Tom Horn in Life and Legend

De: Larry D. Ball

Narrado por: Laurence Lukas

Some of the legendary gunmen of the Old West were lawmen, but more, like Billy the Kid and Jesse James, were outlaws. Tom Horn (1860-1903) was both. Lawman, soldier, hired gunman, detective, outlaw, and assassin, this darkly enigmatic figure has fascinated Americans ever since his death by hanging the day before his 43rd birthday. In this masterful historical biography, Larry Ball, a distinguished historian of western lawmen and outlaws, presents the definitive account of Horn’s career.

Horn became a civilian in the Apache wars when he was still in his early 20s. He fought in the last major battle with the Apaches on US soil and chased the Indians into Mexico with General George Crook. He bragged about murdering renegades, and the brutality of his approach to law and order foreshadows his controversial career as a Pinkerton detective and his trial for murder in Wyoming. Having worked as a hired gun and a range detective in the years after the Johnson County War, he was eventually tried and hanged for killing a 14-year-old boy. Horn’s guilt is still debated.

As a teller of tall tales, Horn burnished his own reputation throughout his life. In spite of his services as a civilian scout and packer, his behavior frightened even his lawless companions. Although some writers have tried to elevate him to the top rung of frontier gun wielders, questions still shadow Horn’s reputation.

©2014 University of Oklahoma Press (P)2019 Redwood Audiobooks

My Thoughts on this book

I really liked this book. I had beebn hearing a lot abot Tom Horn over my 57 years. I just neer took the time to actually listen/read a book about him. I had seen a movie or two but they really didn't leave me feeling to thrilled one way or another. The Steve McQueen movie comes to mind. I really liked the way author, Larry D. Ball cited references to his entries int eh book. Some of the stories I had heard just madde it sound like the author was completely correct and there was no other answer. In short, I feel the book covered most o the bases to Mr. Horn's life. The one downside,if it is indeed a downside, is that it was a 20 hour long audio book. It took a while to get through. In the end, it was worth it to me. I can recommend it to anyone who loves the Wild West era and some of its more notorious people.

History, not a narrative

The narrator is excellent and kept me going longer than I would have otherwise. The book is well written, and the author is transparent about what is known and what is unknown. While this is as it should be for a history, it detracts from the narrative flow because Tom Horn was a notorious braggart and changed his tales frequently. I did enjoy the descriptions about life in the old west, but I was not interested enough in the life of Tom Horn to wade through the competing evidence concerning it.

An exciting story

The author did a great job bringing Tom Horn to life. I almost felt bad for him at the end.

Tom Horn

The legend of Tom Horn was a very good background on Tom Horn. there was a lot of historical content when Tom Warren was a child, that explain the rest of his life.

Flawless

A well put together and great narration of Tom Horns life. Every detail is there about him and the places he worked. Excellent.