In a literary career spanning more than fifty years, Wallace Stegner created a remarkable record of the history and culture of twentieth-century America. Each of the thirty-one stories contained in this volume embody some of the best virtues and values to be found in contemporary fiction, demonstrating why the author is acclaimed as one of America's master storytellers. The traveler—Buglesong—Beyond the glass mountain—The berry patch—The women on the wall—Balance his, swing yours—Saw gang—Goin' to town—The view from the balcony—Volcano—Two rivers—Hostage—In the twilight—Butcher bird—The double corner—The colt—The Chink—Chip off the old block—The sweetness of the twisted apples—The blue-winged teal—Pop goes the alley cat—Maiden in a tower—Impasse—The volunteer—A field guide to the western birds—Something spurious from the Mindanao Deep—Genesis—The wolfer—Carrion spring—He who spits at the sky—The city of the living.