Overview
Frederick Schiller Faust (1892-1944) was an American fiction author known primarily for his thoughtful and literary Westerns. Faust wrote mostly under pen names, and today he is primarily known by one, Max Brand. Others include George Owen Baxter, Martin Dexter, Evin Evans, David Manning, Peter Dawson, John Frederick, and Pete Morland. Faust was born in Seattle. He grew up in central California and later worked as a cowhand on one of the many ranches of the San Joaquin Valley. Faust attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he began to write frequently. During the 1910s, Faust started to sell stories to the many emerging pulp magazines of the era. In the 1920s, Faust wrote furiously in many genres, achieving success and fame, first in the pulps and later in the upscale "slick" magazines. His love for mythology was, however, a constant source of inspiration for his fiction and his classical and literary inclinations. The classical influences are particularly noticeable in his first novel The Untamed (1919), which was also made into a motion picture starring Tom Mix in 1920.Doone had won the respect of every law-abiding citizen, from Tombstone to Sonora--and the hatred of every bushwacking bandit! But Bill Gregg wasn't one to let a living legend get in his way. What nobody told Gregg was that Doone didn't enjoy living up to his hard-riding, rip-roaring life--unless he took a chance at losing it once in a while.
Synopsis
"Partner," said Ronicky Doone, "if they are trying to keep her away from us they sure have the sense to keep her under cover for as long as two days. Ain't that right? It looks pretty bad for us, but I'm staying here for one solid week, anyway. It's just about our last chance, Bill. We've done our hunting pretty near as well as we could. If we don't land her this trip, I'm about ready to give up."
Library Journal
Ronicky and his buddy Bill Gregg travel east to New York City on the trail of Caroline Smith in this most unusual tale. Author Brand may have been having a private laugh at his editor's expense by exposing these Westerners to some of the horrors of big city life. The tale becomes a mystery, for when the girl is found, she won't leave with Gregg. Doone must discover the secret that holds Caroline to New York. In finding the answer, he meets the sinister John Mark and the beautiful Ruth Tolliver. The listener will be interested in discovering just how Brand gets these folks back to the mountain desert and how many big city vices they encounter on the way. This is an unusual story, part tongue-in-cheek, part mystery, but not really a Western. Recommended for libraries with large general fiction collections. Western fans will prefer Brand's Destry Rides Again (Audio Reviews, LJ 3/1/93) . For a review of Brand's The Three Crosses , see below.--ed.-- Theresa Connors, Arkansas Tech. Univ., Russellville