Best Westerns

Those books (fiction and nonfiction) that embody the spirit of the Old West, the heroism, tragedy, and drama of this mythic era of American history.

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

101	Beyond the Hundredth Meridian: John Wesley Powell and the Second Opening of the West by Wallace Stegner 4.04 avg rating — 4,185 ratings score: 1,178, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
102	Breakheart Pass by Alistair MacLean 3.71 avg rating — 3,105 ratings score: 1,164, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
103	Down the Long Hills by Louis L'Amour 4.16 avg rating — 4,794 ratings score: 1,153, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
104	A Thief of Time (Leaphorn & Chee, #8) by Tony Hillerman 4.13 avg rating — 15,140 ratings score: 1,141, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
105	The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage 4.17 avg rating — 15,560 ratings score: 1,134, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
106	Josey Wales: Two Westerns by Forrest Carter 4.35 avg rating — 1,548 ratings score: 1,082, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
107	Brionne by Louis L'Amour 4.10 avg rating — 2,549 ratings score: 1,076, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
108	Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher 4.12 avg rating — 1,792 ratings score: 1,072, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
109	The Sackett Brand (The Sacketts, #10) by Louis L'Amour 4.26 avg rating — 6,374 ratings score: 1,053, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
110	Last Stand at Papago Wells by Louis L'Amour 4.07 avg rating — 2,652 ratings score: 1,025, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
111	High Lonesome by Louis L'Amour 4.03 avg rating — 3,882 ratings score: 1,005, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
112	Skinwalkers (Leaphorn & Chee, #7) by Tony Hillerman 4.09 avg rating — 15,422 ratings score: 999, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
113	Coyote Waits (Leaphorn & Chee, #10) by Tony Hillerman 4.07 avg rating — 12,624 ratings score: 991, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
114	The Call of the Wild by Jack London 3.91 avg rating — 463,912 ratings score: 990, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
115	The Long Winter (Little House, #6) by Laura Ingalls Wilder 4.18 avg rating — 91,700 ratings score: 976, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
116	The Mountain Valley War (Kilkenny #2) by Louis L'Amour 4.13 avg rating — 2,525 ratings score: 959, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
117	Killshot by Elmore Leonard 3.75 avg rating — 7,064 ratings score: 945, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
117	Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour 4.27 avg rating — 14,826 ratings score: 945, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
119	To Tame a Land by Louis L'Amour 4.25 avg rating — 3,467 ratings score: 896, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
120	The Scout of Wounded Knee by Michael A. McLellan (Goodreads Author) 4.71 avg rating — 302 ratings score: 891, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
121	In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree by Michael A. McLellan (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 398 ratings score: 890, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
122	The Last Crossing by Guy Vanderhaeghe 3.90 avg rating — 3,871 ratings score: 876, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
122	Crossfire Trail by Louis L'Amour 4.10 avg rating — 3,237 ratings score: 876, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
124	Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 1,172,811 ratings score: 868, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
125	Deadwood by Pete Dexter 4.02 avg rating — 4,345 ratings score: 850, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
126	Destry Rides Again by Max Brand 3.97 avg rating — 868 ratings score: 835, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
127	The Deerslayer (The Leatherstocking Tales, #1) by James Fenimore Cooper 3.70 avg rating — 14,535 ratings score: 816, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
128	One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd (One Thousand White Women, #1) by Jim Fergus (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 135,197 ratings score: 815, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
129	Westward the Tide by Louis L'Amour 4.06 avg rating — 2,541 ratings score: 800, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
130	Across The Wide Missouri by Bernard DeVoto 4.09 avg rating — 489 ratings score: 785, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
131	The Rider of Lost Creek (Kilkenny #1) by Louis L'Amour 4.06 avg rating — 3,954 ratings score: 783, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
131	Morgan by Frank Roderus 3.91 avg rating — 349 ratings score: 783, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
