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Gone West
The American Wild West, 1873: Jesse James and his gang are robbing trains, the Sioux Indians are on the warpath, and John Henry Holliday arrives in Texas as a young man with a troubled past hoping to regain his place as a Southern gentleman. So begins Gone West, the second volume in the trilogy of novels entitled Southern The Saga of Doc Holliday. Born in the last days of the Old South, John Henry has already faced the challenges of Civil War and Reconstruction, of first love and teenage rebellion and the beginning of a professional career. But when a violent encounter changes everything, he is sent running far from his Georgia home. Starting over in Texas, he attempts to remake his career and win back the respect of his family and the love of the girl he left behind. But his life in the West doesn't turn out the way he has planned, and soon he's in trouble with the law again and facing a terrifying truth. When desperation drives him toward the frontier and leads to deadly action, John Henry is once again running for his life. As the story races from Dallas to Dodge City, from Denver to Trinidad and the Santa Fe Trail, he finds a new love affair, a new hero to follow -- and an old enemy eager for a reckoning. Gone West is the story of a how a gentleman becomes an outlaw, how an outlaw becomes a lawman, and how a Southern son named John Henry becomes a legend called Doc Holliday.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2014
1 person is currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Wilcox
13 books34 followersVictoria Wilcox is Founding Director of Georgia’s Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum (the antebellum home of the family of Doc Holliday, now a site on the National Register of Historic Places), where she learned the family’s untold stories of their legendary cousin and his connection to the real people behind "Gone with the Wind." Her work with the museum led to two decades of original research, making her a nationally recognized authority on the life of Doc Holliday.
Wilcox is the author of the documentary film "In Search of Doc Holliday" and the historical novel trilogy "The Saga of Doc Holliday (Southern Son, Dance with the Devil, Dead Man’s Hand)." She has twice received Georgia Author of the Year honors and in 2016 was named Best Historical Western Novelist by True West Magazine. Her new pictorial biography "The World of Doc Holliday: History & Historic Images" will be released in 2020.
Wilcox has lectured across the country, appeared in local and regional media, guested on NPR affiliates, and was featured in the Fox Network series "Legends & Lies: The Real West." She is a member of the Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, The Wild West History Association, and the Writer’s Guild of the Booth Museum of Western Art and has been a featured contributor to True West Magazine.
In the summer of 2017, Wilcox joined actor Val Kilmer (Tombstone) as guest historian at the inaugural Doc HolliDays in Tombstone, Arizona, site of the legendary OK Corral gunfight.
Reviews:
"As a biographer of John Henry 'Doc' Holliday, I can only be envious of Victoria Wilcox’s telling of his story. The facts of a life so intriguing —and the gaps in the facts — are cruel dampers to the historian, limited as he is by the record. Wilcox pursues the truth in a powerful and moving novel that is not tainted by the legend of its central character, trapped by the documentary evidence of his life, or tempted to ignore history. She tells his story with an intimate voice that is surprisingly fresh and compelling. Here, Doc is alive and his world real--wonderfully so."
--- Dr. Gary Roberts, bestselling author of 'Doc Holliday: The Life and Legend'
"This wonderfully written novel brings together one of the great stories of the American Frontier. Author Wilcox has done a superb job through fiction of creating a sense of time and place and giving us an intriguing look at one of the most controversial figures in the West – Dr. John Henry Holliday."
--- Casey Tefertiller, author of 'Wyatt Earp: The Life Behind the Legend'
Wilcox is the author of the documentary film "In Search of Doc Holliday" and the historical novel trilogy "The Saga of Doc Holliday (Southern Son, Dance with the Devil, Dead Man’s Hand)." She has twice received Georgia Author of the Year honors and in 2016 was named Best Historical Western Novelist by True West Magazine. Her new pictorial biography "The World of Doc Holliday: History & Historic Images" will be released in 2020.
Wilcox has lectured across the country, appeared in local and regional media, guested on NPR affiliates, and was featured in the Fox Network series "Legends & Lies: The Real West." She is a member of the Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, The Wild West History Association, and the Writer’s Guild of the Booth Museum of Western Art and has been a featured contributor to True West Magazine.
