With the voice of a balladeer, Dunham re-creates the wild and lawless American frontier. Farmers and ranchers battle the ravages of Mother Nature-towering snow drifts, raging floods, and the scorching sun-in "The Game of Chance." A robbery victim is forced to relive the crime for the local sheriff in "The Spur of the Moment." In the title story, "The Silver Spoon Saloon," a barmaid tries to start a new life and captivates a detective patronizing the establishment. The common thread among Dunham's unforgettable characters, both heroic and fallible, is their determination that good shall prevail.

Colorful and entertaining, this anthology of classic Western stories is the perfect addition to the bookshelf of Old West aficionados.