Publisher's Synopsis
The American Southwest, especially as it existed from the time of the Mexican-American War to World War I, has long fascinated audiences. Authors and filmmakers of the 20th century have created a pantheon of mavericks - some macho, others angst-ridden - who often cross a metaphorical boundary among the literal ones of Anglo, Native American and Hispanic cultures. In this text, the author focuses on such border crossings as a key feature of novels and films about the region. Alongside such works as ""The Wild Bunch"", ""Broken Arrow"", ""Blood Meridian"", ""Gringo Viejo"" and ""Go Down, Moses"", the author discusses lesser-known novels and films that tell equally compelling stories of the region. He analyzes unfamiliar mavericks as well as familiar ones, including Geronimo, Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid, as they struggle for identity, purpose and justice.
