Walter Wangerin 
The Book of the Dun Cow 

The timeless National Book Award-winning story of the epic struggle between good and evil.



“Far and away the most literate and intelligent story of the year … Mr. Wangerin’s allegorical fantasy about the age-old struggle between good and evil produces a resonance; it is a taut string plucked that reverberates in memory” —New York Times



“Belongs on the shelf with Animal Farm, Watership Down and The Lord of the Rings. It is, like them, an absorbing, fanciful parade of the war between good and evil. A powerful and enjoyable work of the imagination.” —Los Angeles Times



In a time when the sun revolved around the Earth, and the animals could speak, Chauntecleer the Rooster rules justly over his kingdom. But while peace reigns for Chauntecleer, evil is brewing across the river, as the monstrous Cockatrice pillages his own lands and people, preparing for the return of Wyrm.



Imprisoned within the Earth to contain this ancient evil, Wyrm is determined to return, with the help of Cockatrice. Keeping Wyrm in his prison is a task too great for any individual animal, so it is up to Chantecleer to rally all of the animals, great and small, to work together to keep the Earth safe once again.



“Good and evil were never seen more distinctly not pitted more ferociously than in this animal fable, reverberating with the righteousness of the Bible or a medieval morality play … The animals are not mere literary symbols but are invested with a humanness all their won.” —The Saturday Evening Post



“Wangerin’s story functions as a frightening representation of modern evil … a parable for adults to ponder.” —The Christian Century “Wangerin has so fluidly woven all these legends together into one small gem.” —Washington Post Book World

About the author

With fans numbering in the millions, Walter Wangerin, Jr. is widely recognized as one of today’s most gifted writers on issues of faith and spirituality.  Beginning with the renowned 
Book of the Dun Cow, Wangerin’s writing career has encompassed almost every genre: fiction, essay, spirituality, children’s stories, and biblical exposition.  Wangerin has won the National Book Award, the New York Times Best Children’s Book of the Year Award, and several Gold Medallion Awards, including best fiction awards for both 
The Book of God and 
Paul: A Novel.  Wangerin’s most recent work,  
Naomi and Her 
Daughters, released in September, 2010, is a historically accurate telling of the ancient narrative filled with rich description and gritty realism cast in new light.  Wangerin was speaker for the Lutheran Vespers radio program from 1994 through January 2005, and prior to joining Valparaiso’s faculty he served as an inner-city pastor in Evansville,  Indiana for 16 years.  The author of more than forty books, Wangerin lives in Valparaiso,  Indiana where he is Senior Research Professor at Valparaiso University.