Zane Grey's Arizona

by Candace C. Kant

Describes Grey's experiences in Arizona, looks at his use of Arizona settings in his westerns, and discusses his film work and the background of his stories

184 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1984

Reviews

[Chris Gager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another "rescued" book from the local library's book sale/giveaway. I love Arizona and I like Zane Grey - sort of - so I'll give this a go. Most of Mr. Grey's involvement with AZ began in the early 1900's and he took some pretty rugged trips up in the Arizona strip, that part of the state north of the Grand Canyon. The only vehicular access to that territory(full of Mormons) is via the Navajo Bridge up near Page, and one at Page itself. There's a footbridge for the Bright Angel Trail in the middle of the National Park. A quick look at the included pictures indicates that Mr. G. was a prolific hunter/killer of wild animals. BITD such humans were called "sportsmen." UGH!!!

More recent pages suggest that in later years Mr. Grey began to have qualms about all the macho animal killing. Good for him.

And so to the end of this fairly dry account of Zane Grey's love of Arizona and his eventual abandonment of it in the face of the increasing human "influence" and interest which he inadvertently helped to promote. Phoenix now has a greater population than Philadelphia - UGH! MOST people out there live in either Phoenix(think SPRAWL) or Tucson(more manageable). There's a lot of pretty impressive people-less scenery there. You just have to look for it... and stay out of the hot sun if you can.