Frequently Asked Questions

What is Desert Eccentric?

A nonfiction book by C. V. Wooster that gathers twenty-three true stories of people the deserts of the American West drew in: prospectors and painters, hermits and prophets, a millionaire and the con man who charmed him.

Are the stories true?

Yes. Every person is real, and the stories are drawn from their own letters and memoirs, old newspapers and court records. Where the record thins into rumor, the book says so.

Who is in the book?

Among others: Frank Critzer, George Van Tassel, Burro Schmidt, Marshal South, Pancho Barnes, Death Valley Scotty and Albert Johnson, Cabot Yerxa, Agnes Pelton, Shorty Harris, Leonard Knight, Bill Keys, Everett Ruess, Mary Hunter Austin, Pegleg Smith, Borax Smith, Howard Hughes, John Wesley Powell, Edward Abbey and Charlie Steen.

Which deserts does it cover?

The Mojave and Death Valley, the Colorado Desert and the Salton Sea, and the canyon country of Utah.

How many chapters are there?

Twenty-three, one for each story. The full chapter index is on the home page.

When does Desert Eccentric come out?

Coming soon. Sign up on cvwooster.com to get an email when it is out.

What formats will it be available in?

Ebook, paperback and hardcover.

Can I read part of it now?

Yes. The prologue is on this site.

Who publishes Desert Eccentric?

Taciturn Studios LLC.

Is the film on the home page real footage?

No. It is AI-generated and labeled as an artistic interpretation. The media credits page explains how it was made.

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