Tag: Wild West
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Brothers of the Gun by Mark Lee Gardner
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Brothers of the Gun: This book is my huckleberry. Quick synopsis: The dual biography of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Fact for Non-History People: A map drawn by Wyatt Earp of the O.K. Corral gunfight sold for $115,000 in 2004. Fact for History Nerds: Doc was born with a cleft palate.…
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Deadwood by Peter Cozzens
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Deadwood: Yup, better than the show (and I love the show). Quick synopsis: The story of the rise and fall of Deadwood. Fact for Non-History People: Within 5 months of the first gold strike in Deadwood, more than 200 buildings had been put up. Fact for History Nerds: The fabled “Dead…
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The Undiscovered Country by Paul Andrew Hutton
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Undiscovered Country: “Undiscovered” really depends on your point of view. Quick synopsis: A look at American westward expansion through the lives of four famous faces. Fact for Non-History People: The American Census Bureau declared the western frontier “closed” in 1890. Fact for History Nerds: The U.S. military tried using camels…
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The Gunfighters by Bryan Burrough
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Gunfighters: Guns? Check. Fights? Check. No lies detected. Quick synopsis: A look at all the Texan and Texas-adjacent gunfighters of the Wild West. Fact for Non-History People: The time of the “Wild West” only covers about 30 years. Fact for History Nerds: The Pony Express only lasted about 18 months.…
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Bandit Heaven by Tom Clavin
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Bandit Heaven: They went to heaven alright. Quick synopsis: Stories of various Wild West gangs and their hideouts in the 1880s and 1890s. Fact for Non-History People: The Sundance Kid’s real name was Harry Longabaugh. Fact for History Nerds: The word “cowboy” wasn’t a Wild West creation. It was first…
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Red Dead’s History by Tore Olsson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Red Dead’s History: When video games and history collide. Quick synopsis: A look at how historically accurate the video game Red Dead Redemption II is. Fact for Non-History People: Red Dead Redemption II has sold over fifty million copies and is in the top ten of bestselling video games ever. Fact…
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Throne of Grace by Tom Clavin and Bob Drury
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Throne of Grace: Life without a map. Quick synopsis: The story of one of America’s forgotten explorers, Jedediah Smith. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Arithmetic used to be called ciphering in schools. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Between 1700 and 1822, European markets purchased nearly forty million pieces of beaver…
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The Last Outlaws by Tom Clavin
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Last Outlaws: Crime doesn’t pay unless you count the free bullets you get shot with. Quick synopsis: The story of the Dalton Gang and the end of the Wild West. Fact for Non-History People: Emmett Dalton was shot 23 times and didn’t die. Fact for History Nerds: The Daltons were…
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Follow Me to Hell by Tom Clavin
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Follow Me to Hell: They never end up going to hell. Just Texas and Mexico. Quick synopsis: The story of legendary Texas Ranger Leander McNelly. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The Texas Rangers were created in 1823 but wouldn’t actually be called the “Texas Rangers” for two years. Fun Fact…