ISSUE 480

Fiction

(Special Five Star Western Section)

Five Star Books, P.O. Box 159, Thorndike, ME 03986
All thrity-three books listed here are 5 3/4" X 8 3/4", hard bound with dust covers.

Don Diablo: A Western Trio by Max Brand, 2001, 271p., $22.95, 0-7862-2386-3
His friends mean more to him than his own safety and in each of these short stories Tyler's intrepid courage is exacting in meeting the ever-growing demand for his services.These are three related and yet very different stories revealing an outlaw that chooses a way of life, even though it was on the wrong side of the law, that drew respect from everyone--good and bad.Here again he faces his old nemesis El Tigre in a final showdown in "The Trail of Death."

Until Darkness Dissappears: A Saga of Texas, Book 3: by Will Cook, 2001, 316p., $23.95,0-7862-2403-7
Texas Ranger Guthrie McCabe is set on bringing El Jefe (Pedro Vargas) to justice.His journey will take him from New Orleans to Laredo, Texas, to Mexico and back.With the assistance of a former rodeo hand, McCabe heads for home with his prisoner.Meanwhile, El Jefe's men attack the law man and his friend and El Jefe escapes into Mexico.But that is only the beginning of McCabe's perseverance in bringing this outlaw to justice.

The Red Eagle: A Western Trio by Ray Hogan, 2001, 183p., $22.95, 0-7862-2394-4
From peaceful valleys to raging Indians burning out settlers, Ray Hogan has a way of getting his readers emotionally into the action.Daniel Red Eagle's family was killed by the whites.He was raised by a drummer/trader, his wife and an old Indian Chief .Red Eagle's passions are torn between his own people and those who loved and raised him.This is a new collection of stories by Ray Hogan.

All the Long Years: Western Stories by Bill Pronzini, 2001, 210p., $23.95, 0-7862-2118-6
This is a collection of fourteen short stories by Pronzini covering the gamete of Western life--and from perspectives in personality that western novelist rarely give.The setting varies from the Northwest to the badlands of Death Valley.His characters are believable and the events gripping.Pronzini's thirty years of writing western stories seem to come together in this uniquecollection.

The Buchmans by John Henley, 2001, 248p., $22.95, 0-7862-2385-5The Buchmans is a moving story of love, brotherhood, slavery, family ties, and a bond between friends that will alter the future of these two men, their children, and their carriers forever.Their story is not unique.The American West was full of emigrants in a new land looking to make a better life for themselves and their fellow countrymen.

Desperate Acts by Jane Candia Coleman, 3/2001, 305p., $25.95, 0-7862-3210-2
This is not your typical Western novel.Here, Coleman develops her story around a real problem that many women and their children face today.Built from conversations with thousands of women who have experienced psychological and physical abuse, Coleman gives us a Western story that will be appreciated most by those women who are all-to-familiar with her thematic correlations.Bettye McCartt, Film Agent says, "Desperate Acts should be read by every woman in America."

The Bells of San Juan by Alan LeMay, 2001, 196p., $22.95, 0-7862-2766-4
Alan LeMay has been writing Western novels for over fifty years.His credits include great films like The Searchers and The Unforgiven.He has written numerous Western stories for magazines and scores of great novels.This is a collection of twelve of his best stories: The Little Kid, Lawman's Debt, Gray Rider, Trail Driver' Luck, The Loan of a Gun, Eyes of Doom, Tombstone's Daughter, Star on His Heart, The Battle of Gunsmoke Lode, The Braver Thing, Sundown Corral, and The Bells of San Juan.

Range Rover: Stories of the West by Zane Grey, 2001, 227p., $23.95, 0-7862-2393-6
Zane Grey is best known for his originality and his concepts that capture an imaginative place, time, and event that few have even thought of.This is a collection of six of his timeless pieces: Amber's Mirage, The Kidnapping of Collie Younger, Call on the County, Don: The Story of a Lion Dog, Rangle River, and Nonnezoshe, the Rainbow Bridge.

Double-Cross: A Western Story by Stephen Overholser, 2001, 256p., $23.95, 0-7862-2387-1
Double-Cross is an unique and interesting Western story about two men who discover they are brothers.Being twins they resemble one another a great deal, but that is as far as the similarity goes.One was raised by a homestead family and the other by a gambler.One is convicted of a brutal murder and the other believes his twin-brother has been falsely accused and breaks him out of jail.Their problems escalate while trouble seems to hunt them down, but by the last few pages of the story the reader is rewarded by an unexpected event.