133	The Cowboys by William Dale Jennings 4.17 avg rating — 144 ratings score: 771, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
134	Texas by James A. Michener 4.11 avg rating — 19,277 ratings score: 768, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
135	Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 171,734 ratings score: 767, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
136	The Rainbow Trail ( Riders of the Purple Sage, #2) by Zane Grey 4.01 avg rating — 2,537 ratings score: 749, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
137	The Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry 4.01 avg rating — 20,703 ratings score: 734, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
138	The Man Called Noon by Louis L'Amour 4.12 avg rating — 4,489 ratings score: 714, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
139	Train Dreams by Denis Johnson 3.90 avg rating — 30,031 ratings score: 708, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
140	The First Four Years (Little House, #9) by Laura Ingalls Wilder 3.87 avg rating — 44,121 ratings score: 700, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
140	Restless Heart by T. William Phillips (Goodreads Author) 3.41 avg rating — 17 ratings score: 700, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
142	Hearts in Defiance (Romance in the Rockies #2) by Heather Blanton (Goodreads Author) 4.41 avg rating — 463 ratings score: 697, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
143	The Devil's Crescent by Ann B. Keller (Goodreads Author) 4.32 avg rating — 19 ratings score: 693, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
144	The Devil's Gunslinger by Chet Cunningham 4.01 avg rating — 68 ratings score: 690, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
145	Suttree by Cormac McCarthy 4.20 avg rating — 27,395 ratings score: 682, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
146	Eye For Eye by L.J. Martin (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 188 ratings score: 676, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
147	Wyatt Earp: The Life Behind the Legend by Casey Tefertiller really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 792 ratings score: 675, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
148	Eventide (Plainsong, #2) by Kent Haruf 4.23 avg rating — 26,085 ratings score: 663, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
149	Hanta Yo: An American Saga by Ruth Beebe Hill 4.32 avg rating — 936 ratings score: 661, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
149	Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 221,700 ratings score: 661, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
151	English Creek by Ivan Doig 4.12 avg rating — 6,029 ratings score: 655, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
152	Reilly's Luck by Louis L'Amour 4.28 avg rating — 3,705 ratings score: 646, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
153	The Shadow Riders by Louis L'Amour 4.06 avg rating — 4,039 ratings score: 645, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
154	Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko 3.84 avg rating — 25,962 ratings score: 644, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
154	The Cowboy and the Cossack by Clair Huffaker 4.30 avg rating — 1,966 ratings score: 644, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
156	Borden Chantry by Louis L'Amour 4.11 avg rating — 4,093 ratings score: 639, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
157	The Journals of Lewis and Clark by Meriwether Lewis 4.12 avg rating — 5,365 ratings score: 633, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
157	Legends of the Fall by Jim Harrison 4.05 avg rating — 12,878 ratings score: 633, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
159	Matagorda by Louis L'Amour 4.08 avg rating — 2,370 ratings score: 615, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
160	Nemesis (The Nemesis Series, #1) by L.J. Martin (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 518 ratings score: 599, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
161	Strong Convictions (Emmett Strong Westerns #1) by G.P. Hutchinson (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 572 ratings score: 590, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
162	The Last Trail by Zane Grey 3.94 avg rating — 2,498 ratings score: 584, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
163	The Old Gringo by Carlos Fuentes 3.53 avg rating — 3,854 ratings score: 583, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
164	The U. P. Trail by Zane Grey 3.89 avg rating — 768 ratings score: 579, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
165	The Home Ranch (Little Britches, #3) by Ralph Moody 4.46 avg rating — 2,242 ratings score: 566, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
166	Sitka by Louis L'Amour 4.09 avg rating — 3,428 ratings score: 561, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
167	Blue-Eyed Devil (Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch, #4) by Robert B. Parker 4.01 avg rating — 4,952 ratings score: 558, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
