Triggernometry: A Gallery of Gunfighters by E. Cunningham

[Lodge2004]

Short stories on the careers of various gunfighters with a slant towards those from Texas. The stories are well written, fast moving with colorful language.

Many of his sources were first-hand accounts since the original was published in +/- 1934. Cunningham does not make judgements about the gunfighters, but the reader will note that the good guys were not always good and the bad guys weren't always bad. Some of the "gunfights" were nothing more than cold-blooded murders and reminded me of the "gang" killings in many of our larger cities today.

For those interested in self defense, the introduction by Rosa offers an observation that is proved true in many of the stories: "The true gunfighter was already confident of the result when he drew and fired. The mistake so many fast-draw fanatics make is to believe that speed is of essence, whereas a cool, cold-blooded, and determined approach, backed by the killer instinct, invariably wins."

Great book for those interested in western gunfighters.

[jimlongley]

Is my uncle Bill in there?

[Lodge2004]

He's the first chapter. It runs 25 pages.