John Ringo [Hardcover]

David D. Johnson (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Barbed Wire Pr; 1st edition (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935269231
• ISBN-13: 978-0935269239
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,179,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars VERY MISLEADING. THIS IS NOT A HISTORY, March 6, 2001

By 

Jonathan Ince - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Ringo (Hardcover)

Like many people I have been intrigued for a number of years about the mysterious life of John Ringo. So it was with much excitement and eagerness that I picked up this book. I was soon left extremely disappointed.

It is a book of two halves. The first deals with Ringo's early years, from childhood to his participation in the Mason County War. This seems to be well researched and offers some interesting insights into his life, and certainly seems to clear up some of John Ringo's movements at that time.

Thereafter, the book takes an alarming turn for the worst. Much of the second half is a blatant attack on Wyatt Earp and anybody who dares to have a good word to say about him. For the record, I am neither pro-Earp, or anti-Earp (nor for that matter am I pro-Ringo or anti-Ringo) - I am just interested in learning more about these fascinating characters and the truth behind their lives. In no way can I condone such a biased, and at times, childish attempt at a 'historical biography'.

I found that I began to question the author's motives for writing the book. Was he really trying to write a biography on Ringo? Or was this another tedious, and pointless excuse to attack Wyatt Earp. It would have been much better had the author concentrated more on his chosen subject.

Instead he writes a lengthy account of the gunfight at the OK Coral (For which Ringo took no part) and events leading up to it, but paints only half the picture. He does not make mention of many contributary factors leading to hostilities between the two groups ie. Earp and Behans affections for Josephine Marcus; Ike Clanton supposedly double-crossing Earp - to name only a couple. Constantly through his book Johnson cites evidence that portrays Earp as the villain, and the the 'cowboy' elemant as honest ranchers. Remarkably he even states that John Ringo was not involved in criminal activity because he was not particularly known in local towns. Johnson says this is proved because they always spelt his name wrong. How naive! Anyone who studies Western history knows individual names were often spelt wrong eg. look at how many ways contemparies of Wild Bill Hickok spelt his name, and surely he was well known.Certainly I do not believe Ringo was as bad as he has been traditionally portrayed, but this kind of arguement is ridiculous.

The author continues his attacks against many authors. He clearly detests Stuart Lake's biography of Wyatt Earp - certainly not a new or unique opinion. Yet the irony is that Mr. Johnson has achieved a biography as one sided (if not more) than Lake's.

He continually criticizes other authors such as Jack Burrows and their arguements, using the phrase 'without documentation'. Yet 'without documentation' Johnson claims that the reason for Ringo's heavy drinking and dark moods, were because of his experiences in the Mason County War. Maybe, but the author takes this for fact. He also states catagorically that Ringo committed suicide, and does not even enter into discussions about the other possibilities. He only uses the evidence that fits into his opinion.

Surely the purpose of a historical account is to present both sides of the arguement, and draw sensible, logical conclusions. This book fails miserably to do that, and for the most part can not be taken seriously.

It is a shame that Mr. Johnson believes his opinion to be far superior and important, than historical facts and truths.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative !, April 12, 2000

By 

K. Drew (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John Ringo (Hardcover)

This book provides a very interesting (and researched) counter-point to the "Gunfighter Who Never Was". It is a fairly dry recitation of names, dates and facts, however, it does provide a very interesting perspective on one of the least factually known characters in the Tombstone mythos. This book will probably stand as the definitive John Ringo resource book for many, many years.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Ringo Book ever, January 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: John Ringo (Hardcover)

Dave Johnson has included more facts about John Ringo than any author before him.This,as of now,is the definitive book on the Desparado from Texas and Arizona.The chapters on Ringo in Texas are worth the price of the book alone.Those of us who are interested in the other side of the Tombstone story appreciate Johnson's fact finding.This is first rate.....John Presutti