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Jesse James: A Life from Beginning to End
Discover the remarkable life of Jesse James...
Free BONUS Inside!
The American Civil War brought out the best and the worst in the country’s citizens. Jesse James, a member of a slave-owning family in Missouri, saw his way of life destroyed by the war. By the time of his early teens, he had joined his local gang of outlaws, fueled by a hatred of the loss of Southern traditions he knew and loved.
Following the end of the war, Jesse and his brother Frank continued their crusade by robbing banks and raiding trains. With the help of a newspaper reporter, a legend was created of Jesse James as a hero and defender of the South. That legend gave Jesse James twenty years to rob and kill at will, as it was usually disguised in the press as heroism. No lawman was ever able to bring Jesse James down; ultimately, he died at the hands of one of his own men. This book tells the story of his life from beginning to end.
Discover a plethora of topics such asBloody Bill and the Centralia MassacrePost-War The First Bank RobberyThe James-Younger GangThe Pinkertons Take on Jesse JamesA Wanted Life in ExileThe Murder of Jesse JamesAnd much more!
So if you want a concise and informative book on Jesse James, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!
Free BONUS Inside!
The American Civil War brought out the best and the worst in the country’s citizens. Jesse James, a member of a slave-owning family in Missouri, saw his way of life destroyed by the war. By the time of his early teens, he had joined his local gang of outlaws, fueled by a hatred of the loss of Southern traditions he knew and loved.
Following the end of the war, Jesse and his brother Frank continued their crusade by robbing banks and raiding trains. With the help of a newspaper reporter, a legend was created of Jesse James as a hero and defender of the South. That legend gave Jesse James twenty years to rob and kill at will, as it was usually disguised in the press as heroism. No lawman was ever able to bring Jesse James down; ultimately, he died at the hands of one of his own men. This book tells the story of his life from beginning to end.
Discover a plethora of topics such asBloody Bill and the Centralia MassacrePost-War The First Bank RobberyThe James-Younger GangThe Pinkertons Take on Jesse JamesA Wanted Life in ExileThe Murder of Jesse JamesAnd much more!
So if you want a concise and informative book on Jesse James, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!
115 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2021
91 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 27, 2023
Captivating. The story of one of the most dangerous outlaws in the USA after the Civil War...
December 13, 2021
This book was written to make Jesse James look like the ultimate villain. In order to do this the author leaves out information that could help explain why he turned out the way he did. The author also spent a lot of time discussing slavery and race which seems to hint that racism was also a big factor in him being the way he was. This I think also points that the author didn't just hide information but failed to really research Jesse James. The last problem for me was hopefully a spelling mistake when they said Quantrill raided Lawrenceville not Lawrence, Kansas.
March 12, 2023
*Some Spoilers*
There is a lot of detailed information in this short biography. I really knew nothing about Jesse James before reading this. I had always assumed that Jesse James was an outlaw in the wild wild west and I was very surprised to learn that his crimes were centered in Missouri. His crime spree started at age 14, a direct reaction to the Civil War. Jesse James father had been a preacher who thought that slavery was acceptable, so that gives you an idea of the irrational household that James grew up in. James lost his father at a very young age and then he lost his mother for a time due to the laws of the era that gave women almost zero rights. Jesse James was influenced by a wild group of lawless young men called The Bushwackers who staged a string of crimes against abolitionists and those who fought for the north in the Civil War. Basically, James developed a taste for lawlessness and blood at a very young age, and then his crimes were glorified by the press. The famous Pinkertons tried to capture/kill Jesse James and failed, killing and maiming some of Jesse James family members in the process. In the end it was one of Jesse James own men who betrayed him and shot him in the back of the head for the reward money. Jesse James was a violent murderer and I was disgusted that the press sang praises about him. The reason I gave this book five stars is it showed a detailed picture Missouri at the end of the Civil War.
There is a lot of detailed information in this short biography. I really knew nothing about Jesse James before reading this. I had always assumed that Jesse James was an outlaw in the wild wild west and I was very surprised to learn that his crimes were centered in Missouri. His crime spree started at age 14, a direct reaction to the Civil War. Jesse James father had been a preacher who thought that slavery was acceptable, so that gives you an idea of the irrational household that James grew up in. James lost his father at a very young age and then he lost his mother for a time due to the laws of the era that gave women almost zero rights. Jesse James was influenced by a wild group of lawless young men called The Bushwackers who staged a string of crimes against abolitionists and those who fought for the north in the Civil War. Basically, James developed a taste for lawlessness and blood at a very young age, and then his crimes were glorified by the press. The famous Pinkertons tried to capture/kill Jesse James and failed, killing and maiming some of Jesse James family members in the process. In the end it was one of Jesse James own men who betrayed him and shot him in the back of the head for the reward money. Jesse James was a violent murderer and I was disgusted that the press sang praises about him. The reason I gave this book five stars is it showed a detailed picture Missouri at the end of the Civil War.
