I have long admired the American Western art of Charles Russell and Frederic Remington, and was fortunate to find two companion books devoted to them. Their stories have many similarities, although Remington received some measure of formal art education and training, whereas Russell was entirely self-taught. I somewhat prefer Russell's work, and am much more intrigued by him as a human being. Russell was a plain-spoken, simple man of generosity and quiet humor, who truly respected and came to know the "Indian" peoples he portrayed so skillfully. Once the public came to appreciate his work, he became one of America's most popular artists, his works regularly breaking record prices by a living artist at the time. The last chapter is dedicated to his bronze sculptures. Sadly, Russell died of a heart attack at 62. He was "a lover of natural things and of genuine things; a lover of friendships and of children, and of horses and dogs -- yes and underdogs..." ( )