Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal

Here's a long-forgotten Old West hero story that's worth introducing to kids. Bass Reeves was an escaped slave who hired on as a U.S. Marshal in the lawless Indian Territory that would later become Oklahoma. During his tenure, he made 3,000 arrests and only 14 kills. Outlaws knew their number was up when Bass had their warrant. Everyone--whites, Indians and blacks--respected and feared Bass Reeves. His life on the road, the trickery he engaged to get his man, and his full-sized personality and abilities make an appealing story that's described in a folksy tone.

#14 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and bid to properly restored to a place on the Top 100 Readers list. For a full explanation see my review for [b:101 Amazing Facts about Australia|21332402|101 Amazing Facts about Australia (Countries of the World)|Jack Goldstein|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1394253825l/21332402._SY75_.jpg|25417728] You can see all the books on their own shelf

Bass Reeves' life is a truly fascinating story, and one that should be more broadly known, and would be if people of color weren't deliberately omitted from the whole Wild West ideal. Overall Nelson does well telling the history with lots of colorful phrases, well-selected moments of innate drama, and dialogue from cited show more sources. His was a long life, so not all of it gets a look-in, and it's almost impossible not to want more. Christie's art is vivid and arresting: the whole book design is great.

That said, there were two things that bugged me. Quite possibly no one except me would be bothered. Likely child readers wouldn't notice.One is that while most of Bass' life is set in Indian Territory, Indians are almost entirely erased. There are no native people named, no perspective on how those who survived the Trail of Tears might feel about the US making sovereign land safe for white settlers who were supposedly barred from that land. I don't want to see the entire focus shifted, but most readers won't know exactly what Indian Territory is, or where, information they won't find out until the very end.

The second thing is that to demonstrate what a righteous dude Bass was, Nelson relates the story of his son being wanted for murdering his (the son's) wife. The murder victim is never named, nor is the son. Bass turned his son in, of course, and the young man was tried. When convicted, Bass' son wasn't hanged, he was a model prisoner, and he was released after serving ten years. While I understand that Bass and his son were both relieved by that outcome, it seems kind of grossly dismissive of violence against women to treat that as a relatively happy ending to the incident.

Nonetheless, cool book and one that should hold tremendous appeal.

Library copy show less

Born into slavery in Texas, in 1838, Bass Reeves would go on to become one of the most celebrated U.S. Marshals of his day, before slipping into an undeserved obscurity. Thankfully, Vaunda Micheaux Nelson is here to set young readers straight, and tell them the story of this dedicated lawman, and his efforts to bring safety and order to the Indian Territories (modern-day Oklahoma). Hired by Judge Isaac Parker, Reeves worked tirelessly to track down outlaws and lawbreakers, and, although willing and able to use violence, did not embrace it. Of his more than three thousand arrests, only fourteen resulted in death - an astonishing record for that time and place! Known for being incorruptible - he once arrested his own son, Benjamin, on a show more charge of murder - he won the respect of many of the people of the Territory, despite resistance (on the part of some) to the idea of a black lawman. He served for an incredible thirty-two years.

This engrossing book presents an exciting but little known chapter from the history of the American West, and is sure to appeal to young readers with an interest in that time and place, or who enjoy tales of outlaws (Belle Starr appears!) and the lawmen who opposed them. As other reviewers have noted, Nelson's narrative has the feeling of a Tall Tale, while R. Gregory Christie's bold illustrations capture the excitement of the story. I'd never heard of Bass Reeves before picking up this book, and am glad to have that omission rectified. show less

As a hockey fan, I learned about Bass Reeves via his descendant in the NHL. I had to read this book once I came across it. It's very informative and does a great job of showing a broader and more diverse history of the American West than most people know existed. Really enjoyed the illustrations as well!

A gorgeously-illustrated book and well-written story, "Bad News for Outlaws" is the kind of children's book I wish I had more of when I was growing up. The story is lively, entertaining, and fast-paced, and captures not only the tale of Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, but also the spirit and feel of the old west for kids who aren't exposed to nearly enough American history. Easily the best children's book I've read this year, and a fascinating character study to boot!

I almost wish I could have some of these illustrations poster-sized and sold in stores--I'd love to put some of illustrator R. Gregory Christie's work on my wall!

I would give this fascinating story about an unsung hero five stars, but for one thing. The parts about 'Only Native Americans were supposed to be live in Indian Territory, but some Indians accepted blacks' is putting it mildly. Native settlements were slaughtered for sheltering fugtive slaves. So 'accepting blacks' was more than some generous thing to do. White people took any excuse they could to kill Native Americans, but concerning the decimation of entire tribes people like to gloss over because it looks bad for American history. Especially when it also has been revealed more than acceptance occurred between minorities. But this goes into far more than for a children's book and is me being picky. I just really don't like the way show more this is stated, and think it's something very few people know about and should be known more about...
But Bass Reeves sounds like the kind of lawman we need to hear more about, as well as Judge Parker. Not the fictitious Lone Ranger and Tonto characters. His life sounds like a real tall tale. The illustrations are striking and fitting the west's environment with 'rugged' appeal. The larger size of the book is an extra little nod to Bass Reeves' larger-than-life life. show less

The cover and title of this book are immediately engaging for students, which makes them want to take it off the shelf... but it is so much more! This is the story of Bass Reeves, who escaped from slavery in the 1860s and became a U.S. marshal in the very country that had enslaved him. He was respected for his ability to communicate with Native Americans in the "wild west" in what was to become Oklahoma. He used skill, his intelligence, and sometimes trickery to arrest "his man", rather than kill him. This story reads like a tall tale, and Reeves seems larger than life, but it is a great source for a positive role model of a black man in a difficult historical time. It is about overcoming adversity, and becoming more than others think show more you can. A great read for any class or library, to be included during a biography study, during Black History month (or year), or a study of diversity and human rights. show less