“As the dark closes in and the fire settles down to a deep and warming glow, there’s no nightcap better than a good story well told.” Andy Russell is a master storyteller, and this collection of new and previously published tales evokes as if by magic the irresistible allure of the campfire. It’s not hard to imagine the starry sky above and the sound of the pack horses as they sleepily crop the grass nearby. Some of Andy’s tales are about his own youth. Others are part of western lore and the history of the west. Others concern those whose trails crossed his, or whose legends he heard over campfires long ago. Some of the stories dwell in the past, and others deal in the present. Some are about horses, grizzlies, owls, and other wildlife; some commemorate old mountain men or cunning city slickers. What all these yarns have in common is the unique style of the most celebrated of all Canadian cowboys, the inimitable Andy Russell.

Canada’s mountain man shares his best wilderness adventure stories Though Andy Russell has been many things in his life – hunter, trapper, trail guide, wilderness photographer and filmmaker, conservationist, and activist – he is, above all else, a master storyteller. This collection of twenty-four stories, selected and introduced by R. Bruce Morrison, includes Andy’s accounts of growing up on a ranch near the Rocky Mountains; hunting with a rifle, fishing rod, and camera; and encounters with wildlife large and small. He describes the warmth of a campfire shared with loved ones and the feeling of being part of something greater than himself. Andy writes about the animals he has lived and worked with, such as Seppi, his trusty hunting dog; Ace, his courageous trail horse; and Amos, the pack horse with a high I.Q. He also retells the stories of his friends and family, some that will make your hair stand on end, such as the time his father-in-law jumped off a log almost right into a grizzly’s lap or when his son stood eight feet from a grizzly and argued with it until they parted ways… intact. Some of the stories are funny, others are compelling and inspiring. This collection is a testament to over sixty years of living in Canada’s wild places.

The first multi-genre historical anthology of Alberta writing since 1979, this long-overdue anthology explores what writers--past and present--can tell us about what it means to be Albertan--and Canadian.

Andy Adams' The Log of a Cowboy has long been acknowledged a classic of western American literature. Hoffman Birney, in the New York Times Book Review, once declared, "If there is such a thing as an all-time 'best' Western, that is it." One of the most delightful features of the Log is the inclusion of tales told by the cowboys at night. Adams was a master of the campfire tale, and the fifty-one collected here, each told by an Andy Adams character, touch upon every aspect of range life. Readers will never forget characters like Bull Durham, Uncle Dave Hapfinger, and Aaron Scales, or the tale of the tubercular drifter whose death caused tough cowboys to cry, or the gruesome account of the hanging of the renegade Kansas lawman, or the humorous incident of the "big brindle muley ox" that decided to ride instead of walk.

From beloved American heritage brand Pendleton comes this collection of family-friendly tales of adventure and discovery in the wilderness. This captivating collection of campfire stories is the perfect companion for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. These pages present a range of tales, including daring feats of endurance and strength, epic journeys through new frontiers, and exhilarating encounters with wild animals, plus spooky myths to bring campers closer together around the fire. Readers will discover works by beloved naturalists John Muir and Henry David Thoreau, modern tales of adventure from Alex Honnold and Cheryl Strayed, and accounts of bravery and heroism from the adventures of Shackleton and the Donner party. With a combination of awe-inspiring stories and Pendleton's beloved patterns and engaging illustrations throughout, this handsome campfire collection is the ideal addition to any adventure and a wonderful gift for families and friends who love camping. • BELOVED BRAND: For over 150 years, Pendleton Woolen Mills has been one of America's most beloved heritage brands. Known for their woolen blankets and clothing, their products are celebrated by people who love the great outdoors. This thoughtfully curated collection speaks to Pendleton's fans with stories that will elevate any adventure. • FAMILY FUN: These family-friendly stories are the perfect way to bring everyone together after a day of fun outdoors. Reading the stories together is an easy activity for everyone to participate in, and offers tons of opportunities to bond with family or friends. Perfect for: • Fans of Pendleton • Campers, nature lovers, and cabin owners

Well known for his sketches, paintings, and sculptures of the Old West, Charles M. Russell (1864-1926) was also an accomplished author in the humorous genre known as "local color." Raphael Cristy sorts Russell's writings into four general categories: serious Indian stories, men encountering wildlife, cattle range characters, and nineteenth-century westerners facing twentieth-century challenges. Russell's art is often misinterpreted as mere longing for a fading open-range west, but his writings tell a different story. Cristy shows how Russell amused his peers with stories that also delivered sharp observations of Euro-American suppression of Indians and humorous treatment of wilderness and range issues plus the emergence of women and urbanization as bewildering agents of change in the modern West. "A welcome departure from the usual biographies and coffee table volumes on Russell and his art. . . . [Cristy] deals with an important, yet relatively unexplored, aspect of the career of one of the most influential interpreters of the American West."--Byron Price, Director, C. M. Russell Center for the Study of Art