Last of the Duanes (Zane Grey Western) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Western legend Grey (Lorna Doone, Riders of the Purple Sage) wrote this novel in 1913, but it was rejected by his early publishers, who believed it contained too much gunplay and not enough sentimentality. Buck Duane is the son of an infamous gunfighter. Although Buck is warned by his family to avoid the outlaw trail, his quick temper, steady nerve and lightning-quick hand promptly get him into trouble. After killing a bully, Buck flees the law and heads off into the harsh badlands of southwest Texas, where outlaw gangs roam the Mexican border. Buck falls in with a bad crowd, but an exaggerated reputation and a couple of nifty shootings keep him alive among the ornery rustlers and robbers. He grows into a steely-eyed gunfighter with a conscience and a saddlebag full of regrets. Despite the notches multiplying on his gun, however, Buck is a decent fellow. He rescues a young girl, Jennie Lee, from the abusive clutches of the Bland gang, only to see her abducted again. In despair, Buck hides out for several more years, dodging the law and the bushwhackers, all the while searching for Jennie Lee. When the Texas Rangers finally catch up with Buck, it's not to kill him but to make him an offer he can't refuse. This may have been too bloody a story for 1913, but it follows formula in the end, as the outlaw settles down, albeit with a haunted mind, to a life of humble domesticity.

Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

When this unforgettable novel was first published--in a much shorter form--in a magazine in 1914, it was a rousing success and was made into a movie four times by 1941. Yet when Zane Grey submitted the full-length manuscript to his book publisher, it was rejected because it contained too much gunplay. And so a masterpiece of Western fiction remained unpublished in book form for more than 80 years. Finally, this powerful tale is available in its entirety in paperback for the first time. Available now.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 313 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books; 1st THUS edition (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843944307
• ISBN-13: 978-0843944303
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #193,301 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great western with an edgy hero, November 1, 2006

By	Brandt Leeuwenburg (New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have read many Louis L'Amour westerns and although I love his books I have to say this book by Gray is better than anything I have read by L'Amour.

Buck Duane is an interesting character with a lot of depth and showed considerable development throughout the novel, unlike most westerns with generic characters who show little development. Duane is a dark, brooding and character who struggles with violent impulses - the emotional and mental battle portayed in Duane's head were very believable and not a litle disturbing.

The plot itself was interesting and had plenty of action. Highly reccommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zane Grey wrote some of the earliest and best books in Western Genre., September 2, 2008

By	Claudia Smith "Constant Reader" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Zane Grey, a prolific writer who actually spent years in the American West in the early 1900's, drew upon stories from the lips of men who knew Billy the Kid and other famous westerners. Owen Wister did too, but produced only one significant book of the early west, The Virginian. As a contrast, Z. Grey's love of the outdoors and his talent in writing meaningful action created a huge outpouring of books. Most are Western Gothics, powerful stories as vibrant with details of real life on the western frontiers as they are full of psychological depth. If you have a taste for romance and action, he merits a look-see. However, please note, he did not write Lorna Doone, set on England's northern border. Also, stolid John Ridd, Lorna's champion, is a different sort from the deadly gunfighters that Grey describes so well. However, like Lorna Doone, some of his heroines are brutalized by relatives and their evil hangers-on until being freed by a courageous outsider.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling!, November 21, 1998

By A Customer

I really enjoyed the story of Buckley Duane, and of how his unmerited misfortune turned to his favor. Mr. Grey did a fantastic job making his main character come alive to the reader. I intend to read more books by this author.