Description: "Examples of the genre here date from 1892 to 1994 and include a stable of notable western writers, including Owen Wister, Zane Grey, Max Brand and Louis L'Amour.... Evading stereotype, most of these tales are unique in setting, focus or narrative. The character-driven yarns of Frederic Remington and Kelton and the theme-driven stories of Brand and Ernest Haycox all feature cowboys, soldiers, Indians, outlaws and pioneer women in abundance. Superstition, mystery and murder also have a niche in western writing, as shown in pieces by Les Savage Jr. and Cynthia Haseloff.... Saddle up to the exciting high plains, hoofbeats and hot lead of (these) tales." -- Publisher's Weekly.

"The attraction of the Western -- be it a movie, a novel, or, as in this anthology, a short story -- may be largely ethical. In the absence of established law, on the fringe of civilization, uprooted and starting new lives, settlers and farmers and ranchers confront issues of ownership and control, of means and ends, of exploitation and resistance." -- Washington Post Book World.

"Terrific stories, a thought-provoking introduction. What more can the ... western reader demand of a collection?" -- Amarillo Sunday News-Globe.

Please Wait