The Border Legion

Written by Zane Grey

Narrated by John Bolen

Jim Cleve has been deemed "a good guy" all of his life, and it agitates him to no end. Even his girlfriend, Joan Randle, has scorned him for this "weakness," telling Jim, "You haven't it in you even to be bad!" Dejected and hurt, Jim abandons the life he has known for the gold mining camps along Alder Gulch in southern Montana. It is here, among the thieves and murderers, that he must make a new name for himself.

Meanwhile, Joan realizes the danger that she has put Jim in and rushes off to save him. However, when she stumbles across the ruthless desperado gang leader Jack Kells, it is soon Joan who is in need of rescue. When Kells tries to rape her, Joan grabs his gun and shoots him. But something keeps Joan from leaving him to die. In the face of Joan's loving spirit, Kells experiences his own change of heart. But it is too late; Kells's outlaw gang arrives and takes Joan hostage.

So begins the border legion adventures of roving bandits, lust, and greed. With Jim's search for a new identity, Jack's moral dilemma, and the fight for Joan's freedom, this thrilling story portrays the epic theme of man's continual struggle between good and evil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Apr 20, 2009
• ISBN: 9781400179442

Zane Grey

Zane Grey (1872–1939) was an American writer best known for western literature. Born and raised in Ohio, Grey was one of five children from an English Quaker family. As a youth, he developed an interest in sports, history and eventually writing. He attended University of Pennsylvania where he studied dentistry, while balancing his creative endeavors. One of his first published pieces was the article “A Day on the Delaware" (1902), followed by the novels Betty Zane (1903) and The Spirit of the Border (1906). His career spanned several decades and was often inspired by real-life settings and events.

Reviews for The Border Legion

[jpsnow · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's replete with the typical simplistic plot, acted out by cartoons. But it's more deeply dimensioned than some stories in this genre because of the way Grey conveys the spiritual power of women to affect the emotions of men. He also portrays the underlying character of human spirit, including the acceptance of a dare and the ability to try again after failing.