The Untamed West: Three Classic Westerns

by Louis L'Amour, Zane Grey, Max Brand

Book by

Genres: Westerns

398 pages, Library Binding

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

Louis Dearborn L'Amour was an American novelist and short story writer. His books consisted primarily of Western novels, though he called his work "frontier stories". His most widely known Western fiction works include Last of the Breed, Hondo, Shalako, and the Sackett series. L'Amour also wrote historical fiction (The Walking Drum), science fiction (The Haunted Mesa), non-fiction (Frontier), and poetry and short-story collections. Many of his stories were made into films. His books remain popular and most have gone through multiple printings. At the time of his death, almost all of his 105 existing works (89 novels, 14 short-story collections, and two full-length works of nonfiction) were still in print, and he was "one of the world's most popular writers".

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this collection of westerns for my mom, since I knew she enjoyed them, but hasn't gotten a chance to read many of them lately.

Her favorite in this collection was Max Brand's "Black Sheep," which surprised me because Zane Grey is the family's favorite western author, and Louis L'Amour is the more popular western author. I've not read anything by Max Brand before, although I had heard of him. This bio on him called him "the Jewish Cowboy," and indicated that his stories had the same kind of "psycho-drama" that Zane Grey's stories had.

So, I am starting by just reviewing "Black Sheep," and if I get to read the others in this volume, I will edit my review later.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Black Sheep," would recommend it, and even would read it again - my tests for a 5-star rating. I loved the protagonist, Mary's character, and I have known tough, smart country girls like that. As a ten year old, Mary solved the dilemma with her brain, not any guns. That's part of the attraction of the story: a strong-willed, intelligent female lead character, the sort of character that I'd like my kids to read about, minus the smoking addiction.

In "Reviewing the Movies," Peter Fraser wrote about the reason for the decline in popularity of the western genre. “Since the American family structure has largely disintegrated, the notion of the proud homestead pushing civilization through the wilderness has lost its force… Having lost faith in the history and the identity of this country as passed down for 200 years, Americans for the most part seem to have lost faith in the possibility of a good, nurturing society.”

That, actually, was Mary's motivation. She found herself in a family getting ready to make horrific moral choices, as she thought, "It was better to die as honest men than to live as rogues." Of course, such sentiment does come with cost, sometimes with high cost. It's worth asking ourselves if our integrity means as much to us in this "safer" world that we live in.

But, umm. Two wrongs don't make a right. Part of Mary's manipulation of others, to steer them clear of dishonesty involved dishonesty of her own. If my kids did read this book, that would be a good talking point: is Mary's dishonesty justified? She held a pragmatic view of morality that either she thought the ends justified the means, or else only held onto her morals when it was beneficial to do so. Both views are forms of relativism. In the long run, either viewpoint can bring heartache, because morals are seldom, if ever convenient or beneficial, at least in view of short-term goals. (Long term goals are a different matter - like proving oneself trustworthy over the long haul, building good character or a good reputation that others can rely on.) She prioritized her dishonesty as lesser than the dishonesty her family considered, dishonesty which would have led them beyond lying to theft and murder. And while we all have broken God's law and separated ourselves from Him equally, not all sins have the same impact on the people around us. Murder, particularly, is a crime which cannot be undone.

And again in "Reviewing," Fraser said, “The pleasure [of westerns and other adventure stories] stems from the implausibility of the story… We have lost hope for real solutions to problems like international terror and organized crime."

Yes, Mary's characterization in this story is larger-than-life, as are some of the other characters in this book. And in real life, the cost of her actions may well have been worse than it was. It could have cost everything.

[Donadee's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took a little break to enjoy a quick read from the best Western Author ever!
The Untamed West is a captivating collection that combines three of the finest short novels by legendary Western authors Louis L'Amour, Zane Grey, and Max Brand. Each story in this anthology showcases the unique storytelling prowess of these iconic writers, offering readers a glimpse into the rugged and adventurous world of the American frontier. The collection includes L'Amour's "Showdown on the Hogback," Grey's "Cañon Walls," and Brand's "Black Sheep," each restored to reflect the author's original intentions. In "Showdown on the Hogback," Louis L'Amour presents a tale of conflict and resolution as a determined protagonist faces off against formidable adversaries in a high-stakes showdown. Zane Grey's "Cañon Walls" transports readers to the dramatic landscapes of the West, where a gripping narrative of love, betrayal, and redemption unfolds. Max Brand's "Black Sheep" delves into themes of identity and transformation, following a character's journey through trials and tribulations in the untamed wilderness.
The anthology is a testament to the enduring appeal of Western literature, with each story offering a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of life on the frontier. The vivid descriptions and richly drawn characters bring the Old West to life, immersing readers in a world of rugged landscapes, intense conflicts, and timeless themes of justice and survival. The Untamed West is a must-read for fans of Westerns and anyone seeking a thrilling literary adventure. The combined talents of L'Amour, Grey, and Brand make this collection a standout in the genre, providing a fresh and exciting take on classic Western storytelling. Whether you're a longtime fan of these authors or new to their work, this anthology promises to deliver an unforgettable reading experience.
• ASIN: B00G4DA3U4
• Publisher: AmazonEncore
• Publication Date: 11/1/2004
• File Size: 1940 KB
• Print Length: 322 pages
• Genre: Louis L'Amour Westerns, Westerns, American Literature

[Kit Sinatra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zane Grey-2 stars
Max Brand-5 stars
Louis L'amour-2 stars

Surprisingly, the only story I loved was Max Brands. I don't ever like Zane Grey, so I wasn't surprised about that. He had another romance about a Mormon girl and a gentile man. Max Brand's story was about the cleverness of a semi-bratty 9 year old tomboy girl. I want to buy the whole book just for that story, I loved it that much. And Louis's story was really boring. I was not into it at all and I forced myself to finish it even though his story took up half the book. There were also way too many names for the length of the book and I found myself getting confused a lot.

[Frank Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery and western !

If you love a good mystery set in the West, you will love this novel. Characters and plot are developed . Look forward to surprises!

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three classic short novels from the pens of three early western writers, Louis L'Amour, Zane Grey, and Max Brand. All the flair and nostalgia you would expect from these three greats.

[Margaret Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Always great to read the best. I have liked the authors for years. Thanks for all the information on the writer's. It was nice to read the old stoties.

[Brian Donald William Norman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some old fashioned western potboilers by the men who wrote them most.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the three stories here I found the one by Max Brand to be the most enjoyable of the three. I do find it interesting how the editor disparages Louis L'Amour a little bit but then includes a story of his that is 50% of the book. I have been a long fan of the writings of Louis L'Amour. I also found this story to be quite enjoyable and the style familiar as I've read many of his books. My least favorite was the one by Zane Grey. I'm not certain what prejudice he had against Mormons, but I'm finding more and of his books that are published as he originally wrote them to carry that prejudice.

[Papaparsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to enjoy some of the world's best western writers. This book contains three short stories--arout 100 pages each---from three of the greatest western writers. They are all fun, easy and enjoyable reads!

[Tyler Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you grew up reading Louis L'Amour, always wondered about other Western writers but never branched out, this is a nice little introduction. I actually thought the Max Brand story was the best of the bunch here.

[Cws]

LPW3L'A

[Jeffery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the Max Brand in this book because I already read the L'amour short story I thought the Max Brand was ok. I plan on reading more of his books hoping they are good as Louis L'amour books.