They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the Lone Star State can certainly boast of immense ranches, vast oil fields, enormous cowboy hats, and larger-than-life heroes. Among the greatest of the latter are the iconic Texas Rangers, a service that has existed, in one form or another, since 1823. Established in Waco in 1968, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum continues to honor these legendary symbols of Texas and the American West. While upholding a proud heritage of duty and sacrifice, even men who wear the cinco peso badge can have their own champions. Thirty-one individuals—whose lives span more than two centuries—have been enshrined in the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame. In The Ranger Ideal Volume 2: Texas Rangers in the Hall of Fame, 1874-1930, Darren L. Ivey presents capsule biographies of the twelve inductees who served Texas in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Ivey begins with John B. Jones, who directed his Rangers through their development from state troops to professional lawmen; then covers Leander H. McNelly, John B. Armstrong, James B. Gillett, Jesse Lee Hall, George W. Baylor, Bryan Marsh, and Ira Aten—the men who were responsible for some of the Rangers’ most legendary feats. Ivey concludes with James A. Brooks, William J. McDonald, John R. Hughes, and John H. Rogers, the “Four Great Captains” who guided the Texas Rangers into the twentieth century.

The hidden seeds of the Christian renewal in China today include the outstanding Chinese Christians in Salt and Light 2, a dozen new life stories with lively anecdotes and photographs. These reformers made lasting contributions that shaped modern China. Working out of the limelight in their professions, they had quiet but powerful influence on early twentieth-century civil society. Motivated by their faith, they modeled essential virtues. This series helps recover a lost Christian heritage linked closely to a legacy of East-West cooperation in an earlier global era.

The remarkable story of Sandra Day O’Connor’s family and early life, her journey to adulthood in the American Southwest that helped make her the woman she is today: the first female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and one of the most powerful women in America. “A charming memoir about growing up as sturdy cowboys and cowgirls in a time now past.”—USA Today In this illuminating and unusual book, Sandra Day O’Connor tells, with her brother, Alan, the story of the Day family, and of growing up on the harsh yet beautiful land of the Lazy B ranch in Arizona. Laced throughout these stories about three generations of the Day family, and everyday life on the Lazy B, are the lessons Sandra and Alan learned about the world, self-reliance, and survival, and how the land, people, and values of the Lazy B shaped them. This fascinating glimpse of life in the Southwest in the last century recounts an important time in American history, and provides an enduring portrait of an independent young woman on the brink of becoming one of the most prominent figures in America.

Until the early twentieth century, life in the American West could be rough and sometimes vicious. Those who brought thieves and murderers to justice at times had to employ tactics as ruthless as their prey. In this follow-up to his first collection of biographies of the West’s most recognized man-hunters, noted western historian Robert K. DeArment recounts the remarkable careers of eight men—Pat Garrett, John Hughes, Harry Love, Harry Morse, Frank Norfleet, Bass Reeves, Granville Stuart, and Tom Tobin—who pursued notorious criminals. Volume 2 of Man-Hunters of the Old West shows that limited resources and dire conditions often made extralegal violence necessary for survival. Harry Love, the famous killer of California bandito Joaquin Murrieta, and Tom Tobin, who ended the murders of the Espinosa gang in Colorado, tracked their quarries to remote hideouts, shot them, and cut off their heads to prove they had been eliminated. Felon trackers, like the vigilante organizations that preceded them, on occasion administered summary justice—the on-the-spot hanging of their captured prey—especially if they believed the established court system was not working. Some of the man-hunters in DeArment’s accounts were freelance scouts and trackers; others were career officers of the law. At least one, Frank Norfleet, was a private citizen turned dedicated nemesis of con artists. Love, Stuart, and Morse began life as easterners who made their way West. All the others were midwesterners or far westerners. Some of these man-hunters wrote about their adventures, and were written about in turn. Garrett’s account of his hunt for Billy the Kid remains a best seller, for example, and both Reeves and Hughes have been credited for inspiring the Lone Ranger of TV and movie fame. DeArment discusses constant threats to the man-hunters’ survival, the federal government’s undependable presence, and extralegal violence as major themes in western law enforcement. In recounting these eight men’s adventures, this volume reveals the forces that made brutality seem commonplace.

50 WESTERNS (Vol. 2) stands as a monumental collection that unveils the rugged beauty, daunting challenges, and audacious spirits that have come to define the American West through the eyes of its most illustrious storytellers. This anthology seamlessly weaves together an extraordinary tapestry of themes ranging from the tumultuous relationships between settlers and Native Americans to the relentless pursuit of freedom and prosperity on the frontier. The literary styles vary greatly, from the cerebral introspections of Willa Cather to the rip-roaring adventures of Zane Grey, creating a rich mosaic that reflects the multifaceted essence of the Western genre. The significance of these works transcends mere entertainment, offering profound insights into the human condition amidst the vast landscapes of the American wilderness. The contributors to this anthology are a veritable who's who of Western literature, with backgrounds as diverse as the characters they created. Authors such as Karl May and Edgar Rice Burroughs, despite their European origins or fantastical inclinations, captured the imagination of readers worldwide with their vivid portrayals of the American West. This collection aligns with various historical and cultural movements, from the rugged individualism emblematic of the frontier spirit to the complex socio-political dynamics of expansionism. Together, their narratives forge a comprehensive understanding of the era, underpinned by a shared reverence for the untamed beauty and inherent risks of frontier life. For enthusiasts and newcomers to Western literature alike, 50 WESTERNS (Vol. 2) offers an unparalleled journey across the dusty trails and sweeping plains of America's past. Readers are invited to delve into the complexities and contradictions of the West through stories that resonate with bravery, tragedy, and hope. This anthology not only serves as a testament to the enduring allure of the Western genre but also provides a unique educational opportunity to explore the evolution of American cultural and literary landscapes. Embarking on this literary journey promises not only a deeper appreciation for the genre but also a rewarding exploration of the diverse voices and visions that have shaped our understanding of the American West.

Book 2 in the Lone Star Legacy series. Carolyn Killion comes to Stoner's Crossing looking for her father's legacy and finds the ominous truth.