Mountain Time: A Western Memoir by Jane Candia Coleman, 2001, 223p., $23.95, 0-7862-2733-8
Jane Candia Colman's sensitivity to the natural world, along with her intense care in correctly re-telling the American Western story (not to mention the sensations created by her fictional verse) generate narratives that seem to live again.Mountain Time is a Western Memoir built around actual experiences and conversation with those who live the Western story every day.Seeing the West through the eyes of Jane Candia Coleman lends a new perspective to the tag, Western Novel.

Man Without a Past: Forntier Stories by T.V. Olsen, 2001, 231p., $22.95, 0- 7862-2732-X This is a collection of eleven short stories and one short novel by T.V. Olsen: "Man Without a Past," "A Time to Fight," "The Ambush," "Tenderfoot," "End of the Trail," "Deadline Day," "Killer's Law," "Midnight Showdown," "Trouble from Texas," "The Reckoning," "The Broken Spur," and "The Man We Called Jones."

Rainbow Rider: A Western Trio by Wayne D. Overholser, 2001, 235p., $22.95, 0-7862-2738-9
These three short novels range from America's Northwest Territory, Oregon, to the homestead communities of Old Colorado.In "The Leather Slappers" Rick Marvin and Pete Fargo work for a company that seizes homesteads which the U.S. Supreme Court has filed on.The whole business is a little shady and Rick is not sure he wants to be involved.
" The Fence" is a Northwestern story about a sheriff named Jim Hallett.His love affair with Kitsie Wyatt is anything but smooth and her father is the main cause.Two murders later things are worse then ever and even Kitsie is in the sights of the madman.
" Rainbow Rider," is also a love affair that struggles for existence.The family's money seems to be the center of attention and life as usual cannot go on until certain matters between them are settled.

Horde of Fools: A North-Western Story by James David Buchanan, 2001, 232p., $23.95, 0-7862-3667-1
A raffle of sorts is held to see who will be chosen to go and work in the Klondike gold fields of the Alaskan Territory.Most of the young men have perished in the Spanish-American War so the drawing is open to women as well.The community's Congregational Churchhas offered to grubstake the winner in return for a piece of the pie should there be a strike.Callie Fisk wins the chance to go and the story is off and running.

Ride West to Dawn: A Western Story by James C. Work, 2001, 280p., $23.95, 0-7862-3264-1
This Western story could easily be classified as a mystery.Riders are sent from the Keystone Ranch to find out why the valley water supply has been tampered with.After many days the rider returns with no horse or gun and barely alive.A second rider is sent out but he fairs worse than the first.A mysterious force called the Guardian seems to be in control of the mountain streams and the irrigation system that feeds the homesteaders below is down to a desperate trickle.There is a hidden valley in the mountains above that holds the secret to this mystry and one women has its key.

By Flare of Northern Lights: A North-Western Story by Tim Champlin, 2001, 238p., $23.95, 0-7862-2730--3
This is a story about gold discoveries in the great Yukon and Klondike gold fields.By the late 1890s few gold opportunities remained.When word spread that yellow iron has been un-earthed in the far North, Terry Brandon abandoned everything, including his bride-to-be for a chance to become wealthy.His adventures are a radical change from his former days and life in the northern gold fields is far beyond anything he had expected.

The House of Gold: A James Geraldi Trio by Max Brand, 2001, 316p., $22.95, 0-7862-2757-5

This story is built around a "Golden Horus."It is a statue built in honor of an Egyptian god.The piece is extremely valuable and James Geraldi becomes the only protector of this family treasure that was smuggled into the United States by an American archeologist.Set at the Pike Naylor Ranch, the competition for this statue of gold with its yellow solitaire diamond, and perfect emeralds becomes deadly ferrous.

No Place for a Lady: Western Stories by Women by Vicki Piekarski, 2001, 234p., $22.95, 0-7862-2736-2
This is a collection of twelve stories that represent almost a century of work by women writers.The oldest, "The Woman at Eighteen-Mile" was written by Mary Austin and published in 1909.Other stories here include award winning authors such as Jane Candia Colman, Marcia Muller, and Cynthia Haseloff.The wild West was no place for a lady and even the recording of its times and events seemed to have omitted the female gender--which make this collection of Western stories that much more attractive.

Ride the Red Trail: A Western Trio by Lewis B. Patten, 2001, 214p., $23.95, 0-7862-2764-8
These are three restored Western stories."Summer Kill" first appeared in Triple Western, 1953, Copyright renewed by Lewis B. Patten in 1981.Copyright 2001 by Frances A. Henry for restored materials."Ride the Red Trail" first appeared in Western Ace High, 1954, Copyright renewed 1982 by Catherine C. Patten.Copyright 2001 by Frances A. Henry for restored materials."Rustler's Run" first appeared in Thrilling Ranch Stories, 1953, Copyright renewed in 1981 by Lewis B. Patten.Copyright 2001 by Frances A. Henry for restored materials.

