New Jelly Bryce Book!

[HTaylor]

Hello:

Just wanted to share the news that we have released a new novel based on the life and times of D.A. "Jelly" Bryce that members of this forum may like to read.

The author, Mike Conti, did a lot of research into the man and his times and the reviews have been strong so far!

If interested please check it out on Amazon, or through the jellybryce.com website that has more information about Jelly Bryce as well as info on the book.

Jelly Bryce: The Legend Begins: Mike Conti: 9780977265978: Amazon.com: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KrbBQ%2BCkL.@@AMEPARAM@@51KrbBQ%2BCkL

Thanks and best regards,
H. Taylor
Saber Press

 

[Wyatt Burp]

A novel? No offense, but if he was interesting enough to write about, which he is, isn't what he REALLY did more interesting?

 

[DR505]

I think I too would prefer a biography. His deeds were amazing enough that they don't need to be fictionalized.

 

[HTaylor]

No offense taken!

For a great biography on Jelly Bryce, you should check out Ron Owens' awesome work, Legendary Lawman. Owens, a retired Oklahoma City Police Captain, wrote this book like an investigation and presents an honest, balanced picture of D.A. Bryce's life.

Legendary Lawman: The Story of Quick Draw Jelly Bryce: Ron Owens: 9781596527577: Amazon.com: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VAinHXO5L.@@AMEPARAM@@51VAinHXO5L

Mr. Conti, a second-generation police officer himself, wrote the novel version of Bryce's life because he was always fascinated by Bryce and other law enforcement officers of that era, and thought people would enjoy a story based on both.

It was also an attempt to make the public more aware of the legendary law enforcement officers like Jelly Bryce who have, for the most part, been relegated to the role of "supporting player" when the tales of the gangster era are told.

So far the feedback shows that people enjoy reading the story and learning about those times through the eyes of the good guys for a change!

 

[Wyatt Burp]

No offense taken!

For a great biography on Jelly Bryce, you should check out Ron Owens' awesome work, Legendary Lawman. Owens, a retired Oklahoma City Police Captain, wrote this book like an investigation and presents an honest, balanced picture of D.A. Bryce's life.

Legendary Lawman: The Story of Quick Draw Jelly Bryce: Ron Owens: 9781596527577: Amazon.com: Books

Mr. Conti, a second-generation police officer himself, wrote the novel version of Bryce's life because he was always fascinated by Bryce and other law enforcement officers of that era, and thought people would enjoy a story based on both.

It was also an attempt to make the public more aware of the legendary law enforcement officers like Jelly Bryce who have, for the most part, been relegated to the role of "supporting player" when the tales of the gangster era are told.

So far the feedback shows that people enjoy reading the story and learning about those times through the eyes of the good guys for a change!

Thanks! I read this book mentioned here long ago but forgot to look into it.

 

[gregintenn]

No offense taken!

For a great biography on Jelly Bryce, you should check out Ron Owens' awesome work, Legendary Lawman. Owens, a retired Oklahoma City Police Captain, wrote this book like an investigation and presents an honest, balanced picture of D.A. Bryce's life.

Legendary Lawman: The Story of Quick Draw Jelly Bryce: Ron Owens: 9781596527577: Amazon.com: Books

Mr. Conti, a second-generation police officer himself, wrote the novel version of Bryce's life because he was always fascinated by Bryce and other law enforcement officers of that era, and thought people would enjoy a story based on both.

It was also an attempt to make the public more aware of the legendary law enforcement officers like Jelly Bryce who have, for the most part, been relegated to the role of "supporting player" when the tales of the gangster era are told.

So far the feedback shows that people enjoy reading the story and learning about those times through the eyes of the good guys for a change!

I have this book, and it is a very interesting read.

 

[BE Mike]

I have this book, and it is a very interesting read.

I too read the book, "Legendary Lawman: The Story of Quick Draw Jelly Bryce" by Ron Owens. It was a very good read. I'd like to see someone write a biography of Walter Walsh.

 

[gregintenn]

I too read the book, "Legendary Lawman: The Story of Quick Draw Jelly Bryce" by Ron Owens. It was a very good read. I'd like to see someone write a biography of Walter Walsh.

To say he led a very long and very interesting life is quite an understatement.

 

[David LaPell]

I'll probably snag that book, I read Owens' story of Bryce. I have been a fan of his and any unknown gunfighter (really never hear of Bryce outside of certain circles) for some time now.

D.A. ?Jelly? Bryce: the F.B.I.?s first Sharpshooter - Guns.com

 

[Texas Star]

In general, I'd be very cautious about fictionalizing an account of a real person.

It's been done, with Davy Crockett and others, and as far as I know, no authors have been sued. But Bryce lived relatively recently, which may be a factor.

Moreover, fiction gets intermingled with truth and may eventually distort the reality of the person portrayed.

I have written stories that included real historical persons, providing a preface that made it clear that their involvement was fiction. But I have not had any do anything that they logically wouldn't have done in real life, such as assigning a couple of pilots to fly a reconnaissance mission and report personally to the general involved. I did have then-Princess Elizabeth attend the wedding of a prominent British subject to a US pilot, but that in no way presented Her Majesty (present title) in any way that might demean or embarrass her. I had Gen. Doolittle have lunch with the US pilot soon after he (the fictional pilot) received the Medal of Honor, but they just discussed the Doolittle raid and a couple of fighters and their impressions of the planes. Nothing that Doolittle might not have really done, and wholly non-controversial...

