The Home Ranch (1994)

This is book 3 in the series, but chronologically it fits about 3/4 of the way through book 2, which is odd. I suppose there was less of a market for long memoirs when this first came out, and it makes some sense to split the ranching job part into its own book, but since the ending of book 2 is sort of a cliff-hanger, it's disconcerting to pick up this one and find yourself going back in time.

I do love this series. Moody's insights and integrity are stellar. The anecdotes are understated but illustrative of a life embraced with enthusiasm and grit. The narrator's overenunciation still makes me twitch sometimes, but it's so nice to have these in spoken form. ( )

Sequel to "Little Britches" ( )

One of the nicest parts of this book is when Ralph's mother gives him permission to join the "home ranch" for the summer. As a fatherless boy, Ralph needs substitute fathers who can show him what it means to be a man - and there are an abundance in this summer of his life. Wonderful to watch these men help Ralph become responsible but not bragging. ( )