A Century of Great Western Stories-An Anthology of Western Fiction
Product Description
John Jakes is the New York Times #1 bestselling author of such acclaimed novels as North and South and The Kent Family Chronicles. A Century of Great Western Stories is a retrospective of Western writing over the past hundred years, showing the evolution of the genre, as well as a glimpse into what the future might hold for Western fiction…. More >>
A Century of Great Western Stories-An Anthology of Western Fiction
Had to order it for a library course I am taking. The book came promptly and as advertised.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a wonderful collection of many brilliant writers. They are able to transport you, mentally, to the time of cowboys, wild horses, and raw life. I would recommend it as a must have book for every western reader. Each one takes you back as if it is the present.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is without a doubt the most comprehensive work of quality Western fiction out there today. They’re all here from Zane Grey to L’Amour, Max Brand to Jack London. But also included are writers like Donald Hamilton (of Matt Helm fame), Ed Gorman’s excellent Wolf Moon (which I reviewed elsewhere on Amazon), John Jakes and Loren D. Estleman and Evan Hunter (better known as Ed McBain).
Some stories shine. I’ve already mentioned Ed Gorman’s “Wolf Moon”, which to my mind is the definitive jewel in this collection, but Thomas Thompson’s “Gun Job” is at least as good, along with Max Brand’s “Wine on the Desert,” Max Evans’s dark fantasy “Candles in the Bottom of the Pool,” Loren Estleman’s speculative SF “Hell on the Draw” AND John Cunningham’s “The Tin Star” which was the source material for the movie High Noon. And it’s not all men, either. Marcia Muller has an excellent revenge story entitled “Sweet Cactus Wine” and Peggy Simson Curry’s “Geranium House” simply must be read to be believed.
Yes, some of the stories are clunky. Two or three. But that’s to be expected with some of the writers who are in this collection. They were never very good to begin with, but it would have been wrong NOT to include them. L’Amour’s “The Gift of Cochise” is forgettable, but it would have been nigh unforgivable not to include him, and we can understand why his story is the first in the table of contents. And, while Zane Grey’s work “Tappan’s Burro” is dated by today’s standards it still resonates with the reader.
Overall the quality of these stories is very high. If you like good Western fiction, or just good fiction, you will definitely enjoy this collection. Give it a peek.
Rating: 5 / 5
A wonderful collection of some of the best writers of western fiction – the best of the best. Informative short introductions before every story about that author. This book would make a nice gift for someone who appreciates westerns or who would like to begin reading them.
Rating: 5 / 5
This was a gift to a family member. The book is being enjoyed. The content and authors are excellent.
Rating: 5 / 5