Overall, I think it's best to create a new character BASED largely on the real one, while making it clear that there is only a resemblance to the real man or woman. Saying that they "inspired" the new character seems best, while making it clear that the character and what he does is wholly fictional and is NOT intended to actually represent the real fellow or what he might have done in a given situation.

That said, if this new book presents Bryce well, I'd be interested in reading it. And I plan to read the actual biography. It must be hard to get enough real data to write an insightful biography of most historical characters, other than recording events that made the news or personal recollections of his acquaintances. And such recollections are subject to the veracity of the individual interviewed and his failing memories.

 

[HTaylor]

Thanks for your comments Texas! Please be assured that a great deal of research was conducted to ensure there would be no infringement of anyone's rights and that the depiction of Mr. Bryce was honorable as was he. The story was also based largely on the well-established legend that has grown around him, hence the title of the book.

Best regards and best of luck with your own writing efforts!

 

[gkitch]

Lucky 44?

While we are talking about Jelly Bryce...what exactly was his "Lucky 44" he used before the advent of the 357 Magnum? Was it a 4" Wolf & Klar?

 

[Massad Ayoob]

The Conti book is excellent. Think of it as historical fiction, with the history EXTREMELY well researched, written with the insight of a genuine street cop author. I enjoyed heck out of it and am looking forward to reading the next installment.

 

[Mike Conti]

While we are talking about Jelly Bryce...what exactly was his "Lucky 44" he used before the advent of the 357 Magnum? Was it a 4" Wolf & Klar?

According to Ron Owens and other sources, Jelly Bryce's "Lucky Gun" was a .44 Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector, 3RD Model or "Wolf and Klar Model" of 1926 sporting a 4" barrel.

This pistol was reportedly nickel-plated, ornately-engraved, with ivory or MOP grips. The grips had a steer head on the right panel, and a custom-engraved left panel featuring the number "13" and a black cat.

Also according to Ron, there is a photo of the gun in the April 13, 1932 edition of the Oklahoma City Times that accompanied a story about Bryce and his "Lucky Gun."

A search of this forum for ".44 Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector, 3RD Model, Wolf & Klar," will produce several informative threads with photos of representative models.

Unfortunately, the whereabouts of Bryce's Lucky .44 are unknown. If anyone reading this has any information about it, or any photos to share, that would be outstanding!

 

[Mike Conti]

The Conti book is excellent. Think of it as historical fiction, with the history EXTREMELY well researched, written with the insight of a genuine street cop author. I enjoyed heck out of it and am looking forward to reading the next installment.

Thank you for the kind words, Mas! Part two is coming along nicely, the deeper I get into the history of the FBI the more I realize how much I didn't know. Fascinating times, people, and events. Stay well, Sir.

 

[Onomea]

The Legend Begins is only $5.99 for the Kindle ebook. Looks like a good read.

 

[jlrhiner]

Where can we find an autographed edition?

 

[mc5aw]

I have never liked fictionalized accounts of history, but good enough for Mr. Ayoob, good enough for me. Mr. Conti chiming in was just extra incentive to purchase the book.

 

[vigil617]

According to Ron Owens and other sources, Jelly Bryce's "Lucky Gun" was a .44 Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector, 3RD Model or "Wolf and Klar Model" of 1926 sporting a 4" barrel.

This pistol was reportedly nickel-plated, ornately-engraved, with ivory grips. The grips had a steer head on the right panel, and a custom-engraved left panel featuring the number "13" and a black cat.

Also according to Ron, there is a photo of the gun in the April 13, 1932 edition of the Oklahoma City Times that accompanied a story about Bryce and his "Lucky Gun."

A search of this forum for ".44 Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector, 3RD Model, Wolf & Klar," will produce several informative threads with photos of representative models.

Unfortunately, the whereabouts of Bryce's Lucky .44 are unknown. If anyone reading this has any information about it, or any photos to share, that would be outstanding!

Mr. Conti, with all due respect to you as a published author whose work is complimented by folks of the likes of Mr. Ayoob:

Would you care to expound on your choice to make this a novel instead of a biography, and to comment on any efforts you made to portray Mr. Bryce's exploits as they truly occurred and without fictionalizing that would confuse, and perhaps even introduce an element of question into, portions of his legacy? (These are what appear to be the concerns of those, including me, who wonder why your book was done as a novel instead of a biography.)

All due respect to Mr. Taylor as well; however, we have to be understandably questioning of the comments of the publisher of the book who, after all, is unlikely to say anything negative about it and would be expected to be effusive in his praise.

 

[Mike Conti]

Where can we find an autographed edition?

Thank you for the inquiry, Jim.

I always try to make personally-signed copies of my books available for those who may want them, simply because I always enjoy having signed copies of books in my own library.

If you or anyone would like a signed/inscribed copy of the Jelly Bryce book or any other of my titles, you can order directly from the website, Saber Group, Inc.

There is a space on the site that you can enter your requested inscription along with the order.

I also have another site, www.jellybryce.com that you can order from, and this site also provides photos/information on the real D.A. Jelly Bryce, as well as a few video clips of the man when he was running for governor of Oklahoma. I also have another video that Ron Owens shared with me that shows a younger Jelly Bryce demonstrating some fast draw moves with his Registered Magnum and FBI hand-to-hand tactics--in color no less! As soon as I can acquire permission from the owner, I plan on posting that as well.

Just for the record, there are no additional charges for a signed copy, and I take care of shipping cost (within the USA) as well. Unfortunately, I cannot match or beat Amazon's price, so the book's retail price of $14.95 will apply.

Thank you again for your interest, Sir.