Picture an American storyteller who spun tales of gunslingers, outlaws, and the untamed frontier—meet Matt Braun! Born in 1932, this fourth-generation Westerner brought the Old West to life with over forty novels, selling more than forty million copies worldwide. With a knack for blending historical grit with vivid storytelling, Braun earned accolades like the Spur Award and the Owen Wister Lifetime Achievement Award, cementing his legacy as a master of Western literature.
From Oklahoma’s dusty plains to the global stage, Braun’s stories capture the courage, conflict, and charisma of the American frontier. Whether you’re a fan of gritty gunfights or tales of rugged pioneers, his work invites you to saddle up and ride into a world where legends are born.
The Making of Matt Braun
Matt Braun was born outside Elk City, Oklahoma, into a family of ranchers, hunters, and Cherokee kin. Raised among the Cherokee and Osage tribes, he soaked up their traditions and philosophies, which shaped his deep respect for individuality and the land. His great-grandfather survived a shootout with horse thieves, and another ancestor partnered with legendary cattleman Charles Goodnight. This rich heritage fueled Braun’s passion for the West. After graduating from Florida State University with a journalism degree in 1954, he served as a first lieutenant in the Army, honing skills as a boxer, horseman, and crack shot—traits that echoed the heroes in his novels. His writing career kicked off with Black Fox in 1973, launching a prolific journey.
Matt Braun’s Unforgettable Stories
Braun’s novels are a love letter to the American West, blending historical accuracy with pulse-pounding narratives. His Gunfighter Chronicles series, including Doc Holliday (1997), paints a vivid portrait of the infamous gambler and gunslinger, haunted by his past yet fearless in a fight. The Gamblers (1997) follows Mattie Silks, a fiery woman carving her legend among the West’s wildest men. The Luke Starbuck series, like Manhunter, tracks a relentless detective chasing outlaws across lawless plains. The Kincaids (1976), which won the Spur Award, weaves a multi-generational saga of a family taming the frontier.
Known for his meticulous research, Braun traveled the West to walk the lands he wrote about, like John Chisum’s Jinglebob Ranch. His prose is lean and evocative, capturing the dust, danger, and dreams of the era. Critics, like historian Dee Brown, praised his ability to give “flesh-and-blood immediacy” to historical figures, making characters like Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson feel alive and relatable.
Braun also penned nonfiction, including How to Write Western Novels (1988), a guide brimming with practical advice for aspiring writers. His stories, whether fiction or fact, pulse with authenticity, earning him the title “America’s authentic voice of the Western frontier.”
Why Matt Braun Matters
Matt Braun’s work transcends entertainment, preserving the mythology of the American West. His novels transformed historical figures into flesh-and-blood heroes and heroines, offering readers a window into a pivotal era of courage and conquest. With adaptations like the CBS miniseries Black Fox (1995) and the TNT movie You Know My Name (1999), inspired by One Last Town, Braun’s stories reached beyond the page, captivating new audiences. His awards, including the 1999 Cowboy Spirit Award, reflect his impact on Western literature.
By blending fact and fiction, Braun crafted a uniquely American saga, celebrating the grit and spirit of the frontier. His work continues to inspire readers and writers, ensuring the Old West’s legends never fade.
- Born: 1932, Oklahoma
- Key Works: The Kincaids, Doc Holliday, Black Fox, One Last Town
- Awards: Spur Award, Owen Wister Lifetime Achievement Award, Cowboy Spirit Award
- Notable Adaptations: Black Fox (CBS, 1995), You Know My Name (TNT, 1999)
Ready to ride into the Wild West? Snag Doc Holliday or The Kincaids and discover Matt Braun’s thrilling frontier tales!