The Real Dirt on America's Frontier Legends

by Jim Motavalli

Learn the truth behind the famous characters of the Wild West—and how the legends got it wrong—in this lively history that separates fact from fiction. The historic figures of the Western frontier have fascinated us for generations. But in many cases, the stories we know about them are little more than inventions. Popular legend won’t tell you, for instance, that David Crockett was a congressman, or that Daniel Boone was a Virginia legislator. Thanks to penny dreadfuls, Wild West shows, sensationalist newspaper stories, and tall tales told by the explorers themselves, what we know of these men and women is often more fiction than fact.The Real Dirt on America's Frontier Legends separates fact from fiction, showing the legends and the evidence side-by-side to give readers the real story of the old West. Here you’ll discover the fascinating truth about Lewis and Clark, Daniel Boone, “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Calamity Jane, Kit Carson, Davy Crocket, and many others.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2019

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

How fascinating it is to learn that the legends of the wild west were exaggerated beyond reality. Many of the popular American frontier heroes stole stories from their contemporaries or bragged about experiences no one ever had. This was further exaggerated by authors, eager to sell thrilling novels. The truth is always simpler and more believable.

This book would be my hidden gem of the year but it suffers from confusing disorganization. Repetition and overlapping timelines made me page backward and foreword. Unrelated insets are distracting and unnecessary.

Citing Wikipedia as a source isn't credible enough for a book that is supposed to reveal historical facts! There must be better sources available.

[Sgt Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much in life is all about marketing. Even back in those days.

[Donald A. Johansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

An irregular collection

I thought is was loosely written indicated by repetition. Inserts often did not follow present script. Quotes were valuable. Leisure reading but not academic

[SharonBBD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoy everything having to do with remotely authentic westerns. I don’t know how but started watching the westerns from the 50s on TV. Remove the cultural bias you can actually find some fair representation of individuals who tried to make things right. Sorry, I’m off topic. When I’m stressed or life is just too much I turn on a western and blank out. This book is a collection of stories that was fairly entertaining. And more proof As to how marketing and opinions turn one persons concepts, and uninformed ideas into popular reality.
Those interested in Whats touted to be the most researched history of one man, central to the movement west from the wild borders of Pennsylvania (heavily dependent upon documents and letters from the time) and my favorite tome to date for what it was like to step upon a new land, the daily life and survival, commerce, and both positive and negative interactions w native Americans is The Frontiersman. By Andrew….um, have to find. No memory for names.

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book. It works in how the modern media as well as the Dime Novels treated these people. Many have legends way different from the reality. It is nice to have a book that cuts through the PR to say what is definitely known and what is wild exaggeration. Then as now several of the people are famous simply because they decided they were famous and made it stick. These mostly have not much in the way of real accomplishment. Others ought to before more famous than they are, but fame did not interest them and they have the real accomplishments. Recommended.

[John Eric Edinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

One.really good legend

Book contains a great write-up about Lewis and.Clark. There is great detail on support provided by native Americans and the.few rewards they received for their suffering. It would be great to.have a similar writeup about the Alaskan Inuit's.

Less interest in legends that became.movie stories.

[Lisa Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this as a follow up to America's frontier outlaws.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

dnf. Very well written, just not my thing.