In the summer of 2017, Wilcox joined actor Val Kilmer (Tombstone) as guest historian at the inaugural Doc HolliDays in Tombstone, Arizona, site of the legendary OK Corral gunfight.
Reviews:
"As a biographer of John Henry 'Doc' Holliday, I can only be envious of Victoria Wilcox’s telling of his story. The facts of a life so intriguing —and the gaps in the facts — are cruel dampers to the historian, limited as he is by the record. Wilcox pursues the truth in a powerful and moving novel that is not tainted by the legend of its central character, trapped by the documentary evidence of his life, or tempted to ignore history. She tells his story with an intimate voice that is surprisingly fresh and compelling. Here, Doc is alive and his world real--wonderfully so."
--- Dr. Gary Roberts, bestselling author of 'Doc Holliday: The Life and Legend'
"This wonderfully written novel brings together one of the great stories of the American Frontier. Author Wilcox has done a superb job through fiction of creating a sense of time and place and giving us an intriguing look at one of the most controversial figures in the West – Dr. John Henry Holliday."
--- Casey Tefertiller, author of 'Wyatt Earp: The Life Behind the Legend'
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 13, 2014
The second in Wilcox’s Doc Holliday trilogy, this installment follows the legendary dentist-turned-outlaw from Galveston, Texas to Tombstone, Arizona in a series of adventures. Dr. John Henry Holliday doesn’t court trouble, but it seems to find him in every town, from Texas to Colorado and Kansas to the New Mexico territory. He continually tries to set up a respectable office, but his hot-headed Southern sensibilities usually get the better of good judgment, landing him in one legal battle after the other. The state of the government during the Reconstruction Era is tenuous, causing many men to turn to gambling or other illegal means to make a living. Doc, while not robbing banks or trains like the James clan, breaks the strict Texas laws on drinking and gambling, with gun fights added into the mix. His fragile health also causes concern, frequently aggravated by the dusty terrain.
Doc’s love life is no less complicated than the former book, Inheritance, as he still holds a candle for his cousin in Georgia, Mattie. Kate, the actress he met in St. Louis, comes back into his life, but underlying animosities serve in constantly pulling them apart.
Fans of the movie Tombstone, with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, will appreciate the presentation of the foundation of their friendship, and even gain some insight from vague lines in the film. Along with Wyatt Earp, many of the other lawmen and outlaws make an appearance, creating a connection between the parcels of dirty, pioneer towns featured in the book to the setting of the movie in Tombstone, Arizona.
While Inheritance introduces us to a Southern gentleman ready to take on the world to prove himself to his family, Gone West send’s John Henry through the motions that allow him to experience defeat, acceptance and redemption—finally giving him closure as to his flawed boyhood view of life. The final book in the series, The Last Decision, promises to be an exciting and much-anticipated conclusion to this illuminating biographical saga.
Doc’s love life is no less complicated than the former book, Inheritance, as he still holds a candle for his cousin in Georgia, Mattie. Kate, the actress he met in St. Louis, comes back into his life, but underlying animosities serve in constantly pulling them apart.
Fans of the movie Tombstone, with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, will appreciate the presentation of the foundation of their friendship, and even gain some insight from vague lines in the film. Along with Wyatt Earp, many of the other lawmen and outlaws make an appearance, creating a connection between the parcels of dirty, pioneer towns featured in the book to the setting of the movie in Tombstone, Arizona.
While Inheritance introduces us to a Southern gentleman ready to take on the world to prove himself to his family, Gone West send’s John Henry through the motions that allow him to experience defeat, acceptance and redemption—finally giving him closure as to his flawed boyhood view of life. The final book in the series, The Last Decision, promises to be an exciting and much-anticipated conclusion to this illuminating biographical saga.
June 30, 2020
This is book two in the seriese of three books about Doctor John Henry Holliday (Doc Holliday) Just to note that when your ordering just be aware that this book and the others have been published under another title. For example I read book two as Gone West, but it was also published as Dance with the Devil.
