Westerns
Talking Books
The titles in this booklist are just a selection of the titles available for loan from the RNIB National Library Talking Book Service.
Don’t forget you are allowed to have up to 6 books on loan. When you return a title, you will then receive another one.
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Sagebrush and spurs: classic western short stories; edited by Eric Tripp. 1992. Read by Jonathan Oliver, 10 hours 22 minutes. TB 9913.
The stories in this collection come from the high noon of western writing, where the American civil war, and subsequent frontier wars provided a mixture of legend and fact as monuments to national courage. There are contributions from the earliest protagonists of the "formula" western, with stories from Jack Schaefer, Stephen Crane, Owen Wister, O. Henry and others, the emphasis is on finely drawn characters and believable plots. TB 9913.
Shane. Mr Punch Audio Books. Read by various narrators, 50 minutes. TB 12130.
A Hollywood Playhouse recording. Starring Alan Ladd and Van Heflin, this classic western, set in the late 1860s tells the story of the mysterious retired gunslinger who wanders into the frontier farm of a family of homesteaders, only to find himself involved in a violent range war. This 'Oscar' winning film was specially adapted for the radio and performed in front of a live studio audience by many of the original film stars. TB 12130.
Stories of the old west; edited by John Seelye. 1994. Read by William Dufris, 21 hours 31 minutes. TB 10734.
The literature of the old west is very old, but stories from the region only began to appear after the civil war, as the short story emerged as a major literary form and the west emerged as a separate, distinctly American culture. This collection brings together fifty of the best stories of the old west, by some of America's finest writers, including Bret Harte, Stephen Crane, Jack London and Mark Twain. TB 10734.
The big book of western action stories; edited with an introduction and headnotes by Jon Tuska. 1996. Read by Garrick Hagon, 23 hours 49 minutes. TB 10983.
With selections by the premier short story writers of the genre, the reader will travel down the "Trail of the lonely gun", with Les Savage Jr., will witness "The strange ride of Perry Woodstock", by Max Brand, and will be introduced to Frank Bonham's "Border man". Also included are stories by Luke Short, Ernest Haycox, Ryerson Johnson, and many others. TB 10983.
The Mammoth book of the western: an anthology of classic stories of the American frontier; edited by Jon E Lewis. 1991. Read by Garrick Hagon, 21 hours 37 minutes. TB 11945.
This volume brings together more than 20 short novels and stories, ranging from the excitement of Max Brand's `Wine on the Desert' to the realism of Stephen Crane's `The Blue Hotel', from Loren D. Estleman's elegiac `The Bandit' to Jack London's atmospheric `AllGoldCanyon'. Many of the stories, which feature ranchers, American Indians, outlaws and pioneers, became celebrated films including Dorothy M. Johnson's `A Man Called Horse'. TB 11945.
The Virginian. Mr Punch, 1998. Read by various narrators, 46 minutes. TB 12135.
A Hollywood Playhouse production. Starring Gary Cooper and Charles Bickford. The Virginian falls in love with Molly, the local schoolmarm, and has to vie for her attention with his best friend who soon becomes involved with a band of outlaws led by the villainous leader Trampas. The story climaxes with a classic showdown between Trampas and the Virginian. This 'Oscar' winning film, was specially adapted for the radio and performed in front of a live studio audience by many of the original film stars. TB 12135.
Anson, Tom
Plague of gunfighters. 1996. Read by Hayward Morse, 3 hours 55 minutes. TB 11287.
The coming of strangers, a sick man and a young girl, puzzled, and then divided, the townsfolk of Gabriel. It was the revelation of just who this man was that caused the sensation. Some folk showed compassion, others wanted the strangers gone. They had brought with them the cold breath of fear, and sooner or later, in its wake would come death. TB 11287.
Anson, Tom
A desperado. 1996. Read by John Chancer, 4 hours 35 minutes. TB 11225.
Ash Templeman was out for revenge against the desperado Nate Hode. Unpalatable as it might be, Jowett seemed the only man capable of bringing Hode in. For Jowett, needing the money, it meant leaving Emily with only an old man to turn to for help. Jowett faced constant danger in his pursuit of Hode, and Emily was threatened by repulsive Charlie Craik. It was to be a time of deceit and death. TB 11225.
