David Manning

Frederick Schiller Faust (1892–1944) was an American author, best known for his western stories written under the pseudonym Max Brand, a pen name that became synonymous with the genre's finest storytelling. Born in Seattle, Washington, Faust's literary output was prolific, and his life's work encompassed a range of genres beyond the western frontier, touching upon historical romances and adventures. Nonetheless, it is his westerns, such as 'Red Devil of the Range,' that solidified his reputation as a master storyteller whose narratives were characterized by swift action, vivid landscapes, and compelling characterizations (Faust, 1937). His literary style blended romanticism with realism, often showcasing his profound understanding of human nature and the psychological complexities of his characters. Despite his success with the written word, Faust's life was marked by the same kind of tragedies and frontier hardships that colored the lives of his fictional heroes. He met an untimely death while serving as a war correspondent during World War II, but his legacy in the annals of American literature endures through the substantial body of work he left behind, which continues to be reprinted and celebrated by new generations of readers. His works, including 'Red Devil of the Range', remain testimony to his ability to capture the essence of the American spirit through the lens of the Wild West.