168	Telegraph Days by Larry McMurtry 3.63 avg rating — 3,840 ratings score: 552, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
169	The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich 4.07 avg rating — 26,072 ratings score: 547, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
170	Horseman, Pass By by Larry McMurtry 3.93 avg rating — 5,320 ratings score: 544, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
171	Gone to Texas by Forrest Carter 4.10 avg rating — 813 ratings score: 540, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
172	That Old Ace in the Hole by Annie Proulx 3.81 avg rating — 6,074 ratings score: 535, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
173	The Homesman by Glendon Swarthout 3.89 avg rating — 4,313 ratings score: 528, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
174	Dead in the West by Joe R. Lansdale (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 959 ratings score: 522, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
175	Peace Like a River by Leif Enger 4.03 avg rating — 99,777 ratings score: 515, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
176	Manifesto of the Free People's Union by Jakub Lasak (Goodreads Author) 4.52 avg rating — 33 ratings score: 500, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
177	The Big Rock Candy Mountain by Wallace Stegner 4.19 avg rating — 8,864 ratings score: 498, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
178	The Collected Works of Billy the Kid by Michael Ondaatje 3.95 avg rating — 4,500 ratings score: 495, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
179	A Lady in Defiance (Romance in the Rockies, #1) by Heather Blanton (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 894 ratings score: 487, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
180	Searching for Calamity: The Life and Times of Calamity Jane by Linda Jucovy (Goodreads Author) 3.57 avg rating — 166 ratings score: 472, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
181	Cimarron by Edna Ferber 3.80 avg rating — 863 ratings score: 471, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
182	The Dark Wind (Leaphorn & Chee, #5) by Tony Hillerman 4.13 avg rating — 12,181 ratings score: 470, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
183	Father and I Were Ranchers (Little Britches, #1) by Ralph Moody 4.28 avg rating — 15,680 ratings score: 467, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
184	Listening Woman (Leaphorn & Chee, #3) by Tony Hillerman 4.13 avg rating — 16,462 ratings score: 465, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
185	Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins 3.78 avg rating — 56,784 ratings score: 456, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
185	The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie 4.09 avg rating — 26,722 ratings score: 456, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
187	Son of the Morning Star: General Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn by Evan S. Connell 4.13 avg rating — 3,227 ratings score: 454, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
187	Epitaph by Mary Doria Russell (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 6,330 ratings score: 454, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
189	The Lawless West by Louis L'Amour 4.27 avg rating — 1,067 ratings score: 446, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
190	Sacajawea by Anna Lee Waldo 4.25 avg rating — 16,333 ratings score: 441, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
191	Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton 3.86 avg rating — 47,415 ratings score: 437, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
192	Raiders of Spanish Peaks by Zane Grey 4.01 avg rating — 422 ratings score: 430, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
193	Wildfire by Zane Grey 4.05 avg rating — 1,460 ratings score: 429, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
194	Death of a Gunfighter by Lewis B. Patten 4.15 avg rating — 40 ratings score: 421, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
195	The Light of Western Stars by Zane Grey 4.04 avg rating — 1,498 ratings score: 414, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
195	Buffalo Girls by Larry McMurtry 3.69 avg rating — 3,386 ratings score: 414, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
197	Pioneer Women: Voices from the Kansas Frontier by Joanna L. Stratton 4.03 avg rating — 1,362 ratings score: 412, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
198	The Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman 3.56 avg rating — 3,666 ratings score: 409, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
199	This House of Sky: Landscapes of a Western Mind by Ivan Doig 4.28 avg rating — 7,282 ratings score: 403, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
200	Blood Trail: (Blood Trail Book 1) by John Legg (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 217 ratings score: 402, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

← Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 13 14 Next →

1,362 books · 1,487 voters · list created December 19th, 2008 by Ann Keller (votes) .

Tags: fiction, genre-fiction, historical-fiction, history, non-fiction, western, westerns

373 likes · Like

Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.

People Who Voted On This List (1487)

Ann 6841 books
1594 friends

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads 3384 books
853 friends

Bettie 15668 books
19 friends

Tammy 197 books
1368 friends

Ed 2163 books
5064 friends

Robin 307 books
1109 friends

Arlisa 162 books
220 friends

Marc 635 books
369 friends

More voters…

Post a comment »
Comments Showing 1-39 of 39 (39 new)

date

newest »

message 1: by Nina (new)

Dec 22, 2008 07:32PM

Of course I had to vote for "Unsinkable Molly Brown," as that was the name of our sailboat. nina

reply | flag

message 2: by Roger (new)

Dec 26, 2008 02:16PM

That's an ecclectic selection of westerns. Like a lot of people, my introduction to westerns has been through movies and this has shaped my taste. Of course, most of my novels and film scripts are in fact westerns, even if they're set in places like Birmingham, the Black Country and Yorkshire mining villages during the strike.

reply | flag

message 3: by [deleted user] (new)

Jan 19, 2009 09:28PM

I was very surprised not to see more Elmer Kelton!!!!!

reply | flag

message 4: by Roger (new)

Jan 25, 2009 03:18AM

I agree
ROGER

reply | flag

message 5: by Robert (new)

May 07, 2009 07:50PM

What about Angle of Repose?

reply | flag

message 6: by [deleted user] (new)

May 09, 2010 10:01PM

deleted user wrote: "I was very surprised not to see more Elmer Kelton!!!!!"

I agree, its amazing!

reply | flag

message 7: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Dec 27, 2010 07:19AM

Both "Angle of Repose" and a few books by Elmer Kelton are now on the list! :)

reply | flag

message 8: by Seth (new)

Apr 27, 2011 08:41AM

Surprised to not see more Cormac McCarthy, especially the Border Trilogy: All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, and Cities of the Plain. Glad to see Blood Meridian is high on the list. McCarthy is the greatest Western writer, in my opinion.

reply | flag

message 9: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

May 05, 2011 02:15PM

"All the Pretty Horses" is on the list, too ... (currently #57).

reply | flag

message 10: by Manray9 (last edited Jul 01, 2016 08:37AM) (new)

Mar 26, 2012 03:49PM

I had to add Elmer Kelton's Hewey Calloway trilogy and Monte Walsh.

reply | flag

message 11: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Mar 27, 2012 01:10AM

On the Road? The Grapes of Wrath? I can see where there's a case to be made to include Wallace Stegner and Tony Hillerman. But those two books ... and "spirit of the Old West?" Seriously??

reply | flag

message 12: by Martin (new)

Mar 01, 2013 02:08PM

This list needs more Zane Grey, too :)

reply | flag

message 13: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Mar 23, 2013 03:30PM

Martin wrote: "This list needs more Zane Grey, too :)"

Everyone can add books -- there's a tab up top next to "all votes."

reply | flag

message 14: by MomToKippy (new)

Jun 21, 2014 06:28PM

Cold Mountain is not Western!! It is Appalachia - mid atlantic. Please fix.

reply | flag

message 15: by Robert (new)

Oct 10, 2014 03:01PM

Here are some good Westerns Novels.
Site : http://myfivekids.hubpages.com/hub/be...

reply | flag

message 16: by Patricia (new)

Mar 06, 2015 10:23AM

What about "The Collected Stories of Wallace Stegner"? Many of them are connected and one is a novella.

reply | flag

message 17: by John (new)

Jun 21, 2015 11:15AM

mountain man needs re-filming; jeremiah johnson didn't do it justice!(john)

reply | flag

message 18: by Shane (new)

Aug 31, 2015 08:49AM

Maybe I have misunderstood the purpose of this list, but just because a novel takes place in the west doesn't make it a western.

reply | flag

message 19: by MomToKippy (new)

Aug 31, 2015 09:18AM

True, the list is well defined at the top under the title. The owner of the list or a librarian can delete books that don't fit.

reply | flag

message 20: by Shane (new)

Sep 01, 2015 08:14AM

Don't get me wrong. I love On the Road, but maybe it doesn't belong in this particular list.

reply | flag

message 21: by Jeff (new)

Nov 05, 2015 11:12PM

Brian wrote: "Don't get me wrong. I love On the Road, but maybe it doesn't belong in this particular list."

