The Hill Country of Texas is a place of dramatic beauty & subtle charm. Its folklore is a rough blend of frontier hardship, country wisdom, & tough personal experience. It is typical of the folklore of much of the American West. The legends, history, & folklore of this region remain alive in the words of the oldtimers of this region. This book presents much of this history & folklore, in the words of several of the Hill Country's oldtimers. Many of these oldtimers are descendents of the earliest pioneers. The stories, jokes, legends & experiences of the pioneers have been handed down to these oldtimers. Most take considerable pride in their knowledge of it, for it is not only the history of their people, but of their land & culture as well. These stories were collected by Greg Walton, & are presented here for the first time. They reveal a gentle & tenacious people, who take their living from the land, & in return give it their love & sweat. The story of this region is one worth knowing, for it illustrates much of what makes America special.

One of TIME’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time Winner of the L.A. Times Ray Bradbury Prize Finalist for the 2019 National Book Award The New York Times Bestseller Named a Best Book of 2019 by The Wall Street Journal, TIME, NPR, GQ, Vogue, and The Washington Post "A fantasy world as well-realized as anything Tolkien made." --Neil Gaiman "Gripping, action-packed....The literary equivalent of a Marvel Comics universe." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times The epic novel from the Man Booker Prize-winning author of A Brief History of Seven Killings In the stunning first novel in Marlon James's Dark Star trilogy, myth, fantasy, and history come together to explore what happens when a mercenary is hired to find a missing child. Tracker is known far and wide for his skills as a hunter: "He has a nose," people say. Engaged to track down a mysterious boy who disappeared three years earlier, Tracker breaks his own rule of always working alone when he finds himself part of a group that comes together to search for the boy. The band is a hodgepodge, full of unusual characters with secrets of their own, including a shape-shifting man-animal known as Leopard. As Tracker follows the boy's scent--from one ancient city to another; into dense forests and across deep rivers--he and the band are set upon by creatures intent on destroying them. As he struggles to survive, Tracker starts to wonder: Who, really, is this boy? Why has he been missing for so long? Why do so many people want to keep Tracker from finding him? And perhaps the most important questions of all: Who is telling the truth, and who is lying? Drawing from African history and mythology and his own rich imagination, Marlon James has written a novel unlike anything that's come before it: a saga of breathtaking adventure that's also an ambitious, involving read. Defying categorization and full of unforgettable characters, Black Leopard, Red Wolf is both surprising and profound as it explores the fundamentals of truth, the limits of power, and our need to understand them both.

The Ultimate Western Collection is a monumental anthology that captures the rugged ethos and sweeping landscapes of the American frontier. Through a rich tapestry of narratives, this compilation spans a wide array of literary styles, from the gritty realism of pioneer life to the romanticized vistas of the Wild West. The anthology showcases the diversity and significance of the genre, including standout pieces that have shaped the cultural imagery of the American West. The esteemed array of authors contributes stories that vary from high adventure to introspective character studies, each adding depth and nuance to the understanding of the Western ethos. The contributors to this anthology, including luminaries like Mark Twain, Willa Cather, and Jack London, among others, bring with them backgrounds as diverse as the landscapes they describe. Their collective works, rooted in different epochs of American history, offer a panoramic view of the cultural, social, and economic forces that have shaped the American West. By aligning with historical, cultural, or literary movements, these authors enrich the anthology's thematic coherence, providing readers with an immersive experience into the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of Western life. The Ultimate Western Collection offers readers a unique opportunity to delve into the multifaceted world of Western literature. It is an educational journey through the heart and soul of America, encouraging exploration of its vast and varied narratives. Through its comprehensive selection, the anthology fosters a dialogue between the works of established masters and lesser-known authors, each contributing distinct voices to the collective story of the American frontier. It is a must-read for anyone eager to explore the depth and breadth of Western literature, and to understand the enduring allure of the Wild West.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1877.

150 Western Classics presents an unparalleled assembly of stories that weave the rich tapestry of the American West, capturing its vast landscapes, its tumultuous history, and its indomitable spirit. This anthology showcases a diversity of literary styles, ranging from the rugged realism of frontier life to the romanticized myths that have come to define the genre. The collection embodies the essence of Western literature, featuring narratives that explore the complexities of human nature against the backdrop of the American frontier. Standout pieces within the anthology include tales of high adventure, stoic courage, and the relentless pursuit of justice, all of which contribute to the reimagining and preservation of the American West in the literary canon. The contributing authors and editors of 150 Western Classics bring together a remarkable range of backgrounds, from celebrated novelists like Mark Twain and Willa Cather to pioneering Western storytellers such as Zane Grey and Owen Wister. This collective reflects a myriad of historical, cultural, and literary movements, from the realism and romanticism that defined early American literature to the naturalism that informed the later works. Together, these voices create a multidimensional portrait of the American West, offering readers an expansive perspective on its legends, hardships, and triumphs. 150 Western Classics is an essential volume for anyone interested in exploring the depth and diversity of the American West through its literature. This anthology provides a unique opportunity to engage with the works of some of the genre's most influential figures, offering a comprehensive view that spans the classic to the contemporary. Readers are invited to immerse themselves in this collection for its educational value, its breadth of insights, and the ongoing dialogue it fosters between the myriad authors' works. It is a testament to the enduring allure of the West and its capacity to inspire storytelling that resonates across generations.