You've probably heard of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the shootout at the O.K. Corral. Much has been made of this October 26, 1881 event in Tombstone, Arizona (including the 1993 movie Tombstone). But in The Last Gunfight, Jeff Guinn separates legend from myth to find out what really happened and why.
I enjoyed this book, though I debated what exactly it was trying to be. It was largely a biography of Wyatt Earp, covering his life extensively compared to other topics (Guinn's treatment is favorable to Earp but realistic, portraying him warts and all). It was also an overview on the mining craze and resulting boom towns (with associated politics and culture) of the late nineteenth century. And it included an investigation of (and fallout from) the famous fight, complete with evidence examination and courtroom recaps. Ultimately, I think the title is misleading- this is mostly about Earp and his quest for borderline-vigilante justice against the bothersome and criminal cowboys of the age. It was a decent read, and I look forward to reading more about the American West.
It's interesting to note that the shootout wasn't at the O.K. corral- it was in an empty lot nearby. And Wyatt was revered by some but scorned by many for his actions there- it wasn't until decades later when Hollywood would turn him into a revered legend.
Rating: A-
No comments:
Post a Comment