Red Sky Morning: a historical look into Texas Ranger Company F

Red Sky Morning: The Epic Story of Texas Ranger Company F by Joe Pappalardo is described as the explosive and bloody true history of Texas Rangers Company F. The hard men who rode hard and risked their lives to bring justice to the lawless frontier in the waning years of the Old West. Focusing on the years between 1886-1888 as Sergeant James Brooks commanded Company F as they engaged in three fatal gunfights and countless manhunts. Company F hunted down criminals, killing them if necessary and bringing them to trial when possible. They were confident in their “Ranger justice.” However, one outfit would give Company F a challenge. The Conner family were an East Texas family of master hunters and jailbreakers who were wanted for their part in a  bloody feud. An in depth account of the Company F’s showdown with the Conner family that find themselves over their heads and in the fight for their lives. Did Company F find the Conner family? And at what cost? 

I love history, especially history that I know little about. Everyone has heard of the Texas Rangers but most do not know the twists and turns of its history. I was very excited to read Red Sky Morning. I eagerly dove into the chapters as the men and women of the Old West were introduced. However, as Mr. Pappalardo jumps back and forth in time without an apparent reason. He states in the introduction that he set out to answer the question about who the Texas Rangers really were, I feel he failed. Red Sky Morning became a tedious read that became more a history of the Texas frontier, all its colorful characters and events rather than just Company F. I found myself losing focus as I turned pages. The book lacked cohesiveness as the presentation was very disjointed. Individuals would be introduced, while famous or infamous in the Old West, seemed to have nothing to do with Company F and their manhunt for the Conner family. I do not recommend Red Sky Morning. 

Red Sky Morning: The Epic Story of Texas Ranger Company F

is available June 28, 2022 in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook