Customer Reviews

In the Shadow of Jesse James

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this book was written by stella frances james (1882-1971). she was married to jesse james JR,who was the son of jesse james. stella describes their courtship and marriage and also her memories of the people she knew in the james family,including those who knew jesse james personally(like zee james-his wife and zerelda cole james-his mother).
this book -by no means-is a book explaining the history of jesse james but,more true recollections of those who knew him and were speaking freely to a member of the family and in such case,the stories would be as close to the truth as anything.
this book has some nice photos of stella,her daughters, and members of the james family,etc. the latter section of the book deals with the james families legal troubles with two imposters-john james and j.frank dalton(who were both frauds).
stella ends her book by saying she hopes her story will help people find the truth,
versus the "legend" and the "myth" of jesse woodson james. i think it does.

This small red hardback recently caught my eye in the gift shop at the James Farm, near Kearney, Missouri. A relatively short read (only 142 pages), it gives the history buff a different perspective of the James family and of Jesse's son, Jesse, Jr. The book is well written and edited and would not disappoint the fact-seeking reader.