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24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wyatt Earp; Fable of a Lawman, May 7, 2000
Allen Barra's book is a welcome extension to Casey Tefertiller's biography of Wyatt Earp. To fully understand why Earp has gripped both American movie makers and the public for the past 70 years, both books must be read.The major strength of the book is the new perspective on the growth of Earp's legend; why writers, directors and producers chose to alter the truth of Earp's life for the various limp story lines developed during the 1940s and 50s, which most people began to accept as fact for the next thirty years. Readers with a passing interest in Earp will enjoy Barra's detailed chapters about the impact of the Earp legend on American culture and the background information about the two new movies about Earp; "Tombstone" and "Wyatt Earp", which still show up regularly on television and video stores. Another important part of the book is the investigation of Glenn Boyer and Frank Waters; two writers, who have written many books condemning Earp as the villan in the clash between the Earps and the Cowboys in Tombstone. Several simple facts support the contention that the Earp Brothers were on the right side. When the Earps met the Clantons in the famous gunbattle; they confronted the Cowboys face to face in the light of day. They did not plan a night ambush as the Cowboys did when they wounded Virgil Earp and killed Morgan Earp or when Stillwell met the train to California at night hoping to murder Wyatt without being seen. Wyatt Earp lived the rest of his life refusing to discuss his Dodge or Tombstone accomplishments. Also, he did not continue to ring up felony warrants and end up shot to death by a detective; Ike Clanton did. Boyer and Waters criticize Earp for the vendetta against the Cowboys after Tucson(the train attack) but the vendetta ride clearly shows the character of Wyatt Earp. Until Morgan was killed, Wyatt Earp had refained from an all out attack on his enemies who were constantly planning to kill him. He realized several things: the legal system was not going to avenge his brother's death; the right thing to do was to bring the full weight of justice upon the gang; He had the deadly ability to track down the cowboys and kill them. This is why Wyatt Earp appeals to the American public; both yesterday and today. He did what need ed to be done. He compares with other American icons: George Patton, Teddy Roosevelt and Andrew Jackson to name a few. All of whom did the right thing and were severely criticized by the more passive persons of their time.
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by Casey Tefertiller
by Karen Holliday Tanner
by Paula Mitchell Marks
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