Tall Tales and Half Truths of Billy the Kid

American Legends

by John LeMay, Elvis E. Fleming (Foreword)

“A great exposé . . . that humorously captures the many myths that Americans are willing to believe and that make up the tapestry of the Old West.” —Former Representative Morgan NelsonWhile many respectable books on Billy the Kid aim to demystify his illusory life, this one-of-a-kind collection proudly has no such intention. Find all of the untold and potentially true—but very unlikely and highly embellished—stories of the Kid’s life, death and enthralling life thereafter. Be thrilled by sightings of Billy’s ghost riding through old Fort Sumner and marvel at his search for the fabled Lost Adams Diggings. Wonder at the mysterious thefts of his tombstone and discover the famed desperado’s dozen or so doppelgangers who posthumously popped up all across the Southwest. Courtesy of yarn-spinning raconteurs of yore, author John LeMay unveils the many forgotten and discarded tales of the legendary William H. Bonney, an everlasting emblem of the American West.

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2015

Reviews

[Cliff Poche · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! very facinating study of the tall tales of Billy the Kid.
the author really dives deep into these stories, such as the old one about "Brushy" Bill Roberts and his claims of being "The Kid", Billy's ghost, his meeting Jesse James, its all covered. The Author also has another one on Pat Garrett, which I look forward to reading very soon! If you like stories about the old west, Billy the Kid and such, I highly recommend this book!

[Nicole Wright]

bought this in new mexico and read it in the car obvi!

[Melinda Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

[Joseph Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not so much about the Kid himself as it is about how New Mexican people and places have piled on to the Kid’s coattails. The phenomenon has had a long half life since the last person who actually knew him died seventy-plus years ago. One of the most intriguing impersonators was a Kid doppelgänger who rolled into town about twenty years ago and was immediately offered Lincoln City's primo historic reenactor gig. But it must have gone to his head because he became a cattle wrestler and had to be run out of town. Lucky for him the sheriff was no Pat Garrett wannabe.

[Kristi Thielen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slender book with a slender return on your investment. Lemay sets out to do something interesting: write a book not about the life of the historical Billy the Kid, but about the wealth of stories concerning the famed outlaw. This means a lot of digging in old sources and conversations with old timers who knew somebody, who knew something. For doing that, Lemay deserves credit.

Unfortunately, the rumors/myths/whoppers are so considerable - and so convoluted - that it is difficult to keep them straight. And Lemay's writing style tangles them even further.

The book would be more useful if the author had ended each segment with a paragraph or two detailing the truth about that aspect of Bonney's life. Instead, he seems to assume the reader is already well-read enough about the Kid to know the accurate information.

Pick up this book only if you are a real Billy the Kid buff and already know a good deal about him.