Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend

by George R. Matthews

This new, in-depth life of Henry McCarty, alias Billy Bonney, alias Billy the Kid, offers fresh perspectives, not only on the Lincoln County War and his boyhood in Silver City, New Mexico, but also on his Irish mother's origins and immigration to Indiana, his public-school education in Indianapolis, the McCarty family's moves to Wichita, Kansas, and Santa Fe, and his two-year outlaw adventures in Arizona.

For the first time, the whole person emerges. This biography brings together a huge amount of material, much of it made available to researchers only in recent years. The result is an original, authoritative, and provocative portrait of Billy the Kid as both outlaw and frontier fighter against the infamously corrupt Santa Fe Ring.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Biography Memoir

311 pages, Paperback

Published February 7, 2025

About the author

Readers may contact me at georon3@gmail.com to receive a digital copy of Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend. The book was released by McFarland and Company on March 7, 2025. The book description reads, in part, "George R. Matthews’ Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend gives us, for the first time, the whole person. It brings together a huge amount of material, much of it made available to researchers only in recent years. The result is nothing less than an original, authoritative, and provocative portrait of Billy the Kid, as both outlaw and frontier fighter against the infamously corrupt Santa Fe Ring."
I have posted the book's cover as my photo.

My three previous books:
1. When the Cubs Won It All: The 1908 Championship Season.
An Amazon customer posted the following review: "If you like the early days of Baseball, this book recounts the story of the Chicago Cubs of 1908. They were a powerhouse team by any standard. When BASEBALL was king and Chicago ruled. A must read."

2. America's First Olympics: The St. Louis Games of 1904
An Amazon customer posted the following review: "A very interesting and well-researched book. Using newspapers and other 1904-era accounts, you read about the individual events. It's like reliving the games as you read the daily summaries. George also discusses the various 'selective' history of these early Olympics (which largely rely on IOC director DeCoubertin). Were the Olympics as big or professional as the post-1920 games? Certainly not... But they all had various issues, from under-publicizing to over doing it. A must-read for early Olympic enthusiasts, or fans of the 1904 World's Fair.

3. Zebulon Pike: Thomas Jefferson's Agent for Empire. This tells the story of Pike's spy mission to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1806, when the United States anticipated an invasion of Spanish New Mexico in a dispute over the boundary of the Louisiana Purchase. An Amazon customer posted the following review: "Highly recommended to those curious about Pikes Peak, Lewis & Clark, Louisiana Purchase, western expansion, American attempts of sincere relations with indigenous people and espionage!"

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank the author and publisher, McFarland and Company for an early ARC before publication, March 7, 2025. I am providing an honest review.

First, the book cover’s art is absolutely exquisite. For anyone looking at it, it feels as if you are outdoors appreciating the colorful landscape. It definitely makes this an enticing way to enter the story.

Second, as the title states, this is the story of the infamous Billy the Kid, but mostly about his “life behind the legend.”

So, what exactly does that mean? I believe it was this author’s intent to find out who this individual really was, since newspapers of the day spent a lot of time fictionalizing him enough to make him a celebrity outlaw.

To do that, the author went into tremendous detail giving insights into Billy’s past, by sharing background on his family, his childhood, and all the various influences in his life that would affect his upbringing.

The book is well-researched, and vivid with detail, but reads almost like a fiction tale. Readers will soon find themselves creating a list of all the various real-life “characters” who inhabit this story, to keep track of the many individuals who interacted with or had some impact on his life. All this detail, may be a bit confusing at times, as to how and why so much is needed, but eventually it all comes together to make a point.

So, who is Billy the Kid? How did he become Billy the Kid? And, why?

The answers to these questions may not be clear at first, because the child wasn’t exactly born with the name, Billy. So, readers will need to pay attention to the lives of the individuals that flow through this book.

Of course, there will be many villains and good guys throughout these pages. And at times, readers may not be sure who they want to root for in this “wild west” story. But the author does a relatively good job in immersing his readers in the facts of all the goings on of the time, that lead Billy the Kid to eventually become the “outlaw” that has been preserved through time.

This was a fairly good historical reading of the true life and times of Billy the Kid, including all the names he came to be known by. The book was for the most part, insightful and intriguing, with a vast cast of multi-layered true characters that will keep readers interested in knowing more. Especially those that are interested in this time in history. I would recommend this as a good student resource for schools and libraries.

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a person of a certain age, Emilio Estevez is my Billy the Kid due to the movie Young Guns. If you have not had the pleasure of watching this movie then I highly recommend it right after you read Billy the Kid by George Matthews. The movie is much closer to reality than I expected. This is to say I expected none of it to be true except for the names, but it is actually more than that! I can now say that with (transferred) authority because Matthews' book is exquisite history with a massive amount of primary sources. Sure, some people don't think that's important, but for a history nerd, it is catnip.

Matthews tells the story of the infamous Billy the Kid from his birth (fun fact: the Kid is not his actual last name!) through his very short outlaw career. I mentioned how great Matthews does with his research, but I don't want to damn the narrative by making it sound like a boring scholarly book. The author keeps the narrative moving without getting bogged down in too much minutiae. This is a significant accomplishment because anyone who reads Wild West history knows it is easy to get lost in a sea of names, aliases, and place names.

The only thing keeping the book from being a clear 5/5 is unfortunately out of Matthews' hands. Billy the Kid is still cloaked in significant mystery even with a lot of primary sources. Matthews has to at times merely suggest what Billy was doing at times because we really don't know. Also, to tell the story of Billy, you have to tell the whole story of the Lincoln County War. Inevitably, Billy takes a back seat for a bit in the narrative and his life is cut short at 21 years old. Sorry, spoiler alert from 1881.

As far as an authoritative source on Billy the Kid that balances storytelling with facts, I'm not sure it can be done much better.

(This book was provided as a review copy by the author which had no effect on the review.)

[George Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend has been called “the first complete, fully dimensional portrait of Billy the Kid, built on previously unavailable research.”

One reader’s review: “George Matthews wrote a fantastic book, fascinating, well researched and well written, it does something that far and away makes it one of the best books on Billy The Kid ever written, it ties up the loose ends. Matthews starts out by clearing up mysteries regarding The Kid and his early life, citing sources and source material that clears up mysteries and explains in detail what his early years were like. He goes on to tell a story that is so captivating and enthralling that I had a hard time putting the book down. He took no shortcuts, and you can tell that he did his research. But research is just the start, he is an excellent writer and story teller. This book is a stellar piece of work on all levels. Congratulations on a Job well done.”

[Roz Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend was such an enthralling read. The author has painstakingly researched and pieced together a wealth of information that truly brings this infamous character to life.

What struck me, was the authors determination to understand Billy with an empathy and drive to find the truth about how and why he became an outlaw, rather than hang onto some of the more outlandish and sensationalised claims which helped create such notoriety.

The story starts with his mother, Catherine McCarthy, leaving Ireland, aged just 17 years old, to find a better life in America. I found this part of the story captivating. Imagine being just 17 years old, leaving everything and everyone behind to journey into the unknown! The author provides such detail of what her extraordinary journey would entail. It was fascinating to glimpse into the past, and the author evidently took great pains to research how such a journey would unfold, the sights, sounds, and people she might have met along the way.

We soon meet Henry (Billy) and his younger brother. Again, it was interesting to see what their experiences of childhood may have been based on the various places in which they lived and the people who came and went from their lives, education, playtime, chores and work.

I found Billy's story tragic, and it appears circumstances beyond his control started him out on the wrong path. He was let down by those who should have advised a guided him. The ending and news reporting of the day was really sad. He was just a young man who had to fend for himself since he was barely 15 years old. Not that I'm justifying what he did wrong, but nobody seemed to understand him. They just wanted to vilify. Harsh times! 

The author managed to crams so much detail and historical references into the story and I learned so much not just about Billy and his extraordinary life, but also a great deal of American history which was so interesting. The author allowed me to visualise how cities and towns started out, the culture and social expectations, law and order, jobs, and housing. The story really had so much to offer.

I highly recommend, if you want a historical read that tries to get behind the character you think you know, the author has put so much thought, effort, and research into this book and it really pays off.

With huge thanks to the author for generously sharing his book with me. This is my honest opinion.

[Rachaelbookhunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Henry McCarty, aka Billy Bonney, best known as Billy the Kid. The tale moves from New Mexico, to Kansas, and Arizona. Everyone knows about Billy The Kid but the actual facts are harder to pin down. With new evidence and research Billy's history is presented more completely than ever before.

You can tell this book was well researched. Billy The Kid: The Life Behind The Legend isn't just a book for someone interested in the outlaw but for history fans in general. In fact I would say it's for history lovers first and foremost. The book doesn't just focus on the life of an outlaw but goes into detail of Billy's origins beginning with his mother. I wouldn't say it's a fast read as there is a lot to take in.

Life in New Mexico and the town he grew up in are detailed. The reader is given a lot of background information. A lot of it is interesting on its own. There are helpful maps, illustrations, and pictures throughout.

If you love history or are interested in the time period this book may be for you.

[Mark Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is easy to see that George Matthews is steeped in the life and times of Billy Bonney. Because of his regular Internet postings about the Kid, one can see that there is devotion in his study. He has a very good technique of including peripheral subjects to give the reader an authentic perspective on the times. This includes stagecoach fares, cultural events, trails, etc. He lays out Billy's story very well. I see this book as being a good read for both the veterans in the field and the newcomers to Lincoln County history. Though I don't agree with all of Matthews's assumptions, I still find his thinking interesting. I have a feeling that George Matthews is a lone wolf researcher, who does not abide by some of the research of others. He shows some gumption in bucking the "known facts." Perhaps, time will prove him right. Perhaps not. I cannot believe he has a contrary agenda in pushing his interpretations; that is, his mission is not to present fake history. I believe he is earnest in his writing. This book is well-written and rich with information. I liked it very much for these reasons. Since I am involved in the history of the American West, I have been exposed to some bashing of Matthews's book, much of this criticism stemming from George's claims about Billy's birthplace and early life. The fact is: We just don't have all the answers about William Henry McCarty (BTK) and his youth. Matthews takes a stand on this and presents his take as fact. Again, maybe time will prove him right. Or not. Nevertheless, I recommend his book. It is laid out in a thoughtful manner and written in a fine style. It will certainly educate the reader about 19th Century New Mexico Territory and a young man who still captures our interest, curiosity, and admiration.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I KID YOU NOT.
The story behind the legend is fascinating. There are many legends about Billy the Kid and most of what people know are stories created by the media. Billy the Kid wasn't even his real name. Author George R. Matthews has applied his extensive research about the man and life in that era into a more realistic look at the real person. He weaves together all the known facts about The Kid with research backed supposition to give the reader a glimpse of the old west. I rarely read nonfiction, but this book is very interesting. If you love the wild west or like to read biographies, this one is a winner.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you George for an ARC copy of this book. What an insightful and informative book, would definitely recommend and I can’t wait to read more of your books!!

[Jeffrey Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since Henry McCarty was hauled into jail in Las Vegas, New Mexico, by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1880, the newspaper editors made him a legend. Of course, that legend is of "Billy the Kid," who was also known as "Kid Antrim" or "William Bonney," considered to be a "notorious outlaw." The legend was much bigger than the "Kid," as George R. Matthews shows in his volume, as a much more realistic story emerges.

Matthews really does a fabulous job in his meticulous research. No stone has been unturned as Matthews must have found them all. He covers McCarty's birth and early years, several moves and family life, to how he became a horse and cattle rustler. A bulk of the narrative centers around the Lincoln County War in New Mexico, of which McCarty played a role, though Matthews continues the "Billy the Kid" story through his death in July 1881.

The subtitle, "The Life Behind the Legend," is appropriate as he does show McCarty as he was as a person, more so than just a fictious character from some editor's desk at a newspaper. That's the big reveal - "Billy the Kid" was a real person who was more down to earth than the legend would have us believe.

However, I must give a word of caution. There is a very extensive list of characters that can be difficult to keep track of. Some of these characters double cross each other, which adds to the confusion. In writing about the Lincoln County War, the narrative, at times, reads more like an after-action report that can sometimes be devoid of emotion. We don't feel anything, even though there are a lot of facts to sift through. I also think that for those not familiar with the geography and topography of the region, including maps in the illustrations at the appropriate places would have been most helpful. The book does have a lot of good illustrations and photos to help break up the text, but more maps would have been helpful in letting the reader have a sense of place.

If you have any interest in the Old West, Billy the Kid, the Lincoln County War, the History of New Mexico, or Outlaws in general, this book should be a must have on your bookshelf. I give this a four-star rating because of the sections where the narrative is complicated and lacks emotion, but the depth of research makes this a must-read. If the writing was just a bit better, it would have warranted a five-star review, in my opinion. It wasn't too far away from that. There were several parts that I enjoyed, and I do feel that I've learned a lot. The next time I'm passing through Tularosa or Las Vegas, New Mexico, while passing through Navajo country in Lincoln County, I'll have a better appreciation for what went on there a century and a half ago.

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little moments. Seemingly insignificant decisions. Disappointments. Tragedy. Highs and lows and countless moments where I somehow wished I could reach out through time and tap Billy on the shoulder and tell him "No, don't even think about it." In many ways, I felt like I was riding right beside him as I read. So many "If only he'd...." moments, moments where seemingly insignificant choices lead him down the trail to his early death.

While even Billy himself seems to have shook his head in disbelief at some of the tales surrounding him, the life he lived was anything but dull. Even his mother's decision to migrate from Ireland at age 19 for America and the man she ultimately hooked up with had repercussions. True, initially her life seemed upward bound but then, well, I don't want to ruin the tale for you but you'll find much, much to digest here. His mother's life is certainly worthy of its own book but it's how it impacted her oldest son that led author George R. Matthews to do a deep dive into son's life in an effort to separate fact from fiction. It makes for a fascinating read. There's also an extensive bibliography, notes, and index, as well as both b/w photos and old wood engraving (I think I'm getting the style right) style illustrations, adding to the experience.

The author paints a vivid, detailed picture of all Billy, and I'll call him Billy here as that is how most know him, may have seen and done. Ironically, given his legendary reputation, Billy seems to have been an affable child, one who loved music and reading. Given that Mark Twain was popular at the time, it was intriguing to wonder what he might have thought of Twain's take on the Western landscape. Heck, I even learned something that, well, I wasn't even aware that I didn't know. Know that ol' song about the Erie Canal and that "low bridge"? I discovered what that really signified. How cool. I'm always a sucker for a book that teaches me something and this one had lots of info to share, ranging from the background details of that now famous photo of Billy standing with the rifle to his meeting up with the equally famous Jesse James and a Gov. Wallace who just happened to go on to write "Ben Hur". In between there are countless characters. Some good guys, some bad, most somewhere in-between, probably a norm for those rough and tumble times. I mean, even the supposed ruthless Billy the Kid was saddened to discover one of the horses he'd stolen was beloved by a young girl and tried to return it despite complications. So, like all of us, he was complex and multi-sided, a view this book does an excellent job conveying. Baseball was already a popular pastime, so it's intriguing to wonder if he played.

Bottom line, it's obvious I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I grew up a fan of westerns, albeit in my case more for the horses than story, so it was fascinating to discover how much I missed by not making an effort to discover the true story behind the legend. The characters who pass before our eyes are many, sometimes almost too many to keep straight, but some famous, others mere blips in history. If you've ever wonder what travel by stage coach was like, you'll find the answer here, too. You'll also see the result of being on the losing side of a range war, not to mention the realization that Billy the Kid really wasn't much more than a kid when he was killed by Pat Garrett. My thanks to author George R. Matthews for giving me this early peek at this fascinating book. The ol' history major in me was thrilled as was the child in me that sat in front of the television screen and watched endless westerns.

[Doug Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to author George R. Matthews and McFarland & Company for the early release copy of Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend.

The book clearly sets out to strip away the mythology and dig deep into who Billy really was. In that sense, the book succeeds. The author goes far beyond the sensational versions of Billy the Kid that dominate popular culture and offers a much fuller, more grounded portrait. If your goal is to understand the man rather than the legend, this book delivers.

The research is extensive and impressive. This is a meaty read, packed with historical detail and careful sourcing. I never felt shortchanged on facts or context, and by the end, I didn’t feel like the author had left major questions unanswered. It’s the kind of book that shows just how complex Billy’s life and circumstances really were.

That said, the depth sometimes comes at a cost. The narrative frequently detours into lengthy discussions about Lincoln County, John Tunstall, and broader regional conflicts. While all of this material is relevant, it occasionally feels like parallel storytelling rather than direct insight into Billy himself. At times, I found myself wishing those sections had been trimmed or saved for a separate volume.

