulder practically in half.”

This story is based on the real-life character of Tom Candy Ponting, who is an Englishman, who came to the United States. Ponting learned his trade and became a good person in England while working for his father. He learned that a written contract is necessary since some men do not value the handshake as a bargain.

Tom enters into a bet about bringing a herd of Texas longhorns from that state to New York City. Along the way he meets and befriends a remarkable cast of helpers, including one who had earlier tried to rob him. There is something about him that inspires others. He assembles a most unusual group of cattle drovers - Texans, Freemen, Cherokee, Mexican and another Englishmen. Through thick and thin this group, with over 800 head of Texas longhorns, begins the trip towards New York City,

Ponting learns a lot about life, responsibility, honor, and compassion on this trip. He takes care of his friends and employees and truly cares for them as people bit just as hired hands.

The characters seem to jump out of the pages and sometimes the reader wonders if they are real -- even if the supporting cast is sometimes created, they are still fun to get to know in the story. Definitely recommend this book -- it is not a typical western novel with lots of shoot-'em-up and villains. The story is one more of travel adventure than typical westerns.