The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains ebook

by Owen Wister

The Virginian (otherwise titled The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains) is a 1902 novel, by the American author Owen Wister (1860-1938), set in Wyoming.

The Virginian (otherwise titled The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains) is a 1902 novel, by the American author Owen Wister (1860-1938), set in Wyoming. It describes the life of a cowboy on a cattle ranch and is considered the first true fictional western ever written, aside from short stories and pulp dime novels, though modern scholars debate this. The Virginian paved the way for many more westerns by such authors as Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour and several others.

Title: The Virginian. A Horseman Of The Plains. Certain of the newspapers, when this book was first announced, made a mistake most natural upon seeing the sub-title as it then stood, A TALE OF SUNDRY ADVENTURES. Release Date: September 17, 2008. This sounds like a historical novel," said one of them, meaning (I take it) a colonial romance. As it now stands, the title will scarce lead to such interpretation; yet none the less is this book historical-quite as much so as any colonial romance.

A Horseman Of The Plains. To THEODORE ROOSEVELT

A Horseman Of The Plains. To THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Some of these pages you have seen, some you have praised, one standsnew-written because you blamed it; and all, my dear critic, beg leave toremind you of their author's changeless admiration. Certain of the newspapers, when this book was first announced, made amistake most natural upon seeing the sub-title as it then stood, A TALEOF SUNDRY ADVENTURES. This sounds like a historical novel," said oneof them, meaning (I take it) a colonial romance.

The Virginian: A Horseman. has been added to your Cart. Owen Wister's writing is both funny and thoughtful in this classic work. My children and I laugh out loud as we read the Virginian's exploits involving his neighbors and the local farm animals

The Virginian: A Horseman. My children and I laugh out loud as we read the Virginian's exploits involving his neighbors and the local farm animals. This book has stood the test of time and continues to be a worth while read. I bought this copy for my daughter as a Christmas gift and she loves the pretty cover. The text is a bit on the small side, but it is still manageable. I would recommend this book for both a family read aloud or just a fun way to pass the time. 3 people found this helpful.

Owen Wister's 1902 classic-the first great novel of the American West-is rich in moral drama and vernacular wit. His hero-like knights of old-lives by an enduring code of chivalry and is governed by quiet courage and a deep sense of honor. Set in the vast Wyoming territory, this masterpiece helped establish the code of the West and its stereotypical characters: the genteel but brave, white-hatted cowboy, the pretty spinster from back East, and villains beyond redemption.

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Read unlimited books and audiobooks on the web, iPad, iPhone and Android. This carefully crafted ebook: "THE VIRGINIAN - A Horseman of the Plains (Western Classic) is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. This classic describes the life of a cowboy who is a natural aristocrat, set against a highly mythologized version of the Johnson County War and taking the side of the large land owners. The Virginian paved the way for many more westerns by such authors as Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour, and several others. Owen Wister (1860-1938) was an American writer and "father" of western fiction.

Now you can read The Virginian A Horseman Of The Plains free from the comfort of your computer or mobile .

Now you can read The Virginian A Horseman Of The Plains free from the comfort of your computer or mobile phone and enjoy other many other free books by Owen Wister.

The Virginian, Horseman of the Plains. Wister’s novel, the first Western, follows the life of a mysterious ranch hand in Wyoming who teaches the young Tenderfoot about the brutality of life on the ranch. Features many of the genre’s immortal tropes: nameless strangers, cattle rustling, beautiful schoolteachers, shootouts, and man-to-man talks. The Virginian is without a doubt a product of the 19th Century. The characters often partake in the annoying habit of labeling positive qualities as masculine and negative qualities as feminine. The subtlety regarding matters touching on sex or violence can approach incomprehensibility, even to a careful reader.

The first of its kind, Wister’s The Virginian is a prototypical western novel that has inspired readers and authors for over a century. Detailing the exploits of a gunslinger known solely as the Virginian, Wister’s novel introduced readers to a number of western motifs that are taken for granted in western fiction today. This is a must-read for any fan of the western genre.

Gtonydne

In one of his many great cowboy songs, Ian Tyson called the annual rodeo in Cheyenne "the granddaddy of them all." In the genre of western novels, Owen Wister's "The Virginian" is certainly the grandaddy of them all. The story, the characters, the realism of the settings all make this the quintessential western. The Virginian himself is quietly heroic but without the manufactured stature of the typically represented "cowboy in the white hat". In the south we'd call him a "good ole boy" with respect and admiration. His unpretentious manner, however, finds its perfect match in Bennington, Vermont's Molly Wood. New to Wyoming and the west, she is not intimidated by what she encounters. But, will she stick it out, particularly after she discovers the harsh reality of western justice? Judge Henry's and the narrator's insights on right and wrong, morality and justice, put the reader into the time and place and the spirit of the real west. One helluva book!

Usaxma

This is where it all began! The American western novel. Without this book there might never have been a Zane Grey or Louis L'Amour. Written in 1901, this book contains all of the elements of an epic western. The characters are not flat cardboard figures that move in a predictable manner from chapter to chapter, but well-rounded believable individuals that you will despise or admire. You'll get action, humor, and romance. The Wyoming landscape is described in haunting and vivid detail. The story is even philosophical at times with commentary on life and death, morality, and frontier survival skills. It's a true American classic! Treat yourself to this delightful journey to another era!

Xirmiu

I loved this book. It hit the right notes at the right time for me, a perfect blend of nostalgia, humor, love and laughter. It felt like Louis L'Amour but better than a lot of his stuff.

Likes: Well, the Virginian is the coolest character ever :) And I love the narrator, and feisty Molly, and Shorty and Steve and all the rest.

Dislikes: I know I could nit pick this but honestly if there was anything that bugged me I completely ignored it so I could just enjoy it.

Quotes:

"I began to know the quiet of this man was volcanic."

"Yes, the voice was gentle. But in my ears it seemed as if somewhere the bell of death was ringing; and silence, like a stroke, fell on the large room."

"I ain't going' to awdeh anything's laigs."

"'...he has the courage of his convictions.' 'That ain't near enough courage to have!' Scipio exclaimed. 'There's times in life when a man has got to have courage without convictions--without them-- or he's no good.'"

"I'll tell yu' this: a middlin' doctor is a pore thing, and a middlin' lawyer is a pore thing; but keep me from a middlin' man of God."

"...any full-sized man, ought to own a big lot of temper. And like all his valuable possessions, he'd ought to keep it and not lose any."

"So long as you can help it, never marry! But when you cannot help it a moment longer, then listen to nothing but that..."

"'When a man is kind to dumb animals, I always say he had good some good in him.' 'Yes,' Scipio reluctantly admitted. 'Yes. But I always did hate a fool.'"

"'Nothing's queer,' stated the Virginian, 'except marriage and lightning. Them two occurrences can still give me a sensation of surprise.'"

"Yes, it is sorrowful. For Shorty is kind to his hawws."

"The door opened, and Scipio put his head in. 'You coming to dinner?' he inquired. 'You go to hell,' replied the Virginian."

"... he wandered unendingly in that incompatible world we dream in."

Globus

Owen Wister's writing is both funny and thoughtful in this classic work. My children and I laugh out loud as we read the Virginian's exploits involving his neighbors and the local farm animals. This book has stood the test of time and continues to be a worth while read. I bought this copy for my daughter as a Christmas gift and she loves the pretty cover. The text is a bit on the small side, but it is still manageable. I would recommend this book for both a family read aloud or just a fun way to pass the time.