Customer Reviews

The Gun That Wasn't There

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Gun That Wasn't There" is an interesting true story about a man who lived off the land, the ranches, and the businesses of the area he was in. The local people knew about him, had often seen him, but it wasn't unusual for "illegals" to cross their ranches so they didn't pay much attention to him until he broke into a house while the people were home and attacked them. This is a story about man against man, one wanting to be left alone to survive the way he knew best, and those who wanted to stop him.

The book includes several original photographs as well as recent photos of the area. The author paints such a vivid description of the area that you already know what is there without seeing the photographs. There are numerous endnotes that historians and genealogists will love.

What a great book. I could visualize the caveman bandit, his hiding spots, the rough land, the houses and the people. Russell Smith brings the characters and the landscape to life. Chapter 1 was a great way to start the book and it hooked me. I can't wait to read his next book.

Russell Smith has a way of telling a story so that you see every event, almost as if you were there when it happened. You see the rugged country and the people very vividly in your mind. You feel the suspense as the caveman bandit enters a home at night while the occupants are sleeping. You laugh as two macho teenage boys decide they will be heroes and catch the bandit one dark, cold night. I got so involved in the story, I didn't want it to end.

Russell S. Smith was the Police Chief in San Angelo, Texas for years. He was an outstanding officer. There were many twists and turns in this book, it kept my interest and eyes on the printed page. He is a true detective, enjoying the chase as he traced the facts in order to find the truth.

What a great book! Author, retired Texas Police Chief Russell Smith, has a unique way of talking to the reader. This is an interesting account of the "Caveman Bandit" - in a time much like the Wild West but in the 1960's. Most certainly all those who have roots in West TX would be interested as well as Texans everywhere. As a Californian, who has never been to that part of the country, I referred to a TX map to visualize the expanse of land that the Bandit inhabited. Wow - it is really incredible to think that a human was capable of covering such an enormous territory. Also incredible is the way this man slinked in and out of businesses, houses, rugged terrain, in and out of Mexico and Texas -without detection - sometimes underneathe the noses of those who so desperately hunted him. Yes, the bandit was incredibly animal-like: digging for shelter in caves, surviving off the land, outwitting and outrunning his prey. You will have to read this book for the interesting details and to see how the story ends. Bravo Chief Smith!

Russell Smith did a wonderful job of research and telling the story. I got the book several months ago at about 5PM and finished it at 1AM as I could not put it down. It helps to keep things interesting when you know or knew about 80% of the characters. I grew up on a ranch NE of Dryden and my father was one of the horseback "Posse" members looking for the Caveman after he shot Sheriff Cooksey. Although the Caveman never came into our ranch house while we were there, he did enter the house and stole plenty of items including a Model 94 Winchester 30-30 rifle that we have never recovered. Although I was only about 9-10 years old when all of this was taking place, Smith's account is dead on with the events I recall. This would make a very good movie.

The author spent a lot of time on this topic and perhaps a little too much time on giving us details. But if you lived in the area or you want to know what color the children's hair was of one of the witnesses, then you will not skip some of the writings as I did. I loved the book and have shared it with others who also found putting it down difficult. Buy it, you'll like it.

This is one of the greatest lawenforcement reads that I have read in a long time.
Something about the Texas Rangers, the very best lawenforcement agency in the world!!

I love this book. As I am reading it I feel I am getting to know all of the characters, the time frame and the setting. I am looking at a bit of history that is interesting and fun to learn about. The pictures keep me grounded in the time and the story.

great book. It has some history of my family. the writer strived to get this as acurate as possible.