The heart of the American West lives in Peter Dawson's stories, with characters that blaze a trail over a land of frontier dreams and nightmares and across a country coming of age. Sometimes, as in "A Tinhorn Takes a Tank Town," the conflict has to do with murder and power. Sometimes, as in "Unwanted Gold," it is brother against brother. At other times, as in "Hell for Homesteaders," the conflict has to do with greed. Then, as in "Back-Trail Betrayal" the conflict is caused by scheming. In "Showdown at Anchor" the conflict is between father and daughter.

Peter Dawson is a nom de plume used by Jonathan Hurff Glidden. Jonathan was born in Kewanee, Illinois. His Peter Dawson novels are noted for their adept plotting, interesting and well-developed characters, their authentically researched historical backgrounds, and his stylistic flair.