From New York Times bestselling author Richard Matheson, best known for his horror and fantasy writing, comes a highly praised Western that shows the master's hand in this genre as well.
Back East, they told tall tales about Marshal Clay Halser, the fearless Civil War veteran who became known as the "Hero of the Plains" for his daring exploits in the Wild West. But the truth, as revealed in his private journals, is even more compelling.
A callow youth in search of excitement, Halser travels to the raucous cow towns of the frontier, where his steady nerve and ready trigger finger soon mark him as a gunfighter to be reckoned with. As both an outlaw and a lawman, he carves out a legendary career. But fame proves to be the one enemy he can never outdraw—and a curse that haunts him to the bitter end.
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"Very good read but also pretty depressing. It has been praised for being so realistic compared to other books in the same genre. This is the first western I have ever read and I look forward to reading more (if they come well recommended)." — Ryan (4 out of 5 stars)
"Very good read but also pretty depressing. It has been praised for being so realistic compared to other books in the same genre. This is the first western I have ever read and I look forward to reading more (if they come well recommended)."
“A novel filled with remarkable surprises…A fine and unique book.”
“Journal of the Gun Years is a three carat diamond. Read and enjoy it without delay.”
“Breathtaking…first-rate…impossible to put down. Mr. Matheson has done something remarkable: with a single novel he has placed himself in the front rank of Western novelists.”
“Some of the best damn writing Matheson’s done in his spectacular career.”
“The author gives his story a credibility and honesty unusual in the genre.”
“The best Western of the season!”
“In addition to keeping pace with the action and violence, Stefan Rudnicki uses his warm, rich voice to differentiate the voices of Clay and his friend, a journalist who provides background details for Clay’s story. This tightly crafted account of a legendary shooter is equally a cautionary tale on the price of fame. Rudnicki’s outstanding presentation will engage listeners.”
" I really tried, but I just could not get into this. I love Matheson, but I'm not a western fan - this was just too different for me. "
" I really enjoyed this one. Much better than the other Matheson western. "
" Told in a diary style, it's the story of a young man's rise from Civil War vet at nineteen to a legendary gunslinger/lawman and his gradual decline to a shadow of himself. "
" Really enjoyed this. Liked the story telling style of "reading" Clay's diary and also having the secondary commentary from the writer who found it. I had only every read Matheson's I am Legend. Nice to see his work in different genres "
" The found journal style wasn't always convincing but overall a better than average western. This won't stick with me like some of Matheson's others. "
" Great story telling almost feels real. Lead character reminds me of Wyatt Earp. "
Richard Matheson (1926–2013) was born in New Jersey and started living and working in California in 1951. In addition to novels in the mystery, science fiction, horror, fantasy, and western fields, he wrote many film and television scripts, including “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” from The Twilight Zone. He also wrote episodes of Have Gun, Will Travel, Night Gallery, and Star Trek. Several of his novels and stories have been made into movies, including The Shrinking Man, I Am Legend, and What Dreams May Come (starring Robin Williams). Over the course of his career he won the World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Bram Stoker Award for Life Achievement, the Hugo Award, the Edgar Allan Poe Award, the Golden Spur Award, and the Writer’s Guild Award.
Stefan Rudnicki first became involved with audiobooks in 1994. Now a Grammy-winning audiobook producer, he has worked on more than five thousand audiobooks as a narrator, writer, producer, or director. He has narrated more than nine hundred audiobooks. A recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, he was presented the coveted Audie Award for solo narration in 2005, 2007, and 2014, and was named one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices in 2012.
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