Seven Ox Seven: Escondido Bound

There are more reasons than one to read Pete Ritzer's SEVEN OX SEVEN. *** First, to find out what the title means. Hint: Christians should forgive their enemies seventy times seven times. *** Next, for a good yarn about Texas families in search of tick-free locations in the Panhandle to fatten up beeves in winter for the railhead in Dodge City, Kansas. *** Third, for huge dollops of geology, weather, gadgetry and cameo appearances of real figures from the post-civil war west like cattleman Charles Goodnight and Dodge City's most famous dentist, Doc Holliday. *** Obstacles to reading include excursions into Catholic theology. The book at times feels like a prelude to the Second Vatican Council (1962 - 1965). The written style is stiking, more resembling 19th century historical novelists than Wouk or Michener. Curious resemblance to psalm texts, with one sentence being echoed by the following over and over, mainly through frequent repetition of individual words. *** All in all a good read: apparently more fact than fiction. -OOO-