My Favourite Westerns + Some I Want To Read (Historical Fiction)

[@nickygoldsmith7673]

I don't think I've ever heard so many people regard a book so highly as much as Lonesome Dove. I'm pretty keen to jump into it now!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

It’s a veryyyyy popular book! Ed

[@tinywargamer3863]

and not without a reason, it is!!@@thebrothersgwynne

[@calvinstarr5228]

The other day I scoured KZbin looking for Western recommendations. This really couldn’t have popped up at a better time. Great video dude 😊

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Yesssss, perfect. Thanks mate! Ed

[@heidi6281]

Calvin check out Brian Lee Durfee’s channel in his playlist titled “ western novel reviews” 105 videos

[@OhioEddieBlack]

P.S. My 74-year-old Mother is currently reading Malice!! She is a fantasy reader and likes Robin Hobb so I know she will love it. I told her she had "homework" to do before we travel haha. Her other favorite genre is Westerns so she can hold her own there. She read Lonesome Dove back in the 80s, and she read True Grit ages ago too.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I love that! Hope she loves it as much as we do! Can’t wait to chat with you both. Ed

[@skipsmahoy]

nobody seems to read Robert Lewis Taylor anymore but Travels of Jaimie Mcpheeters (Pulitzer), A Journey To Matecumbe. Two Roads To Guadalupe are all amazing. then there is Glendon Swarthout, The Shootist, The Homesman and more. Dorothy M. Johnson, Man Called Horse, The Hanging Tree and any western by Elmore Leonard, Hombre and 3:10 To Yuma being the most well known.

[@bentheoverlord]

ooh so many of these ive been meaning to get to. The Sisters Brothers was one of my fav reads of last year, it was just stunning. I really need to get to Lonesome Dove, I keep hearing amazing things about it

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Yeehaw! A Brothers Gwynne video! I'm not much of a reader of Westerns, Ed, but I'm ready for you to persuade me!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hope you find something you might enjoy, Philip! I’m always struck by the similarities of themes between westerns and fantasy. As well as the focus on relationships. Ed

[@jobuckley2999]

I don't read much fantasy but I have read The Blade Itself, Jade City, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Hyperion and some others. Lonesome Dove is far better than any of those fine novels.

[@heidi6281]

@@jobuckley2999Jo you may want to pick up the Bloodsworn Saga! My favorite fantasy series!😀

[@DrMetalpin]

One of the Western authors I read throughout the 90’s and beyond was Terry C. Johnston. So many great books and series. Unfortunately died way too young (in his 50’s) but was a great guy and writer.

[@Roondawg_Valhalla]

I see his name in bookstores all the time. Do you have a good recommendation for a newbie to his books?

[@DrMetalpin]

@@Roondawg_Valhalla There are several series of books that deal with certain periods of time and Indian wars or other western events. I would suggest perhaps starting with one of the shorter series like the Jonas Hook novels. Begins with Cry of the Hawk. The character and story reminds me a bit of the Clint Eastwood character from the Outlaw Josey Wales. Terry is mostly known for his more lengthy Plainsman series, but there are also shorter series about Custer, etc.

[@tammaraliberty]

Have you ever read Allan Eckert's The Frontiersmen? I think you may like it.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Not yet but I will! Ed

[@Im_No_Expert_72]

Great list! Thank you I will check into some of these. I can recommend any and all of Elmore Leonard's westerns. Ive read them all and theyr great

[@Sabondemont]

I’ve had lonesome dove on my TBR for years. You’ve convinced me to get to it next. The sisters brothers was also the first western I ever read and I loved it. Meanwhile, I LOVE your jumper, it feels like it fits with the western theme somehow.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

We’re doing a buddy read of it on the discord in March so feel free to join us! Thanks! It’s made by Pendleton who are a very old clothing company famous for their wool in America. Ed

[@Voyleglover]

James Mitchner’s Centennial was awesome. But my favorite is Louis L’Amour. Even got to share front cover with him in one of my westerns.

