The Icons of the Wild West: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Wild Bill Hickok, Jesse James, Billy the Kid and Butch Cassidy

Book Review Written September 1, 2019The Icons of the Wild West: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Wild Bill Hickok, Jesse James, Billy the Kid and Butch Cassidy, By Charles River EditorsKindle Edition (240 Pages)These are a collection of interesting, concise biographies of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Wild Bill Hickok, Jesse James, Billy the Kid and Butch Cassidy who, for better or worse, are among the principal celebrities to emerged from the popular conception of 19th Century America's "Wild West". It seeks to sort out the facts from the legend in order to provide an accurate portrait of each man life and determine the role each played in history during the settlement of the American frontier. The narrative for each person is supplemented with pictures of important people, places, and events from the period. It is well researched, extensively footnoted, and includes an excellent bibliography for those people seeking additional information.If you are interested in history but shy away from the voluminous, scholarly (dry or pretentious), and frequently painful to read and comprehend, type history books there is an alternative. I suggest that you look for history books published by Charles River Editors.This excellent book was professionally researched from numerous primary and secondary sources, written, and published by Charles River Editors. This digital publishing house produces hundreds of thoroughly researched, concise, informative, and well written historical texts.This collection is focused on chronicling world history, including the lives and contributions of historically significant persons, the course of important events, and the actions of great nations and peoples. I have read a good number of their offerings and found each volume well written, researched, informative and presented in an unbiased, easy to understand manner.This book delivers an interesting, straight forward account that is enjoyable to read and easy to comprehend. It is well researched and carefully documented for accuracy. The narrative is engaging and insightful, augmented throughout by contemporary accounts that are informative and interesting. This book provides a balanced, factual narrative regarding each man, their deeds (both good and bad), the impact of their lives on settlement of the west, and the role their legacies have on American culture. I liked this book, finding it very insightful and informative. Readers that enjoy biographical history in general, and in particular history of America's "Wild West" will enjoy this book.

This is a decent overview of some of the West's more colorful participants. Obviously each chapter doesn't go into great detail, so you pretty much get information that is mostly well known and written about. My only problem is there are some errors in historical facts and that it appears some personal opinion is inserted instead of letting history speak.An example is in the chapter on Jesse James, the writer talks about the August 1863 massacre of 200 men and boys in Lawrence, Missouri. That would have been Lawrence, KANSAS, not Missouri.There are unfortunately very few primary source referrences and most data is culled from other writings on the subject matter.Again, good book for a brief overview or a primer for those with no knowledge of this volatile period in American history, but certainly not to be a used as a referrence.

I am an Old West junkie. This book has some pictures I've never seen before and it does a technically accurate bullet point accounting of the events surrounding these peoples lives. If that is what you want, that is what you get. It doesn't have the feel or flavor of the Old West though. You won't feel like you are actually in tombstone as in "The Last Gunfight" and no flesh is put on the bones of any of the characters. I've read a more colorful description of James Butler Hickok in an encyclopedia. There also seems to be a deliberate avoidance of humor. Maybe it was felt those stories had less credibility. But worst of all, the authors sit in judgement on the men they write about. One cannot judge fairly the men of the 19th Century West by 21st Century standards, particularly with a full stomach from a safe, air conditioned office. Morality is a luxury that wasn't always affordable on the frontier. And these authors were more into passing judgement than explaining motivations.

lame accounting of western folklore stars, the format is photocopied pages from what i imagine to be an old paperback. both the quality of the actual looks of the book, and the stories themselves leave much to be desired. my first foray into kindle books was a bust

This book is a historical rendering of the famous outlaws of the West. Their true histories, fact based and meticulously researched. Fun, but reads more like a text book. These men and women lived, loved and died when everyone wore a gun and the West was untamed.

love it

Lots of interesting facts and clarifications of folk tales that to me where previously unknown. The layout of the book was different from anything I have previously encountered, not sure if it was because this was kindle version, and it was my first on the kindle. Overall a good read if you are curious about the characters of the old west this is for you.

I'm about to do some writing of my own about nature and the American tradition. I'm rather disappointed with trivialization of American version of fame and fortune. Wake up, America and smell the coffee!

Bought for friend who was happy

A very good read I knew a little bit about these guys but the book told me so much more and I really enjoyed the read the only fault with it was I could have done with a few more icons in the book.

excellent value for money farst postage

Good read and learnt a lot about these heroes of the west

Bought as a gift,but the recipient has gone out of his way to say how much he has enjoyed the content,so I guess that is a thumbs up?