Jessie James

I did not check up on the source of references for this book, but I really enjoyed the reading! It was the most interesting factual book I have read in a long time. I thought the Author was very clear on the instances that were tall tales and what not. So over all, if your interested in a spicey history such as Jesse James, I highly recommend this book.

This is an extraordinary book!As a Civil War buff in years past, I was particularly drawn to historical biographies. In recent years, I have developed a keen interest in the Post Civil War and Outlaw periods. I've visited many historical sites, museums and the like. I've heard lectures and had conversations with on-site historians, academic pros and other enthusiasts. When the subject was JESSE JAMES, virtually all of them spoke highly of this book and considered it a "must read." That's what led me to buy the book. I am amazed at the depth of the research, much of it painstakingly conducted first hand. It is unusual to see such a strong mix of documentation -- archived legal papers, state records, historical first hand accounts, family accounts and so on -- gathered in such a logical, readable format. Events are well chronicled and presented in an engaging manner. Conclusions are both logical and thought provoking. To use a cliché (as I am definitely not a writer/biographer!) I found myself reluctant to put it down. Rarely have I experienced such pleasure in getting to know an important historical figure, their times and the forces that would drive their destiny. I can personally recommend "Jesse James" to anyone seeking scholarly knowledge of the man and his times. Jesse's remarkable personal story truly comes alive in this engaging, artfully presented and very well written book. I now look forward to reading more of Ms. Brant's books -- for knowledge AND pleasure!

Marley Brant did an absolutely exceptional job in researching and writing this book. This is the best book on Jesse James I have ever read. This book is an integral study of Jesse which separates fact from fiction. As a distant cousin of Jesse, I am both thrilled and proud that Brant treated Jesse in such a fair and unbiased manner. While Brant does not sugarcoat Jesse's criminal activities; neither is Jesse demonized. Instead, Jesse's family background is brought to light and the reasons for his actions are studied. One certainly wonders at what Jesse WOULD HAVE BEEN like if his father, the kind-hearted preacher, hadn't died when Jesse was a child. When the despicable actions of John Brown and others lead to "Bloody Kansas", nearby Missouri, of course, also suffers. Numerous, innocent families, including children, who were simply trying to survive, were attacked, beaten, and many times killed. As a boy, Jesse "was chased through the field at bayonet point until finally caught. He was then thrashed to a bloody pulp with a rope," by Union soldiers. They also hanged Jesse's stepfather, hoisting him up a tree with a rope around his neck four times, trying to get information about Frank James. Many people do not want to face the atrocities committed by Union soldiers during the War Between the States, but the evidence exists. One must remember "to the victor go the spoils of war" and, of course, the telling of history. Jesse, naturally, reacted to the ill-treatment he had received. After the war, the James family continued to be harassed by the government and other carpetbaggers. In addition to this, the railroad companies began "railroading" people off their farms. So, Jesse chose his revenge. He targeted the banks where the carpetbaggers kept their money and the trains which carried it. Certainly, one cannot condone everything Jesse did, but what he did can certainly be understood, and his reasons for doing so can be understood. Read the book and get acquianted with the man Jesse James and his family. Besides getting to know the James family, this is a very informative book on the history of this tumultous era in America's history. You won't be disappointed.

Brant writes a well researched book on his subject. No one could ask for a better text on Jesse James than this one. He presents the subject in a way that it sticks to the facts but examines the myths but keeps the readers attention and doesn't bore you like some other books might.

This book was not only very informative, but enjoyable to read. Marly Brant did some fine research to put this together. We see the James Family as well to do, (not "hillbillys" ) as if on "The Ponderosa" until the Union Troops came and totally plundered western Missouri. This is where the James boys were forced into a life of violence. We not only see the story of Jesse James, but a new perspective of The Union as not as noble as we like to believe. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone with interest in these subjects.