Published : 1902 Format : Paperback Pages : 407 Genre : Western

“I already knew that beneath the quiet of this man was a volcano.”

Summary : Meet “The Virginian” , he is a reliable , strong , and morale cowboy working on the Wyoming ranch of Judge Henry . Now lets meet Trampas , he also works at that ranch and has it in for our protagonist “The Virginian” . You see Trampas here lost a few hands of poker to “The Virginian” who Trampas sees as too young to be that lucky . Trampas is forced to back down when “The Virginian” puts his gun on the table . At a later time Trampas is bad talking a woman named Molly Wood behind her back and “The Virginian” puts Trampas in his place in front of other men . Then further on Trampas tries to get a bunch of the other ranch hands to abandon the Judge’s ranch to go work at a new mine but “The Virginian” puts a stop to that as well . Things escalate involving horse/cattle theft , lynching , robbery , murder , all leading to a deal between the two men .

“When you call me that , smile.”

Review : At first I was not sure if this book was connecting with me but about halfway in I noticed how invested I was in the main character . I don’t want to spoil too much even though this novel is over 100 years old at this point so I’ll just say that “The Virginian” has to make a hard decision that would make me struggle . It’s the western that pretty much inspired all other westerns after it . So if you feel like getting up on the classics then go get it .

“I believe that one’s dress or speech should not be cause for mistrust in our democracy. Thieves are presumed innocent until proved guilty . Anyone with a starched collar is condemned at once.”

Recommendations : Books

1. The Quick and the Dead by Louis L’Amour
2. The Shootist by Glendon Swarthout
3. Vampires by John Steakley
4. Splinter of the Minds Eye by Alan Dean Foster
5. A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Songs

1. Big Iron – Marty Robbins
2. The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
3. Gonna Need a Grave – Urban Country
4. Go to Sleep – Eminem
5. Glitter and Gold – Barns Courtney

Movies

1. The Virginian (1929)
2. Stage Coach (1939)
3. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence (1962)
4. Charro ! (1969)
5. McLintock (1963)

Lesson : Sometimes you just gotta let stuff go pilgrim … also smile when you cuss at someone .