Wyatt Earp - what is the best book about him?

[JJEH]

I recently became interested in Wyatt Earp, not in a weird way, just wanted to learn about his life.

Now, there are a million and five books available. As well as wikipedia and a history website.

Since I like and prefer books, what is the best book? Or what book can you personally recommend? I can't and won't buy 'em all...

Thank you

 

[Wyatt Burp]

My first choice would be "Wyatt Earp, the life behind the legend" by Casey Terertiller. Also good is "Inventing Wyatt Earp" by Allen Barra. I bet these both could be found cheap used on Ebay and amazon.

 

[shell627]

I just bought the Terertiller book this weekend. It was in the bargin books at Barnes and Noble

 

[JJEH]

Thank you gentlemen.

 

[Road Rat]

He was an original Gun Grabber................

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Amazon has that one Earp book "the man behind the legend" at dirt cheap prices.

 

[OFT II]

Another vote for the book by Tefeteller. At least that's how I think his name is spelled.

 

[Absalom]

Also good is "Inventing Wyatt Earp" by Allen Barra..

THIS. And if you want to read a somewhat different western "docu-novel", I recommend Robert B. Parker's "Gunman's Rhapsody", the Tombstone story told clearly based on a reading of Barra's research.

 

[eb07]

Once you are done reading the glorified versions, read this one:

Wyatt Earp: A Vigilante Life: Andrew C. Isenberg: 9780809098699: Amazon.com: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LcuIvDTzL.@@AMEPARAM@@51LcuIvDTzL

Always good to have a second historical view on any subject.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Another vote for the book by Tefeteller. At least that's how I think his name is spelled.

Close enough. I had to lay the book in front of me when I wrote it earlier. This book has that generic title but wasn't an Earp cheer leading book as I recall. But I read it a long time ago. A few years ago a bunch of Earp authors got together in Tombstone and almost had another gunfight arguing about him. Here is a great article which argues in favor of Earp owning a Buntline Special by Earpologist Jeff Morey, researcher/tech adviser for the movie "Tombstone". He's got some good arguments here.
Wyatt Earp's Buntline Special - Tombstone History Archives

 

[kaaskop49]

Hi Jorge, you might also be interested in Jeff Guinn's, "The Last Gunfight." Guinn goes into a lot of detail on the incident and also the hearing held afterwards. Not many know that Earp and Holliday were both jailed after the fight. Wonderful book.

The book mentioned above, "W.E., A Vigilante Life" portrays Earp in an unflattering manner. It is worth reading. I would skip "And Die In The West" by Paula Mitchell Marks. Scholarly and very tedious.

I absolutely adore the Barra book. It appeared in the late 90s. Later books mentioned above make this book seem a bit simplistic, but, as I said, I adore it.

Hope this helps.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Donn]

And Die in the West. by Paula Marks Mitchell was the best, most objective book on Earp I ever read.

 

[Beemer-mark]

Not a book but a newspaper. The "Epitaph(?)" currently published in Tombstone. It's been a long time since I've been in Tombstone but the the newspaper used to give away a free a copy of the paper published when Earp had to face a Grand Jury trial for the murder of the Claytons. It's a court proceeding no different than today. Probably the most accurate and truthful account of what happened that day.

 

[zzzippper]

I recently became interested in Wyatt Earp, not in a weird way, just wanted to learn about his life.
Thank you

Uh huh. Admit it girlfriend, you be all kinds of weird. FRRREAKY!

 

[JJEH]

Thank ya'll for your recommendations, I'll look into these books.

Uh huh. Admit it girlfriend, you be all kinds of weird. FRRREAKY!

You caught me. I just love being "handled" by a 6' lawman

 

[NYlakesider]

Lots of good books listed here.

I take note that no one so far seems to put much stock into Stuart N Lakes version of the Earp saga.

 

[kaaskop49]

And Die in the West. by Paula Marks Mitchell was the best, most objective book on Earp I ever read.

For Every Jack, there's a Jill. Stay safe, partner!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[shell627]

To the op.If you ever get to Tombstone the stores have a lot of interesting books.I am planning on visiting there again next month.And I will Probaly bring back a few books. Very interesting town and all the local people I met there were nice to a Yankee from TN.

 

[JJEH]

To the op.If you ever get to Tombstone the stores have a lot of interesting books.I am planning on visiting there again next month.And I will Probaly bring back a few books. Very interesting town and all the local people I met there were nice to a Yankee from TN.

My wife went there a few times with her mother when she was younger. That was before she knew me. This year we'll go to Omaha, NE for Thanksgiving, but next year we'll go back and visit AZ again. Not sure exactly when though...

 

[JJEH]

When ya go back... look up Don Taylor... he owns a store on Allen Street, I believe. He is the town historian and President of the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce. His store sells books and he can tell ya a lot.

Now that's a plan.

Thank you