Customer Reviews

Famous Gunfighters of the Western Frontier: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Luke Short and Others

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's a fast read, and a worthwhile read. Some may find my rating generous, but while the writing is adequate, the information is interesting albeit brief. As it's written by Bat Masterson, it's written in the style of the newspapers of the day; not a bad thing. Bottom line, read it, you will enjoy it if you enjoy the Old West as I do.

a short book so it is a quick read.it is actually a compulation of 5 dime novels by Bat Masterson from around 1900. it is very interesting, but would have liked more gunfighters in it, there are only 5. alot of pictures of the gunfighters about 1/2 the book

I liked this book. The only negative is it is quite short. The stories were intriguing. Also, it tells the truth about some of these guys being real scoundrels. Such as Doc Holiday gunning down two black people just because they were in a swimming hole he had declared off limits to blacks.

I have always been a history and biography buff,but with a special interest in the American West. Of all of the sources of information that I have come across over the years I believe that this small 105 page book has given me a greater insight into the psychology and motivation of the gunfighters than any other source that I have come across. After all it was written by a man who was there and was one of them. Bat Masterson was not only a gunfighter himself,but also a very perceptive observer and a talented writer having finished his career as a newspaper reporter. This is not a cleansed Hollywood version,but an authenic account of toughmen who lived in a lawless and threatening environment. You will not find all of their qualities endearing, but they were adventurers and risk takers who lived in an exciting and historically signficant era. I have always felt that the reason that the image of the gunfighter created so much interest all over the world was because, while it may not be with guns, so many things in life ultimately come down to the "OK Corral" where everything is laying on the line.

One of the most interesting things to me was Masterson's listing of the qualities of the successful gunfighter:

1. Courage
2. Experience
3. Deliberation

Even given the first two qualities which are absolutely essential; without "Deliberation" and the required mental control a man could not be successful as a gunfighter and Masterson gives several examples of this principle

As a historian, I love primary sources in all forms. These stories, penned by legendary figure Bat Masterson (who led quite an interesting life himself) are enthralling. Masterson paints a livid portrait of the real west, its figures, the lingo they used, and the lives they led. Of course, the book isn't just interesting to students of history. The tales inside can hold the interest of any reader who wishes to indulge their interest for the era through the accounts of those who lived it.

Famous Gunfighters of Western Frontier is a series of newspaper articles written by "Bat" Masterson in the early 1900's about famous characters he once knew or hung around with. He gives his personal insight into each of the Gunfighters he writes about. It is very well written and reads like it comes from a man who knows what he is talking about. Well worth reading, too bad we won't see a follow up book by him anytime soon...........
Wileyjackhammer

Really interesting read from a different point of view. Worth the time. Recommend for a good look at the gunfighters.