Bloody Bill Anderson: The Short, Savage Life of a Civil War Guerrilla [Hardcover]

Albert E. Castel (Author), Thomas Goodrich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1998

The first-ever biography of the perpetrator of the Centralia and Baxter Springs Massacres, as well as innumerable atrocities during the Civil War in the West.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fine and compelling narrative, highly recommended." -- Library Journal

"An honest and feeling study." -- Missouri Historical Review

"There is gore galore in this authoritative yet pulse-quickening narrative of 'bitter bloodshed.'" -- Daniel Sutherland in Civil War History --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Albert Castel is the author of several classic works on the Civil War, including Decision in the West: The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, which won the prestigious Lincoln Prize. Thomas Goodrich is the author of numerous books on the West, including Scalp Dance and War to the Knife. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081171506X
• ISBN-13: 978-0811715065
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,141,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent(but not for the squeamish), May 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bloody Bill Anderson: The Short, Savage Life of a Civil War Guerrilla (Hardcover)

In most places, the War for Southern Independence, as brutal as it sometimes was, had rules which were more or less followed, at least early on. In Missouri, the War for Southern Independence had no rules and was fought that way, brutally and savagely. And the most brutal and savage Missourian of all during this time was William "Bloody Bill" Anderson.

This is an outstanding book, although not for the faint-of-heart(as was the war it describes). The only minor fault I found is that too many of the stories about Anderson come from Union sympathizers and sound like it. Of course, this is a limitation with any book written during this time. Not many of these men got a chance to sit down and write their memoirs, so any researcher must take what is available. And the authors present Anderson as they found him; I could detect no particular bias. This is as good a book as I've ever seen about the WFSI in Missouri and I highly recommend it.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, well represented, throroughly researched book, August 6, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bloody Bill Anderson: The Short, Savage Life of a Civil War Guerrilla (Hardcover)

Once I picked up this book, I could not put it down. Castel and Goodrich did a wonderful job in researching the events that took place in Missouri and Kansas throughout the Civil War. As a previous reviewer had stated, this book is definitely "to the point" and "no holds barred" (not for the squeamish) when it comes to discussing the brutalities that took place against humanity. From robbing banks to kidnapping and brutally beating a wealthy Missourian who gave over 150 slaves their freedom (for those who stayed on, he offered them better pay) to the massacres that took place for those that were either Union soldiers or sympathizers, it was evident that Bill Anderson and his followers had only one mode of operation...that was to inflict as much pain as they could on the region. I never realized how much of a social and economic impact the rogue warriors (Bushwhackers) had on this region. Thanks Castel and Goodrich for a well written, non-biased book!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Title Says It All, October 6, 2004

By 

Avid One - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Bloody Bill Anderson: The Short, Savage Life of a Civil War Guerrilla (Hardcover)

Bloody Bill Anderson was a product of savagery in the early days of the Civil War's influence on Kansas and Missouri. The border war there was bloody and brutal. An eye for an eye conflict that escalated beyond anyone's imagination. The region was devastated. The atrocities that men were willing to commit against each other on both sides of the fratricide in that area are horrendous. Rocketing out of that soup came Bloody Bill. He is the prototype of a deadly psychopath. He was sadistic, ruthless and devoid of conscience.

Castel and Goodrich have outdone themselves in taking what little historical data is available to present as thorough an accounting of Bill Anderson's life as you're likely to find. They hone in on two of his most infamous rampages around Centralia, Missouri. You'll believe you were an eyewitness. However, they don't fabricate the stories or engage in fiction. The book is thoroughly researched and very credible in every detail. They could only have exceeded in this endeavor if there were more firsthand historical data to draw from.

Fact is Bloody Bill was a real individual and these events really did transpire. You will be transfixed even as you are horrified.