Astill, Gary
Texas rendezvous. 2007. Read by Kenneth Jay, 4 hours 29 minutes. TB15044.
Falling in love with the boss's daughter was just the beginning of troublefor young cowhand Leo Postlewaite. Exile from the only home he had everknown, he rides into Denton and into a shoot-out with the infamous outlawIgnacio McKenna. When Ignacio escapes from custody he rides back to Leo'sold haunts and causes trouble for his adopted family. With Imogen held toransom and Ignacio's gang causing havoc for his former boss Leo is forcedto ride into the outlaw's den and face his deadly enemy.Contains strong language. TB 15044.
Bannerman, Mark
Escape to Purgatory. 1996. Read by Hayward Morse, 4 hours 1 minute. TB 11072.
Wes Cullen is a former confederate Army major convicted of murder and imprisoned. Finding life behind bars intolerable, he escapes by bludgeoning down his guard. But the cost of freedom turns out to be far greater than he expects. TB 11072.
Batchelor, Reg
Guns of the hunters. 1983. Read by Richard Earthy, 4 hours 10 minutes. TB 5201.
When a bullion coach is robbed of twelve thousand dollars worth of gold bars, Deputy US Marshal Walt Hawke and a tracker called Jed Rice take up the trail. TB 5201.
Benson, Tom
The Vernon brand. 2007. Read by Jay Benedict, 3 hours 11 minutes. TB 15350.
The Vernon brand is going to be the biggest in the territory and HarryVernon's plans are working out well. Then rustling starts and astage-coach is held up with some of Harry's money on board. Phil Jones isthe Elverton deputy marshal and Harry's nephew. He soon has one of thehold-up men in the jail house, but somebody frees the man. TB 15350.
Berger, Thomas
Little big man. 2000. Read by Stuart Milligan, 19 hours 40 minutes. TB 13250.
As a 'human being', as the Cheyenne call their own, he won the name of Little Big Man. He dressed in skins, feasted on dog, loved four wives and saw his people butchered by the horse soldiers of General Custer, the man he had sworn to kill. As a white man, Crabb hunted buffalo, tangled with Wyatt Earp, cheated Wild Bill Hickok and survived the Battle of the Little Bighorn. TB 13250.
Berger, Thomas
The return of little big man. 2000. Read by Stuart Milligan, 20 hours 51 minutes. TB 13549.
Jack Crabb was one hundred and eleven years old when he originally dictated his memoirs. His supposed death cut short his tale just as he had finished recounting how he was the last white survivor of Custer's Last Strand. A newly discovered manuscript, however, reveals that Jack faked his death to get out of his publishing contract. Now he completes the story of his extraordinary life. As Jack writes about the gunfight at the OK Corral and the assassination of Wild Bill Hickok, we meet, shoot, drink and ride with dozens of ranchers, bar girls, saloon owners and gunslingers. Contains strong language and violence. TB 13549.
Black, Rory
Iron Eyes makes war. 2009. Read by Nils Hognestad, 3 hours 30 minutes. TB 16961.
Black horse western. The infamous bounty hunter, Iron Eyes, is forced to chase the wanted outlaw Joe Brewster down into an arid desert even though he has been badly wounded in a showdown with Brewster's brothers. Losing his pony, Iron Eyes is forced to follow on foot. To his surprise, he discovers an oasis in a valley. Iron Eyes trails the outlaw into the valley and soon finds that a few families are living there under threat of death by Don Miguel Sanchez and his army of vaqueros. Will Iron Eyes leave or fight until the bloody showdown? TB 16961.
Black, Will
Tombstone scarlet. 1996. Read by John Chancer, 3 hours 57 minutes. TB 11168.
To Wyatt Earp and his family, Tombstone was a silver-rich boom town. To Beth Malone, whose parents were brutally murdered in Tucson, it was an escape and a chance to become independent. TB 11168.
Bonham, Frank
Blood on the land. Read by Hal Teeney, 7 hours 43 minutes. TB 5987.
