101 Books, Number 90

Favorite Books from Throughout My Life

My copy!

90. Shane, 1949, by Jack Schaefer (1907–91)

I saw the movie*—many times—

Before I got around

To reading Shane—a Western that

I’m so glad that I found.

When I was teaching middle school,

There were a few years when

I taught “The Western” to my class—

It surely was no sin!

I’d always loved that genre—clear

Back when I was a boy.

The TV shows and movies—all

Had brought me so much joy.

And Shane (the film) I loved because

It was so very stark—

The Good Guys, Bad Guys—guns ablaze!—

A message somewhat dark.

The shootout that came near the end—

A classic—every way!

I still get gooseflesh when I think

About that scene today.

I read some other Schaefer books—

And Monte Walsh** was one—

But nothing—nothing—ever matched

That Shane for fear and fun.

*1953, with Alan Ladd (Good Guy), Jack Palance (Bad Guy)

**1963–also a film, 1970, with Lee Marvin and Jack Palance (!)

Trailer for Shane.