Bandit Heaven

The Hole-in-the-Wall Gangs and the Final Chapter of the Wild West

By: Tom Clavin

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

"The entire cowboy-outlaw era, which reached its climax in 1897 and ended around 1905, comes vividly alive in this kaleidoscopic work ... countless other instances of robbing, stealing and retribution, are woven splendidly into this rousing saga of the closing years of the outlaw epoch of the American West." —Wall Street Journal

From multiple New York Times bestselling author Tom Clavin comes the thrilling true story of the most infamous hangout for bandits, thieves and murderers of all time—and the lawmen tasked with rooting them out.

Robbers Roost, Brown’s Hole, and Hole-in-the-Wall were three hideouts that collectively were known to outlaws as “Bandit Heaven.” During the 1880s and ‘90s these remote locations in Wyoming and Utah harbored hundreds of train and bank robbers, horse and cattle thieves, the occasional killer, and anyone else with a price on his head.

Clavin's Bandit Heaven is the entertaining story of these tumultuous times and the colorful characters who rode the Outlaw Trail through the frigid mountain passes and throat-parching deserts that connected the three hideouts—well-guarded enclaves no sensible lawman would enter. There are the “star” residents like gregarious Butch Cassidy and his mostly silent sidekick the Sundance Kid, and an array of fascinating supporting players like the cold-blooded Kid Curry, and “Black Jack” Ketchum (who had the dubious distinction of being decapitated during a hanging), among others.

Most of the hard-riding action takes place in the mid- to late-1890s when Bandit Heaven came to be one of the few safe places left as the law closed in on the dwindling number of active outlaws. Most were dead by the beginning of the 20th century, gunned down by a galvanized law-enforcement system seeking rewards and glory. Ultimately, only Cassidy and Sundance escaped . . . to meet their fate 6000 miles away, becoming legends when they died in a fusillade of lead.

Bandit Heaven is a thrilling listen, filled with action, indelible characters, and some poignance for the true end of the Wild West outlaw.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

Critic reviews

<p><b>Praise for Tom Clavin:</b><br><br>“A rollicking tale of a Texas lawman and the iron-jawed contingent that rode with him...Fans of the Wild West and its pistol-packin’ miscreants will enjoy Clavin’s latest.” —<i>Kirkus Reviews </i>on <i>Follow Me to Hell<br></i><br>“Fascinating … this is a stirring account.” —<i>Forbes </i>on <i>Follow Me to Hell<br></i><br>“Clavin is one of the most popular and bestselling Western authors writing about the Old West … His pace keeps the story moving and he provides details on the historical characters and events that make you want to read more on the topic after [finishing] the book.” —<i>True West </i>on <i>Follow Me to Hell</i><br><br>"Clavin knows Western history ... [he] tells a good story." ―<i>Library Journal </i>on <i>Follow Me to Hell</i></p>

Must listen

very entertaining and very informative! I heard more details about stories of the west that I have been listening and reading about since I could read.

Tom Calvin deals another winning hand.

Mr. Calvin certainly knows how to write the strokes of the Old West & Johnny Heller provides the gritty, raw voice that’s brings them alive. Wonderful book, need more in this vein.

Outstanding narrator

Very well done and entertaining. Perfect for lovers of the old west and history buffs. the narrator is perfect.

Engaging characters

Enjoyed the narration, characters and overall story. Lots of interesting facts about the West. I’ll be looking for more from this author.

Good job

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid are the main characters, but he discusses so many other things as he follows them over the years. You wonder what happened to the Sundance kids’s wife who settled in San Francisco?