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Trail Drive

by Ralph Compton

33 books Started 1992 Latest 2022
Publication Reading Order

The Trail Drive is a Western / Thriller series by Ralph Compton, made up of 33 books published between 1992 and 2022. It begins with The Goodnight Trail (1992), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is The Saltwater Trail ( By: Jackson Lowry) (2022), spanning 30 years of storytelling.

33books
30years active
4decades
~0.9yrs between books
2022latest release
# Title Year Buy
1990s
1 The Goodnight Trail 1992 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2 The Western Trail 1992 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
3 The Chisholm Trail 1993 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
4 The Bandera Trail 1993 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
5 The California Trail 1994 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
6 The Shawnee Trail 1994 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
7 The Virginia City Trail 1994 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
8 The Dodge City Trail 1995 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
9 The Oregon Trail 1995 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
10 The Santa Fe Trail 1997 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
11 The Old Spanish Trail 1998 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
12 The Green River Trail 1999 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
13 The Deadwood Trail 1999 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2000s
14 The Dakota Trail ( By: Robert Vaughan) 2001 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
15 The Alamosa Trail ( By: Robert Vaughan) 2002 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
16 The Bozeman Trail ( By: Robert Vaughan) 2002 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
17 The Abilene Trail ( By: Dusty Richards) 2003 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
18 Trail To Fort Smith ( By: Dusty Richards) 2004 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
19 The Palo Duro Trail ( By: Jory Sherman) 2004 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
20 The Ogallala Trail ( By: Dusty Richards) 2005 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
21 The Ellsworth Trail ( By: Jory Sherman) 2005 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
22 The Tenderfoot Trail ( By: Joseph A. West) 2006 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
23 Trail to Cottonwood Falls ( By: Dusty Richards) 2007 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2010s
24 The Amarillo Trail ( By: Jory Sherman) 2011 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
25 The Omaha Trail ( By: Jory Sherman) 2012 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2020s
26 Big Jake's Last Drive ( By: Robert J. Randisi) 2020 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
27 The Kelly Trail ( By: Terrence McCauley) 2020 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
28 Drive for Independence ( With: Lyle Brandt) 2020 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
29 Red Trail ( By: John Shirley) 2020 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
30 The Empire Trail ( By: Jeff Rovin) 2021 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
31 The Too-Late Trail ( With: Matthew P. Mayo) 2021 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
32 Terror Trail ( By: Lyle Brandt) 2021 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
33 The Saltwater Trail ( By: Jackson Lowry)Latest 2022 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia

Trail Drive series: frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Trail Drive series?

Start with The Goodnight Trail (1992), the first book in the Trail Drive series by Ralph Compton. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.

How many books are in the Trail Drive series?

There are 33 books in the Trail Drive series by Ralph Compton, published between 1992 and 2022.

What is the first book in the Trail Drive series?

The first book in the Trail Drive series is The Goodnight Trail, published in 1992 by Ralph Compton.

What is the latest book in the Trail Drive series?

The most recent book in the Trail Drive series is The Saltwater Trail ( By: Jackson Lowry) (2022) by Ralph Compton.

More books by Ralph Compton View all series and reading orders →
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About Ralph Compton

Ralph Compton (1929-2016) was an American Western writer known for his prolific and critically acclaimed novels. Born in Thayer, Missouri, he served in the US Army during the Korean War before embarking on his writing career. Compton's first novel, "The Goodnight Trail," was published in 1954 and established him as a rising star in the Western genre. Over the next six decades, he wrote over 200 novels, including the "Trail Drive" series, the "Mackenzie" series, and the "Gunman" series. His works were praised for their authentic portrayal of the Old West, compelling characters, and action-packed plots. Compton received numerous awards, including the Western Writers of America Spur Award in 1975 and the Western Heritage Award in 1984. His novels continue to be enjoyed by readers worldwide.

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