The Only True History of the Life of Frank James

As Written by Himself

By: Frank James

Narrated by: Russell Stamets

Length: 3 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

"To those in whose hands this book finds it way, I wish to convey my greetings, and to assure you that it has been a great pleasure to me to be spared, and able to write the only authentic history that has ever been written by a member of the noted, or as some might express it, 'notorious' James Brothers gang, whose operations extended over a time, beginning with the outrages which were perpetrated on the family of the parents of Jesse and Frank James, by the Quantral band, which will be narrated in the pages which are to follow, and going through the different operations of the Jesse and Frank James gang of outlaws, ending with his death, which occurred at Wayton, Newton county, Arkansas, on the 14th day of February, 1926."

This history was written by Frank James himself, at odd times, during his latter years and was, two years before his death, entrusted to his daughter, Mrs. Sarah E. Snow, of Wayton, Ark., with his request that it be kept a secret until after he had passed away, after which it was his desire that it be published to the world, and his identity disclosed, in order that the world might learn some of the true facts concerning the whys and wherefores leading up to and the causes which forced these two brothers into outlawry.

Public Domain (P)2022 Russell Stamets

Frank James learned something new about

I’ve choose this book because Bud and Donnie Pence are of relation of our family that where neighbors to the Boys And rode under the black flag. Also I read Hard way out of Hell by Cole Younger for a cross reference

It’s jumps around a lot, so can be hard to follow. The narrator is not my favorite.

I learned new information about Belle Star, Jim Reed, The Youngers, and Robert Ford, and others.

Not bad, but not great either.

I would recommend to the die hard Fan of the outlaws and Quantrail Raiders.