Those diversions didn’t ruin the experience, but they did change my expectations as I went along. I had hoped for a tighter focus on Billy’s personal journey, motivations, and inner life. Instead, the book often shifts its attention outward, placing him within a much larger historical framework than I anticipated.

Overall, this is a well-regarded and well-crafted biography, and it’s easy to see why it has been positively received by many readers. For me, it just wasn’t exactly the book I expected it to be. I finished it informed and satisfied, but not fully absorbed. I’d rate it a solid 3.5 stars for its scholarship and ambition, even if the focus sometimes wandered.

[Vince Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d like to extend my thanks to George R. Matthews and McFarland & Company for the early release copy of Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend, which I received ahead of its release on March 7, 2025. What follows is my personal review on the book.

I’ve read my fair share of books on the Wild West. Those that touch on the Billy the Kid often paint him in broad strokes, either defining him as a cold-blooded killer or others romanticize his western “outlaw” persona. Matthews’ biography does something different—it invites you to slow down and reconsider the boy behind the legend and portrays him through the lens of the world around him. Matthews offers a deeply researched and thoughtful portrait of Henry McCarty, aka Kid Antrim, aka Billy the Kid, that’s rooted not in myth, but in the often messy and volatile realities of life on the frontier.

The story traces Billy’s early years—from his mother’s immigrant background to his restless childhood across Indiana, Kansas, and finally to Silver City and the Southwest. Matthews makes it clear: Billy was shaped as much by poverty, constant uprooting, and loss as he was by his encounters with lawlessness. What really struck me was how Matthews places Billy in the context of his time, especially his run-ins with the Santa Fe Ring—a corrupt power structure that would test any young man’s moral compass.

Reading this felt like rediscovering a familiar story through what might be defined as a "wiser" lens. Matthews doesn’t try to rehabilitate Billy, nor does he condemn him. Instead, he lays out the facts, fills in the gaps, and lets readers make up their own minds. It’s part biography, part regional history, and entirely compelling.

If you grew up with tales of the Old West or find yourself drawn to the contradictions in its characters, this book is a worthy companion. It reminded me that behind every legend is a human story—complicated, conflicted, and worth telling right.

[Jane Botkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride! Author George R. Matthews presents fresh information regarding the “life behind the legend” of Henry McCarty—as Western enthusiasts know him—Billy the Kid. The first misinformation, that of Henry’s birth, is quickly debunked. Billy, born in Indiana, likely never stepped foot in New York! Contextual background of his Irish-born mother from her arrival in Albany, New York, to her final home in Silver City, New Mexico, is rich with historical detail. In Silver City, threads begin the warp and weft that would later entangle young Henry in the infamous Lincoln County War—his mother’s death, a disinterested stepfather, subsequent bullying, bad choices, and a repressed moral code. One can not help but feel empathy for the youngster even as Matthews presents factual information regarding the evolution of Henry Antrim to William Henry Bonney, and finally, the “Kid.” As a resident not 30 miles from Lincoln, New Mexico, where much of the later narrative occurs, I was especially interested in the complexities of Billy the Kid’s relationships with various individuals. The Coe cousins, in particular, interest me as the family still lives in the area today, and I have the privilege of hearing some of their stories. After reading Kathleen P. Chamberlain’s In the Shadow of Billy the Kid, a biography of Susan McSween, I expected to be sympathetic toward Susan and her husband Alex, the latter murdered in the middle of Lincoln. Matthews, however, presents evidence that most of the Lincoln County War’s players had some degree of culpability. I applaud his objectivity. There are more than enough Billy the Kid biographies, but Billy the Kid, the Life Behind the Legend, is one that does the subject justice.

[Dragisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a kid, my fascination with Young Guns II and Emilio Estevez’s charismatic portrayal of Billy the Kid sparked a deep curiosity about the real man behind the cinematic legend. This led me down a path of exploration, who was he really. Which eventually brought me to George R. Matthews' Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend.
Matthews' writing is engaging and accessible, blending narrative storytelling with scholarly rigor. He avoids sensationalism, instead focusing on the socio-economic factors like poverty, corruption in the Santa Fe Ring, and the chaos of the Lincoln County War, that propelled Billy into outlawry. The book excels in humanizing Billy: a literate, Spanish-speaking teenager who loved dancing, singing, and reading dime novels, but whose life was marked by loss (his mother's death at age 14) and betrayal (unfulfilled pardons).
The research is impeccable, building on pioneers like Frederick Nolan while incorporating recent discoveries. Acknowledgments highlight collaborations with historians and access to grants, ensuring depth. Chapter notes and a comprehensive bibliography provide transparency, making it a valuable resource for scholars.
Billy was inspired by dime novel author Edward Bonney's tales of vigilante "Regulators," which also explains why his group adopted that name during the Lincoln County War.
What makes this biography truly great is Matthews' use of new evidence to resolve longstanding debates. Telling us details of his life: “Billy always found a touch of humor in everything”, so we can get to know real Billy more in depth.
"Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend" is a book that demystifies an American icon without diminishing his fascination.

[Cynthia Hobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure why I purchased this book as it is not my usual genre and it was not at the top of my TBR list.

I didn’t know much about Billy the Kid but recalled learning about him in the 6th grade while my family was stationed at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. Of course South Dakota had its own Wild West history and outlaws, which did not include Billy the Kid.

This book was well researched and written. I appreciate that the author went back to the mother of Henry McCarty, aka Billy the Kid, and how she immigrated from Ireland. The book explains how she came to Indiana, had two sons out of wedlock and after contracting tuberculosis, moved to Silver City NM. Sadly, she died while the boys were young teenagers, and while she had married before her death, step father took little to no responsibility for the boys.

This book includes lots of dates, locations and names. At times it was confusing with all the names being mentioned and figuring out how everyone fit into Billy’s life. I was able to keep up with most of the locations, including Clifton AZ (which I had visited last month) as I’ve been living in Las Cruces for 25 years now.

In the end, I wondered if the author was attempting to exonerate Billy or find him guilty of the notorious crimes for which he was accused? You must read and decide for yourself!

[Ryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mind is blown! I grew up in rural Texas, the daughter of a rancher. Tales of the American West and its legendary figures, such as Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickok and John Wesley Hardin were popular stories I heard as a child. It’s only recently that I have started to revisit these accounts and learn just how much I was raised on the dime store versions of these famous gunslingers.

George R. Matthews has done an incredible job piecing together the life of Henry McCarty (Billy The Kid), starting with his Mother’s immigration to the United States and ending with his fateful demise.

I gained a much better understanding of the controversy involving John Tunstall, and exactly how Pat Garrett was involved in Billy’s last year. I also feel like I gained a new perspective of Billy’s personality through the letters he wrote and the interviews he gave. Although he killed with no remorse, you are able to see why so many around him grieved his passing.

Overall enjoyed this book, and highly recommend. A special thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Olivia Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think you know Billy the Kid, think again. George R. Matthews doesn’t just retell the legend, he rebuilds the man, piece by historically accurate piece.

From the dusty streets of Silver City to the chaos of the Lincoln County War, Matthews brings fresh perspective and painstaking research to a story we all thought we knew. What truly impressed me was how he didn’t just focus on Billy’s outlaw years. He gave us context, his Irish roots, his time in Indiana, even his education. It made him feel like a person, not just a myth.

This isn't your typical Western yarn. It’s intellectual, accessible, and loaded with new insights that even long-time history buffs will appreciate. The writing is sharp but never dry, like having a seasoned historian walk you through a time period while pointing out things no one else has noticed.

Highly recommended for fans of history, biography, and anyone ready to meet Billy as more than just a gunslinger.

[amanda luke ✡︎]

I love the Old West, but admittedly don’t know as much as I’d like about the famous figures of the era. Billy the Kid is one of those blindspots, so I was excited to dive into this book. It’s exceptionally well-written, and equal parts engrossing and educational. The backstory upon backstory seems like a lot of information to take in at first, but I feel it’s necessary. The information comes together nicely to build a well-rounded portrait of the life and circumstances leading to the life of Billy the Kid—as the title suggests and delivers on! It’s clear that a lot of research went into this and the final product is a labour of love. Some of the best history books are the ones where you can feel the author’s passion on every page. This is one of those books.

Thank you George for providing a digital copy! I definitely plan to check out more of your work.

