Black Jack

"Black Jack" by Max Brand is a novel written in the early 20th century that delves into themes of identity, legacy, and the impact of one's lineage. The story begins in a small cattle town, where siblings Vance and Elizabeth Cornish witness a chaotic incident involving a fugitive named Jack Hollis, also known as Black Jack. This event sets off a chain reaction that explores the ramifications of Black Jack's notorious past and the complexity of familial ties as Elizabeth takes it upon herself to raise his son, Terence Colby, while grappling with what that legacy entails. At the start of the novel, the atmosphere is tense as gunfire erupts in the streets of Garrison City. Vance's calm demeanor contrasts sharply with his sister Elizabeth's concern, especially after they learn that the dark-haired rider, who has just died, was Jack Hollis. Overwhelmed by shock and sympathy for Hollis's motherless child, Elizabeth is determined to take Terence in, believing she can shape his future away from his father's infamy. This introductory portion of the book effectively establishes both the characters' personalities and the overarching conflict surrounding Terence's identity as someone tied to a legacy of violence. The dynamic between the siblings, particularly the different paths they perceive regarding family and society, hints at deeper moral discussions as the narrative unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Frederick Schiller Faust was an American writer known primarily for his Western stories using the pseudonym Max Brand. As Max Brand, he also created the popular fictional character of young medical intern Dr. James Kildare for a series of pulp fiction stories. His Kildare character was subsequently featured over several decades in other media, including a series of American theatrical movies by Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), a radio series, two television series, and comics. Faust's other pseudonyms include George Owen Baxter, Evan Evans, Peter Dawson, David Manning, John Frederick, Peter Henry Morland, George Challis, and Frederick Frost. He also wrote under his real name. As George Challis, Faust wrote the "Tizzo the Firebrand" series for Argosy magazine. The Tizzo saga was a series of historical swashbuckler stories, featuring the titular warrior, set in Renaissance Italy.