With everything going on in the world, we all need a little relief from reality. The best escape I know is reading good “Old West” fiction. Here are a few titles I think you’ll recognize. Even if you’ve seen the movies, you need to read the original books.

The Shootist is best known from the movie starring John Wayne. The book by Glendon Swarthout was published in 1975. Swarthout was a prolific writer across several genres. The Shootist was chosen by the Western Writers of America as one of the best westerns ever written, and Ronald Reagan said it was, “A treasured addition to my library.” As usual, the book is better than the movie. One of the big differences is the ending, so be prepared.

Another of John Wayne’s great movies is True Grit. Charles Portis published the book it’s based on in 1968. Mattie Ross, a fourteen-year-old girl, sets off into Indian Territory - sometime in the 1870’s - to avenge her father’s shooting. The one-eyed “Rooster” Cogburn – John Wayne’s character -- is hired to assist the capture of her father’s killer. Their story is one of the best westerns ever, and the book will give you a richer understanding of the time and culture of the Old West.

The Outlaw Josey Wales was published as Gone To Texas, written by Forrest Carter in 1973. After the War Between the States, the South was a hard place to live. Trouble was everywhere, and oftentimes “outlaws” would head to Texas to escape. “G. T. T.” carved into a post or door meant, “Gone to Texas.” This is another work of fiction that provides a glimpse of American history during one of our more difficult times. I highly recommend this one, plus the newer editions of the book have part two of the story, The Vengeance Trail Of Josey Wales.

Larry McMurtry is one of my favorite writers. You know, the guy who wrote Lonesome Dove, a must-read Western. Another of McMurtry’s works, a collaboration with Diana Ossana that I’ve read several times is Zeke And Ned. Ned Christie was a member of the Cherokee Nation’s executive council who was accused – many said falsely - of killing a federal marshal. He feared trial by an all-white jury, and sought bail to gather evidence to prove his innocence but was refused. After hearing he’d been indicted by the U.S. Court of the Western District of Arkansas in Fort Smith he petitioned Judge Isaac Parker, “the Hanging Judge,” for bail, but never heard back. Heck Thomas, a famous lawman, was sent after Christie, who eventually built a double wall fort for protection.

“Ned Christie’s War” lasted five years and is an incredible story that intertwines a host of famous characters from those times. McMurtry and Ossana’s fictional account of this event takes you back to a time of the harsh divides and our internal wars between cultures. It’s also an incredible story of struggle and determination, and like all westerns, loyalty.

All these writers have published other great works. This is one of the joys of reading; each book leads to many other worthy candidates. Plus, historical fiction – all these books reflect their times accurately – is the best way to judge our current situation.

Enjoy them.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.