Riders of the Purple Sage

The Restored Edition

By: Zane Grey

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Now, for the first time in a century, Zane Grey’s best-known novel is presented in its original form exactly as he wrote it.

When in the early 1900s Zane Grey took his manuscript to two publishing companies, they rejected it because of the theme of Mormon polygamy, fearing it would offend their readers and subscribers. Then Grey made a special plea to Frederick Duneka, who was vice-president of Harper & Bros. and who had been Mark Twain’s editor at that company. Duneka and his wife read the novel and liked it but feared it would offend some readers. Harper & Bros. agreed to publish a changed version of the novel and purchased both the book and magazine-serial rights. Given the task of executing the necessary editorial changes, a senior editor of the company made changes in tone, diction, and style as well as content. The novel first appeared in nineteen installments in the monthly magazine Field & Stream from January 1912 to July 1913.

Blackstone Audio here presents the original, uncensored, unabridged novel Riders of the Purple Sage, obtained through the Golden West Literary Agency with the cooperation of Zane Grey’s son, Loren Grey, and the Ohio State Historical Society.

In Cottonwoods, Utah, in 1871, a woman stands accused and a man is sentenced to whipping. Into this travesty of small-town justice rides the one man whom the town elders fear. His name is Lassiter, and he is a notorious gunman who's come to avenge his sister's death. It doesn't take Lassiter long to see that this once peaceful Mormon community is controlled by the corrupt Deacon Tull, a powerful elder who's trying to take the woman's land by forcing her to marry him, branding her foreman as a dangerous 'outsider'. Lassiter vows to help them. But when the ranch is attacked by horse thieves, cattle rustlers, and a mysterious masked rider, he realizes that they're up against something bigger, and more brutal, than the land itself.

©2005 Zane Grey, Inc. (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Zane Grey epitomized the mythical West that should have been…The standout among them is Riders of the Purple Sage.” ( True West)

“Poignant in its emotional qualities.” ( New York Times)

“A powerful work, exceedingly well written.” ( Brooklyn Eagle)

Exceptional!!

One of the very best books I have ever listened to.Zane Grey had an amazing understanding of human nature and was years ahead of his time in his thought processes in my humble opinion.

Outstanding!

Excellent narration! The reader did a terrific job of representing the characters. Fantastic story! This audiobook is the best!

Classic

I have heard of Zane Greys work through the book The American West. In it detailed the talent of western American writers and stories. This did not disappoint. Stegner is next.

WoW! A fitting performance of a Giant Classic!

I first read this classic many decades ago. The performance by the reader is outstanding and surly brings it to exciting life. Riders of the Purple Sage is my favorite Western of all time…..

Riders of the Purple Sage

An enjoyable listening experience taking me back to years ago when I read this Zane Grey book and fell in love with his writing.