Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

author

Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

1862–1919

Best known for fast-moving historical adventures for young readers, this Kentucky-born writer turned American history into vivid frontier, Civil War, and colonial-era fiction. His books blended action with a strong sense of place, helping generations of readers imagine the past as a lived experience.

35 Audiobooks

The Young Trailers: A Story of Early Kentucky

The Young Trailers: A Story of Early Kentucky

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Quest of the Four: A Story of the Comanches and Buena Vista

The Quest of the Four: A Story of the Comanches and Buena Vista

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

Before the Dawn: A Story of the Fall of Richmond

Before the Dawn: A Story of the Fall of Richmond

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Tree of Appomattox

The Tree of Appomattox

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Eyes of the Woods: A Story of the Ancient Wilderness

The Eyes of the Woods: A Story of the Ancient Wilderness

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Scouts of the Valley

The Scouts of the Valley

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Rock of Chickamauga: A Story of the Western Crisis

The Rock of Chickamauga: A Story of the Western Crisis

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Guns of Bull Run: A Story of the Civil War's Eve

The Guns of Bull Run: A Story of the Civil War's Eve

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Texan Star: The Story of a Great Fight for Liberty

The Texan Star: The Story of a Great Fight for Liberty

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Hosts of the Air

The Hosts of the Air

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Border Watch: A Story of the Great Chief's Last Stand

The Border Watch: A Story of the Great Chief's Last Stand

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Texan Scouts: A Story of the Alamo and Goliad

The Texan Scouts: A Story of the Alamo and Goliad

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Rulers of the Lakes: A Story of George and Champlain

The Rulers of the Lakes: A Story of George and Champlain

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

In Hostile Red

In Hostile Red

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Sword of Antietam: A Story of the Nation's Crisis

The Sword of Antietam: A Story of the Nation's Crisis

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Guns of Shiloh: A Story of the Great Western Campaign

The Guns of Shiloh: A Story of the Great Western Campaign

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Forest of Swords: A Story of Paris and the Marne

The Forest of Swords: A Story of Paris and the Marne

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Last of the Chiefs: A Story of the Great Sioux War

The Last of the Chiefs: A Story of the Great Sioux War

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Sun of Quebec: A Story of a Great Crisis

The Sun of Quebec: A Story of a Great Crisis

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Great Sioux Trail: A Story of Mountain and Plain

The Great Sioux Trail: A Story of Mountain and Plain

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Hunters of the Hills

The Hunters of the Hills

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Shades of the Wilderness: A Story of Lee's Great Stand

The Shades of the Wilderness: A Story of Lee's Great Stand

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Star of Gettysburg: A Story of Southern High Tide

The Star of Gettysburg: A Story of Southern High Tide

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Guns of Europe

The Guns of Europe

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Keepers of the Trail: A Story of the Great Woods

The Keepers of the Trail: A Story of the Great Woods

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Candidate: A Political Romance

The Candidate: A Political Romance

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Scouts of Stonewall: The Story of the Great Valley Campaign

The Scouts of Stonewall: The Story of the Great Valley Campaign

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Last Rebel

The Last Rebel

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Lords of the Wild: A Story of the Old New York Border

The Lords of the Wild: A Story of the Old New York Border

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Masters of the Peaks: A Story of the Great North Woods

The Masters of the Peaks: A Story of the Great North Woods

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

The Sun of Saratoga: A Romance of Burgoyne's Surrender

The Sun of Saratoga: A Romance of Burgoyne's Surrender

by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler

About the author

Born in Kentucky in 1862, Joseph Alexander Altsheler grew up in a setting that later shaped much of his fiction. He studied at Vanderbilt University and began his career in journalism before becoming widely known as a novelist.

Altsheler wrote a large body of popular historical fiction, especially adventure stories for younger readers. Many of his best-known books are set on the American frontier or during major conflicts such as the French and Indian War and the Civil War, and they are remembered for their brisk pace, outdoor settings, and strong storytelling.

He spent part of his professional life in newspaper work in Louisville and New York, then devoted himself mainly to writing. He died in 1919, but his novels remained in circulation long afterward and still appeal to readers who enjoy classic tales of courage, wilderness travel, and American history.