When a man's a man

"When a Man's a Man" by Harold Bell Wright is a novel written during the early 20th century. The story explores themes of masculinity, personal growth, and the contrast between civilization and the untamed wilderness of Arizona. The narrative centers around a man who is seeking to rediscover his lost identity and manhood in a rugged, unforgiving landscape, as well as a young cowboy named Phil Acton, who embodies the strength and spirit of the West. The opening of the book introduces a mysterious stranger who finds himself in the vast and beautiful terrain of Arizona, struggling with a sense of inadequacy despite his outward appearance of refinement. As he walks along a dusty road, the contrast between his city-bred sensibilities and the untamed wild around him becomes evident. He encounters a local cowboy, Joe, who treats him with a mix of curiosity and bemusement. Their interaction hints at the stranger's search for purpose and belonging in a world where he feels out of place. As the narrative unfolds, the interplay between the cowboy life and the stranger's more sheltered existence begins to weave a tale of discovery, challenge, and the quest for manhood that is central to this engaging story. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Harold Bell Wright was a best-selling American writer of fiction, essays, and nonfiction. Although mostly forgotten or ignored after the middle of the 20th century, he had a very successful career; he is said to have been the first American writer to sell a million copies of a novel and the first to make $1 million from writing fiction. Between 1902 and 1942 Wright wrote 19 books, several stage plays, and many magazine articles. More than 15 movies were made or claimed to be made from Wright's stories, including Gary Cooper's first major movie, The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926) and the John Wayne film The Shepherd of the Hills (1941).