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The Illustrated Life & Times of Wyatt Earp
The Illustrated Life & Times of Wyatt Earp (4th Ed.) [hardcover] Bell, Bob Boze [Aug 01, 2000]…
144 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1993
41 people want to read
About the author
Bob Boze Bell
40 books14 followersBob Boze Bell has always sought to get both the look and the history right. He has published and illustrated books on Earp, Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday and classic gunfights. Bell’s artwork and writing has appeared in Wild West, Arizona Highways, Playboy and National Lampoon. He appears often on the Encore Westerns channel, serves as a talking head on documentaries and since 1999 has been executive editor of True West magazine. “All the artwork I run in the magazine,” he quips, “the magazine gets for free.”
He’s been drawing as long as he can remember, and even as a child he often drew cowboys and gunfighters with an eye to accuracy.
“I hate fakery of any kind,” he says. “I don’t like low-back saddles, Hollywood hats, batwing chaps, inaccurate vests. It drives me crazy.” So is he a historian or an artist?
“I would say I’m actually a cartoonist,” he says. “I don’t really consider myself a historian, because I have historian friends that apply a certain academic level that I don’t have, I don’t claim to have, I can’t claim. But I just want to know the truth for my own sense of me. So I share that, and it’s taken for what it’s worth. I think I’m dismissed by a lot of people for not being a real historian. But I don’t give a damn.”
Bell is actually more of a Billy the Kid fan than a Wyatt Earp fan, but his real heroes are artists Charles M. Russell, Frederic Remington and Norman Rockwell. “Those, to me, are the three big dogs,” Bell says. “No one has topped them.”
He loves scratchboard, pen and ink, and gouache, a form of watercolor. “I work on deadline constantly,” he explains, “and I can’t use oils, which is actually a medium I enjoy, because that takes too long to dry.
“Some of the best things I’ve ever done I’ve done on my lunch hour. And some of the worst things I’ve ever done I’ve spent three months on. You figure it out.”
He’s been drawing as long as he can remember, and even as a child he often drew cowboys and gunfighters with an eye to accuracy.
“I hate fakery of any kind,” he says. “I don’t like low-back saddles, Hollywood hats, batwing chaps, inaccurate vests. It drives me crazy.” So is he a historian or an artist?
“I would say I’m actually a cartoonist,” he says. “I don’t really consider myself a historian, because I have historian friends that apply a certain academic level that I don’t have, I don’t claim to have, I can’t claim. But I just want to know the truth for my own sense of me. So I share that, and it’s taken for what it’s worth. I think I’m dismissed by a lot of people for not being a real historian. But I don’t give a damn.”
Bell is actually more of a Billy the Kid fan than a Wyatt Earp fan, but his real heroes are artists Charles M. Russell, Frederic Remington and Norman Rockwell. “Those, to me, are the three big dogs,” Bell says. “No one has topped them.”
He loves scratchboard, pen and ink, and gouache, a form of watercolor. “I work on deadline constantly,” he explains, “and I can’t use oils, which is actually a medium I enjoy, because that takes too long to dry.
“Some of the best things I’ve ever done I’ve done on my lunch hour. And some of the worst things I’ve ever done I’ve spent three months on. You figure it out.”
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 16, 2020
Really rather brilliant! A picture book for adults!
Seriously, though - a biography told in a timeline of bullet points and anecdotes, including some useful historical context along the way. I'd quibble with a few of the smaller details, but I don't think any two Earp aficionados would ever agree with each other 100%. There is thoughtful consideration given to whether Earp was more a good man or a bad. Despite the initial warning, "You won't like him," the weight of emotion, or perhaps the sense of intrigue, tends towards the good with an interesting mix of the other.
The volume also includes lots of illustrations, from genuine historical photos to Bell's gorgeous artwork. Really, his paintings of Earp and the rest are a real strength of this book. Some of the photos are reenactments, quite well done - though the one purporting to be of a dead Johnny Ringo almost gave me a heart attack before I twigged... All is explained on the back page!
Recommended for any Earp or Old West enthusiast.
