Customer Reviews

A Fistful of Thorns

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I am a fan of the 19th century American West but usually prefer histories and personal accounts to fiction. But this book is a pleasant exception. As Doc Holiday is a figure somewhat overshadowed by the Earp saga in most historical sources (and we western culture fans know of the broad range of treatment that legend receives in so called historical text) it was exciting to get some insight into such a pivotal character. Mr. Crane does an excellent job of blending fact (as closely as it can be determined) with imagination in portraying a personality that nearly stands as the greatest example of skilled gunman. What is fascinating about Holliday, and so brilliantly demonstrated here by Crane, is that he was neither lawman nor outlaw but driven by his own personal codes of honor and loyalty. Sometimes, stories of which we know the ending can bog down. But in this case, Mr. Crane keeps you turning the pages because his colorful description of Doc makes the journey of discovery more important than the fateful destination.

I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the importance of the American Western Myth in defining our culture, enjoys stories of heroism and sacrifice, or just likes gun play. It was one of the fastest reads I have had in a while.

This is a wonderfully entertaining story that illustrates just how much courage it takes to stand up to corruption and greed. While most tales of the Old West paint Doc as shady sidekick to the noble and just Earps, Michael Crane shifts the focus and shows us a much more complete picture. We see that while Doc was the hard drinking gambler with a deadly temper that we're all familiar with, he was also a man of immense loyalty, constant chivalry, and unyielding integrity.

True to the nature of the story, the author doesn't take you by the hand and gently lead you along the walkways of Tombstone, but instead grabs you by the back of the arm and pulls you through the saloons, alleys and bloody confrontations that made up Doc's world...it's a hell of tour!

Hold on for a wild and adventurous ride through the Wild West! This captivating novel about Doc Holliday paints a vivid picture of not only his life as a notorious gun fighter but also portrays his more reputable characteristics as a gentleman and devoted friend. Doc's journey through the Wild West tells a story of corruption and law prior to the admittance of the Territory of Arizona into the Union. A Fistful of Thorns is a must read, captivating its reader from the beginning to the end.

This book just didn't tell me about Doc Holiday's life, it showed me in full display. The story Mr. Crane paints is vivid and alive with adventure and "daring do". I enjoy history and after finishing this book I had to dust off the trail dust. It was a book that kept me up past my bedtime reading as I always wanted to see what was around the next bend. I look forward to any future works by Mr. Crane.

A friend told me about Apaloosa and Resolution< I didn't think I would like Westerns. I was dead wrong. I immediately went out and bought Brimstone and a few others and this latest Fistful of Thorns was fantastice reading.

Ably written by attorney, former police officer, and western law enforcement expert Michael A. Crane, A Fistful Of Thorns is a superbly crafted novel about the legendary frontier figures Doc Holliday and Kate Elder. Seamy political corruption, power struggles that escalate to ruthless violence, and a powerful evocation of a western frontier yesteryear fill the pages of this riveting and highly recommended saga of the Old West.

Wow, what an exciting journey! I was captivated by the authors interpretation of the characters and their travels; I couldn't put this book down. It inspired me to want to find out more about the legend they call Doc Holliday. If you're remotely interested in the wild west, this book is a must read.

Fist Full of Thorns is a book about Western lawmen written as only a lawman can tell the story. Who were the real villains, the Cow Boys or the Earps; the City Marshals or the County Sheriff? Michael Crane tells the story in black & white of a time when mostly it was shades of gray. This is an excellent read, and I learned more about the life and times of the Old West than in most of the other books on the subject that I've already read.

I can't wait for Mr. Crane to write a book about Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is a student of the Old West, or of law enforcement through the times.

If you want to be transported back in time to the roaring West where men and women lived the gritty frontier life, then read this book! It is the flesh and blood account of one of the more colorful characters of this era.

Times were tough and so were the women and men. Doc didn't have many loyal friends but Kate Elder and Wyatt Earp respected him and sometimes depended on him.

By reading this book you are taken back in time to study and learn about these colorful characters. It is one of those books that you want to keep reading to see what happens next. A good reading experience, guaranteed!