Customer Reviews

John Wesley Hardin Texas Gunman

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I had "John Wesley Hardin" on the shelf for a number of years and I finally got around to reading it recently because I was curious about the notorious Texas outlaw. I am STILL curious about John Wesley Hardin (JWH). This book told me about a great son, gracious sibling, wonderful friend, adoring father, terrific husband and all around nice guy who killed 40-some people in "self-defense". "John Wesley Hardin" is portrayed in a manner that I just couldn't accept and I blame the author, Lewis nordyke, for laying it on so thick. JWH frequently gambled and only lost when some one else was cheating. Midway through the book we discover thathe not only knows how to play ten pins, he is one of the greatest at playing that game. On and on we go to where it is just too much.

Lewis Nordyke credits access to the Hardin family records and correspondence for his information. He also refers to the autobiography of JWH which was almost completed at the time of his death. I'm guessing that this is where he gets all of the thoughts and conversations of JWH that permeate the book. I will look further into the life of this ruthless outlaw and I would expect to see some connection with the truth and Nordyke's version of it. Perhaps other accounts leave out the halo. The final two pages or so of the biography gives a glimpse of a troubled man that might actually have some semblance to reality.