Books to Borrow Williamsburg Public Library Recommends

Matt Dillon was in charge of law in Gunsmoke’s Dodge City. People often had no respect for the law in the Wild West, so the marshal had his work cut out for him. Gunsmoke was one of the longest-running TV shows in history, airing for 20 years. Readers can relive watching their favorite western drama with this collection featuring best-loved characters like Doc Adams, Miss Kitty, Chester, and of course, Marshal Matt Dillon.

Gunsmoke began as a radio drama and was adapted for television following the popularity of the realistic radio show. It was one of the most enduring vintage radio dramas. The television series received one of the largest ratings ever obtained by a TV drama and Gunsmoke is still ranked at the top in television drama. In this collection, author Don Ward offers ten exciting stories from the classic TV series.

The first short tale introduces readers to Dodge City, “The Wickedest Little City in America,” according to the name of the story. Formerly Buffalo City, the famous frontier town was known for its cattle-herding, cowboys, trouble, and fun. “Reunion ‘78” reminds us just what type of person Marshal Dillon is, always trying to do the right thing, and caring about the people in his town. Dillon is a lawman during a time when not all folks agree on who should be in charge of enforcing the law.

The marshal had to regularly deal with problems associated with frontier life like cattle rustling, gunfights, and bar brawls. These situations called for sound judgment and brave actions, which Marshal Dillon had plenty of. Marshal Dillon did his best to keep the peace in rough and tumble Dodge City.

I myself hold fond memories from childhood into adulthood of watching with my father. Many viewers watched long after the show was in syndication and could proudly say they’d seen any episode thrice. Who could forget the honesty and strength of Marshall Dillon? Many unforgettable characters crossed paths with Dillon throughout the show, as well as in the tales in Ward’s book.

This could easily have been a memorial for several folks, as so many have enjoyed the beloved TV show over the years. This particular volume was placed in our collection in memory of Martha Mayhue (Sept. 25, 1925 – Nov. 25, 2021).