Many western writers write in the shadow of Idaho's most prolific novelist.
At the time of his death he was known and recognized within the state and honored outside Idaho, but today few persons under the age of forty even know who he was, claims his biographer, Tim Woodward. Some fans of the film Jeremiah Johnson recognize that it was based on a novel by Fisher, but few know if the film follows the novel closely or are aware of anything else about Fisher or his nearly forty published books. Although his reputation has faded, it is important, especially for Idahoans to come to terms with Fisher's work, in which Idaho figures prominently. This essay seeks simply to provide a brief introduction to the man and his work, emphasizing his Idaho connections and the role of place in his writings. First, it may be helpful to survey briefly the range of his publications, for Fisher was not only prolific but also versatile.