August 13, 2025
I knew, of course, that Jesse James was a bad guy. What I did not know was just how bad he was. He was bad but he was also into self justification. I once knew a guy who blamed his school behavioral problems on a supposed sleight by a teacher he had in the 1st grade. The guy was in high school and couldn't take responsibility for his own actions so he blamed a 1st grade teacher! Jesse James was like that guy - but way more evil!
December 14, 2021
For such a short biography this book gets oddly repetitive at times. Especially when renewing the disbelief in whether Jesse James was seeking revenge for the loss by the Confederacy or when talking about the publicity he received for his robberies and murders. But, this is a pretty good quick overview of the life and death of the notorious outlaw.
November 11, 2025
A Robin Hood?
There has being plethora written about Jesse James over the years. This book looks at his criminal career and asked at its end a question. That question being was Jesse James a product of his age or something else. Whatever the answer you can judge for yourself from reading this book.
There has being plethora written about Jesse James over the years. This book looks at his criminal career and asked at its end a question. That question being was Jesse James a product of his age or something else. Whatever the answer you can judge for yourself from reading this book.
April 4, 2022
The real Jesse James
Not the Jesse James of the movies, a cold blooded killer, who capitalized on the writing of his southern supporters who painted a picture of a modern day Robin hood. This short story is a good history lesson.
Not the Jesse James of the movies, a cold blooded killer, who capitalized on the writing of his southern supporters who painted a picture of a modern day Robin hood. This short story is a good history lesson.
March 1, 2023
Great read of a notorious person and contemptuous time.
One of the better hourly history books. Maybe it was the subject or the era of the story. But it was well written and did not repeat itself.
One of the better hourly history books. Maybe it was the subject or the era of the story. But it was well written and did not repeat itself.
March 2, 2023
Jesse was a thug.
this book explains a lot about the life of Jesse James. I didn’t realize he was such a vicious killer and didn’t care about life whatsoever. Their crimes were brutal and they killed many innocent people.
this book explains a lot about the life of Jesse James. I didn’t realize he was such a vicious killer and didn’t care about life whatsoever. Their crimes were brutal and they killed many innocent people.
August 28, 2023
Buen libro, muestra los aspectos más importantes sobre la vida y la muerte de Jesse James, aprendí muchas cosas que no sabía y lo mejor de todo, solo me todo poco más de una hora de lectura. Podría volverlo a leer, 4/5.
December 20, 2024
Life and Times of Jesse James
A very interesting history of one
of America's notorious criminals..
of the Civil War era and the post
Civil War...starting at age 14 yrs
of age and continued with his older brother until he was shot
from behind by one of his gang
A very interesting history of one
of America's notorious criminals..
of the Civil War era and the post
Civil War...starting at age 14 yrs
of age and continued with his older brother until he was shot
from behind by one of his gang
September 25, 2025
Jesse James is complicit for his murderous behavior
In spite of what the author seems to continually allude to, Jesse James is complicit for his murderous behavior. There can never be excuses offered for his aberrant life choices.
In spite of what the author seems to continually allude to, Jesse James is complicit for his murderous behavior. There can never be excuses offered for his aberrant life choices.
December 12, 2021
Well ya did it again -- walked me through life in the old days.
Thanks
Thanks
January 11, 2022
A brief biography of Jesse James. A good place to start.
March 2, 2023
good book
This book is factual and concise. It was easy to read and informative. Jessie James is well worth the time it takes to read it.
This book is factual and concise. It was easy to read and informative. Jessie James is well worth the time it takes to read it.
February 9, 2024
A look into the the life of a murderer, thief and all around very bad person who has been romanticized and fictionalized in western folklore in film and song.
July 21, 2024
Hard to get through
This covers Jesse James's life well. However Jesse was such an awful person, that I found the book hard to get through.
This covers Jesse James's life well. However Jesse was such an awful person, that I found the book hard to get through.
October 6, 2024
Good, succinct telling of the life of Jesse James. 'Hourly History' reads work best when it's about one person or one simple historical event, rather than a complex event spread over many decades or centuries. Recommended if you're interested in the history of America's Wild West.
February 21, 2026
Interesting information but very short.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews