author
James W. Steele
A Civil War veteran turned journalist and travel writer, this 19th-century American author wrote vivid books about the frontier, the West, and life on the move. His work blends firsthand experience with a reporter’s eye for place, people, and adventure.
1 Audiobook
Steam, Steel and Electricity
by James W. Steele
About the author
Born on November 9, 1840, James William Steele grew up between Illinois and Kansas and later returned east to continue his schooling in Indiana. When the Civil War began, he enlisted with his classmates, served through the war, was wounded twice, and came back to Topeka with a commission as a captain.
After the war, Steele studied law in Topeka, but writing and publishing became a major part of his life. He worked in journalism and magazine editing, and his books often drew on his experience of the American West and borderlands.
His published works include travel and regional titles such as West of the Missouri, To Mexico by Palace Car, Old Californian Days, and Frontier Army Sketches. Together they make him an appealing author for listeners who enjoy firsthand historical writing, frontier scenes, and richly observed accounts of 19th-century America.