Wild Bill

The True Story of the American Frontier’s First Gunfighter

De: Tom Clavin

Narrado por: Johnny Heller

“The first thing you will notice about this engaging and delightful biography is that [narrator Johnny Heller] sounds like a character actor who moseyed off the set of an old-fashioned oater. His voice is a little scratchy, a little seasoned and perfectly suits this biography of larger-than-life Bill Hickok and his pals, from Calamity Jane to Buffalo Bill Cody and General Custer.” (The Berkshire Edge)

This program includes a bonus interview with the author.

The definitive true story of Wild Bill, the first lawman of the Wild West, by the number-one New York Times best-selling author of Dodge City.

In July 1865, "Wild Bill" Hickok shot and killed Davis Tutt in Springfield, Mo., - the first quick-draw duel on the frontier. Thus began the reputation that made him a marked man to every gunslinger the Wild West.

James Butler Hickock was known across the frontier as a soldier, Union spy, scout, lawman, gunfighter, gambler, showman, and actor. He crossed paths with General Custer and Buffalo Bill Cody, as well as Ben Thompson and other young toughs gunning for the sheriff with the quickest draw west of the Mississippi.

Wild Bill also fell in love - multiple times - before marrying the true love of his life, Agnes Lake, the impresario of a traveling circus. He would be buried however, next to fabled frontierswoman Calamity Jane.

Even before his death, Wild Bill became a legend, with fiction sometimes supplanting fact in the stories that surfaced. Once, in bar in Nebraska, he was confronted by four men, three of whom he killed in the ensuing gunfight. A famous Harper’s Magazine article credited Hickok with slaying 10 men that day; by the 1870s, his career-long kill count was up to 100.

The legend of Wild Bill has only grown since his death in 1876, when cowardly Jack McCall famously put a bullet through the back of his head during a card game. Best-selling author Tom Clavin has sifted through years of Western lore to bring Hickock fully to life in this rip-roaring, spellbinding true story.

"[Narrator Johnny Heller] ensures that Western aficionados will enjoy listening to the life of Wild Bill." (AudioFile Magazine)

©2019 Tom Clavin (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"[Narrator Johnny Heller] ensures that Western aficionados will enjoy listening to the life of Wild Bill" (AudioFile Magazine)

The world around Wild Bill, and Wild Bill, too.

It certainly is a comprehensive account of James Butler Hickok, and shares a lot of information from his private and public lives, A lot of his work, prior to his later fame, as a Union spy was quite interesting, and the book gives a coherent picture of the man.

That being said... Wild Bill is often a supporting character, or even at times absent, in his own book. There are extended periods of time when we learn about George Custer, Buffalo Bill Cody, Tom Smith, John Wesley Hardin, Calamity Jane and many others, making the book half again as long as it might be, if it stayed on the main subject. Certainly crossing paths with these people is noteworthy, particularly in clearing up the relationship with Jane. But even as the tangents stray, fortunately, they stay just this side of reasonable, providing color and context for the life of Wild Bill Hickok.

I Learned Much

I learned a great deal about Wild Bill. The book helped me appreciate the man and all he did and learn about the many famous people who passed through his life in his short lifetime. He truly was larger than life. I recommend this audiobook.

great book

i enjoyed the mix of lore and known facts. the book painted a superb picture of wild Bill's life and the people around him.

Incredibly exciting & informative!

Excellent narrator! beautifully written with excitement, mystery & charm! I will definitely read this author's other books as well.... starting with "Dodge City".

unbelievable

it was an fascinating Epic. I learned so much about a man that I thought I knew. his story stands as a great American tale.

A great look at real Wild Bill!

Excellent narration combined with superb writing ushered me through this book as Clavin swept away fictional accounts of Wild Bill and introduced me to the real man. Clavin confirmed much of what I already knew about Hickok and shared many facts I had never heard before. His writing remained concise and interesting throughout the book. The coverage was so thorough that the book left me with no unanswered questions about Wild Bill. I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in the old West or Wild Bill. I'll also watch for more books narrated by Johnny Heller.

Good book that drags a bit with background info

It was an interesting book but it did drag a bit with background information. Not enough information about Jack McCall, Hickok assassin and his reasons for shooting the famed gunfighter.

Wild Bill

Very interesting and covered others in his life. Easy to followed with coverage on other iconic westerns

it was ok but i wouldn't listen to it again.

it was ik. it kept my attention but I can't say I would recommend it unless you were board and out of credits.

Great American read!

Loved this book! We listened to it on a road trip to Deadwood. It set the stage for our own great American adventure. We loved the narrator and the additional stories of men and women of the time. There was so much more to Wils Bills life, accomplishments, patriotism, and hardships than we realized. Great book!