Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S.… (2009)

Large format book with dramatic illustrations. The mustaches and headgear are great. Useful all round book as Bass Reeves's life gives insight into the conditions and history of the time. The references in the back and indeed the overall design are exceptionally good. ( )

Bass Reeves escaped from slavery to become a feared and revered peace o cer. He became a hero of the Old West, carrying out over 3,000 arrests.

This is an Ownvoices and biographical book about the man Bass Reeves. It follows his story from his time as a US Marshal all the way back to his time as a young boy on the plantation with his family. I really love how engaging and story oriented this biography is and I think students could really learn so much about this Bass Reeves from reading this! I would sure use this in a history lesson or a book to recommend to a student who is really interested in historical events! ( )

The historical tale of Bass Reeves, one of the most respected and feared deputy marshals in the Far West. It tells the history of how Bass grew up a slave, then married and had eleven children. It extols his virtues as a man of justice, when marshals were no better than the outlaws they sought. It also exhibits how he used violence as a last resort with over 3000 arrests of white, black, and indian fugitives and outlaws, he only killed 14 in his 30 year stint as marshal. An african american history that gives readers a look at righteous individuals when lawlessness prevails. The violent underpinnings of this time period in american history, sometimes uncover people who seek real justice and are overall very good people. ( )