Book Review: All the Cowboys Ain’t Gone by John J. Jacobson

ALL THE COWBOYS AIN’T GONE

BY JOHN J. JACOBSON

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Pages: 352

Pub Date: February 23, 2021

Categories: Historical Fiction / Action Adventure / Western

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All the Cowboys Ain’t Gone is the rollicking adventure story of Lincoln Smith, a young Texan living at the beginning of the twentieth century, who thinks of himself as the last true cowboy. He longs for the days of the Old West, when men like his father, a famous Texas Ranger, lived by the chivalric code. Lincoln finds himself hopelessly out of time and place in the fast-changing United States of the new century. When he gets his heart broken by a sweetheart who doesn’t appreciate his anachronistic tendencies, he does what any sensible young romantic would do: he joins the French Foreign Legion.

On his way to an ancient and exotic country at the edge of the Sahara, Lincoln encounters a number of curious characters and strange adventures, from a desert hermit who can slow up time to a battle with a crocodile cult that worships the god of death. He meets them all with his own charming brand of courage and resourcefulness.

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As with most books, I try not to read too much of the blurbs or descriptions in an effort to be surprised by what I’m reading. Though not a usual practice, this has led me to books that completely blow my mind. This is a book that surprised and enchanted me from the first page! Not only does it have an intriguing and brilliant cover, this book has all of the things I love: Cowboys, spying, rollicking adventures, a grandiose imagination, and action by the gallon! I can’t really nail down what I loved most about this book, which is rare for me.

This novel felt like part Indiana Jones, part James Bond, and part Clint Eastwood western with some Don Quixote mixed in. Several other reviewers have commented on the plot evolving into larger battle scenes and unbelievable situations. I thought this contributed to the charm of the book, of the escapist nature of the narrative. I found this to be exactly what I needed right now, an escape from reality into an unbelievable world. Lincoln Smith is a man, born a few years too late, who yearns for adventure and the old way of the world. He eventually finds it in the French Foreign Legion in Africa. I loved Lincoln’s adventures and all of the characters he meets along the way. Princes, comrades, ladies, and more venture with Lincoln through the narrative.

The cover is eye catching, the writing is enticing, and the story will take your breath away! This is a fast-paced novel that can be read in a couple of sittings, clocking in at around 350 pages. Though I received a print copy, I am sure that the audio book of this novel would be just as exciting! Overall, this book has even character development, accelerated pacing, and a narrative that keeps you enthralled from start to finish. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys epic quest literature, turn of the century stories, sweeping epics, or who just need an escape from reality for an afternoon.

Thank you to Lone Star Book Blog Tours, the author, and publisher for having me along on this tour! I absolutely enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! Grab a copy today, enter the giveaway below, or visit another LSBBT blog to see other great reviews!

Though John J. Jacobson didn’t join the French Foreign Legion after being jilted by a girlfriend, or over his displeasure of missing the last great cattle drive, he has, borrowing Churchill’s phrase, lived a rather variegated life. He was born in Nevada, grew up in the West, surfed big waves in Hawaii, circled the world thrice, survived the sixties and seventies, corporate America, and grad school. Among other degrees he has an MA in Renaissance literature from Claremont Graduate University.

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FIVE WINNERS each receive a print copy

of All the Cowboys Ain’t Gone.

(US Only. Ends midnight, CDT, March 19, 2021)

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CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY, or visit the blogs directly:

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