The Immortal Cowboy Quigley

Book excerpt: In this light-hearted novella, Cowboy Quigley, a quixotic roughneck steeped in the mythology of Texas, endeavors to redeem the mediocrity of his life and of the modern world at-large by liberating Mexico from an imaginary arch-villain. Inspired by a comical but recognizably American idealism, Cowboy wills his preconceived notions onto a world that - much to the embarrassment of his reluctant sidekick, Chucho - rarely conforms itself to his delusions. Cowboy had always hoped that when history called on him, he would acquit himself well and take his place in the pantheon of Texas heroes. But Cowboy's crusade soon draws the attention of certain unsavory characters who are not inclined to let a swaggering gringo make himself a "hero" at their expense.