• A Lawless Breed

  • John Wesley Hardin, Texas Reconstruction, and Violence in the Wild West
  • By: Chuck Parsons, Norman Wayne Brown
  • Narrated by: Jim Sartor
  • Length: 13 hrs and 54 mins
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars (32 ratings)

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A Lawless Breed  By  cover art

A Lawless Breed

By: Chuck Parsons, Norman Wayne Brown
Narrated by: Jim Sartor
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Publisher's summary

John Wesley Hardin! His name spread terror in much of Texas in the years following the Civil War as the most wanted fugitive, with a $4,000 reward on his head. A Texas Ranger wrote that he killed men just to see them kick. Hardin began his killing career in the late 1860s and remained a wanted man until his capture in 1877 by Texas Rangers and Florida law officials. He certainly killed 20 men; some credited him with killing 40 or more.

After 16 years in Huntsville prison, he was pardoned by Governor Hogg. For a short while, he avoided trouble and roamed westward, eventually establishing a home of sorts in wild and woolly El Paso as an attorney. He became embroiled in the dark side of that city and eventually lost his final gunfight to an El Paso constable, John Selman. Hardin was 42 years old.

Besides his reputation as the deadliest man with a six-gun, he left an autobiography in which he detailed many of the troubles of his life. In A Lawless Breed, Chuck Parsons and Norman Wayne Brown have meticulously examined his claims against available records to determine how much of his life story is true, and how much was only a half truth, or a complete lie. This deeply researched biography of Hardin and his friends and family will remain the definitive study for years to come.

The book is published by University of North Texas Press.

©2013 Chuck Parsons and Norman Wayne Brown (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A Lawless Breed will likely become a classic." ( True West)
"Readers of gunfighter lore will embrace this fine biography, and so will Texans in general." (Bill O'Neal, author of The Johnson-Sims Feud)

What listeners say about A Lawless Breed

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Claptrap

According to these authors, nearly everything John W. Hardin said was a lie. Wish Mr. Hardin was still alive so you could have called him a liar to his face you fearless Ink-slingers. Don't think you'd have the guts.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Listener received this title free

A thorough history of the Texas outlaw

The authors construct an exhaustive biography of outlaw John Wesley Hardin, comparing claims made by the gunslinger himself in his autobiography against contemporary records. As pointed out in the book, Hardin often justified his killings as self-defense. Despite having a father who was a Methodist minister, Hardin became a product of post-civil war Texas. As a result of the violence, the governor of the state declared Texans as the "most lawless people on earth," and formed the state police to combat the chaos. I found "A Lawless Breed" a stimulating well-researched work.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fact not fiction

Very well written, very well narrated. Cuts through the lies and myths of this unique man’s life and death. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a true accounting of the life and death of John Wesley Hardin.

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  • D.
  • 05-15-20

Too Text Book

I'm sure these are great researchers and historians. But the presentation does not make for a good audio book. Lacks story. Bogged down on details. If you're looking for a reference book, this is good. But if you're looking for a good story, not so much.

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terrible

author should not write about who he hates. portraying hardin as a liar in this whole terrible book.
narrator was really bad as well..

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Great history of John Wesley Hardin

Which character – as performed by Jim Sartor – was your favorite?

All of them, he is so talented!

Any additional comments?

A Lawless Breed: John Wesley Hardin, Texas Reconstruction, and Violence in the Wild West
Written by: Chuck Parsons , Norman Wayne Brown
Narrated by: Jim Sartor
This book really intriqued me. I knew very little about John Wesley Hardin and boy did this open my eyes. What little I thought I knew was all wrong. He had quite a life! Wow, everytime I read about these characters during the old west and civil war times I am just astonded that any of them lived very long at all the way they acted and behaved! The wounds and injuries that the indured, I am so surprised more didn't die of infection. This book really went deep into the lives of John, his friends, family, places he lived, his crimes, the ones he was accused of, family, and more. Wonderfully detailed. I didn't get lost at all, shock! Easy to understand and follow. I looked up the images of him on the internet and the younger Hardin was quite a looker! Too bad he was such a heartless killer.
This was an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
The narrator was awesome. He made listening to this book a real joy. He was able to do so many different voices consistently and with such distinction that I could recognize the different voices as who they should be. These voices added a realism to the story.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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Don't waste ur money

Hard to listen to. No real facts just hear say. Don't want beat a dead horse but don't waste you money

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Wild Wild West

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to any friend who is fond of westerns. I am very interested in westerns, both fiction and non. This one did not disappoint.

What about Jim Sartor’s performance did you like?

He was a good narrator, good flow, easy listen.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It was an entertaining biography.

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this review copy via Audiobook Boom at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

historical biography,

I received this book free from ebalst, and this is my unbiased opion. Everything you wanted to know about Hardin. a little dry, if you're doing research definitely worth a listen

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding narration of history.

very enjoyable dipscription of this historical outlaw. factors and situations that are widely unknown of his life and legacy.

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily decided to review."

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