The book covers the central part of his life when he is in Texas and just starting out on the road that will lead him to meeting Wyatt Earp and going to Dodge City.
Well written book which puts flesh on the bones of the characters, and you see them as people.
Doc Holliday, still trying to work as a dentist even through life was making it harder for him, still holding onto the profession that he was so good at even as his health got worse.
Interesting the films because the actors are always alot older you can easily forget that he was in his mid to late twenties at this time. I look forward to the authors latest book which is out in November. Would recommend this series.
The book covers the central part of his life when he is in Texas and just starting out on the road that will lead him to meeting Wyatt Earp and going to Dodge City.
Well written book which puts flesh on the bones of the characters, and you see them as people.
Doc Holliday, still trying to work as a dentist even through life was making it harder for him, still holding onto the profession that he was so good at even as his health got worse.
Interesting the films because the actors are always alot older you can easily forget that he was in his mid to late twenties at this time. I look forward to the authors latest book which is out in November. Would recommend this series.
August 23, 2023
I read Mary Doria Russell's book "Doc" several years ago, so a lot of this second book was familiar to me already. However, I now understand so much more having read Wilcox's first book leading up to Doc's time in Texas. I'm excited to see how it all ends in the third book!
May 28, 2015
Gone West is the second book In Victoria Wilcox's Southern Son, the story of Doc Holliday, trilogy, after Inheritance. It gives the reader wonderful insight as tp what the "Wild West" truly consisted of. This second book explores the life of Doc Holliday after he flees from
Georgia. Even though he is an expert dentist, his practices never seems to thrive or last very long....mainly due to his alcohol consumption, or as he calls himself, a sporting man. This book also starts going into his friendship with Kate Earl and the Earp brothers, Wyatt, Morgan,
and the rest of the family. If you are a lover of history, or how the west was won, this series is for you...I highly recommend it!
Georgia. Even though he is an expert dentist, his practices never seems to thrive or last very long....mainly due to his alcohol consumption, or as he calls himself, a sporting man. This book also starts going into his friendship with Kate Earl and the Earp brothers, Wyatt, Morgan,
and the rest of the family. If you are a lover of history, or how the west was won, this series is for you...I highly recommend it!
June 8, 2015
This is book 2 of Southern Son: The Saga of Doc Holliday, a historical fiction trilogy. I feel confident that this is as close to history about Doc as you will find. Wilcox researched him for 18 hears and used primary sources in all the places he lived. What you get is an amazing picture of the Wild West through a legendary figure who traveled through many Western states. It was interesting to learn about all his brushes with the law and how dodging them determined where he went and what he did. And comforting to know that this wild, aimless man did have at least two true friends-Wyatt Earp and his girl, Kate-that he could count on. www.victoriawilcoxbooks.com.
December 7, 2014
Can't wait for next one!!!
This continues the story of Doc Holliday at the point where he has to leave Georgia due to always seeming to unwittingly getting himself in trouble. He never could hold down a dental practice for long, usually due to drinking or as he calls himself "a sporting man" which included gambling. He still loves his cousin deeply and maybe this is part of the drinking plus he never, ever could please his father. I've read this author did outstanding research for this series. I love it!!
This continues the story of Doc Holliday at the point where he has to leave Georgia due to always seeming to unwittingly getting himself in trouble. He never could hold down a dental practice for long, usually due to drinking or as he calls himself "a sporting man" which included gambling. He still loves his cousin deeply and maybe this is part of the drinking plus he never, ever could please his father. I've read this author did outstanding research for this series. I love it!!
March 24, 2017
I enjoyed this sequel even more than the first! Traveling here and there with John Henry through the west was most entertaining. Being from Southern Colorado, myself, the scenery really came to life; places like Trinidad and Raton Pass being my backyard for years. This second in the trilogy really gets to work on John Henry's character and as his sickness progresses, his need for companionship does also. A very quick read! Worth every moment.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews