Myths and Mysteries of the Old West (Myths and Mysteries Series)

by Michael Rutter

Book Overview

How much of what we know about the history of the Old West is true? In this new book, author Michael Rutter looks at the legend and lore behind such notorious figures as Billy the Kid and Calamity... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0762727926
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: TwoDot
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Pretty good

This book is not for history scholars, but in saying that it's a great read. If you're looking for some light reading on the old west and enjoy mini-stories buy this book.

Twelve tales well told

I had prior knowledge of most of the events recounted in this book, but in some instances the author went into greater depth than I had seen before. This was particularly true of his accounts of "The Battle of Adobe Walls," which is often alluded-to in western literature, and "The Mountain Meadows Massacre," which is largely unknown today. The most interesting account, to me, however, was his tale of the mysterious ending of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I didn't know, for example, that the bodies of the two outlaws killed at San Vicente, Bolivia, had been exhumed and that DNA tests revealed that they were NOT those of the famous outlaws. I, like some of the previous reviewers, expected the author to try and resolve the twelve mysteries of the old west included in this book. But, all things considered, that would be an impossibility. For if that was possible in such a brief tome a this -- they likely wouldn't have been mysteries in the first place. As it turned out, the author simply tells his stories and attempts to dispell some of the fog of myth and shave off some of the fuzz of mystery. And he does that quite well. This is a quick, entertaining, and interesting read. The author clearly loves his subject, has studied it in depth, and enjoys telling a tale or two (in this case twelve good ones). I would particularly recommend the book to anyone unfamiliar with the history of the old west, but it's a fun read for anyone.