There were twice as many Westerns on top 10 lists from 1900-1924 than from 1924-2014. Keep in mind that is 24 years versus 90 years. Cowboys really are a dying breed.

A look at Western bestsellers and top movie premieres. This timeline portrays the decline of western novels and subsequent popularity of Western movies.

As you can see, readership of Literature and Fiction and Historical Fiction has greatly declined from 1980-2014. From 1900-1980, there was a 76% chance readers would be reading a book from these two genres. From 1980-2014 this dropped to just a 15% chance.

The age of Literature and Fiction and Historical Fiction is seemingly over. 

A look at the trajectory of two different genres that seem to be pitted against each other. Literature and Fiction declines as Mystery, Crime and Thriller booms in popularity.