After months of rustling mustangs on the range, Ross Chance returns home to find his father dead and his ranch sold to Lamar Sheldon. Ross swears revenge against Sheldon, but he finds it very difficult to carry out his threat after he falls in love with Sheldon's wife. TB 5987.
Bonham, Frank
The best western stories of Frank Bonham. 1989. Read by Errol MacKinnon, 10 hours 7 minutes. TB 8342.
A selection of the best work of Frank Bonham's western stories. Bonham was the producer of many classic westerns such as "Snaketrack", "Night Raid" and "Durango Kid", writing several hundred westerns and mysteries as well as TV scripts, magazine articles and general children's and young adults' books. TB 8342.
Bouma, J L
Texas Spurs. 1955. Read by Derek Chandler, 5 hours 36 minutes. TB 4780.
The tough cattle drive from Texas to Colorado is over. Mark Regan is looking forward to living in the peaceful town of PineCity. But someone has blasted his herd and murdered his best friend. He sets out on a rampage of vengeance and violence. TB 4780.
Bragg, W F
GhostMountain guns. 1983. Read by Stanley McGeagh, 4 hours 58 minutes. TB 5101.
Mike McCoy, foreman of the Big D Ghost Mountain ranch, is happy in his job and does not normally cause any trouble. But when the boss's daughter, pretty Adele Dalton, decides to marry someone else, jealous Mike starts tearing the town apart. TB 5101.
Bragg, W F
Guns of Roaring Fork. 1956. Read by Stanley McGeagh, 4 hours 7 minutes. TB 5102.
"Calico" Red Sparks and Rosemary Pickett did not see eye to eye on some things: After their first meeting Calico had found himself in jail! Then Rose was responsible for sending him on a wild-goose chase after a notorious bank robber and to add to his troubles, the trail led back to the Picketts. Calico soon discovered that they were the most trigger-happy clan to settle in the Wyoming badlands. TB 5102.
Brant, Lewis
Lawless gun. 1983. Read by Joe Dunlop, 4 hours 45 minutes. TB 5060.
Cole Manning became an outlaw when he took the blame for a murder committed by his foster brother. But Willard Boyce is rotten to the core, and when Manning learns that the man for whom he has ruined his own life is stealing from the only people he cares about, he returns home to put matters right. TB 5060.
Braun, Matt
The spoilers. 1985. Read by Jeff Harding, 6 hours 18 minutes. TB 14850.
The wildest, wickedest, most dangerous city in the West. That was San Francisco - where vice lords kept crime profitable in Chinatown and the Barbary Coast, while corrupt politicians looked the other way. They hadn't reckoned on Luke Starbuck, who used his wits and guts before he got to his fast gun. Starbuck came to rid the crime capital of California of low-lifes in high places. Contains passages of a sexual nature and strong language. TB 14850.
Brennan, Will
Black Rock range. 1973. Read by Marvin Kane, 4 hours 34 minutes. TB 13039.
BlackRockRange was normally peaceful, but trouble came when a dead cowboy was found lying where he had not been shot. TB 13039.
Brennan, Will
MuleshoeRange. 1972. Read by Marvin Kane, 4 hours 48 minutes. TB 13003.
Reed Castleton, cowboy, ran into nothing but trouble when he left the Nevada desert to come up to the high meadow. TB 13003.
Brister, Richard
The shoot-out at SentinelPeak. 1954. Read by David Sinclair, 4 hours 23 minutes. TB 4710.
Will Ruscher's apparently worthless holding has the one thing of real value in the arid valley - a waterhole. When he is murdered for it, quiet neighbour Cleve sets out to avenge his death. TB 4710.
Cade, Will
Larimont. 1999. Read by Tim Beckmann, 4 hours 18 minutes. TB 13673.
John Kenton didn't want to go back home to Larimont, Colorado. He had to - to investigate the death of his father. At first everyone believed that Bill Kenton had died in a tragic fire... until an autopsy revealed a bullet hole in Bill's head. But why was the local marshal keeping it a secret? John wasn't quite sure, so he set out to find the truth for himself. TB 13673.
Carter, Peter
Leaving Cheyenne. 1990. Read by William Dufris, 13 hours 29 minutes. TB 10569.
