This an excellent collection. The compilers included the usual suspects such as Mark Twain, Owen Wister, Louis L'Amour, Max Brand, Jack Schaeffer & Luke Short. However they also found well written western stories by lesser known names such as Brian Garfield,Dorothy M. Johnson, Clay Fisher and Steve Frazee. John Jakes wrote an interesting introduction and had one of his stories included. Editor Pronzini also included one of his as well. As for surprises, I suppose Marcia Miller''s Sweet Cactus Wine and I Woke Up Wicked by Dorothy Johnson made the grade as both stories were fun to read and had interesting endings. I had recently read Brian Garfield's novel, The Lawbringers, and had panned it for lackluster writing. However, his story Riverboat Fighter in this collection was entertaining and he found a way to bring justice to the villain in an unexpected manner. ( )