Hell's Half Acre: The Life and Legend of a Red-Light District (Chisholm Trail Series) [Paperback]

Richard F. Selcer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The red-light district of Fort Worth, Texas began its colorful history with the cattle drives of the 1870s and lingered on through World War I. The "Acre," according to this entertaining account, supported a variety of vices, notably drinking, gambling, and prostitution. It also played host to the Wild Bunch, Sam Bass, and other colorful characters. This lively and readable work suffers from a repetitive text and some minor factual errors. For example, "Squirrel-tooth Alice," a well-known bawd, acquired her moniker on account of her pet, not her appearance. Due to a paucity of local sources, the author relies on "scholarly imagination" and accounts of other tenderloins. The bibliography includes many major secondary works, although Anne Butler's excellent Daughters of Joy, Sisters of Misery ( LJ 3/1/85) is unaccountably absent. Selcer's books would appeal to general and informed readers.
- Daniel Liestman, Seattle Pacific Univ.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: Texas Christian University Press; 2nd printing, first impression edition (January 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875650880
• ISBN-13: 978-0875650883
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Foat Wuth Ah Lov Yew, May 17, 2002

By 

Clayton D. Strand (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hell's Half Acre: The Life and Legend of a Red-Light District (Chisholm Trail Series) (Paperback)

Selcer has produced an historical account of Fort Worth's early years, and the relationship of vice to its growth. I found the book difficult to put down until I had read each sordid detail.

You want the truth about the good old days, back when times were simpler? Selcer will give it to you, in spades, enjoy them, and reflect on the lives of our great grandparents.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on Old West Fort Worth ever!, January 23, 2007

By 

Rough Customer (on your six) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hell's Half Acre: The Life and Legend of a Red-Light District (Chisholm Trail Series) (Paperback)

Without a doubt, the best book on the old west history of Ft. Worth, naming names, and places where the action was. Selcer covers it all, from the smallest saloons and big outfits, to the big name gamblers and shady ladies, to the reformers. Locations, descriptions...get ready for a trip in time, you won't be able to put it down. Yeeeeee -Haaawwwww! Lovin it!!

4.0 out of 5 stars My hometown, July 16, 2007

By 

Jackie Collingsworth - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hell's Half Acre: The Life and Legend of a Red-Light District (Chisholm Trail Series) (Paperback)

It could be your hometown too, if you grew up in the west. A good history,(well-researched)that pulls no punches about the unsavory characters and rough life of the old west.