Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - The Ox-Bow Incident

The Ox-Bow Incident
The OxBow Incident
Author: Walter Van Tilburg Clark
Set in 1885, The Ox-Bow Incident is a searing and realistic portrait of frontier life and mob violence in the American West. First published in 1940, it focuses on the lynching of three innocent men and the tragedy that ensues when law and order are abandoned. The result is an emotionally powerful, vivid, and unforgettable re-creation of the Wes...  more »
ISBN: 129799
Publication Date: 1960
Pages: 224
Rating:
  ?

0 stars, based on 0 rating
Publisher: Signet Classic
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Write a Review
Read All 2 Book Reviews of "The OxBow Incident"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

safari avatar reviewed The Ox-Bow Incident on + 3 more book reviews
This is not a stereotypical western. Rather, it is an insightful portrayal of mob rule. This story shows how hard it is to go against popular consensus, how sometimes charismatic people lead others astray, and how acting on incomplete or false information can lead to a tragic outcome.
There is a good reason why this book is considered one of the best books in its genre. It's powerful.
reviewed The Ox-Bow Incident on + 209 more book reviews
Probably the best analysis of the lynch mob mentality in any work of fiction. Often used as a school text. No heros to ride in and save the day. No girl to be rescued or ranch to be saved. Just a group of ordinary Westerners and what happened when lynch law took over.


Genres: