Ride the Devil's Herd

Wyatt Earp's Epic Battle Against the West's Biggest Outlaw Gang

By: John Boessenecker

Narrated by: Stephen Graybill

The little-known story of how a young Wyatt Earp, aided by his brothers, defeated the Cowboys, the Old West’s biggest outlaw gang.

Wyatt Earp is regarded as the most famous lawman of the Old West, best known for his role in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. But the story of his two-year war with a band of outlaws known as the Cowboys has never been told in full.

The Cowboys were the largest outlaw gang in the history of the American West. After battles with the law in Texas and New Mexico, they shifted their operations to Arizona. There, led by Curly Bill Brocius, they ruled the border, robbing, rustling, smuggling and killing with impunity until they made the fatal mistake of tangling with the Earp brothers.

Drawing on groundbreaking research into territorial and federal government records, John Boessenecker’s Ride the Devil’s Herd reveals a time and place in which homicide rates were fifty times higher than those today. The story still bears surprising relevance for contemporary America, involving hot-button issues such as gang violence, border security, unlawful immigration, the dangers of political propagandists parading as journalists, and the prosecution of police officers for carrying out their official duties. Wyatt Earp saw it all in Tombstone.

Enlightened

Impressive.
Especially the warning at the end, confirming the old saw about those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Super Concise, Fair Treatment!

This book was incredible. The author covered all of his bases, and told a very complicated story in as fair of a way as I can imagine. I’ll recommend this title to anyone interested in the subject.
Also, great narrator

Good to hear good and bad, and few opinions. Highlighting journalism bias and how similar to today’s partial reporting.

The details of good and bad. How similar today’s journalism. It is all about power.!

thumbs up

great book. it puts you right into the actual gunfight's. very pleased. If you're into western history this book will put you there.

They don't make men like these anymore....

I was hooked from the get go... What a time and way of life all of the people in this book endured. How far we have fallen in some respects and how far we've come in others...

A great listen for anyone..