The Authentic Life of Billy, The Kid

By Pat Garrett,

Book cover of The Authentic Life of Billy, The Kid

Book description

Billy, The Kid, The Noted Desperado of the Southwest, Whose Deeds of Daring and Blood made His Name A Terror in New Mexico, Arizona and Northern Mexico Few names evoke images of the lawless Old West as much as Billy the KId. He has been the subject of countless films,…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Authentic Life of Billy, The Kid as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Like many of the period books, this one has to be seen in context. It was written just eight months after Garrett shot William Bonney, so the story is at least fresh. But subsequent scholars have found the story to be full of holes and self-serving versions of history. But it makes fascinating reading, because shooter and victim had a history. According to Garrett, the Kid’s last words were in Spanish, “Quien es?” (“Who is it?”)

From Jim's list on Wild West Desperados.

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