Forty Times a Killer! : A Novel of John Wesley Hardin

Bad Men of the West #1

by William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone

First he became a killer. Then he became a legend. John Wesley Hardin was fifteen when he killed his first man. Before his murderous ways ended, he'd killed forty-two men in cold blood -- one, the legend goes, for snoring. From then on, Hardin stayed true to his calling, living a fever dream of lightning fast draws and flying lead. By seventeen, Hardin had a deadly reputation for killing that drew traitors, backstabbers, and wannabe gunslingers -- all for a chance to gun down the man who had turned killing into an all-American legend.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Fiction

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.

Reviews

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid writing about a pretty despicable person. The book is narrated by a writer who is a crippled little guy no one views as a threat, or even worthy of notice. John Hardin was a very bad guy, crazy, racist, murderous, etc. But he was no coward and he was genuinely known as a deadly shot and fast draw.

The story takes a few liberties with Hardin's history (he had a son, for example), says it was Rangers who took him, that he was the town drunk at the end of his life, but overall much of it is historical and is brutally honest about the man's behavior and life. And its well written with great, authentic language and dialog.

[Bob Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book, one of the better stories that W. Johnstone has written with fiction and non-fiction in History about J.W, Hardin.

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read about a notorious, known gunman in Texas. It was a little different, but interesting.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give it 6 stars if I could . Exceptional

[DolphinBlue · Rating 3 out of 5]

By way of background, I do not typically read westerns. This one caught my eye and I'm glad it did. The author provides no cover for what he's doing here, much to the chagrin of some, myself included, but it appears he has chosen a fictional companion to spin tales around actual events in the life of Hardin. He does so in quite an entertaining fashion. The story reads as a series of episodes in Hardin's life. I'll never know how much is fact and how much fiction, but it was a purty good tale, and I enjoyed the setting, the rhetoric, and learning a touch about the old west.

[Kevin Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well descriptive book from the Johnstone’s. Hardin’s companion “little-bit” tells the 40+ killings by Hardin. Little-bit is a small cripple. He not only describes Hardin from 17 to his death, but also describes in the book events how he was treated by others during this period after the civil war.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read.

Not the greatest writing but entertaining nonetheless. Interesting storyline told by Hardin's friend Little Bit. Recommended. Just bought ,"A dangerous man" a novel of Bill Longely. Looking forward to it.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure Western Entertainment!

This is pure western entertainment at its finest. Once again William W. Johnstone does not disappoint at all. I'm totally looking forward to reading the second book in this series!!!

[Suzanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Western genre is not my cup of tea. Repetitive, overly simplistic, predictable, filled with overused sayings, no real plot. With its writing style, the whole thing reminds me of a cheap Harlequin romance. Popular but utterly boring.

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Wesley Hardin was areal person. But, some of his exploits have been hard to confirm. In this book, they added a POV character so that we can view his actions through a "friend's" eyes. A pretty good story overall.

[Amber K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've recently discovered this author(s) and have been enjoying these western novels. Forty Times A Killer! hasn't been my favorite, but still enjoyed it and found John Wesley Hardin's tale very entertaining!

[Keith B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read books by William Johnstone before but this one was... different. Very well written by J.A. Johnstone (I am assuming). William left the outlines and manuscripts behind after his death and they are being finished by J.A. Johnstone.

This book is reminiscent of McMurtry's "Anything for Billy" but with some historical accuracy (and poetic license). Much better than his recent "The Last Kind Words Saloon". Little Bit (the narrator) is a great character and his story was enough in itself to make me want to read on. The destructive nature of friendship is the true story here. Being very familiar with Hardin's story, the ending was unique and was welcome rather then being overly familiar. Recommend this one to any checking this review.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written with well rounded characters, this was a good read. Little Bit the narrator was an intriguing character, his friendship with JWH was.. without spoilers, a thing to behold. I like the style of historical fact, mixed in with some of the author's flare for fiction. I'm still wishy-washy on how I feel overall after reading this, as Hardin's character was a hard man to read.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked it up in the Madison, GA Walmart to read on the plane. Ok book about John Wesley Hardin from the point of view of his friend and companion.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating read. A little bloody and graphic for me, but likely a close recreation of the violence and lawlessness that was the settling of the west. If you like westerns... you will love this one.

[Brennan Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

colorful politically incorrect and entertaining history