Growing Up Western: Recollections

Seven well-known Western writers, all now in their eighties, describe their experiences growing up in the West in the early part of the twentieth century.

Seven grand old writers of the West, most of them in their 80s, reminisce about their growing-up years. One common thread in the lives of Dee Brown, A. B. Guthrie, Jr., Wright Morris, Clyde Rice, David Lavender, Wallace Stegner and Frank Waters is that all were culturally deprived youngsters who lived on isolated ranches, in oil-boom towns, mining camps, prairie hamlets. Guthrie notes that Montana's open spaces shaped his life; Stegner, whose father kept the family on the move, feels that motion was a force in his life. The late Backes, book editor of the Denver Post , introduces each writer with a brief portrait of his present life and a review of his work. Individually and collectively, these memoirs represent authentic western Americana. Photos. BOMC alternate.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This excellent but slim volume gives seven Western writers in their 70s and 80s the opportunity to tell the story of their formative years in the West. Dee Brown, A.B. Guthrie Jr., David Lavender, Wright Morris, and Wallace Stegner are all best-selling authors, while Frank Waters has written over 25 books including a number of classics on southwestern Indians. The last writer, Clyde Rice, has only three books to his credit (he just started publishing in 1984), but he fits in well. Growing Up Western is similar in tone to Larry McMurtry's fine In a Narrow Grave (Encino Pr., 1968) in its evocation of place. The only criticisms: author bibliographies are lacking, and the book is too short. Fortunately, all of these authors have written autobiographies or autobiographical novels. Quick and enjoyable to read, this is sure to be popular in public libraries. Also recommended for literary and Western Americana collections. BOMC alternate.
-Patrick J. Brunet, Univ. of Wisconsin-La Crosse Lib.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.