Bat Masterson: The Man and the Legend

This is a well researched and written book about a western icon. Unlike many westerns, this one is a very interesting read - sharing not only the life of Bat Masterson but the gunfighters and others who lived around them and their experiences. For example, a whole chapter is on Jim Masterson and his experiences in southern Kansas and Colorado in the late nineteenth century. Although the book does an excellent job of covering Bat during his Dodge days and especially his two years as sheriff of the county and the "battle of the Plaza" afterwards, I especially liked the stories about his late years in Denver and New York, including his close calls with possible gunfights during that time. Yes, Bat Masterson did not kill 27 men, and only one is credited to him, but it is clear from this book, that the reason for this was that most people stayed clear of him because of the recognition of his prowess with a six gun. This book is not only a history of Bat Masterson but an excellent history of the gunfighters who crossed his path. Consequently, I highly recommend this for any individual interested in that period of US history.

Mr. Dearment has provided an excellent read. The data is presented in a well thoughtout manner while the writing style is easy to read and comprehend. It seemed like there was less of Bat's later life presented then earlier days but that may be because there was more to present. I tend to read mostly non-fiction, historical books and found this to have been a very worthwhile project to read.

I bought this book in hardcover when it was first published back in 1979, having that same first edition copy on my shelves. Hadn't read the book in quite a few years and with Encore Westerns now re-running the "Bat Masterson" TV series of the late 1950s thought it time to once again to brush up on the 'real' William Barclay Masterson. While the TV series offers great intertainment it also offers very little solid history or biography. I have all of Mr. DeArment's books so coming to this book was nothing new to me, but the one thing that struck me during last evening's read was the amount of collateral information included in this book; it is not just a straight biography focused on Bat but included much surrounding information, for example, the founding of Fort Dodge with the later Dodge City becoming just Dodge. The rough, tough edge of the frontier men: some fair and square, others just vicious killers. Whether as DeArment states no evidence exists for Bat's killing anyone, many, many other men with whom he daily associated did kill with some killing more than once. And most famous names of those western times on both sides of the law, were personally well known to Bat Masterson, and he lived to tell about them and the times, too. It's good to see this book still being read by people not only interested in Bat Masterson but also the west in general. No better way to spend a few evenings than going over this book that is now close to a generation old; but as one reviewer here remarked, it is still the standard bearer for contemporary writings on Bat Masterson. Since I am an avid western reader, fiction and non-fiction, I have most of the newer biographies on Earp and Holiday, but for Masterson no newer book has appeared. Best to read this one if Bat Masterson is your man! Recommended. Semper Fi.

Mr. DeArment is one of my favorite authors, when writing of the old west as he is in his element! Most any book on the old west by Bob is going to be a winner. My copy won't make resale as it is reference copy for my library as is dog-eared and highlighted from front to back, with my notes all over the pages. I throughly enjoyed this book and came to have more respect for Bat..than Bat did for Doc.

DeArment's "Bat Masterson" is a fantastic book if you're looking for an exciting account of this famous western lawman, gambler and journalist. While debunking the myth of Masterson as a killer, the author weaves a well researched and exciting tale of Bat Masterson, the crack shot, utterly fearless and justifiably famous Western lawman. Although the book is somewhat scholarly in its approach in the sense that it is well researched, it nevertheless reads like a fast-paced novel. DeArment traces Bat's life from his days as a buffalo hunter as a young man through his career as a lawman during which he served in various law enforcement posts including elected sheriff of Ford County, Kansas, city marshal of Dodge City and deputy United States marshal. Dearment also does an excellent job of illustrating the sometimes fine line between the lawmen and the criminal element in the Old West. If you're a fan of the Old West gunfighter genre it is particularly interesting to compare the various accounts of a single incident as explained by multiple authors such as the excellent account of Wyatt Earp's escapades written by Tefertiller. Even Bat's later career as a sports journalist is fascinating as presented by Dearment. You've got to love this book if you want an exciting "you are there" approach to the fascination of free-wheeling Dodge City and the other frontier towns frequented by Bat Masterson. Thanks are in order for Mr. DeArment from any Old West gunfighter afficionado.