The Desert of Wheat

A classic portrait of America during World War I, from American author Zane Grey, famously known for his romanticized stories about the old West.

‘The Desert of Wheat’ (1919) sets the tone for a nation's anxiety at the brink of a century of change. It is a 20th century tale of romance and sabotage, describing the effect war has on a country and its people.

Grey has written a classic Western with a patriotic and anti-union propaganda twist, recounting a country divided.



Pearl Zane Grey (1872 – 1939) was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels about the American West. His stories are credited with the creation of the ‘Western’ literary genre.

The novel ‘Riders of the Purple Sage’ (1912) was Grey’s best-selling work, while other popular titles include ‘The Lone Star Ranger’ (1915), ‘The U.P. Trail’ (1918), ‘Call of the Canyon’ (1924), and ‘Code of the West’ (1934). His nonfiction books include ‘Tales of Fishing’ (1925). Grey wrote more than 80 books in total, a number of which were published posthumously.

Many of his works have been adapted for tv and film, including ‘Zane Grey Theatre’ (1956-1958) and ‘Riders of the Purple Sage’ (1996) starring Ed Harris.