Written by Thomas S. Klise (1928-1978) and subtitled An Epic Novel Portraying The Terrible Truth About Western Civilization. With its deceptively simple, fast paced story development, interlocking themes and brilliant images and archetypes, The Last Western was called a breakthrough in contemporary fiction when it was first published in 1974.

This scarce novel has caused growing buzz on the Internet. The story relates the life of Willie, a multi-racial, multi-national athlete, born in an obscure corner of the American Southwest, who rises to prominence first as a baseball phenomenon, then as a religious leader and peacemaker. The main character’s story has been likened to that of Barack Obama’s quick assent from relative obscurity to become President of the United States. There has also been comparison of this book written by Klise, who was a relatively unknown writer and producer of educational films, to that of David Foster Wallace’s hugely popular 1996 novel Infinite Jest. In a 2004 handwritten letter, Wallace (who committed suicide in 2008) addresses one fan’s question regarding Klise’s book as the inspiration for Infinite Jest.

Willie, an Irish-Indian-Negro-Chinese boy born in an obscure corner of the American Southwest rises to prominence as an athlete, religious leader, and peacemaker.

Published in Hardcover and subsequently Paperbacfk by Argus Publishing (1974).