[Scott Mcleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sure we've all see the old picture of Billy the Kid standing straight up and holding his rifle by his side and looking like he's not too sharp in the picture, looking a little clued out! Well, this book is very readable, very well researched too and will surprise you just how "Billy" (not his real name) lived his life. You get to know all of the names Billy went by, his childhood, people he grew up with and hung out with and the effect they had on his life. Over the years Billy was the stuff and inspiration of dime novels and the 1973 Sam Peckinpah movie Pat Garret and Billy the Kid, look no further than this wonderful book for the whole story from start to finish when Billy died at the the tender age of 21! Thank you George for such an excellent book!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend is a very interesting history of not only William Bonney AKA Billy The Kid, but a great look at life in the 1870's old west. Much of the book focuses on Billy's life in New Mexico and the various paths that he went down. In addition, there are many characters of the time that are in this story. It was almost as if the reputation of Billy ended up shaping his destiny. He had the intelligence and looks that he may have had a different path had the circumstances been different.

I'd like to thank the author, George Matthews, for providing me a copy of this book for an honest review. This was an enjoyable read.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly well-researched book that transcends the typical Western myth, this biography offers a fresh perspective on the life of Henry McCarty, a.k.a. Billy the Kid.

The level of detail is astounding—it's like time traveling—a testament to the author's extensive homework. Though the sheer volume of names and locations might be a little dense at one point, every element is essential to painting a complete picture. Most importantly, the book humanizes the legend, showing Billy the Kid as a whole person, not merely an outlaw.

If you want to know the man behind the legend, this is easily one of the best biographies available.

[Michelle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meticulously researched and well written, George R. Matthews tells the tale of Billy the Kid’s life in an engaging way that reads almost like fiction (this is no complaint). With such a past that led to the telling of many tall tales, I found the evidenced true history extremely interesting and finished my reading wishing more was known.

This would also make a terrific unit study for an older homeschooler.



Thank you to George R. Matthews and McFarland for the DRC

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a more up to date and revised version about Billy The Kids life from childhood to his death and is a good read for people who are new on the subject and it separates the fictional version you see of him in movies to reality.

This book was a free copy from the author for an honest review.

[Pascual Cavalho · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to learn the truth about Billy the Kid, I highly recommend this book. There has been so much slander about who he was and what caused him to become an outlaw. Those that are supposed to enforce and follow the law don’t always do and those you think are righteous aren’t always so.

[Brace1737]

George Matthews removes layer after layer of myth in this detailed biography of Billy the Kid.Both the average reader and long-time Billy fans will enjoy this book.

[Claudia (Encruzilhada dos Livros) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing early access to this well-researched and well-written book. Matthews offers a solid, insightful look at the young man known as Billy the Kid, making this a key resource for anyone studying his life or looking to bring his legend to new audiences in pop culture.

What stood out most to me was how the author addressed the lack of historical records on Billy’s mother. History has often been written by and for men, and Matthews does a commendable job of bringing her story back into focus, even when sources were scarce. Her name was misrecorded, her life largely overlooked, yet she played a crucial role. This effort to reconstruct her experience adds depth to the book.

A strong, thoughtful read for those interested in the real Billy the Kid—not just as an individual, but as a product of the time, place, and forces that shaped his life.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

George R. Matthews’ Billy the Kid: The Life Behind the Legend promises a fresh and comprehensive look at one of the American West’s most enigmatic figures, Henry McCarty—better known as Billy the Kid. Drawing on newly available primary sources, Matthews aims to peel back the layers of myth that have shrouded Billy’s life, offering a detailed biography that spans his Irish roots in Indiana, his childhood migrations across the Midwest and Southwest, and his infamous exploits during the Lincoln County War and beyond.

The book stands out for its ambition to present “the whole person,” tracing Billy’s journey from a schoolboy in Indianapolis to an outlaw and frontier fighter in New Mexico and Arizona. Matthews’ meticulous research is evident in his exploration of lesser-known aspects, such as Billy’s mother’s immigration and the family’s moves through Wichita and Santa Fe. This broader context sets the stage for a nuanced portrait of Billy as both a product of his turbulent environment and a rebel against the corrupt Santa Fe Ring.

Readers can expect a narrative that balances historical rigor with a compelling story, though Matthews’ academic background—he’s a member of Biographers International and the National Coalition of Independent Scholars—suggests a focus on factual accuracy over sensationalism. This might make it less pulpy than some Billy the Kid tales, but more rewarding for those seeking depth.