In the Spring of 1871, Ben Curtis and his brother Bo are driven from their land in Clement County, Texas. They join a cattle drive bound for Abilene, where they run up against the tight faced gambler, Dutch Kessel. The meeting changes Ben's life, causing him to travel across Kansas to Dodge and finally to the open plains on a buffalo hunt, where once again he finds himself under the shadow of a gun. TB 10569.
Clay, Dempsey
Just breathin' hate. 2008. Read by John Chancer, 4 hours. TB 16694.
Black horse western. When the law went loco and charged him killing his wife, innocent Jack Fallon had two choices only - run or hang. So he ran - to a strange lost valley shut off from the world and ruled by a cult of holy men who would prove more lethal than any posse could ever be. Contains strong language. TB 16694.
Clay, Dempsey
Die this day. 2009. Read by William Roberts, 3 hours 53 minutes. TB 17394.
Black horse western. When their troubled town found itself yet again without a peace officer to enforce the law, the citizens finally on what must be done: forget the cost and risks involved and hire a town-tamer. The famed marshal seemed to meet all their requirements - until the day gun hell erupted again. TB 17394.
Claymaker, Dan
Buried guns. 2007. Read by John chancer, 4 hours 25 minutes. TB15946.
Nobody rode into Mission Rock without it being known to Sheriff Prinz. Andnobody ever left - alive! The town was held in a grip of daily terror andexploitation by the lawman and his callous sidekicks from whom thereseemed no escape. Or was there? When a dead man's horse is mysteriouslyhitched outside the sheriff's office, an empty coffin is stolen, a bargirl plots to hide valuable guns, and Prinz reveals his deeper motives,the town begins to fight back. TB 15946.
Clifton, Eugene
Hideout. 2007. Read by Jay Benedict, 4 hours 30 minutes. TB 15431.
Cal Mason has a price on his head and a posse on his tail, but it lookslike his luck has changed when he makes it to Shorty Prentice's hideout. The trouble is the old man's cabin is already occupied and when Cal turnsdown an offer to join the Hinds gang he finds he has enemies on both sidesof the law. TB 15431.
Coburn, Walt
Law rides the range. 1989. Read by Christopher Scott, 6 hours 15 minutes. TB 8674.
Wade Morgan killed the town boss in a vicious gun-fight and knew that he must make tracks - fast! What he didn't reckon with was the terrible revenge that Bull Mitchell's renegade crew decided to take. TB 8674.
Coburn, Walt
Drift fence. 1992. Read by Hayward Morse, 5 hours 47 minutes. TB 9847.
Brad Rutledge bragged to his few friends that he would become the Cattle King of Montana, carve out his own private kingdom, make his own laws, and kill any man who tried to stop him. He had come a long way from the hard scrabble days in Texas, but always dogging his trail, even after eight years, were the two brothers who had sworn to kill him. It wouldn't be long before the killing started, because, range king or not, he was marked for death. TB 9847.
Cody, Al
Trail north. 1992. Read by Steven Crossley, 4 hours 51 minutes. TB 9668.
Five years after walking out on the family, Cal McCale hears that his brothers, the so called "Three Tough Ts" are in trouble. They have gambled away his share of the ranch, and plan to sell the herd in Kansas. Cal must decide who comes first: himself or his brothers, yet, as the journey begins, there are other enemies waiting to attack, who want to make sure that none of the McCales gets to Kansas alive. TB 9668.
Cole, Judd
Buffalo hiders. 1994. Read by Jeff Harding, 4 hours 33 minutes. TB 13949.
Cheyenne series, book 10. Once the buffalo blackened the plains in uncounted numbers, providing the Cheyenne with food, clothing, tools and skins for shelter. Then the white hunters appeared with powerful .53 Hawken rifles and the slaughter began. Still, a few pockets of these magnificent beasts remained and Touch the Sky swore he would protect them. Trouble was, Cheyenne lands were about to be invaded by two hundred veteran mountain men and Indian killers bent on wiping out the remaining buffalo. It might have been a fair fight, until Touch the Sky discovered the vicious hiders had an ally - the U.S. Cavalry. TB 13949.