Riders of the Purple Sage

The Restored Edition

By: Zane Grey

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Now, for the first time in a century, Zane Grey’s best-known novel is presented in its original form exactly as he wrote it.

When in the early 1900s Zane Grey took his manuscript to two publishing companies, they rejected it because of the theme of Mormon polygamy, fearing it would offend their readers and subscribers. Then Grey made a special plea to Frederick Duneka, who was vice-president of Harper & Bros. and who had been Mark Twain’s editor at that company. Duneka and his wife read the novel and liked it but feared it would offend some readers. Harper & Bros. agreed to publish a changed version of the novel and purchased both the book and magazine-serial rights. Given the task of executing the necessary editorial changes, a senior editor of the company made changes in tone, diction, and style as well as content. The novel first appeared in nineteen installments in the monthly magazine Field & Stream from January 1912 to July 1913.

Blackstone Audio here presents the original, uncensored, unabridged novel Riders of the Purple Sage, obtained through the Golden West Literary Agency with the cooperation of Zane Grey’s son, Loren Grey, and the Ohio State Historical Society.

In Cottonwoods, Utah, in 1871, a woman stands accused and a man is sentenced to whipping. Into this travesty of small-town justice rides the one man whom the town elders fear. His name is Lassiter, and he is a notorious gunman who's come to avenge his sister's death. It doesn't take Lassiter long to see that this once peaceful Mormon community is controlled by the corrupt Deacon Tull, a powerful elder who's trying to take the woman's land by forcing her to marry him, branding her foreman as a dangerous 'outsider'. Lassiter vows to help them. But when the ranch is attacked by horse thieves, cattle rustlers, and a mysterious masked rider, he realizes that they're up against something bigger, and more brutal, than the land itself.

©2005 Zane Grey, Inc. (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Zane Grey epitomized the mythical West that should have been…The standout among them is Riders of the Purple Sage.” ( True West)

“Poignant in its emotional qualities.” ( New York Times)

“A powerful work, exceedingly well written.” ( Brooklyn Eagle)

Exceptional!!

One of the very best books I have ever listened to.Zane Grey had an amazing understanding of human nature and was years ahead of his time in his thought processes in my humble opinion.

Outstanding!

Excellent narration! The reader did a terrific job of representing the characters. Fantastic story! This audiobook is the best!

WoW! A fitting performance of a Giant Classic!

I first read this classic many decades ago. The performance by the reader is outstanding and surly brings it to exciting life. Riders of the Purple Sage is my favorite Western of all time…..

Riders of the Purple Sage

An enjoyable listening experience taking me back to years ago when I read this Zane Grey book and fell in love with his writing.

Fantastic classic

I fully enjoyed listening to this fantastic classic, the gripping tale of drama and intrigue. I highly recommend it.

Brought to life by narrator. Values and imagery .

This is a book I had in my attic for years kept only because it was autographed in pencil. I was never able to have the patience to read it. Unfortunately decided to give it away, something I sincerely now regret.. For some odd reason I decided to check if there was an audio book for it. In my opinion This book was meant to be read aloud.
Very slow moving at times but always vivid and we'll planned.. definitely brought to life by the narrator.. I gave it 5 stars. Not only is it one of the first westerns written, it also takes on the subject of religious freedom, corruption, and blind faith. A century after this book was written we read the news of the results of such blind faith.





s because of the message it sends.

Roll the stone!

“I love you! ROLL THE STONE!
What a great story! I couldn’t stop listening to this audiobook.

great narator

favorite story great narrator highly recommend for young readers and listeners. Unabridged is the only way to listen

Riders Restored

I’ve read this book a couple times but it was so long ago, I can’t say for sure what was new (restored) material. But it all made a great story & didn’t detract from my enjoyment or my memory of the novel. The narration was very well done. Voice characterizations were distinct & ran steady throughout the tale. I never had to guess who was speaking. I give this restored version 👍👍 & declare it worth the purchase price!

Forbidden love, adventure, and murder.

An absolutely beautiful story of landscape, forbidden love, adventure, and righteous killing played out in the badlands of Utah. A romantic and thrilling tale of the old west.