Desperadoes

By Ron Hansen,

Book cover of Desperadoes

Book description

At age 65, Emmett Dalton, the sole survivor of the infamous Dalton gang makes a living by selling his outrageous adventure stories to Hollywood. Desperadoes details his memories of the murders, bootlegging and thievery he and his posse committed. The grit and excitement of these violent times are expertly evoked…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Desperadoes as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Like many of us, I’m fascinated by the Old West (maybe it’s all those cowboy shows and movies I watched as a kid).

The novel follows legendary Dalton Brothers gang (related to the Younger brothers who ran with Jesse and Frank James). I stumbled across Desperadoes, which artfully co-mingles truth and fiction.

Hansen uses the conceit of having a novel told in the form of a fictional memoir, written in 1937 by 65-year-old Emmett Dalton, the last surviving member of the infamous gang.

Hansen centers his action around the gang’s plot to rob two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas, and…

Want books like Desperadoes?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 58 books like Desperadoes.

Browse books like Desperadoes

Book cover of Lolita
Book cover of The Naked and the Dead
Book cover of Portnoy's Complaint

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,171

readers submitted
so far, will you?