C. L. Sonnichsen (1901–1991)

A highly enjoyable read about a questionable character. Sonnichsen pulls of the difficult task of writing in an erudite yet breezy style.

The history of a desolate piece of desert in south central New Mexico involves a series of rough characters who lived by their own definition of right and wrong, which was not necessarily the same as their neighbors. Many murders went unsolved largely due to the "friends don't tell" philosophy and court proceedings were often skewed. This book brings some of the major players during this period into perspective to their time and place and helps the reader to form personal opinions.

In this show more updated version (1980), the author brought the history into the age of atomic energy age, i.e., the 1945 Trinity site testing of the atomic bomb and forward. show less

I feel that this book was more about the movies than the books. It's not that I'm offended by what I'd call an editorial mistake as regards the sub-title. I found this survey interesting with some insights into how the genre interacts with its public, and me.

A very readable history of feuding in Texas in the 19th Century. To heck with the Hatfield & McCoys, try the Reeses, Hopes, Townsends & Hardings of Texas. This is a scholarly work with a huge bibliography & copious notes which the author admits he used so no one took offense with his interpretation of events & I suppose came gunning for him. It also includes photographs of famous feudalists and the lawmen who tried to keep the lid on things. The Texas Rangers came out very well in the show more incidents in which they played a part. Not though the politicians and especially the legal system from judges to juries, to sheriffs and other peace officers. Corruption was rampant. show less