Andy Adams (1859–1935) was an American writer known for his contributions to Western literature, particularly the authentic portrayal of cowboy life in the late 19th century. His most acclaimed work is 'The Log of a Cowboy' which is widely regarded as one of the most authentic accounts of cowboy life. Adams' writing style is characterized by a colloquial voice that immerses readers into the culture and hardships endured by cowhands. In 'Reed Anthony, Cowman: An Autobiography' (1907), Adams employs a semi-autobiographical narrative, drawing from his own experiences as a cattleman to create a protagonist whose life epitomizes the era of the open range. Adams' work is crucial in chronicling the transformation of the American West from untamed wilderness to agricultural and urban landscapes. His emphasis on factual storytelling, eschewing the overly romanticized versions of the West popular in 'dime novels' of the time, sets Adams apart as a historian of Western life as much as a novelist. Although not as widely read as contemporaries like Zane Grey, Adams' literary contributions provide invaluable insights into the lives and ethos of cowboys, making his works subject to scholarly interest in the field of Western American history and literature.