Gunman's Rhapsody

By: Robert B. Parker

Narrated by: Ed Begley Jr.

Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Robert B. Parker gives his fans the book he always longed to write - a brilliant and evocative novel set against the hard scrabble frontier life of the West, featuring Wyatt Earp.

It is the winter of 1879, and Dodge city has lost its snap. Thirty-one-year-old Wyatt Earp, assistant city marshal, loads his wife and all they own into a wagon, and goes with two of his brothers and their women to Tombstone, Arizona, land of the silver mines. There Earp becomes deputy sheriff, meeting up with the likes of Doc Holliday, Clay Allison and Bat Masterson as well as finding the love of his life, showgirl Josie Marcus. While navigating the constantly shifting alliances of a largely lawless territory, Earp finds himself embroiled in a simmering feud with Johnny Behan, which ultimately erupts in deadly gunfire on a dusty street corner.

©2002 Robert B. Parker (P)2009 Phoenix

OK CORRAL

Average western saga. Not as interesting as most of Robert Parker’s books. The western series Cole and Hitch by Parker were more typical Parker reading. Some humor and much action worked well.

My least favorite Parker novel

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I thoroughly enjoyed the snippets of parallel history that Parker inserts periodically and, because I'm a history buff, I considered that, because I was learning new and interesting historical connections, it was time well spent. I also liked the fact that Parker's characterization of Wyatt Earp dovetailed with his descriptions of Virgil Cole in his other western series. Unfortunately he peopled this story with rather colorless characters, unlike Pony Flores, Hitch, Allie and Laurel who made the Cole series crackle with life.

Would you recommend Gunman's Rhapsody to your friends? Why or why not?

I might recommend this book to people who enjoy history, especially western history, because I know that Parker researched the Earp history carefully. I wouldn't recommend it based on a compelling narrative or spine-tingling action.

What three words best describe Ed Begley Jr.’s voice?

Unemotional, flat, mediocre

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Perhaps, but the movie has already been made with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer.....with variations to the story. The movie script was more compelling than this story.

Once of the best Wyatt Earp stories I have read

Would you consider the audio edition of Gunman's Rhapsody to be better than the print version?

They are the same, enjoyed both equally.

What other book might you compare Gunman's Rhapsody to and why?

Any great Louis L'amour western

Which scene was your favorite?

The descriptions of Tombstone

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

It's a great western story for any western fan.

The Erup family together making a life and trouble

Would you consider the audio edition of Gunman's Rhapsody to be better than the print version?

Not for me I don't have time to read and believe Ed Begley Jr. does a much better job bringing to life the characters

What was one of the most memorable moments of Gunman's Rhapsody?

When Wyatt crossed the line and murdered one of his brothers killers

What does Ed Begley Jr. bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Without a doubt Mr. Begley is a reader in the highest class and his works have always been very professional

Who was the most memorable character of Gunman's Rhapsody and why?

Doc Holiday, truely a man who has strong convictions and nothing to lose, he knows he is dying and just doesn't really give a crap

Any additional comments?

This book is very well written and hope to read more by Mr Parker but he has passed have read others and wished he could write many more