The Dark Trail: A Western Duo by Lauran Paine, 2001, 192p., $22.95, 0-7862-2396-0
In "Lawman," its Sheriff Rensberg's opinion that most trouble in the Old West could be traced to either women, horses, or cattle.Boyd Dylan, the Dupty Sheriff wants nothing more than peace and quite in his town but finds that Sheriff Rensberg likes to keep things stirred up and hopping.
In "The Dark Trail," a band of outlaws are responsible for robbing the town bank.The Verde River Kid is thought to be the gang's leader and must be brought in.Will Brennan the town Dupty becomes the appointed one to administer justice and go after the Kid.

Gateway House: A Western Story by Wayne D. Overholser, 2001, 189p., $22.95, 0-7862-2389-8
This is a treasure hunt, Old Western style.The treasure is money stolen and buried by bank robbers before they were imprisoned.The possibilities represented by the stolen fifty thousand dollars creates all kinds of trouble for the people involved--good and bad.The list of those who feel they have claim to the lute grows and grows until a turn of events sets the records straight for all times.

The Welding Quirt: A Western Trio by Max Brand, 2001, 195p., $23.95, 0-7862-2117-8
Written by Jane Faust Easton and Adriana Faust Bianchi this trio includes "Lazy Tom Hooks Up with Skinny," where Skinny proves to be more than a even match for Tom.In "Sleeper Pays a Debt," Sleeper returns a favor long over due, and in "The Welding Quirt" Snoozer, a gambler comes home to care for a family member only to be pursued by his past.

Born to the Brand: Western Stories by D. B. Newton, 2001, 246p., $22.95, 0-7862-2729-X
This is a collection of six short stories and short novels by D. B. Newton: "Reach High, Top Hand,""The Taming of Johnny Peters," "Tinhorn Trouble," "Breakheart Valley," "Black Dunstan's Skull," and "Born to the Brand."
Lone Rider from Texas: Western Stories by Peter Dawson, 2001, 234p., $22.95, 0-7862-2390-1
Lone Rider from Texas is a collection of seven stories of America's struggles in taming the western frontier.In order they are: "Manhunt in Malpais," "Lawman of Latigo Wells" "The Boom-Camp Terror," "A renegade Guards the Gold Stage," "Bushwhack Heritage," "This One Good Eye," and "Lone Rider from Texas."

Changing Trains: A Western Story by Cynthia Haseloff, 2001, 222p., $23.95, 0-7862-1165-2
An orphaned boy turns the tables on a female gambler.After the big game was over everyone thought life could get back to normal, but a man was dead and a boy was left homeless, now it was Sheriff Quin Milam's duty to put responsibilities where they belonged.

A Trail to Wounded Knee: A Western Story by Tim Champlin, 2001, 232p., $23.95, 0-7862-2401-0
A Trail to Wounded Knee is a solid Western with a happy ending.Events start out rough for Lt. Coyle when he opposes his commanding officer and is court-martialed for doing it.Theposition he chooses will temporally cost him his family and carrier and take him on a extensive journey that will end up at Wounded Knee.

Stories of the Golden West: Book Two, a Western Trio edited by Jon Tuska, 2001, 268p., $22.95, 0-7862-2399-5
This is the second book in a series to celebrate the short Western novel.First Les Savage, Jr. gives us, "The Six-Gun Sinner," a tale of railroad conspiracy.Next, H.A. DeRosso has a saga of love, romance and betrayal in "Red Range."Finally, this trio ends with a Confederate troop being surrounded by Comanches at a captured Union cache battery after they have pulled back their position in the War Between the States.

Tracks in the Sand: Western Stories by H.A. DeRosso, edited by Bil Pronzini, 2001, 216p., $23.95, 0-7862-2400-2
The title novel was DeRosso's first published work of its kind.It first appeared in Readers Choice Library in 1951."Tracks in the Sand" lacks the later refined techniques of the author but, established his ability as a short Western novelist.This book also includes, "The Longest Ride," A Time for Rifles," "Look for the Blue Roan," and "The Scalp Hunters."

