Telling Western Stories

Exploring the impact of Western literature and film on American culture, Richard Etulain identifies four storytelling traditions that have shaped public perceptions of iconic figures such as cowboys, lawmen, outlaws, and Native Americans. By examining contributions from notable figures like Buffalo Bill, Zane Grey, and Patricia Nelson Limerick, he highlights how these narratives have created enduring images over the last 125 years, illustrating the complex interplay between history, myth, and identity in the American West.