[@someokiedude9549]

I'm actually writing a western right now set in my home state, so I'm glad you're making this video. I will note that some of these are already on my list, like The Son and The Sisters Brothers. I'll pick up the others you mention, great video!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

That’s very intriguing! Keep me updated on your book. Ed

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hot Take: All the Pretty Horses > Blood Meridian Also, Lonesome Dove is the GOAT.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hope you didn’t burn your hand with that hot take Mike! I respect it though. I love how most of the people I speak to have a variety of McCarthy favourites. Completely agree regarding LD! Ed

[@BobbyHall-eu1xv]

I love Blood Meridian and Lonesome Dove, I recently read Streets of Laredo and it's a worthy follow up which I enjoyed a lot. Butcher's Crossing is sat on my Kindle, I'll get to it soon. I need to read True Grit too. I'm sure you'll enjoy Riders Of The Purple Sage, Zane Grey's prose is wonderful. Some great recommendations there! A couple I recommend from my reading last year are Deadwood by Pete Dexter, about the last days of Wild Bill Hickok, and The Cowboy And The Cossack by Clair Huffaker, this was a west meets east culture clash with Lonesome Dove vibes as told from a Newt-like character and its brilliant.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hope you love Butcher’s Crossing and True Grit! They’re truly wonderful books. Thank you for the recs! I’ve jotted them down, very excited to get to them. Ed

[@TunezCottage]

Crazy that this came out when it did, just been getting into western novels and it's quickly becoming an obsession for me

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Read your mind! Ed

[@knitty781]

Great video! I love westerns in both books and films. I didn't realize True Grit was a novel until about 10 years ago. And the movie seemed so much darker as an adult. Haven't read much in the genre, but am looking to read more. Thanks for the recommendations.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Thanks so much for watching! True Grit is such a great example of why Westerns are great. Ed

[@iancognito6920]

True Grit is absolutley fantastic

[@coolpiraterapstar]

Sitka was my favourite Louis L’amour book

[@fantasyfanatic6038]

I’m so looking forward to reading Lonesome Dove in the future. Even though I’m not into Westerns that much, everything I’ve heard about it has me convinced it will resonate with me.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone not love it. Ed

[@lukethomas216]

I finished reading it yesterday and it does live up to the hype. 100% the best reading experience I’ve enjoyed for a good while. 😁

[@sarahlucas1999]

Great video, Ed. I’ve read Lonesome Dove, my all time favourite book, Butchers Crossing and True Grit. You mentioned a few more I own and are on my tbr and some more I’ve not heard of but are keen to discover. This year I want to prioritise Westerns so greatly needed the inspiration of your video. Cheers

[@thebrothersgwynne]

LD is incredible isn’t it. That’s great you found a couple more to read! Thanks for watching Sarah. Ed

[@sarahrobinson3423]

Great list of books!!!! Added some books to my list!

[@TimeTravelReads]

I can confirm that the father wrote The Killer Angels and the son wrote the prequel and sequel. Killer Angels is considered better, a standalone, and is sometimes assigned in history classes.

[@josephjennings1657]

Not strictly a western but you should consider looking into "Only Killers and Thieves" by Paul Howarth. Its a coming of age story set in 19th century outback Australia during the Aboriginal dispersal. Lots of similarities in setting and theme with many westerns. Great recommendations Ed, cheers.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Heard good things about this! Thanks mate. Ed

[@jobuckley2999]

I have read a ton of Westerns and you have picked and read some great ones. Thanks for pointing out some new ones I have not read. Streets of Laredo was amazing. I enjoyed it almost as much as the Dove. Warlock is excellent and Killer Angels is one of my all time favorites. Savior these. Read them slow and easy pardner.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Even more excited to get to them now! Thank you. Ed

[@Rhand007]

Read my 1st Western few weeks ago with Lonesome Dove from Larry McMurtry, absolutely loved it. Amazing book. Really hyped to read more westerns now, added a few of your list to the TBR!

[@Beech27]

Great list! I’d recommend the Hitch and Call books by Robert Parker if you want something pulpy, with whipcord lean plot and prose; my highest rec would be for Fool’s Crow by James Welch. It’s a beautiful and brutal rendering of Blackfoot life just before the settlers rolled in by an indigenous author.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Love Fools Crow! So many books I’d forgotten to mention. Thanks for the rec. Ed

[@Roondawg_Valhalla]

Thanks for all these recommendations Ed!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Thanks for watching! Ed

[@lock67ca]

May I suggest the books Doc and Epitaph, both by Mary Doria Russell. The first is a character study of Doc Holliday and his relationship with the Earp brothers and Big Nose Kate before they settled in Tombstone. The follow-up concerns the events leading up to the gunfight at the OK Corral, and its aftermath. Also tells how Wyatt Earp's wife helped shaped the almost mythical legend of her husband and the gunfight itself. Both excellent reads and very well written.

