The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid

This was fascinating, but one needs to overlook the fact that it was written in the 1800s by a man who was NOT a writer by profession. However, this is outweighed by the fact that Pat Garrett was there, and he knew Billy the Kid. That is the true charm of this book.

I learned a lot about The Kid, a lot that surprised me. Though Young Guns is, of course, mostly fiction and Hollywood dazzle, it did get some of the details about The Kid right--the large wrists and small hands, making him hard to keep in handcuffs; riding on the side of his horse into a camp, gun blazing; his intense loyalty to his friends.

It's very sad that his life ended the way it did--by surprise and not in a gunfight... but he would have preferred even that over the show more gallows. His last words: "Quien es?" show less

If you're looking for a factual, well documented book on the life of Billy the Kid, well this isn't it. My advice is that if you're interested in this uniquely American character (s) you should certainly give this a read (it's a short book) but do take the 'facts' more as Garrett's opinion than the truth. Also, depending on what type and style of writing you prefer, you might find his a bit lacking in the excitement department.

I love the life of Billy the Kid, perhaps because of Young Guns and the Bon Jovi soundtrack I still play when no one else is looking. However, Garrett was not a writer, and his biography of the man he killed is not as exciting as many other books I've read on the outlaw. I would recommend this to anyone truly interested in a historical look at Billy the Kind, but...well...don't expect to be blown away.

Although the narrator was excellent, this is not an easy book to listen to, just because it's an older book and the style of writing is old-fashioned. But, that said, the content was downright interesting and, well, fun to listen to in historical context (I doubt I'd feel the same way if this were an account of a contemporary killer). Billy the Kid was a killer and outlaw and it probably was scary to have guys like that running around killing whomever they wanted. But his story has been overblown in history and it was enjoyable to read this relatively "true" account of his life.

This particular book is interesting, not for the quality of its writing or accuracy of its story, but for the fact that its author is indeed the notorious man who shot Billy the Kid. After the story is over, he even has an Addendum, defending himself from claims that he was not an honest and upright dealer. This book is worth reading, if nothing else, for that.

There have been nickel & dime yellow-backs, articles, history books, novels and of course, Hollywood film versions of the legend known as Billy the 'Kid'. Now read the memoirs by the sheriff that not only knew the 'Kid' first hand, he killed him. But by all means, read the intro by J.C. Dykes (it sets the authenticity headed in the right direction, something the astute reader will catch as to who's actually telling the story and when) and the addenda for the authors final words. The book was written as the language was spoken back in the day, and the edition I read claims to have been printed in 10 point Janson; the purpose being 'to provide a readable page, in a type face whose nervous vigor has something in common with the exciting show more events it records.' I'll give it that much. It was desirable to envision this legend of the west, go down the way it did. Cattle rustlers, dusty trails, on the lamb, no fear of the law, and cold-blooded murder makes for 'the faithful and interesting narrative' the title's by-line lays claim to. How true is this version? I couldn't really say, I wasn't there. But since the story was conveyed by the 'man' that had nothing to hide, and it's image is as far from 'over-the-top' as a legendary story can be told, I'll take Garrett's word for what transpired in the back third of the book. show less