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

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)

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.

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.

Read like a bibliography and genealogy chart.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, too disjointed in its chronology of events.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A mystery or suspense audio.

What didn’t you like about Jim Sartor’s performance?

OK

Was A Lawless Breed worth the listening time?

No, couldn't make it to the end.

Any additional comments?

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom."

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."

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.

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

No Man Round Who Could Track or Chain Him Down

If you could sum up A Lawless Breed in three words, what would they be?

Quite obviously "John. Wesley. Hardin". This is his story. From childhood, til his death. Thorough, detailed. Some might think too detailed. I enjoyed the minutiae. It was
historic biography presented in an interesting conversational method.

What other book might you compare A Lawless Breed to and why?

The book "Shot All to Hell" by Mark Lee Gardner. About the James and Younger gang and the Northfield, Minnesota robbery and aftermath. That worked came into my mind often while listening to "A Lawless Breed".

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

I liked most of his story narrative work. I didn't care so much for his voice for individuals like Hardin. Overall, very good performance though. An "A -".

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Since the review is titled after "John Wesley Hardin(g)" by Bob Dylan, I'm looking at "Knockin On Heaven' Door".

Any additional comments?

This was a very good biography with a lot of social, geographical, and political insert that fleshed out the story. Some reviewers of the print version felt that was a negative. I enjoyed it immensely. Scholarly, informative but done in a very enteraining way.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this title!

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com

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.

A Lawless Breed

“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”

A Lawless Breed: John Wesley Hardin, Texas Reconstruction, and Violence in the Wild West

by: Chuck Parsons , Norman Wayne Brown

A fascinating look back at a notorious name from history.



The narration was well done..I loved the enthusiasm showed, especially newspaper headlines.Good job, Jim Sartor!

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.