[@Connor_Forsythe]

I've been putting off watching this video in fear of getting more books for my TBR. As always you didnt disappoint. Hope you and the family are well.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Glad you got a couple to take away! Thanks for watching mate. Hope you’re good. Ed

[@djbogz1921]

Just started reading The Thicket. It's so good. Excellent book.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

That’s awesome! Love it. Ed

[@tsantos3599]

Of these, I've only read No country for Old Man and The Sisters Brothers. both I love! I discovered I quite enjoy Westerners, so Blood Meridian, Lonesome dove, butchers crossing and The Son are all on my endless tbr list. And own all of them. I may have true grit as well. Just need to get to it soon. I've been considering Lonesome Dove for the #bigbooksummer reading challenge. We shall see

[@susiesky1]

Hello! I’m new to your channel and love Westerns so thanks for the great vid! I’ve read some on your list but quite a few are now on my TBR. I adore both C McCarthy (Blood Meridian as well as the books in the Border Trilogy (I’ve read just the first so far) & Charles Portis. One I can strongly recommend is Doc by Mary Doria Russell, a pretty recent retelling of the Earp/Holiday story when they’re still in Dodge City (bf the more famous part of the story that takes place in Tombstone AZ). The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara is one of my fav books. It’s specifically about the battle of Gettysburg, prob the pivotal battle of the Am Civil War, told from the perspectives of both Yankee & Confederate officers (I would avoid the film version called Gettysburg). Another I recommend is Shane by Jack Schaefer, the basis for the 1953 movie of the same name. Though it’s not free of the bigotry of the period that Schaefer was writing in, it’s a great story about the redemptive power of friendship & love. Anyway, I could go on and on! Thanks again!! 😊

[@JaxBespoked]

What age do you recommend as appropriate for reading "The Thicket"? Also, I can't wait for your 'The Killer Angels' review.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hmm not sure actually, it’s been a while since I read it. Maybe 15-16? Can’t wait to read it soon, hopefully in June! Ed

[@dpeady78]

Finished Lonesone Dove last weekend and simply…. Wow How I would love view the world like Augustus McCrae

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I’m with you there mate. He’s such a fella. Love his character. Ed

[@teamnottstv8458]

I haven’t read any westerns other than the Black Badge series which we spoke about on twitter. Definitely hoping to get to Lonesome Dove this year though!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Join our readalong if you have time! Ed

[@teamnottstv8458]

@@thebrothersgwynne ooo is it decided then??? When is it starting?

[@playermartin286]

Butcher´s crossing or cities of the plane are probably gonna be next for me

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hope you love them both. Ed

[@tyghe_bright]

Keep an eye out for the June on the Range readathon, hosted by Michael K. Vaughan.

[@OhioEddieBlack]

Dude even your sweater is on theme! Or sorry - you guys say jumper. Also great color for hiding baby drool hahaha. My mom was a massive Zane Grey fan (dragged me to the Zane Grey museum) and one time I got arrested when I was in college because of a stolen Zane Grey street sign (long but hilarious story - I'll save it for August LOL) but you are right - I did read his most popular novel, Riders of the Purple Sage. It was a little dated regarding attitudes toward certain religions and toward women (they need "saved" by some male hero), but still I think something you have to read if you like Westerns. Like you said - it's like the quintessential Western. Right afterward I read one by Louis L'Aamour because in America they are so often compared to one another even though they were only contemporaries for a very short time. They both are considered American Royalty when it comes to Westerns. They were both VERY prolific in their time. I also read a couple of YA Westerns which I really enjoyed - Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman (and the sequel Retribution Rails). True Grit and Lonesome Dove were both 5 stars and I agree - the films are closer to the book than most Hollywood adaptations. Also enjoyed the Sisters Brothers. Film was not 5 stars but I liked it well enough. If you want a really fantastic story by a modern Native American author talking about what it was like growing up on a reservation, I HIGHLY recommend The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. And it's a quick read. SO good.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Thanks for noticing Eddie! I chose it just for this video 😅 hahah I look forward to hearing all about it! Im sure I’ll enjoy it plus some more L’Amour. Yes I’ve got that on my list! Hopefully will get to it in the next few months. Thanks Eddie! Ed

