All the Long Years: Western Stories (Thorndike Western II) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Bill Pronzini (Author)

Book Description

Series: Thorndike Western II | Publication Date: March 2002

For nearly thirty years, Bill Pronzini has been writing Western stories and novels, yet this is the first time fourteen of his finest short stories are being brought together in book form. Pronzini offers rich variety in every element of his writing. Joining the familiar figures of lawmen, cowhands, and the like, are some seldom featured characters such as bartenders, saddle makers, traveling dentists and tramp printers. His settings run the gamut from a small, mythical town in Montana to the very real Death Valley, and his stories show a similar range: from grim character studies to action, mystery, and farcical humors.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In "Engines," a young man comes to Death Valley seeking solace after a broken marriage. He aids a young woman who has lost a child to her ex-husband, but more significantly, he rediscovers his own conscience. This isn't a typical "western" plot, but Pronzini isn't a typical western author. He glides smoothly from his series detective "Nameless" to stand-alone crime novels to westerns. And he writes short fiction across all genres that consistently challenges readers with issues and moral dilemmas. Other highlights in this standout collection of nominally western stories include "Hero," in which a long-ignored town cripple finds a deadly way to raise his stature in the community; "Not a Lick of Sense," in which the sounds of the prairie help solve a crime; and "All the Long Years," in which a ranch owner finds himself acknowledging the consequences of his past as he confronts a bitter cattle thief. Those who eschew the western genre as a literary poor cousin are missing some fine writing. This is an excellent example. Wes Lukowsky
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 249 pages
• Publisher: G. K. Hall & Company (March 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0783887264
• ISBN-13: 978-0783887265
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,439,349 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST OF WESTERN SHORT STORIES, August 12, 2001

By 

Bonita L. Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: All the Long Years (Five Star First Edition Western) (Hardcover)

For over thirty years, Bill Pronzini has entertained us with the best of his detective and mystery novels. For those who are unfamiliar with him as a writer of westerns, you are in for a treat. In these pages you will find fourteen of Pronzini's best western short stories from 1971 to the year 2000.

You won't be disappointed in reading these stories. They hold your attention, are diverse in their plots and keep you guessing as to how they will end. Have you ever wished that someone would pay attention to you? Read "The Hero" where one man did his best to become the center of attraction. In our youth we sometimes commit unpardonable acts and end up paying for it in our old age. An old cowboy learns this lesson in the lead story "All The Long Years."

These stories are excellent introductions to the western genre. I am not a western genre reader but upon reading Pronzini's work I was immediately enthralled with the genre. The settings, time period and his great story telling captures your imagination. By all means treat yourself to these great stories told by a wonderful writer.