Seriously, though - a biography told in a timeline of bullet points and anecdotes, including some useful historical context along the way. I'd quibble with a few of the smaller details, but I don't think any two Earp aficionados would ever agree with each other 100%. There is thoughtful consideration given to whether Earp was more a good man or a bad. Despite the initial warning, "You won't like him," the weight of emotion, or perhaps the sense of intrigue, tends towards the good with an interesting mix of the other.
The volume also includes lots of illustrations, from genuine historical photos to Bell's gorgeous artwork. Really, his paintings of Earp and the rest are a real strength of this book. Some of the photos are reenactments, quite well done - though the one purporting to be of a dead Johnny Ringo almost gave me a heart attack before I twigged... All is explained on the back page!
Recommended for any Earp or Old West enthusiast.
September 17, 2018
I liked the illustrations but I guess I'm old enough to prefer a straight forward text history instead of the ( to me at least) disjointed time line format. I did learn some new things and enjoyed the parts on the Tombstone and Wyatt Earp films. If I could I'd give it a three and a half. I can't so I'll give it four stars. Interesting book.
*Edit* On a second reading the timeline format didn't bother me as much. Solid Four Stars.
*Edit* On a second reading the timeline format didn't bother me as much. Solid Four Stars.
November 2, 2012
I learned details about Wyatt Earp's life I didn't know before. Drawings aren't bad either.
October 12, 2021
Very Informative account of the life of Wyatt Earp, and those who knew him or came into contact with him.
Probably not for someone who only has a casual interest in Wyatt Earp, as this is a pretty exhaustive account.
This will probably please a fan of the old west, and old west history, especially the many excellent drawings, photos and other items, included on pretty much every page.
Very well done. 5 stars and best reads pile.
Probably not for someone who only has a casual interest in Wyatt Earp, as this is a pretty exhaustive account.
This will probably please a fan of the old west, and old west history, especially the many excellent drawings, photos and other items, included on pretty much every page.
Very well done. 5 stars and best reads pile.
August 4, 2019
All the Life and Times books I have read are a sheer joy to read. The format with the mix of artwork, real photos and giving you the myths along with what is verified info is awesome
July 25, 2015
Terrific coffee table book that is a throwback to the Seventies when this book format was at it's peak. Written and illustrated by Bob Boze Bell (executive editor of "True West" magazine) the book details Wyatt Earp's life chronologically. As a result it's an easy read since there is very little in the way of excess. However the text isn't just a dull recitation of places and dates from Earp's life. There are numerous quotes about Earp from contemporaries as well as some wry observations about Earp and his family members from Mr. Bell. Mr. Bell does not sugarcoat Earp. Even while you are enjoying the ride you realize that he is showing Wyatt Earp with his failures and strengths.
Throughout the book there are many watercolors that Mr. Bell painted as well as photographs, maps, and sketches of the areas where events took place such as the infamous gunfight at the OK Corral. One thing that I enjoyed was Mr. Bell was on the movie of set of "Tombstone" in the summer of 1993 and there are numerous photos from the set. In addition Mr. Bell compares both "Tombstone" and Kevin Costner's bio-picture "Wyatt Earp" to each other as well as to Earp's life and shows what both movies got right and what they got wrong.
A great book. Fun yet also informative. It's still available in paperback. If you want the hardback edition be prepared to out out some money since it is now out of print.
Throughout the book there are many watercolors that Mr. Bell painted as well as photographs, maps, and sketches of the areas where events took place such as the infamous gunfight at the OK Corral. One thing that I enjoyed was Mr. Bell was on the movie of set of "Tombstone" in the summer of 1993 and there are numerous photos from the set. In addition Mr. Bell compares both "Tombstone" and Kevin Costner's bio-picture "Wyatt Earp" to each other as well as to Earp's life and shows what both movies got right and what they got wrong.
A great book. Fun yet also informative. It's still available in paperback. If you want the hardback edition be prepared to out out some money since it is now out of print.
August 27, 2008
This book was written by Bob Boze Bell long time Arizona artist,writer and cartoonest for Arizonas free press New Times. His western historical books are the best researched and illustrated available. Just great South West history.
August 8, 2011
If you have any interest at all in the Wild West, Wyatt Earp, or the O.K. Corral, this book is a must read.
June 29, 2015
Excellent book set up as a chronological depiction of Wyatt Earp's life.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews