New York: Macmillan, (1960). First edition, 1st printing. 8vo. 239 pp. Original half crimson cloth over grey paper-covered boards, stamped in silver, in original unclipped ($3.95) dust-jacket. Some light rubbing, trivial edge wear, a few tiny nicks to edges. Protected in archival mylar. Book is tight, square and firm. Apparent bookplate neatly removed, trace scarring. Very light rubbing to panel edges and corners, particular to spine. Pages toned, as is commonly found, else fine. Interior is clean and unmarked. Signed and dated by the author "March 14, 1960" to the front free end paper.

Dust Jacket: Near Fine

Hardcover: Near Fine

“Butcher's Crossing is the second novel by John Williams, preceded by Nothing but the Night. It is considered by many to be among the first pioneers of a more "realistic" breed of western novel, along with a few other notable works including Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian and Oakley Hall's Warlock. Reflecting on the state of the western genre at the time of writing Butcher's Crossing, Williams wrote: "The subject of the West has undergone a process of mindless stereotyping". Williams' response to this stereotyping came in the form of Butcher's Crossing, in which the harshness of life on the Western frontier is emphasized. The novel features a protagonist, Will Andrews, who is deeply influenced by the idea of human–nature harmony found in Emersonian philosophy.”