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The Texas Bookshelf is for single, specific books' reviews and author interviews . The Texas Parlor ranges more broadly than my other websites. The Young Texas Reader focuses on the youngest through teenagers. Texas Blog Notes surveys blogs of historical and literary interest. I've started a Will's Texana Youtube collecting channel where 1,000 videos are collected in 100 playlists . Find Will in Houston or at willstexana {at} yahoodotcom

Thursday, July 17, 2008

History of the Western in 500 words

"Westerns have strong tradition" from the Library on the Move column
By CAROL HERRINGTON IN THE The Palestine Herald
[The article begins]
"PALESTINE James Fenimore Cooper (1789 – 1851) is considered the first writer of the "western" novel. His "Last of the Mohicans" (1826) popularized the plight of Native Americans with an almost romanticized vision. His heroic frontiersman, Natty "Hawkeye" Bumppo bridges the gap with camaraderie and friendship. We may not think of ourselves as readers of "western" literature, but we all read Cooper when we studied American literature in high school."
Carol goes on adding Ned Buntline, Zane Grey, Owen Wister, Louis L'Amour, and finally Texan Elmer Kelton who got his start as an agricultural journalist and is now King Kelton - Penman of the West.  Nice tidy summary. Carol suggests you visit the library.

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