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Liked It “Ron Hansen writes a human and incredibly detailed account of the once most famous man in America. His account is filled with the kind of homely, personal detail that draws you in and creates an inhabitable, welcoming account.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “not a great one I read it only for the sake of the movie if same name |
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“Ron Hansen writes a human and incredibly detailed account of the once most famous man in America. His account is filled with the kind of homely, personal detail that draws you in and creates an inhabitable, welcoming account.”
redFred wrote this review Thursday, November 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A very good story written about that infamous outlaw Jesse James. The film based on these writings which is of the same title starring Brad Pitt was excellent and this book is also entertaining and gripping.
Chris W wrote this review Friday, November 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
After reading this book my opinion of Jesse James is much the same; he was a murderous criminal who deserved to be brought to justice. The manner of his death is unpleasant but it is not Jesse himself I felt sorry for but his family. He was shot dead in his own home not far from his wife and children by Robert Ford, a member of his gang.
The most interesting aspect of the story for me is not Jesse himself but his assassin. Robert Ford led a sad life where nobody really liked him or respected him, he hero-worshipped Jesse before he realised that his hero was little more than a cold-blooded violent killer and a thief he then decided to increase his own fame by killing Jesse and claiming the reward for himself.
Ford was afraid of Jesse, who had become increasingly paranoid and distrustful of even close associates. Jesse was a light sleeper and always kept his pistols with him even when asleep or in the bath. Ford did not wish to confront Jesse in person to kill him as he knew Jesse would almost certainly kill him first (being a more skilled and experienced gunfighter) It is hard to tell if Jesse knew Ford planned to kill him. In the film it is certainly suggested he did but I suppose we will never know the truth.
Ford was assasinated himself some years after killing Jesse, poetic justice I suppose but Ford never committed the atrosities that Jesse did so its arguable. I suppose it is a classic example of the anicent saying "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword"
A thrilling read, I recommend it highly”
“awesome”
Alyssa S wrote this review Monday, September 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Can't put my finger on this book, but it simply did attain the hype that I had read about it. Thus my 3 star rating.”
Frank B wrote this review Thursday, August 14 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“When I read this book I was expecting something totally different. I was expecting more of a fiction account than a historical account. It was the other way around but fascinating and I enjoyed it.”
ReBecca wrote this review Saturday, June 21 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“No. six on the list, so far, so good.”
josielle wrote this review Tuesday, November 13 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“not a great one I read it only for the sake of the movie if same name
rawat1atul wrote this review Saturday, September 29 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
heavily ifluenced by Julius Caeser in my view
it should have more emphasis on Bob's psyche
the superstition of that time is rightly written and i reallly liked that part
”
“I'm almost finished with this book. I think I expected more than I got with this book. I lost interest a couple of times while reading it and had to make myself continue. I'm looking forward to the movie. I've always been a fan of anything Jesse James.”
jaYne wrote this review Thursday, September 20 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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