The Pistoleer: A Novel of John Wesley Hardin [Abridged] [Audio Cassette]

James Carlos Blake (Author), Scott Brick (Author), Richard McGonagle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2001

Some have called him a Texas hero. Some called him the Devil himself. But on one point they all agreed: while he was alive, John Wesley Hardin was the deadliest man in Texas. A novel of uncompromising depth and power, the book recounts the wild days of Wes Hardin through the voices of those who encountered him during the forty-two years of his life. The cast is as raw and uncompromising as the writing. The Pistoleer is James Carlos Blake's fascinating debut novel. Blake uses the raw clay of historical fact and weaves a fascinating tale of the Old West.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A genuine tour-de-force.” —Rocky Mountain News

 

“Astonishing.” —Kirkus Reviews

 

“An achievement by any standards, but as a first novel simply astounding.” —Roundup Magazine

 

“Blake writes with a fearless precision and a ruthless sensibility, his prose is spare and tough, and his descriptions detailed and cinematic.” —Publishers Weekly

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From AudioFile

This fictionalized account of the gunslinger John Wesley Hardin's life is told through the voices of those who met him during his violent 42 years. Relatives, friends, acquaintances, and enemies--in all, a broad spectrum of outlaws, gamblers, and working girls--relate adventures and define Hardin's personality, as well as the flavor of the Old West. Scott Brick, Burt Reynolds, and William Windom portray several of the first-person narratives. Each individual characterization adds realism and drama. Portrayed as a family man, married to Jane Bowen until her death, Hardin is arrogant but brave, and somehow sad. Listeners will enjoy the tales and come to admire him. S.C.A. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Phoenix Audio; Abridged edition (November 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590400755
• ISBN-13: 978-1590400753
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,049,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tin Horn Mike, March 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pistoleer (Mass Market Paperback)

This was some book ! Absolutely outstanding in every respect - as a story, in its style, very exciting, excellent dialect, really funny in spots, ..... Chapter by chapter I went from hating the arrogant ... (John Wesley Hardin), to wanting to be a Hardin. If he really was as portrayed in this book (which I doubt), he was mostly the kind of person I respect - leave him alone and he'll buy you drinks all night long and otherwise give you the shirt off his back. Meddle in his business, get in his face, or harm his family and he'll whip you or kill you. Now don't get me wrong. Any reader would try to see where they fit in, in that day and time and I am pretty much left with the sad conclusion that I would have probably been a sorry, boot-licking peddler of some kind . . . . not a Hardin.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What Makes the American West Like Nothing Else, April 17, 2001

By 

M. Meszaros "acadia2431" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pistoleer (Hardcover)

There was nothing like the American West in the history of the world and figures like Hardin exemplify it; deadly, brave, sad and foolish all at once. His death seemed a relief because by 1895 there was no place left for the bravado of a gunslinger who would draw over an insult.

I found the writing format, the telling through other's eyes, less engaging and certainly less tasty than Blake's current style.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best western book ever!, June 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pistoleer (Hardcover)

Was easy reading, fast paced, started on a high and finished on a high. This was as true a story on the life and times of one of the deadliest men ever to live as you can find. I have read the few books there are on Hardin and this is in line with all of them, except for one fact. This book is much better reading!