Well howdy partner! For all you cowpokes who can’t get enough of theRed Dead Redemptiongames or just love a good Western tale, saddle up because there’s a new must-read book headed your way. The acclaimed historianTore C. Olssonhas wrangled up what sounds like a real rip-roarin' read called Red Dead’s History: A Video Game, an Obsession, and America’s Violent Past. And this ain’t your typical dusty old history tome neither.
This book aims to take readers on an exciting adventure into the gritty, gun-slingin' world that inspired those beloved Red Dead video games that have hogtied the imaginations of millions. Olsson asks a big, burning question: How faithful to the harsh realities of the old West are these games really? He herds readers through the bloody, lawless years between 1870 and 1920, when the frontier was plagued by chaotic disputes over money and race that still echo through modern times.
TheWall Street Journal has branded Olsson’s book “innovative and highly engaging.“And it’s easy to see why. He expertly wrangles together the game plot lines and characters we know and love with actual historical events, lassoing readers into a colorful, fast-paced tale. No surprise then that Roger Clark, the actor who brought Red Dead 2’s Arthur Morgan to life, tips his hat to the book as"the perfect read for fans of the series, Westerns, and history alike.”
Red Dead’s History: A Video Game, an Obsession, and America’s Violent Past
Vengeance Is An Idiot’s Game.
Red Dead’s History examines American history through the lens of the popular Red Dead Redemption video games. Author Tore Olsson explores themes of violence, capitalism, and race in the American West from 1870-1920.
Olsson first got a hankering to explore this topic during the COVID lockdowns when he dusted off Red Dead Redemption 2. This led him to wrangle up a college course using the game to educate students on American history—proving games can be more than just entertainment; they can help us learn. I don’t know about you, but that just warms my cold, black heart.
So if you’ve got an itchy trigger finger for unraveling the true stories behind these beloved games, mosey on over and get yourself a copy of Red Dead’s History.
