Starr Tracks: Belle and Pearl Starr

This book, one of many on this complex western frontier personality, adds previously unknown discussed details of her life. The writer presents her in a more favorable light than I would, in view of the fact that one of my ancestors arrested her on several occasions when he was a deputy United States marshal. I view her from the law and order side. The writer views her as a human being but does not acknowledge her real criminal tendencies which were numerous. If she lived in this century, she would be in prison for a long time. But it is a very interesting book, nonetheless.

First of all, Phillip Steele did a nice job of tracking down living decendants of Belle Starr, and actually turning up new information in the form of letters, photographs and family history. That's pretty impressive for a biography of someone who died in 1889 and had been the subject of much fictionalized and exaggerated press accounts that passed into history. Steele attempts to set the record straight while acknowledging that many important details of Belle Starr's life will never be known for certain. Unfortunately, the 100 page book (and the first 21 pages are preface, etc.) is simply too short. It almost seems like an outline. Steele could have used an editor to help push him to flesh out details, clarify information, and improve the writing and layout. With the new information he discovered, this could have been a substantial, definitive biography. But regardless, it is more than worthwhile, it does not give into baseless speculation, and it does not bore you -- you are left wanting to know more about the fascinating and tragic lives of Belle Starr and her children.

This account of the lives of the infamous Belle and Pearl Starr is wonderful reading. Phillip W. Steele has done a great job of giving the reader the facts while making it very interesting reading. I enjoyed this book.