[@MatthewHarffyAuthor]

Great list! There are some of my favourites in there. Lonesome Dove is perhaps the best book ever written. And I've seen a couple I need to read. BTW, I think Louis L'Amour's How the West Was Won was a novelization he wrote of the movie script that he didn't write... His books are really worth a read and there are lots included on Audible if you subscribe. But what's this? No mention of Dark Frontier amongst the upcoming westerns? And what about Wolf of Wessex (aka True Grit meets Rambo and David Gemmell in the Viking Age!)? 🙂

[@thebrothersgwynne]

LD is well up there. Ah that’s interesting, thanks Matthew! Haha, my next western video may be mentioning them 👀 Ed

[@Simon-tc1nh]

Hi , can I recommend ‘ wraiths of a broken land ‘ and ‘ a congregation Of Jackals ‘ by S. Craig Zahler. These 2 books are written by the writer of bone tomahawk the film, and are very gritty and violent westerns.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Thank you! I wasn’t mad on A Congregation of Jackals but I’ll read Wraiths of a Broken Land soon. Ed

[@TimeTravelReads]

I think you might like Centennial by James Michener. It looks like you've got one book where a girl is a main character, one book from an indigenous point of view, one book where there is a black side character, and one with a Latino main character. That's a good start. Do you have any more diverse westerns? Do you read nonfiction about westward expansion to get a sense of the types of viewpoints being taken in fiction and what scholars think of them?

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Two with a female MC and two from a Native American POV. If you want some others then try The Long Knives Are Crying, Like Wolves, Fools Crow, Pity The Beast, Ride The Wind, Outlawed, Ridgeline. And yes I do. Ed

[@thebrothersgwynne]

If you have any more recommendations let me know. Ed

[@Scimitar55]

Shaara trilogy is excellent. Start with Killer Angels as you said.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Excellent! Ed

[@MorganInForm]

If you like The Son, you'll like A Land Remembered by Patrick D Smith, less action but more slice of life stuff

[@djbogz1921]

I watched Butchers Crossing last night. It has Nicholas Cage in it. Wasnt a bad film to be fair. Worth a watch

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I watched it the other day too! Agree it wasn’t too bad. Ed

[@jasonkane8200]

Try this: "The Hues of Requital." 1200 pages. Saddle up. (Subscribed btw)

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Thanks for the rec! Ed

[@katsbooknook9957]

🐺🤠

[@bookschocaholic]

I don’t care for Westerns generally, but if someone’s gonna get me to give them another go it will be Edward Gwynne. So here I am 😅

[@jobuckley2999]

Lonesome Dove. I have never heard of anyone, male or female, that has read Lonesome Dove and not loved it.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I take my role seriously 🫡 Ed

[@Bakarost]

your ancestors miss the boat bro yall shouldve been here Missed out on alot fun

[@Beau977]

Hiii it's beau u remember me from year 5

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hi Beau, hope you and your sister are having fun at school! Ed

[@Beau977]

Thank you we are

[@woodywall69]

Thanks for the video. I’ve read and agree with your assessment of most of your books (except Blood Meridian - sorry, but I got about 75 pages in and thought “You know, life’s too short”; I’m actually more intrigued to read Chamberlain). Thanks for the recommendations for “Days Without End” and “The Thicket”. I look forward to seeking them out. My recommendations: have you checked out A B Guthrie Jr? His “Arfive” series, largely set in Montana, includes “The Big Sky”, “The Way West” (a Pulitzer Prize winner), and “These Thousand Hills”. Elliot Arnold wrote a novel about the Apache wars called “Blood Brothers”, which was the basis for the movie “Broken Arrow” with James Stewart - read the book, the movie is considered a classic but seems a pale imitation. If you like “Warlock” check out Qakley Halls’ other two novels in his western legends trilogy, “Bad Lands”, derived from the Johnson County war, and “Apaches”, combining the Lincoln County war and the story of Victorio’s band of Apaches. Thanks!