Reading the Wild West
Reading the Wild West
By The Bookworm of Edwards
Ridgeline
Michael Punke
$27.99 $26.03"Following up on the success of The Revenant, Michael Punke’s new book Ridgeline is a thriller of historical fiction. Veterans of the Civil War find themselves deployed to the frontier to fight against the mighty Lakota, who ruled the northern plains with ferocity. Punke brings to life a young emerging leader named Crazy Horse, as well as other legendary characters such as Nelson Story and Jim Bridger. A gripping page-turner!" Review by Matt
Dreams of El Dorado: A History of the American West
H. W. Brands
$32.00 $29.76"This is a vast and sweeping story of the expansion of the United States, beginning with Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase and taking readers all the way to the end of the bloody and contentious era at Wounded Knee. This epic book is a thrilling page-turner, perhaps all the more so because the incredible stories that fill its pages are true, and are our history. It is filled with amazing stories of survival (and demise) in the most challenging conditions, booms and busts of industries, and all manner of deception and intrigue. Famous characters like Crazy Horse, Black Elk, Chief Joseph, Geronimo, Quanah Parker, John Muir, Teddy Roosevelt, Stephen Austin, Joe Meek, and John Wesley Powell are given new life in this highly accessible, knowledgeable, and poignant history of the American West." Review by Matt
Inland
Téa Obreht
$18.00 $16.74"I wasn’t quite sure what to think initially but I grew to love Inland. It’s a very different type of Western story, full of ghosts, interesting complex characters, a Calvary of camels and fabulous writing. Two lives not quite interwoven struggle to survive drought, disappearing family members, a Marshall with a mission, and bully land-owners. I was especially surprised how much I liked Lurie. I loved Obreht’s 1st novel, The Tiger’s Wife, and think she is a master of magical realism and brilliant at imagery. Inland is a bit like a Coen Brothers film – off-beat but well done." Review by Karin
Spurred West: Rogues, Treasure Seekers, Bounty Hunters, and Colorful Characters Past and Present
Ian Neligh
$15.99 $14.87
Whiskey When We're Dry
John Larison
$17.00 $15.81"Adventures in the untamed Old West. Outlaws, crooked politicians and an engaging multi-dimensional sharp-shooter makes for a great read. Excellent depiction of the harshness of life on the Western Frontier and the gritty lawless people who inhabit it. Has themes of coming-of-age, gender ambiguity, loyalty and loss and shows how love can cross lines of race and class. Expect a movie! Highly recommended." Review by Karin
Simon the Fiddler
Paulette Jiles
$16.99"I loved following Simon as he navigates life in post-Civil War Texas. Life is uncertain under Reconstruction but he is passionate about his fiddle and Irish beauty, Doris and he finds his way with the help of some great characters and lots of optimism. I love Paulette Jiles atmospheric writing and her clever plotting kept me reading well into the night. Great writing and storytelling. Good if you liked Cold Mountain and Jiles book, News of the World." Review by Karin
Leave It as It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt's American Wilderness
David Gessner
$28.00 $26.04"Our narrative non-fiction book of the year is a compelling and vigorous book that serves as a wake up call. Our public lands are facing numerous threats that we, the landowners, must check with informed and knowledgeable actions. Catalyzed by the drastic reduction of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, David Gessner digs deep into the life and conservation work of Teddy Roosevelt, and the history and evolution of public lands in this country. As he hits the road from the Badlands to Bears Ears, Gessner weaves together history, biography, and memoir, and the result is an essential book for anyone who is passionate about the environments of the West. Go backpacking in the high Sierras with Roosevelt and Muir, and as you sit with them by the fire, think about what we want to leave for future generations." Review by Matt
News of the World
Paulette Jiles
$16.99 $15.80"This is the kind of book I love - concise narrative of transformation and strong personalities, set in a moment of time in a particular place. Here we have Texas, just after the Civil War, and a pressman with a mission to return a missing girl to her civilized roots. The perfect four-hour read by a masterful writer!" Review by Nicole