Bryan Burrough’s The Gunfighters: How Texas Shaped the Wild West is a sweeping, energetic exploration of how the Lone Star State’s unique blend of violence, honor culture, and mythmaking helped forge the legendary gunfighters and outlaws who came to define the American West. Drawing on his skills as a journalist and historian, Burrough offers both a debunking of old legends and a vivid retelling of the real stories behind the likes of Wild Bill Hickok, John Wesley Hardin, the Earps, and Butch Cassidy.
Burrough’s central thesis is that Texas, more than any other region, was the crucible in which the Wild West’s gunfighter culture was forged. He argues that the state’s violent origins—caught between wars with Mexico and the Comanche, and later shaped by the chaos following the Civil War—created a society where violence was not only common but, in many cases, expected14. The Southern code of honor, transplanted to the Texas frontier, evolved into a culture where disputes were settled with gunfire, and where personal reputation was defended at the barrel of a Colt revolver34.
The book covers the “Gunfighter Era” from 1865 to 1901, tracing the lives and legends of both famous and lesser-known figures. Burrough is particularly interested in how these men moved fluidly between roles—outlaws becoming lawmen, killers turning into folk heroes—and how their stories were amplified and distorted by a burgeoning media landscape hungry for sensational tales14.
1. Lively, Cinematic Narrative
Burrough’s storytelling is fast-paced and engaging, often reading more like a screenplay than a dry historical account. He brings the chaotic, violent world of the post-Civil War West to life, making complex historical events accessible and entertaining14. His narrative skill ensures that even readers unfamiliar with Western history will find themselves drawn in.
2. Myth-Busting and Nuance
A major strength of the book is its commitment to separating fact from fiction. Burrough is unsparing in his debunking of myths, exposing Wild Bill Hickok as “a colossal fraud” whose real body count was far lower than legend suggests, and recasting John Wesley Hardin not as a misunderstood antihero but as a racist psychopath whose brutality shocked even his contemporaries13. This willingness to challenge romanticized narratives adds depth and credibility to the work.
3. Rich Context and Analysis
Burrough situates the gunfighters within the broader social, economic, and political context of the era. He explains how the cattle business, the collapse of the Confederacy, and the spread of the telegraph all contributed to the rise—and national fame—of Texas gunfighters4. He also explores the role of media and popular culture in mythologizing these figures, showing how the “flywheel of mythmaking” began spinning in the 19th century and has never really stopped14.
4. Wide Cast of Characters
While the big names are all present, Burrough also shines a light on lesser-known but equally fascinating figures, such as Clay Allison, a rancher and reputedly one of the most feared gunfighters of the late 1870s3. This breadth adds richness to the narrative and helps paint a fuller picture of the era.
1. Overwhelming Cast and Complexity
Some reviewers note that the sheer number of characters and intertwining stories can make the book feel crowded, even “reminiscent of a Russian novel” in its complexity1. Readers may occasionally struggle to keep track of the shifting alliances and identities as outlaws become lawmen and vice versa.
2. Focus on Texas May Overshadow Other Regions
While the Texas-centric thesis is compelling, it sometimes leads to an underemphasis on the contributions of other regions and cultures to the development of the West’s gunfighter mythology. The narrative occasionally risks overstating Texas’s singular role at the expense of a more nuanced, multi-regional view3.
3. Debunking Can Feel Deflating
For readers who relish the romance of the Wild West, Burrough’s relentless myth-busting may come across as deflating. The exposure of beloved legends as frauds or psychopaths, while historically necessary, can sap some of the fun from the genre for those seeking escapist adventure3.
4. Pacing and Structure
The book’s energetic style, while generally a strength, can sometimes lead to a breathless pace that glosses over deeper analysis. Some readers may wish for more sustained engagement with certain themes or figures before the narrative moves on3.
The Gunfighters is a major contribution to the literature on the American West, offering both entertainment and insight. Burrough’s strengths as a storyteller and myth-buster are on full display, making the book a must-read for Western history buffs and anyone interested in how legends are made—and unmade. Its weaknesses, primarily related to narrative complexity and the occasional loss of regional nuance, do little to diminish its overall impact as a provocative and engaging history134.