Book Review:
The Light of Western Stars


by the Rev. Charles Daugherty
California, Maryland


"You're -- not -- *Majesty* Hammond?"

East and West may never have met in Rudyard Kipling's India. But in Zane Grey's Wild West they not only meet, they collide. Winner by a knockout? The West, every time. In the opening chapter of The Light ofWestern Stars (Grey's best, in my view), Majesty Hammond, excessively rich Eastern socialite, meets Gene Stewart, excessively poor Western cowboy, owning only his clothes, his gun and his horse, and bent on self-destruction. Winner of the opening round? The East. Ah, but wait! (and don't peek at the last page).

In between you will meet a splendid cast of characters. Among many: not one but two villains, one a sheriff and the other a Mexican. Florence Kingsley, without spot or blemish. Nels, a cowboy who can't hit a golf ball but can shoot one. Monty, a cowboy who is bald and crippled for a noble reason. Bonita, fiery and passionate -- Stewart entrusts his great steed to her. Danny, with a golden future. And hovering over the whole scene, the light of Western stars, white and alive, a brooding presence . . .

The Rev. Charles Daugherty is a Member of ZGWS. He lives in California, Maryland.

This book review is the personal opinion of the writer.

Historical images of Zane Grey used with permission of Dr. Loren Grey and Zane Grey, Inc.