Red River Stage: Western Stories by Fred Grove, 2001, 208p., $23.95, 0-7862-3262-5

Winner of five Spur Awards from Western Writers of America, Grove has a way easing the reader back into the old West and before they realize it, they are dodging bullets and roping steers with the best of them. This book contains twelve of Fred Groves works: "When the Caballos Came," "The Marchal of Indian Rock," "Comanche Woman," "Face of Danger," "Be Brave, My Son," "The Town Killer," "The Homeseekers," "Mystery of the Mountain Light," "A Day in the Forest," "Beyond the Ridge," "Gunfighter's Choice," and "Red River Stage."

Once They Wore the Gray: A Western Story by Johnny D. Boggs, 2001, 248p., $22.95, 0-7862-2737-0
The War Between the States presented some of its prisoners of war with options that were not pleasant, but at times turned out to be better than the prision camps they were confined to.In "Once They Wore Gray," Sergeant Gil Matairie and some of his comrades agreed to become pseudo-Union solders, or "Galvanized Yankees."These troops would not fight in the War Between the States, but would agree to fight the Indians who hindered commerce and blocked trails and roads needed by the Union Troops."Once They Wore the Gray" is their story.

The Cavan Breed: A South-Western Story by Les Savage, Jr., 2001, 280p., $22.95, 0-7862-2756-7
New Mexico and the Republic of Texas were basically still a part of Old Mexico--at least according to Mexico.Times were uncertain and trusted friends were difficult to find.In this turmoil, Teresa Cavan lives, fights, and succeeds in becoming a power to be reckoned with.

No Gold on Boothill: A Western Trio by Dan Cushman, 2001, 258p., $22.95, 0-7862-2735-4
Comanche John, a Montana road agent of the Robin Hood verity stars in two of these thrillers, "The Conestoga Pirate," and "No Gold in Boothill."While William Calhoun Warren (the Pecos Kid), Big Jim Swing, and Hernandez Flanagan are out to help some struggling homesteader save their claims in "Buckaroos of the Big Die."

Prodigal of Death: A Western Quintet by T.T. Flynn, 2001, 225p., $22.95, 0-7862-2763-X
T.T. Flynn's Western stories could be used as a standard for Western writers everywhere.Years of skillfully combining suspense and mystery have created action-filled stories that will out live the pages of his books.This collection contains "Bushwhackers Die Hard," "Killer's Guest," "Smart Guy," "The Pie River," and "Prodigal of Death."

The Tyrant: A North-Western Story by Max Brand, 2001, 234p., $23.95, 0-7862-2760-5
The opening of "The Tyrant" is set on a Quebec estate of Francois Limousin.It does not take long to realize who the tyrant is in this action-packed work.The son can only stand so much of his father's abuse towards his mother and after her death moves out on his own to prove that he can leave his roots and his father's representation behind.

End of Special Five Star Book Section

Non-Fiction

Straight West: Portraits and Scenes from Ranch Life in the American West by Verlyn Klinkenborg, 9/2000, photography by Lindy Smith, 89 b/w photographs, 112p., $29.95, 10" X 10", hard 1-58574-054-3
Straight West is an up-close analysis of every-day life on a Southwestern working ranch.The text is quaint and informative.Lindy Smith's photography captures the mood and texture of ranch life on page after page of timeless snapshots.The text and art work compliment each other in-that, they are both rudimentary and to-the-point coverage of the situation.The photography seems light-hearted and down-home.

Under the Sun: A Sonoran Desert Odyssey by Adriel Heisey, 2000.Rio Nuevo Publishers, P.O. Box 5250, Tucson, AZ 85703, 70 full color illustrations, 114p., $40.00, 10" X 11 1/4", hard 0-9700750-0-6
One of the most beautiful places on earth is called the Sonoran Desert.This book stops time for a moment and allows us a fleeting snap-shot of a delicately balanced and complicated ecosystem whose beauty stretches the imagination and defines the concept of life in a desert.

Vision & Enterprise: Exploring the History of Phelps Dodge Corporation by Carlos A. Schwantes, 2000.The University of Arizona Press, 1230 N. Park Avenue, Suite 102, Tucson, AZ 85719, 180 duotones, 36 color plates, notes, glossary, index, 520p., $60., 10 1/4" X 9 1/4", hard 0-8165-1943-9
Vision and Enterprise is a corporate history of the Phelps Dodge Corporation.Founded in 1834, this mining giant has become one of the world leaders in the field of mining and the information technology revolution.This book represents 165 years of dreams and their fulfillment.The photography is excellent and its presence within the comprehensive text aids the reader in developing a clearer understanding of the immense size of this operation--both physically and economically.The effort Schwantes has put into creating these 520 pages/165 years of Phelps Dodge history deserves a second look from anyone interested in the field of commercial industry.