About the Author:
MARC JAFFE, an editor and publisher -- for eighteen years Editorial Director at Bantam Books -- has had decades-long experience with writing of the West, beginning with his first job in publishing as Western Editor at New American Library. Most recently he collaborated with the late historian Alvin M. Josephy, Jr. in editing Lewis and Clark Through Indian Eyes, published in April 2006 by Alfred A. Knopf. He has, over the years, traveled widely throughout the West and now lives with his wife in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
From Booklist:
Taking the West more as a geographic indicator than a genre heading, this collection boasts a surprisingly wide range of stories, from Sherman Alexie's tale of an aging would-be Indian basketball star struggling through crisis and vigorous reinvention, to windies from traditional westerners Max Evans, Elmer Kelton, and Richard Wheeler, and more poignant, graceful takes on family, friendship, and perseverance from Valerie Miner and Bruce Machart. Many of the authors deal with themes of loss, particularly as the generation once-removed from the last frontiersmen dies off, taking with them the remaining vestige of life in the wilder days of the West. But the exuberant, strong-willed spirit endures, even if the cowboys have traded in steeds for pickups and open-range ranching for modern agricultural textbook science. The issue remains survival in a tough world and a hard-won terrain, with a wistful gaze looking back, to be sure, but steeled to the path ahead, be it dusty or paved. A fine start to what should become an outstanding series. Ian Chipman
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