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Raw Land
TAKING A STAND — Folks figured Will Danning was crazy to buy Pitchfork Ranch. The rocky, godforsaken place was worthless. So why did he fight so hard to take possession? And why were three desperate men willing to gun him down to take it from him? — Danning had come to settle a score and clear a friend's name. For his stubborn loyalty, he was repaid with a bushwhacking and a frame-up. But the property value jumped when the rancher turned outlaw. And now there would be hell to pay.
- GenresWesterns
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1940
27 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Luke Short
127 books36 followersLuke Short (real name Frederick Dilley Glidden) was a popular Western writer.
Born in Kewanee, Illinois Glidden attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for two and a half years and then transferred to the University of Missouri at Columbia to study journalism.
Following graduation in 1930 he worked for a number of newspapers before becoming a trapper in Canada then later moved to New Mexico to be an archeologist's assistant.
After reading Western pulp magazines and trying to escape unemployment he started writing Western fiction. He sold his first short story and novel in 1935 under the pen name of Luke Short (which was also the name of a famous gunslinger in the Old West, though it's unclear if he was aware of that when he assumed the pen name.)
After publishing over a dozen novels in the 1930s, he started writing for films in the 40s. In 1948 alone four Luke Short novels appeared as movies. Some of his memorable film credits includes Ramrod (1947) and Blood on the Moon (1948). He continued to write novels, despite increasing trouble with his eyes, until his death in 1975. His ashes are buried in Aspen, Colorado, his home at the time of his death.
Born in Kewanee, Illinois Glidden attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for two and a half years and then transferred to the University of Missouri at Columbia to study journalism.
Following graduation in 1930 he worked for a number of newspapers before becoming a trapper in Canada then later moved to New Mexico to be an archeologist's assistant.
After reading Western pulp magazines and trying to escape unemployment he started writing Western fiction. He sold his first short story and novel in 1935 under the pen name of Luke Short (which was also the name of a famous gunslinger in the Old West, though it's unclear if he was aware of that when he assumed the pen name.)
After publishing over a dozen novels in the 1930s, he started writing for films in the 40s. In 1948 alone four Luke Short novels appeared as movies. Some of his memorable film credits includes Ramrod (1947) and Blood on the Moon (1948). He continued to write novels, despite increasing trouble with his eyes, until his death in 1975. His ashes are buried in Aspen, Colorado, his home at the time of his death.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 23, 2020
A classic shoot-em up western, but with a deeper story about land grabbing and double crossing.
August 4, 2022
A fun, easy read for anyone. No sex, excess violence or untoward situations in this western themed book. I first heard about this author from a YouTube video and thankful I gave him a try.
December 9, 2020
I was wavering between 4 and 5 stars because I did not like the ending much. However, with the constant action, twists and turns I had to give it 5 because it kept me entertained and wanting to find out what would happen next. I know most will enjoy this book.
January 12, 2014
An easy read. I thought it was a pretty good story given it was so short.
April 16, 2022
An easy read. I thought it was a pretty good story. it kept me entertained and wanting to find out what would happen next with a story about land grabbing and double crossing.
May 14, 2020
This is perhaps the only Western novel I've ever read. Picked it up because I loved the cover art (mine has an old pulp fiction-style cover. Turned out to be not only a fantastic Western but an excellent novel all around. Did a bit of research on Mr. Short (who I knew nothing about) and discovered he was a prolific author and screenwriter back in the day. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews