Introduction by Greg Bear
Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz
The giant prehistoric gorilla King Kong is one of the most recognized images in our culture. So great is the mighty Kong's hold on the popular imagination that his story-a gripping yarn of man versus nature, coupled with a fantastical update of the Beauty and the Beast legend-has been thrice made into a motion picture (most recently in 2005) and referenced endlessly in every medium, from books to prime-time sitcoms.
Beneath King Kong's cultural significance, however, is a tense and surprisingly tender story. One cannot help but be frightened by Kong's uncontrollable fury, be saddened over the giant's capture, mistreatment, and exploitation by venal showmen, or sympathize with the beast's ill-fated affection for the down-on-her-luck starlet Ann Darrow.
This Modern Library edition of a true colossus among adventure stories is reprinted from the original 1932 novelization of the movie script, and includes a Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz, the preeminent biographer of Merian C. Cooper, producer of the original 1933 classic film.

"From the Trade Paperback edition."

Thought by many to be director John Ford's masterpiece, 'The Searchers' tells the story of Ethan Edwards (John Wayne), an ex-confederate soldier who swears revenge after his brother's family is butchered by Comanches and his niece (Natalie Wood) is kidnapped. Accompanied by Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter), a young foundling raised by the family, Ethan sets out on a epic seven-year search for the missing girl. But as their quest draws to a close, Martin begins to realise the extent to which Ethan has been dehumanised by his own thirst for revenge.

John Wayne stars in this classic romantic drama directed by John Ford. The story follows Irish-American boxer Sean Thornton (Wayne) who refuses to fight again after a traumatic bout. He returns to Ireland to reclaim his family's farm in Inisfree. But when love intervenes he is forced to fight again to win the heart and hand of local girl Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O'Hara) whose brother Red (Victor McLaglen) wants the farm for himself and objects to the pair's union.

Introduction by Greg Bear
Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz
The giant prehistoric gorilla King Kong is one of the most recognized images in our culture. So great is the mighty Kong's hold on the popular imagination that his story-a gripping yarn of man versus nature, coupled with a fantastical update of the Beauty and the Beast legend-has been thrice made into a motion picture (most recently in 2005) and referenced endlessly in every medium, from books to prime-time sitcoms.
Beneath King Kong's cultural significance, however, is a tense and surprisingly tender story. One cannot help but be frightened by Kong's uncontrollable fury, be saddened over the giant's capture, mistreatment, and exploitation by venal showmen, or sympathize with the beast's ill-fated affection for the down-on-her-luck starlet Ann Darrow.
This Modern Library edition of a true colossus among adventure stories is reprinted from the original 1932 novelization of the movie script, and includes a Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz, the preeminent biographer of Merian C. Cooper, producer of the original 1933 classic film.

Collection of five western feature films. 'The Searchers' (1956) tells the story of Ethan Edwards (John Wayne), an ex-confederate soldier who swears revenge after his brother's family is butchered by Comanches and his niece (Natalie Wood) is kidnapped. Accompanied by Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter), Ethan sets out on an epic seven-year search for the missing girl. In 'Pale Rider' (1985) a community of gold mining prospectors comes under attack from a gang of marauders who are after the prospectors' land. Young Megan Wheeler (Sydney Penny) prays for help, which consequently arrives in the form of the Preacher (Clint Eastwood), a grim, silent stranger. In 'The Wild Bunch' (1969), set in 1913, a gang of outlaws (William Holden, Ernest Borgnine and Warren Oates, amongst others) ride into a Texan border town where the railroad office is their target. The robbery turns into a blood-bath so the gang flee to a desert hideout where they discover that their loot is worthless... In 'Rio Bravo' (1959) Sheriff John T. Chance (Wayne) is holding a murderous villain in his cell while waiting for a magistrate to collect him for trial. The criminal's associates are desperate to free him and will stop at nothing to achieve their goal... 'How the West Was Won' (1962) traces the fortunes of several generations of an American pioneer family as they move West and cope with the Civil War. The film's several sections were made by different directors, including Henry Hathaway and John Ford. Spencer Tracy narrates, while Henry Fonda, Gregory Peck, James Stewart and John Wayne top the all-star bill.

Collection of five classic western epics. In 'Pale Rider' (1985) a community of gold mining prospectors comes under attack from a gang of marauders, who are after the prospectors' land. Young Megan Wheeler (Sydney Penny) prays for help, which consequently arrives in the form of the Preacher (Clint Eastwood), a grim, silent stranger. The Preacher takes up the community's cause, and sets out to repel the invaders. 'The Searchers' (1965) tells the story of Ethan Edwards (John Wayne), an ex-confederate soldier who swears revenge after his brother's family is butchered by Comanches and his niece (Natalie Wood) is kidnapped. Accompanied by Martin Pawley (Jeffrey Hunter), a young foundling raised by the family, Ethan sets out on a epic seven-year search for the missing girl. But as their quest draws to a close, Martin begins to realise the extent to which Ethan has been dehumanised by his own thirst for revenge. 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' (1976) follows Josey Wales (Eastwood), a peaceful farmer at the time of the American Civil War, who becomes a Confederate outlaw in order to avenge his family's death at the hands of Union guerillas. His obsession with revenge slowly lifts, however, as he picks up various outcasts in the wilderness. Wales tries to protect his new 'family' by leading them to a safe haven where they can rebuild their lives. In 'The Wild Bunch' (1969), set in 1913, a gang of outlaws ride into a Texan border town where the railroad office is their target. The robbery turns into a blood-bath so the gang flee to a desert hideout where they discover that their loot is worthless. With the railroad company's hired guns snapping at their heels, they decide to escape to the apparent safety of the Mexican revolutionaries. In 'Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid' (1973) the old days of the West are passing, and outlaw-turned-sheriff Pat Garrett (James Coburn) is determined to move with the times. But with his former partner Billy the Kid (Kris Kristofferson) still at large in the territory, and the wish of the cattle barons that the rule of law be imposed with greater and greater force, Pat soon realises that his initial compromise will eventually lead him to betray everything he believes in.