Vineyarders have come so far east that they’ve broken free of mainland America, but one West Tisbury resident is the man to go to for a conversation about Western United States history.

Paul Magid has worked as an attorney, volunteered for the Peace Corps and served as general counsel of the African Development Foundation. After a decade of researching and writing, he published a 347-page biography in 2011, entitled George Crook. Recently Mr. Magid received the Spur Award for best non-fiction biography by the Western Writers of America .

George Crook (1828-1890) is best known as an Indian fighter during the Apache and Sioux wars. Mr. Magid’s biography explores the earlier life of the general, from his early professional years in Ohio through his time as a general in the Civil War.

The Spur Award has been in existence since 1953 and has gone to such notables as Michael Blake for Dances With Wolves, and Larry McMurtry for Lonesome Dove. Mr. Magid received his award on June 16 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

George Crook is Mr. Magid’s first book, but it will be followed by a second volume.