"In the American Grain" is a collection of essays that explores the history and culture of America through the lives of significant figures, such as Christopher Columbus, Abraham Lincoln, and Edgar Allan Poe. The author offers a unique perspective on these figures and events, challenging traditional narratives and interpretations. The book provides a deep analysis of American identity, emphasizing its complexity and diversity.

A ragged, larger-than-life cast of cowboys, showmen and carnival folk converge on an early-twentieth-century rodeo in the Pacific Northwest, where a legendary final contest becomes the occasion for tall tales, rough humor and bittersweet reflection; through vivid episodic scenes and colorful characters the story celebrates and questions American myth-making, masculinity, camaraderie and the slow fading of an age as aging performers and young riders grapple with glory, loss and the need to keep stories alive.

It is 1913, and young cowboy Tom Mix rides south to join the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. In war-torn Mexico their partnership grows amid battles, shifting loyalties, and clashes with violent enemies and political rivals. The novel follows Mix through romance, friendship, revenge, and political turmoil as he encounters lovers, rivals, and notable historical figures.