I have to agree with you here.

reply | flag

message 22: by Raymond (new)

Feb 11, 2016 05:05AM

Martin wrote: "This list needs more Zane Grey, too :)"

I agree completely.

reply | flag

message 23: by Energizeddiva (new)

Mar 31, 2016 01:42PM

I am glad to see Westerns making a comeback. There are some really good new authors.

reply | flag

message 24: by Valerie (last edited Jul 01, 2016 08:26AM) (new)

Jul 01, 2016 08:26AM

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West is a "Western?"

reply | flag

message 25: by Manray9 (new)

Jul 01, 2016 08:36AM

Valerie wrote: "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West is a "Western?""

I consider the term "Western" to mean fiction -- although the list maker didn't specify such. That certainly doesn't apply to Dee Brown's book.

reply | flag

message 26: by Richard (new)

Jul 09, 2016 07:11PM

True Grit is entered more than once.

reply | flag

message 27: by MomToKippy (new)

Jul 09, 2016 07:17PM

fixed

reply | flag

message 28: by Nina (new)

Jul 10, 2016 12:53PM

How about "Plain Song," by Wright Morris?

reply | flag

message 29: by MomToKippy (new)

Jul 10, 2016 01:08PM

Nina wrote: "How about "Plain Song," by Wright Morris?" You should add it if you think it fits the list Nina.

reply | flag

message 30: by Richard (new)

Jul 10, 2016 02:37PM

MomToKippy wrote: "fixed"

thank you!

reply | flag

message 31: by Lobstergirl (last edited Jul 23, 2017 06:45PM) (new)

Jul 23, 2017 06:45PM

Should Into the Wild be on the list? It's set in Alaska.

On p. 4.

reply | flag

message 32: by Lobstergirl (last edited Jul 23, 2017 06:50PM) (new)

Jul 23, 2017 06:49PM

Earth Abides is sci-fi. Should it be on here?

On p. 6.

reply | flag

message 33: by Lobstergirl (new)

Jul 23, 2017 06:52PM

One of Ours is set in Nebraska and France. Does that count as a western? On p. 8.

reply | flag

message 34: by Jon (new)

Mar 10, 2018 05:14AM

Lobstergirl wrote: "Earth Abides is sci-fi. Should it be on here?

On p. 6."

Removed.

reply | flag

message 35: by Shane (new)

Jul 15, 2020 01:13PM

Thanks, I really enjoyed this list. I like the fact that the definition of western is kept broad, so that modern tales with spirit akin to the 'Wild West' are included. I'm still wondering about Steinbeck, though. Into the Wild, for sure; even todays Alaska is in the wild west!

reply | flag

message 36: by Elyse✨ (new)

Dec 03, 2020 02:05PM

I removed #134 Last of the Mohicans. It is an "Eastern", not a "Western". It took place in New York State and thereabouts.

reply | flag

message 37: by Shane (new)

Dec 07, 2020 09:47AM

Yes, but it was 'the West' then. And it ticks the right boxes. The Native and the frontiersmen, the clash, and sometimes harmony, of different civilisations, power exercised by remote eastern rulers, the potential and fragility of the wilderness, good versus evil and so on. Set in the times before the push for American independence, this book forms something of a template for subsequent Westerns. It might be too geographically literal to remove it, though I suppose some criterion of location must apply.

reply | flag

message 38: by Mark (new)

Apr 27, 2021 02:04PM

Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales is a set of five novels (available together in a two vol Library of America set) that follows the adventures of the hero, Natty Bumppo, from his youth in the Eastern forests to his final years in '"The Prairie" (published 1827) where he is dealing with Indians on the Central Plains (in his 80s!) and would be a good match for this list geograpically.

reply | flag

message 39: by Richard (new)

Sep 11, 2023 02:43PM