KINGDOM OF THE SPUR.

By Gene Mar key'18. Ballantine Books. 1953. 27I pp. $1.50(hard cover), $.35 (paperbound).

Starting with the traditional saloon gun duel, this historical western moves at a gallop south of the border into Mexico where, against the broad background of the country and its people, is portrayed a vivid picture of the vast cattle empires ruled over by baronial Spanish lords. The rather typical plot of a wandering cow-poke who battles for justice against a tyrannical Spanish landowner is enhanced by Markey's fine descriptive ability and his feelings for the people of Mexico. Written in 1951 during his stay at the Hacienda de Atotonilco in Durango, the book faithfully recreates the land and its people during the turn of the century. The book suffers in places from lack of concise writing and the character delineation is spotty, but generally speaking it is recommended reading for those who like to combine western action with a historical setting. Published simultaneously in paperbound and hard-cover editions under the Ballantine Book plan, Kingdom of theSpur is the 18th volume to be issued under this new plan which has attracted a good deal of interest in the publishing field.