Customer Reviews

The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard

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Since mine is the first review of this wonderful collection of short stories from a master writer, the book must be one of the best kept secrets of contemporary publishing.

These stories were written during years of the mid-1950s through the mid-1960s for magazines of that period, prior to Elmore Leonard switching to a modern mode of crime writing for books.

Anyone familiar with HOMBRE, VALDEZ IS COMING, or THE TALL T will not be surprised with his talent for writing westerns. He has said he always liked western movies, and his first fledgling attempts at writing were therefore westerns. Growing up in that era, I clearly recall that westerns were almost at the forefront of both publishing and movie screen. Many of us growing up in those days of Hoppy & Roy & Gene & Lone Ranger comics, post-WWII paperbacks, and the local "bijou" theaters, remain western fans to this very day. On a personal note, I probably have well over one thousand paperback westerns in my library, collected over the years, and yes, Mr. Leonard's are all there.

So when this book came out I bought it immediately. The manner in which the publisher issued the book is above normal: inside the front and back covers are many of the magazine covers in color within which the stories appeared; also, there is a nifty map showing many sites in Arizona Territory helping one locate the area of individual stories.

This was an ambitious undertaking from both author and publisher, and one of love from the author I'm sure. If you have interest in Elmore Leonard, or the American fictional west, or both, you will not want to be without this volume.

True fans of Elmore Leonard, both in his western genre and his gritty crime/underworld genre, will need no recommendation from a total stranger to pounce on this book of his with excitement. What a wonderful addition to any library! His stories are highly readable, extremely realistic, and often result in a surprise ending that you never saw coming. And because they are short stories, they need to grab the reader's attention quickly, and they do just that. These are very enjoyable short stories, including "3:10 to Yuma". You'll be glad to own this collection. Trust me.

I bought this as a gift for my Dad, an avid Louis L'Amour fan. I wasn't sure if he would like this author, but he said it is a great read!!!!!! I am so pleased w/ my purchase and the great service @ Amazon!!!! Thank You!!!

This CD set includes 11 unabridged stories by Elmore Leonard. Stories are read by Tom Wopat , William Atherton, David Strathairn and Henry Rollins. Included in the 6 disk collection which takes about 6 hours to read- or one trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, or halfway from Fresno to Phoenix ( my two frequent long distance drives) are the following stories:
Blood Money read by Tom Wopat
Only Good Ones read by Henry Rollins
Trail of the Apache read by David Straithairn
Trouble at Rindo's Station read by William Atherton
The Boy Who Smiled read by Tom Wopat
The Tonto Woman read by William Atherton
Hurrah for Captain Early read by Tom Wopat ( this one is also in the When the Women Come out to Dance collection read by Taye Diggs - the two renditions are interesting to contrast as the hero in the story is an African-American who served in the all colored 10th Cavalry division)
The Colonel's Lady read by David Strathairn
Saint With a Six Gun read by Henry Rollins
You Never See Apaches read by William Atherton
Three-Ten to Yuma read by Henry Rollins

For those familiar with Leonard's westerns you will see his favorite landscape- the rugged land of southern Arizona and Apache territory. The scrub grass, dust and blistering heat are a character unto themselves. This collection is aptly handled by a talented crew. I particularily enjoyed the dry delivery of Atherton known best as the obnoxious reporter from the Die Hard movies. David Strathairn has a more measured approach to the complex tales of life on the frontier, Tom Wopat cowboys up for his tales and Henry ROllins is fantastic giving voice to the rough and tumble lawmen of 100 years ago. Recommended for fans of westerns and Leonard alike!

The Complete Western Stories of Elmore Leonard Exciting, fast paced short stories by a young writer who is destined to become famous. I'd recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys nitty gritty westerns with a twist.

I bought this book because it included "3:10 to Yuma". I was unfamiliar with any of Elmore Leonard's other works but I ended up enjoying them all. The intro section also sums up his career and gives some interesting background into how Leonard began writing. Highly recommended for anyone who likes short pulp fiction style westerns.

I like the Western stories of Elmore Leonard a lot, good descriptions, exciting and always a surspise ending, read the book twice which says a lot

This CD came in perfect condition. It's the title that gets you. Even though it's called The COMPLETE Western Stories of Elmore Leonard...this is just 2 stories from the book. It was my fault for not reading everything. So pay attention to what you buy!

This is my first western literature I've read, and Elmore Leonard definitely satisfies my Western itch when I get one. These stories are exciting and full of action, and usually have twist endings. I highly recommend these stories for fans of the Western genre.

I have not read this book yet but I am looking forward to doing so. Thanks for making book purchasing so easy.