Jesse James and the Civil War in Missouri (Missouri Heritage Readers) (Paperback)

by Robert L. Dyer (Author) "Jesse James is one of the most famous outlaws in American history..." (more)
Key Phrases: train robbery, Jesse James, Civil War, Frank James (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Civil War in Missouri was a time of great confusion, violence and destruction. Although several major battles were fought in the state between Confederate and Union forces, much of the fighting in Missouri was an ugly form of terrorism carried out by loose bands of Missouri guerrillas, by Kansas "Jayhawkers", or by marauding patrols of Union soldiers. This irregular warfare provided a training ground for people like Jesse and Frank James who, after the war, used their newly learned skills to form an outlaw band that ultimately became known all over the world. "Jesse James and the Civil War in Missouri" discusses the underlying causes of the Civil War as they relate to Missouri and reveals how the war helped create both the legend and the reality of Jesse James and his gang. Written in an accessible style, this text should be welcomed by anyone with an interest in the US Civil War, the legend of Jesse James, or Missouri history.

Product Details

• Paperback: 86 pages
• Publisher: University of Missouri Press (May 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826209599
• ISBN-13: 978-0826209597
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #623,565 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Easy Read ... for a Reason, April 25, 2000

By	T. C. Ross (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I picked up this book, I quickly discovered that I'd overlooked something: It is designed for adults who are learning to read. With that caveat in mind, Jesse James and the Civil War in Missouri is an interesting glance at the influence of the Civil War and Quantrill's Raiders on the infamous Frank and Jesse James.

Given its goal of being a easy-to-read book, Dyer decent a good job of describing the divisions between Unionists and Confederate sympathizers in Missouri and the rather limited role the James Brothers played in the Civil War. All in all, the book mostly whets one's appetite for more information, but there are some good photos and basic information that might recommend the book, particularly to younger readers who are interested in the Wild West or the Civil War.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Reading, December 6, 2001

By	Charlene S. King (Thousand Oaks, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to know more about Jesse James and what was going on in Missouri during the time of the civil war and Jesse's robberies and this book gave me a good basic understanding.
It was very easy reading and helpful.