Western stories
Jonathan Majors drew on his rural roots to play a cowboy in 'The Harder They Fall'
Majors was nominated for an Emmy for his role in the HBO series Lovecraft Country. Now he stars as an outlaw seeking revenge in The Harder They Fall, a western featuring an all-Black cast.
'Westworld' Creators Explore The 'Dark Thrills' Of The Digital Age
Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy offer a pessimistic view of human nature in Westworld, HBO's futuristic TV series about a theme park that allows tourists to act out their Wild West fantasies.
From the Archives: Writer Larry McMurtry.
Larry McMurtry is considered one of Texas’ most prominent fiction writers even though he has not lived in that state for nearly two decades. Over his career, he has written 19 novels...including the 1986 Pulitzer Prize winning book "Lonesome Dove". His newest "Dead Man’s Walk" (Simon &
Schuster 1995) takes readers to the early days of his "Lonesome Dove" heroes Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call. "Dead Man's Walk" premieres this Sunday on ABC. (REBROADCAST from
11/22/95)
Writer Larry McMurtry.
Larry McMurtry is considered one of Texas most prominent fiction writers even though he has not lived in that state for nearly two decades. Over his career, he has written 19 novels...including the 1986 Pulitzer Prize winning book Lonesome Dove.. His newest Dead Man’s Walk (Simon & Schuster 1995) takes readers to the early days of his Lonesome Dove heroes Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call. Other books by McMurtry include: Streets of Laredo (sequel to Lonesome Dove), Terms of Endearment and The Last Picture Show.
A Great Book About Western Stories in Print and on Screen.
Commentator Maureen Corrigan reviews "West of Everything: The Inner Life of Westerns," by Jane Tompkins (Oxford Univ. Press)
Thomas McGuane Has Come of Age in His Novel.
Book critic John Leonard reviews Thomas McGuane's new novel, "Keep the Change."
William Kittredge on the Mistakes of Westward Expansion
The writer inherited his family's ranch, but later sold it when he moved to Iowa for graduate school. Kittredge critiques the belief that humans have the moral authority to develop and tame the American West. This mythology, he says, has led to ecological destruction and the genocide of American Indians. His new collection of essays about the subject is called Owning it All.
Elmore Leonard on His Writing.
Crime writer Elmore Leonard. His new novel is titled Touch and follows two successful novels, Glitz and Bandits.
Louis L'Amour's West.
Louis L'Amour is known as the "most famous obscure novelist." He has written 79 novels, mostly westerns. His novels have also been adapted into films such as "Hondo." L'Amour's latest novel is "Comstock Lode." He joins the show to discuss his work, western novels and films, the relationship between Native Americans and western settlers, and what he sees for the future.