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25 items

• The Western

  Four Classic Novels of the 1940s & 50s

  Hansen, Ron, 1947-

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  This book features classic novels The Ox-bow Incident by Walter Van Tilberg Clark, Shane by Jack Schaefer, The Searchers by Alan Le May, and Warlock by Oakley Hall.

• Tom's Crossing

  a Western

  Danielewski, Mark Z.,

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  This sweeping modern western blends coming-of-age drama, family saga, myth, and ghost story into one ambitious novel that has earned widespread critical praise.

• The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

  Traven, B.

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  Originally published in German, the novel was derided by some critics as "unpleasant" and "dull." Luckily the movie fared much better! Featuring the oft-misquoted line, "We don't need no stinkin' badges!," Treasure of the Sierra Madre follows three…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ridgeline

  Punke, Michael,

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  In this award-winning western, Punke explores themes of conquest and justice through the violent clash between settlers and Native nations on the frontier.

• The Sisters Brothers

  deWitt, Patrick, 1975-

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  "Gold mining, town control, and whiskey-killing henchmen. The Sisters Brothers follows the classic archetype of western storytelling: long travel from state-to-state, ruthless landowners, and a cowboy discovering their identity." -Annotation by John…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• True Grit

  Portis, Charles

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  This film is John Wayne's only Oscar win. Also check out the remake with Jeff Bridges as the iconic Rooster Cogburn. Bridges was also nominated for his portrayal. Cogburn was seemingly a character made for actors.

• The Heart in Winter

  Barry, Kevin, 1969-

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  A lyrically written cinematic novel of lovers on the run from gunmen as the race west from Montana.

• The Last Wagon Train

  Johnstone, William W.,

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  If you're a fan of Louis L'Amour then you should check out this prolific author known for evocative settings and action-packed tales. This first in a series as the Callahans, who run the wagon trains, cross a rail boss named Arbuckle.

• Lonesome Dove

  McMurtry, Larry,

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  Fans of books like Cormac McCarthy's All The Pretty Horses will enjoy this character, and cattle, driven novel featuring a large ensemble cast. The four-part miniseries was a huge hit, drawing an estimated 26 million homes!

• Upright Women Wanted

  Gailey, Sarah

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  "'The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing. They'll bring the fight to you.' Sarah Gailey combines their speculative fiction style with westerns of all genres in…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Cold Dish

  Johnson, Craig, 1961-

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  This modern western was turned into a series originally on A&E before moving to Netflix. Rural sheriff Walt Longmire investigate a suspicious murder.

• Little Big Man

  A Novel

  Berger, Thomas

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  Narrated by the 111-year-old lone survivor of Custer's last stand, the novel follows a white man raised as a Cheyenne Indian. The film was considered an indirect protest of the Vietnam War with the way it portrayed the US Cavalry as villains.

• Big Damn Hero

  Lovegrove, James

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  "Based off the one season show, Firefly is a universe of dystopian fiction with a western motif. Imagine Magnificent Seven combined with Star Wars and that's Firefly." -Annotation by John at our Red Bridge Branch

• Dances With Wolves

  Blake, Michael, 1945-2015

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  This movie was filmed, partially, and takes place in Hays, KS, home of the listmaker, Scott. Costner's award-winning film focuses on a Union soldier who befriends a Lokota tribe on the western frontier. Michael Blake also wrote the screenplay.

• Bloody Newton

  the Town From Hell

  Boggs, Johnny D.,

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  If you like Shootout at the OK Corral, then this bloody western inspired by true events should sate your need for gunfights.

• Outlawed

  North, Anna,

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  "Ada has been married for a year and cannot get pregnant...apparently, she is a witch that must be burned! This story follows Ada and her journey towards freedom and survival from a small, western town that view women as housewives and child-raising…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Classic Westerns

  Includes Riders of the Purple Sage and the Rainbow Trail

  Grey, Zane, 1872-1939

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  Riders of the Purple Sage is considered one of the most popular westerns of all-time, Riders of the Purple Sage has received 5 film adaptations, an opera, a comic book, and even inspired a Dungeons & Dragons scenario. The story is about Jane…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Inland

  Obreht, Téa,

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  "Strong, powerful Frontierswoman protecting the homestead. Nora and her son survive living in the Arizona Territory: lawless, drought-ridden, and a broken family trying to mend the bonds. This title is Little House on the Prairie but with a certain…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Rustlers of West Fork

  a Hopalong Cassidy Novel

  L'Amour, Louis, 1908-1988

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  A plot-driven tale of Hopalong Cassidy from the prolific western author. Here Cassidy must fight a band of outlaws to save his friend.

• Butcher's Crossing

  Williams, John, 1922-1994

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  A Harvard man drops out of college to live find what Emerson called, "an original relation to nature." He finds himself in the titular Butcher's Crossing, a small Kansas town. Recently turned into a film with Nicolas Cage.