These books are no longer in print, but they are entertaining or useful research sources. If you can find any of these books at a reasonable price, pick them up.

Good Medicine

Charles M. Russell

Published in 1929, with an introduction by Will Rogers, Good Medicine is a fascinating collection of Charles Russell letters, many of which include illustrations. The letters reflect warmth, but the illustrations show that Russell committed a good piece of his time to give something special to friends and relatives.

This is the West

edited by Robert West Howard

Out of print, but fun if you can find them

This Signet paperback was published in 1957. The book is a series of articles about the Old West complied by members of The Westerners. (The Westerners are still an active, worldwide organization.) Several of the essays are academic. All of the short pieces reflect an accurate and true image of the West. If you want a view of the West as it really was, this is the book for you.

Indians of the Plains

Robert H. Lowie

The Rockies

David Lavender

1001 Most-Asked Questions About The American West

Originally published as an anthropological Handbook, this 1954 paperback explains the culture and lifestyle of the plains Indian tribes. Although an academic publication, this no nonsense, straightforward book is a great reference source.

The Rockies, published in 1968 by Harper & Row, tells the history of the mountains that played such a prominent role in the frontier West. If you want to learn about mountain men, Indians, or miners, grab this book if you can find it in a used bookstore.

Harry E. Chrisman

Ever wonder about pitch pine, how Geronimo died, how we got the word rodeo, why the Meeker massacre happened, or who was Mickey Free? This 1982 Swallow Press book will give you the answer to these and 996 other questions. This book is a fun read with a good index.