It's hard for me to stay away from this thread. Most of my buddies are academic types and, like Mudcatters, find this stuff too bloody, too anti-multi-cultural, and too testosterone-filled for their taste.

One comment on "Rio Bravo." It is at the top of my favorite Movie list. That is based on my experience of seeing it when I was 12 years old, however. I still like it, but it is the complete opposite from "Lonesome Dove." "Rio Bravo" is about using a huge budget and way too many big screen giants (and giant egos) and still producing a moving, cohesive work. Dean Martin? Ricky Nelson? ... the list goes on and on and all these people had to play second fiddle to John Wayne.

About Elmore Leonard... I like "The Law at Randado" and "Valdez is Coming" the best of his westerns.

Just to try to add a little. If you guys like Leonard's westerns you might continue the "Valdez" theme with "The Valdez Horses" by Lee Floren. I have had a lot of luck recommending that to luke-warm western readers, but it might not be too late for you guys. The rest of Floren's work doesn't seem as good to me.

If you are so transgressive that you would recommend a western to an adolescent, you might try L'Amour's "Down the Long Hills" for boys. It is filled with good old values of honor and responsibility and kids find it really exciting.