Although much has been written about the 1950s cult film The Searchers, Alan LeMay, the author of the novel upon which the movie is based, has received little attention. This welcome biography tells the engaging story of the career freelance writer who sold his first story at age 19 and never held a permanent job. LeMay gained success in the 1930s writing Westerns and in the 1940s penning scripts for "big outdoor" films but he is best remembered for Searchers (1953) and another novel adapted into a popular film, The Unforgiven (1957).

Sometimes rich but frequently poor, LeMay supported a family with his writing and engaged in a variety of ventures, including cattle ranching, polo playing, flying, and road racing. This narrative of his unconventional life offers an insider's view of Hollywood and conveys the unique stresses of a career in screenwriting.