Books, Books, Books...

[St. George]

Bibliophilia is the love of books; a bibliophile is a lover of books.

The classic bibliophile, exemplified by Samuel Pepys, is one who loves to read, admire and collect books, often nurturing a large and specialised collection.

By definition, a bibliophile does not necessarily want to possess the books they love; an alternative would be to admire them in old libraries.

However - the bibliophile is usually an avid book collector, sometimes pursuing scholarship in the collection, sometimes putting form above content with an emphasis on old, rare, and expensive books, first editions, books with special or unusual bindings, autographed copies, etc.

The term bibliophile can also be applied to one who has an obsessive
fondeness for books, perhaps amounting to bibliomania.
This is most often seen in compulsive hoarders, identifiable by the fact that the number of unread books in their possession is continually increasing relative to the total number of books they possess and read.
Extreme bibliophilia may amount to a diagnosed psychological condition.

Now that 'that's been said - let's talk about books...

It's hard to imagine - I know - but there are some books about the Old West that weren't written by Louis L'Amour.

Heresy! - you say - but it's true...

Though enjoyable - many were written for the various pulps of the time and are pretty formulaic - the long, dusty ride into town, confrontation, the display of unerring accuracy, the fistfight, the fall off the mountain, the righting of wrongs - and variations on a theme.

For a real change - try reading some of the stuff written by these guys.

Some's out of print - but perhaps your local Library has a copy - way in the back stacks.

J. Frank Dobie - "Apache Gold and Yaqui Silver" - "Coronado's Children" - and more.
He collected stories throughout his life about the Southwest, Mexico and Lost Mines.

Loren D. Estleman - his protagonist carries a Deane-Adams...

Clarence Mulford - writer of the 'original' Hopalong Cassidy - a guy 'very' unlike William Boyd's adaptation.

Lauren Paine - the writer of "The Open Range Men" - later made into the movie - "Open Range".

Elmore Leonard - even his pulp western stuff was solid and accurate and then, he got better...

Brian Garfield - read "Wild Times".

Robert D. Steelman - try "Blood and Dust".

Matt Braun - "You Know My Name" - about Bill Tighlman.

Jack Schaefer - "Monte Walsh" as written - is far better than anything screened.

Elmer Kelton - heavy emphasis on Texas - try "The Good Old Boys".

Max Brand - prolific - yet realistic.

Donald Hamilton - the guy who wrote "Matt Helm" wrote great Westerns, too.

Robert B. Parker - writes the "Spenser" mysteries - but try "Gunman's Rhapsody".

Gordon D. Shirreffs - deep Southwest stuff - well-written and believable.

Dee Brown - "Yellowhorse".

Thomas Berger - "Little Big Man".

Will Henry -  pretty much everything - but give "Chiracahua" a read.

Many of the newer writers are trying valiantly to become 'the next Louis L'Amour' - by copying his huge body of work.

The ones I suggest didn't do that.

Several were in competition with L'Amour during the heyday of the pulps.
That they had differing styles means good reading for us all.

The Western Writers of America have a distinction that they award to the 'Best of the Best'.

It's called "The Spur Award".

I've found that any of those writers who've won that prize can give the reader a helluva story and his money's worth, besides.

[tarheel mac]

Estleman, has several "stand alone" books...(not part of a series) including one called the "The Master Executioner" which is one of the best character studies I have ever read....Not your "typical" western at all...not one single shootout in the whole book....but it sure does hold your attention...


There is also a book called "Cashbox"..a sort of Deadwood-Like story of a town from its big silver strike to its end through the eyes of several people who live there...Its by Richard Wheeler, (I think..I can't lay my hands on my copy right this second..but I am pretty sure..)

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

Bibliophilia is the love of books; a bibliophile is a lover of books.

The classic bibliophile, exemplified by Samuel Pepys, is one who loves to read, admire and collect books, often nurturing a large and specialised collection.

By definition, a bibliophile does not necessarily want to possess the books they love; an alternative would be to admire them in old libraries.

However - the bibliophile is usually an avid book collector, sometimes pursuing scholarship in the collection, sometimes putting form above content with an emphasis on old, rare, and expensive books, first editions, books with special or unusual bindings, autographed copies, etc.

Guilty as charged your Honor!

I just managed to get a missing item for one collection.  A 1941 Shooter's Bible.  Now I have 1938 to present.

Yes indeed, I love my books.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Have books stashed all over the place, mostly history oriented. Just recently got real interested in Wyatt Earp and friends. Two Wyatt books, one quite big and $$$. Now looking for Holliday Tanner's book on Doc.............Buck

[Forty Rod]

Over the last three years I have "culled" my collection by donating several hundred books to our local library.  I still have more than I will read in my remaining lifetime.

[Wes Virginian]

A little over a year ago I sold my house and started RV'ing full time. Gave all my books to my youngest son. 128 volume set of the "Official Records", numerous other Civil War Books, thousands of Civil War related magazines. Several hundred other's on the West, World Wars, and just about everything else. I miss having them, but I can't carry them with me. Now if I want to read, I go to a Library and get some books.

Wes Virginian