Encyclopedia Of Western Lawmen and Outlaws

The title pretty much says it all here. The 1989 volume covers the greater- and lesser-known white hats and black hats of the Wild West. Though the text is illustrated with photographs and drawings throughout, there is also a separate section of photos of the most famous people and places.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Not up to the hype
I bought this book because the reviews were very good. Unfortunately, if you have other books to cross-reference it with, it comes up short. When it comes to the amount of information in this book, there is no comparison. However, every single thing you read must be taken with a grain of salt, because there are so many errors. It’s hard to know what to believe and what to accept as simply incorrect, if you have no further source of information. There were MANY obvious errors, involving a number of the more famous people in the book, that could be discovered by simply reading another book on the same subject. Even a picture of a famous Wild Bunch member’s lover is labeled as the wrong person. Another aspect of the book I found very disturbing, is Nash’s consistent habit of stating pure speculation, as adamant fact. Nash has the ability to make you believe that what you are reading is the only possiblity, unless you know that the facts are otherwise. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is interested in FACTS only. Too many “facts” were either wrong or fabricated. If you are interested in learning the basics about A LOT of people, and are willing to accept that things may not be as stated, then this book is fine. If you are a serious researcher of western history, I would recommend looking elsewhere.

5 Stars this has to be UNDISPUTABLY the best resource on famous Wild West Characters
anytime you here a famous character’s name in a western movie, you can bet that you can go and look it up in this book, and learn everything that has been documented about them in real life. This book is incredible, and if you’re a western history buff, this is the only book you need! You won’t believe the things that REALLY happened in the wild west… you hear all the rumors on TV, but this book sets it all straight.

5 Stars A fantastic book….must read!
This book has so many stories about outlaws and lawmen I have and haven’t heard of before. It’s presented so fantastic. Each individual is a story in their own right. I couldn’t put down this mammoth book and you would be crazy not to order this! The portraits are nice, too.

3 Stars Quantity Beats Quality
With more than 1,000 entries and 400 pictures it would be hard to complain about what is left out of this encyclopedia. That’s why I couldn’t pass it up when I saw it in a bookstore. Also it has an extensive bibliography I have found very useful. Those are the strong points. As I read through the entries, though, I began finding things that didn’t jibe with other books I’ve read. For example, Nash has Belle Starr living with Cole Younger and later robbing a California prospector while Glenn Shirley’s book, Belle Starr and Her Times, shows there is no evidence she did either. Nash has Jesse James riding with William Clarke Quantrill when they sacked Lawrence, Kansas while others, such as Edward Leslie in The Devil Knows How to Ride, shows that Jesse wasn’t part of that raid. These are only a couple of examples but I’ve run across a number of others. It has forced me to use this book with historical reservations. That’s why I would only recommend this encyclopedia after making the reader aware of its shortcomings.

5 Stars The old west comes to life!
When I first received this book I thought it would be another book briefly talking famous “bad guys” and those who brought them to justice, I was wrong, very wrong. Jay Robert Nash is one of, if not the best, at bringing to life the Old West and those who made it come alive.

With over a 1000 entries and well over 300 photos, this book goes beyond Jesse and Frank James, The Cole-Younger gang, Billy the Kidd, Pat Garrett, Bat Masterson and The Earps. You’ll read about judges, Sheriffs, outlaws and so much more.

I spent over four hours reading this book form cover to cover and every page has something new and fascinating. Facts and myths, legends and tales, it’s all here and waiting for you to explore. You’ll ride along with the Texas Rangers and help out the Pinkertons, and never have get dirty.

I have seen books on lawmen of the old west, and also books on outlaws of the west, for the first time you have a reference book that gives you both and at a price that makes it a great gift for anyone.

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