Legends Of The Wild West

For several hundred years, the West had been the land of dreams, an extraordinary region of hope, expansion and opportunity where European countries—and then the young USA itself—sent their finest explorers to plant seeds in a seemingly untapped, open landscape. This spirit captured the popular imagination in the Wild West, those raucous 30 years between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of a new century. Within these pages, readers will explore true tales of rebels and heroes such as General George Custer, Buffalo Bill, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, Annie Oakley, and Sitting Bull, among others. The Wild West was the American Dream on steroids. It was an age of gunfights and gold rushes, cowboys and Comanches, with the likes of Buffalo Bill, Jesse James and Billy the Kid making their names. It forged extraordinary legends and even bigger lies, with everything fueled by dime novels written back East that encouraged folks to grab their share of a promise that was difficult for this hard land to keep. This book looks at all these mythical characters, the start of the railroad across the nation, the cost it all dealt to the Native Americans whose land was lost, and the way Hollywood still keeps the dream alive. As historian Richard White says, “People could go west and no matter their failures elsewhere, they had an opportunity to remake themselves. It’s a symbol for a kind of individualism that actually doesn’t exist in the West, but mythically it does.”

Much has been written about the west—most of it clouded by exaggeration and fabrication. Since 1953, True West magazine has been devoted to celebrating the West’s true colors, giving the men and women who settled there accurate voices, exploring every triumph and tragedy of their time—and exposing every vice and virtue. True Tales and Amazing Legends of the Old West commemorates these unforgettable cowboys, Indians, and city slickers through a mix of classic histories and brand-new narratives, all illustrated with photographs—many reproduced here for the first time—of the people and places that gave rise to America’s Western mythology. With twenty-six stories that blend fact with folklore, this collection abounds with accounts of the famous and the infamous, including Sacagawea, Wild Bill Hickok, Pancho Villa, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Davy Crockett, and Wyatt Earp. Also here are lesser-known figures whose stories were pivotal to shaping the culture of the era, such as European conquistador Francisco Coronado, rancher “Black Billy” Hill, and fearless lawman Orlando “Rube” Robbins. Other tales recount the wide open plains, lawlessness, drama, mayhem, and promise embodied in the Old West. Whether you’re a history buff, an Old West devotee, or simply someone who is fascinated by the characters of America’s early years, these timeless tales and photographs epitomize the legendary spirit of what it meant to settle the West.

The settling of the West in the 19th century is the essential American story, rich in symbolism and full of inspiration. This narrative of intrepid explorers, hardy pioneers seeking a better life, and daring outlaws who flouted authority, defintes the American spirit even today.

Featuring profiles of the most famous--and infamous--characters of the time, this special guide covers everyone from Buffalo Bill to Sitting Bull to Custer. Lively, anecdotal, and entertaining, this is something no fan of the Old West should be without!

Legends start from fact, but they are kept alive through faith. Th-is book will prove fascinating reading for everyone interested in American folklore and history.

Chosen Men is a set of fast-action skirmish rules detailing the bloody skirmishes between light troops in the Napoleonic Wars. The primary focus of the game is on soldiers and NCOs in light 'flank' companies, as they scout ahead of larger forces and take part in man-to-man actions against enemy skirmishers. Although the game allows for the formation of accurately sized companies of light infantry and cavalry if you wish, these formations are broken down into small groups of up to a dozen men. For the most part, officers are not swashbuckling super-heroes, but staunch commanders who rally and direct their men to achieve the battlefield objectives. Although the game uses an alternating action turn sequence, officers can use their influence on multiple units at the same time in an effort to steal the initiative. With all rolls resolved using standard 6-sided dice, this game combines a classic wargaming feel with modern wargame mechanics.

Collection of legends, fairy tales, and sagas of the American West.

Publication Summary: Legends of the Wild West: Western Fiction Classics for All Readers - Series 7 Legends of the Wild West is a captivating collection of Western fiction that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the rugged landscapes of the American frontier. This series, crafted for readers of all ages, explores the timeless tales of adventure, lawlessness, and the enduring struggle between good and evil that defined the Wild West. Each chapter delves into different aspects of frontier life, from the lawmen who fought to bring order to the chaos, to the gunslingers and outlaws who became legends in their own right. The series also honors the resilience of settlers, the rich cultures of Native American tribes, the excitement and dangers of the Gold Rush, and the transformative impact of the railroad. Women of the West are celebrated for their strength and determination, while iconic showdowns and the closing of the frontier era are brought to life in vivid detail. This series is a tribute to the enduring allure of the Wild West, blending historical context with thrilling narratives that will captivate and inspire readers. Legends of the Wild West: Western Fiction Classics for All Readers - Series 7 is a must-read for fans of Westerns and those who cherish the legends that continue to shape our understanding of the American frontier.

An essential addition to the shelves of all true aficionados of the Old West. Catch the light glinting on the barrels of the Spencer rifles of the United States 7th Cavalry in 1868, as they ride out of Fort Riley on patrol in Kansas. Smell the intoxicating aroma of Chuck Wagon Stew, amidst the trail dust on the Chisholm Trail in 1870. Hear the sound of gunfire on the lawless streets of Tombstone, Arizona, 1881. The Wild West Catalog captures the essence of the greatest period of expansion within the United States, between 1866 and 1900, when the West was well and truly tamed. Fighting and riding skills gained in the Civil War were put to good use in opening up and populating the West, while more sophisticated weapons developed during the Civil War were put to both good and bad use in the sometimes-volatile environment. Illustrated with more than 250 illustrations, including archival photographs, artworks, color photography of artifacts, weapons, recipes, and historic places then and now, The Wild West Catalog portrays all the great characters of the West, including cowboys (and their favorite foodstuffs), Native Americans, the US Cavalry, outlaws, lawmen, homesteaders, and saloon girls. Western artifacts and locations are also described, including frontier weapons and towns, and the burgeoning railroads. The book also discusses the West as it was depicted in movies, television, and literature, and catalogs the many classic toys inspired by the West, which have entertained generations of imaginations worldwide. Comprehensive and fascinating, the book brings the complete Old West alive for the reader.