"Blood and thunders" or, Dime novels of the 80's and 90's

About this book

A short history of dime fiction in the 1880s and 1890s, Floyd L. Beagle’s pamphlet considers its popularity and place in American culture for readers curious about the genre’s past. Recalling his own boyhood, Beagle describes saving pocket money for a faulty .22 revolver and heading to a creek to practice a quick draw after reading western adventures. Beadle’s publishing empire figures prominently, and the account notes how stories shifted from frontier exploits toward city life as the West changed. The pamphlet treats these cheap thrillers as more than disposable entertainment, tracing a popular pastime through its changing subjects and formats.