Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The: A Novel (P.S.) (Paperback)

by Ron Hansen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Hansen has turned low history into high art. This is a terrific book." (Newsday )

"One of our finest stylists of American historical fiction." (Christian Science Monitor )

"This book is a wonderful achievement." (San Francisco Chronicle )

"Here is THE James book . . . Put Hansen on your bedside table." (Richmond News-Leader )

Product Description

Jesse James was a fabled outlaw, a charismatic, spiritual, larger-than-life bad man whose bloody exploits captured the imagination and admiration of a nation hungry for antiheroes. Robert Ford was a young upstart torn between dedicated worship and murderous jealousy, the "dirty little coward" who coveted Jesse's legend. The powerful, strange, and unforgettable story of their interweaving paths—and twin destinies that would collide in a rain of blood and betrayal—is a story of America in all her rough, conflicted glory and the myths that made her.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (September 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061120197
• ISBN-13: 978-0061120190
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,845 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What A Great Read!, June 17, 2008

By	D. Mikels "It's always Happy Hour here" (Skunk Holler) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Look, I don't know how much of the "novel" THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD is true; I don't know how much of the dialogue and interaction and actions of the characters actually took place, or were embellished by a very gifted Ron Hansen.

But does it matter? The account of the final days of infamous outlaw Jesse James (and the subsequent final days of his killer) is "historical fiction", in any case (the definitive oxymoron, if you ask me). What does matter is this tightly written tale is as fun a read as I've come across in years. Hansen has vividly captured the flavor and pysche--and grit--of post-Civil War Americana. His prose recreates the flare and panache of the 19th Century dime novel; his book is heavily (and delightfully) populated by descriptive passages such as this:

'Zerelda gazed at Bob and mushed vegetables with zig-zag motions of her gums, her lips protruding like the clasp of a purse. She looked to Jesse and said, "I don't know what it is about him, but that boy can aggravate me more by just sitting still than most boys can by pitching rocks." '

Depicting the final train robbery of the notorious James Gang, followed by the band's break-up (and some of its members exited stage left involuntarily), THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD is a fascinating look inside the head of Jesse Woodson James--a calculating, diabolical killer, yet devoted and cherished family man. As a bonus, we get to climb around inside the head of Robert Newton Ford, an undistinguished nobody who yearned for attention. Surrounded by a cast of very colorful characters--most of whom die prematurely--this is a fabulous novel, an absorbing, entertaining read. Any truth, as they say, is somewhere in between.
--D. Mikels, Author, The Reckoning

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fresh Perspective (for me), July 6, 2009

By	heyheyheywotisay - See all my reviews

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I love history, and I am a "sucker" for a good historical novel. This book reads like "fact", and I've no doubt most of it is very close to the truth. It is well written, and the characters really come to life while reading the book. The author did a good job portraying Jesse James as the despicable character he was, and not the folk hero he was made out to be. But, the most interesting part of the book for me, was learning just how much happened to Robert Ford after his infamous cowardly deed. I did not know anything about his life afterword, and doubt most people do.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Journey, April 12, 2009

By	Steve D. Englestad (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I tend to be wordy. I will try not to be. This is a wonderful book. And I loved the movie and own both. The book was written some years ago and is an indepth study of the latter years of JJ. It could be titled The Story of Bob Ford. But then it probably wouldn't have sold. It is done in a style that reflects that era meaning the use of English as well as details in the environment. Some may find the English of that era shot through with references and words we are not familiar with. To some that frustrates. I tend to contextually get their meaning and enjoy that the wording is there and just let it pass. This is not the life history of JJ, but at the point past his life of crime and to the time when Bob Ford comes on the scene. It follows past the death of JJ, following Bob into areas I found interesting. [One fascianating thing for this reader, I am 63. At age 10 or younger there was a record around the house with this song about the coward who killed JJ. Just listened in ignorance and never heard that song again... until the movie. Bob hears it being sung in a bar years after the murder.]
For those who saw the movie, yes, it seems the greater part if not all of the movie script does come directly from the book. I am glad of that. If you're just passin' through, this might bother you. If you are 'interested' then you enjoy the exposure to an earlier time. I watch movies like this several times. (Just understand the book has more words than the movie--lol).