Apache Gold

by Joseph Alexander Altsheler

Apache Gold is a rip-roaring tale of adventure set on the Arizona frontiers of the American Old West. An abiding classic of western literature, our hero in this tale is Charles Wayne, a young but strong and sharp lad who seeks adventure in the southwesterly desert frontier of Arizona. His quest is fulfilled and then some: the hostile and arid environment, and the threat of ambush or robbery, are constant hindrances that require immense grit to surmount. Fortunately, Charles finds a true friend with whom he attempts to combat the adversities of wilderness. Altsheler describes the vast open frontier evocatively, placing the reader in a time when equal measures of freedom and danger were abundant. Throughout Mr. Wayne's traversals, we're reminded of how difficult it was to survive - let alone thrive - in the Old West. The beauty of the unforgiving land forms a vibrant backdrop to the scrapes and challenges our heroes must face.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 1983

About the author

Joseph Alexander Altsheler was an American newspaper reporter, editor and author of popular juvenile historical fiction. He was a prolific writer, and produced fifty-one novels and at least fifty-three short stories. Thirty-two of his novels were part of his seven series:

The Civil War Series (8 volumes)
The French and Indian War Series (6 volumes)
The Gold Series (2 volumes)
The Great West Series (2 volumes)
The Texan Series (3 volumes)
The World War Series (3 volumes)
The Young Trailers Series (8 volumes)

Although each of the thirty-two novels constitutes an independent story, Altsheler suggested a reading order for each series (i.e., he numbered the volumes). The remaining nineteen novels can be read in any order. [Note, however, that A Knight of Philadelphia was later expanded through the addition of nineteen chapters and some minor tweaks to become Mr. Altsheler's novel In Hostile Red.]

The short stories, of course, can be read in any order. However, some readers might prefer to read them in the order in which they were published. The short story list below is displayed in chronological order with the publication dates shown alongside the titles.