The Big Country (Hamilton novel)

The Big Country

Paperback original
Author	Donald Hamilton
Language	English
Genre	Western novel
Publisher	Dell Publishing
Publication date	1958
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (Paperback)

The Big Country is a Western novel by Donald Hamilton. It was originally serialized in The Saturday Evening Post as Ambush at Blanco Canyon. Published two years prior to Hamilton's Death of a Citizen , which launched his popular Matt Helm series, it explores many of the same themes of self-reliance that dominated the author's work.

Plot summary

Maryland sea captain James McKay goes west to Texas, to claim his bride, and steps into a violent feud over water.

Film adaptation

Main article: The Big Country

The novel was adapted into a film of the same name in 1958 starring Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Charles Bickford, Burl Ives and Chuck Connors. ^{[1] [2]} The film adaptation was mostly faithful to the plot of the novel, while simplifying the story and eliminating some characters. ^[3]

Comic book adaptation

The Big Country comics

Publication history

• 1957, US, The Saturday Evening Post, as Ambush at Blanco Canyon, 2/2/1957, 2/9/1957, 2/16/1957, 2/23/1957, serial (literature)
• 1958, US, Dell, Dell First Edition B115, paperback, reissued many times
• 1958, US, Dell Comics, Dell Four Color #946, comic
• 1958, UK, Allan Wingate, hardcover

References

1. "The Big Country". Variety. January 1, 1958. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
2. Crowther, Bosley (October 2, 1958). "War and Peace on Range in 'Big Country'; Gregory Peck Stars in Wyler's Western Action-Packed Film Scores Violence". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved April 27, 2023.
3. Lucas, Victoria. "Hollywood at Home: Big challenges filming 'The Big Country'". Green Valley News & Sahuarita Sun. Retrieved April 27, 2023.