Noted Guerrillas and, the extremely rare, A Terrible Quintette for the first time available on a searchable CD-ROM:
Click here for more info and to order
FIRST PUBLICATION OF "A TERRIBLE QUINTETTE" ANYWHERE IN 129 YEARS!
FIRST SEARCHABLE PUBLICATION, WITH ALL ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS, OF "NOTED GUERRILLAS"
"Noted Guerrillas, or the Warfare of the Border", John N. Edwards, 1877, 488 Pages, 26 illustrations. Quantrill (“Quantrell”), Bloody Bill Anderson, George Todd, Arch Clements, Fletch Taylor, Jesse James, Frank James, Cole Younger, John Jarrette, Arthur C. McCoy, John Thrailkill —they’re all here, described by a man who knew them.
“A Terrible Quintette”, John N. Edwards, St. Louis Dispatch, Nov. 22, 1873. 21,000 words.  FIRST PUBLICATION ANYWHERE IN 129 YEARS!
"Edwards had for the first time put together some of the most important ingredients of the James Legend."  --William A. Settle, Jr, author of "Jesse James was his Name", describing "A Terrible Quintette"


Missouri Civil War Reader, Volume I
Cost per CD ROM is $24.95 + $4.00 priority mail shipping

  The Story of Cole Younger by Himself: An Autobiography of the Missouri Guerrilla, Confederate Cavalry Officer, and Western Outlaw, by Thomas Coleman Younger

First-hand story of the border war and the guerrilla war in Missouri from later outlaw Cole Younger who was at Lawrence, Kansas with Quantrill and later served under Shelby. He also defends himself against charges of robbery, save for the Northfield robbery of which he gives a reasonably full and accurate account (having been caught it was a hard one to deny). I enjoyed reading this book—though admittedly Cole Younger isn't a great writer—and think he put more truth in it than most historians consider.





Three Years With Quantrill, by John McCorkle

Well told stories with footnotes by a solid historian in this edition. McCorkle makes the usual mistakes of memory common to autobiographies--events in the wrong order, dates wrong--and, naturally, puts his own personal bias on things. The historian/editor compensates with his own, opposite bias. It makes for a good balance. McCorkle mentions Cole Younger frequently--they became brothers-in-law--and Frank James occasionally. The most intriguing parts are the numerous times Quantrill came into potentially deadly conflict with his own men.

William Clarke Quantrill: His Life and Times
by Albert E. Castel Castel is a recommended author, a good historian with a very readable writing style.



Black Flag: Guerrilla Warfare on the Western Border, 1861-1865
by Thomas Goodrich



Inside War: The Guerrilla Conflict in Missouri During the American Civil War by Michael Fellman

There's a goodly amount of psycho-social analysis in Fellman's book, but it is also a very well researched telling of the viciousness, desperation, and pathos on both sides of the guerrilla war in Missouri. Particularly valuable for looking at the "middle management" of Union officers who were actually directing the anti-guerrilla effort and the daily struggle between pragmatism and the rule of law.

Civil War on the Western Border, 1854-1865
by Jay Monaghan

Jesse James Was His Name,

by William A. Settle, Jr.

Generally considered to be one of the best researched on the James-Younger gang, and the first serious scholarly research done. Since publication more information has been uncovered by other authors, but this could be considered the base-line work. Recommended.



Frank and Jesse James: The Story Behind the Legend by Ted P. Yeatman



Frank and Jesse James by Ted P. Yeatman

now in lower priced paperback from Amazon.com



You wouldn't think there'd be room for yet another book on Jesse and Frank James but Yeatman proves how much information there was yet to find. Excellent research into many previously unexplored niches and the best account I've ever seen on Frank James and Cole Younger's later years.The author's most amazing find, in my opinion, was a newspaper account quoting Frank James admitting to having been a bank robber.Highly recommended.





The Jesse James Northfield Raid: Confessions of the Ninth Man, by John Koblas

Just a dandy book in every regard. This is a purely Minnesota-centric history of the James and Youngers unfortunate visit to Minnesota in 1876. The author begins with the story of a man who claimed that Chadwell and Stiles were two separate people and that he was "the ninth man" at the Northfield robbery. Koblas tracks the James and Youngers' progress and movements across Minnesota in minute, exacting detail (yet still very good reading!) and gives credence, or not, to Stiles claim. Lots of photos and good writing.

also

Jesse James Ate Here: An Outlaw Tour & History of Minnesota at the Time of the Northfield Raid
by John J. Koblas
Covers every step the outlaws took in the state of Minnesota and every person they encountered. Koblas continues with his fine research and enjoyable writing style though this book may be a tad more interesting to Minnesotans than to the general reader. However if you're interested in the Northfield robbery, this is a must-have.



"When the Heavens Fell: The Youngers in Stillwater Prison" by John Koblas

hardcover - paperback



"The Great Cole Younger & Frank James Historical Wild West Show by John Koblas

hardcover - paperback





Reviews of When the Heavens Fell and the Great Cole Younger and Frank James Historical Wild West Show


Available from Amazon.com Jesse James and the First Missouri Train Robbery
by Ronald H Beights, 2002 Review
Brand Book, Vol. 27, No 2. Summer 1990. "Ravenous Monsters of Society": The Early Exploits of the James Gang, by Robert J. Wybrow Bob Wybrow has been researching the James and their colleagues for more than thirty years. His work is cited with respect by the other authors in the field. The title here is a reference to an anti-bushwhacker resolution passed by a public meeting at Liberty, MO in 1864. This slender but valuable work covers the James exploits thru the Gallatin robbery of Dec. 1869.

Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War by T. J. Stiles

Cole Younger: Last of the Great Outlaws, by Homer Croy

Completely entertaining reading from a natural story-teller. This isn't a scholarly work but is full of great stories and information. His sources tend to be as near to first-hand, and family, sources as possible but not immune to bias or error. Unlike Settle, Croy is very upfront with his opinions and conclusions.The book does include scenes and conversations that could not possibly have been witnessed so there is an element of fictionalization to the book.







The Rise and Fall of Jesse James, by Robertus Love

A touch more story-telling than scholarly history, but good reading and some good first-hand material. The author spoke to Jim Cummins quite a few times. The author is fairly unbiased though some errors and glamorization is inevitable. He claimed not to be sympathetic to the outlaws, but clearly was.



The Life, Times and Treacheous Death of JESSE JAMES, by Frank Triplett

(originally published 1882) Somewhat error prone, as anything written right at the time, and in the haste of the Jesse James post-assassination hype, but good reading and some good information. Triplett claims the book is based on interviews with Mrs. Jesse James, "wife of the bandit," and Mrs. Zerelda Samuel, his mother. They deny that they contributed to the book yet did receive royalties. It seems they--or at least Jesse's wife--started to contribute material but stopped when it appeared that it would damage Frank's case for innocence. There were attempts to suppress the book when it was published, by the governor, or Frank James, or both. In either case it was extremely rare for quite some time. A bargain-priced treasure--recommended.



Robber and Hero: The Story of the Northfield Bank Raid, by George Huntington

Northfield Historical Society, originally published 1895 - Probably the best and most accurate account of the robbery attempt in Northfield, Minnesota. This book was written less than twenty years after the event and so had considerable first-hand input by still-living witnesses and participants.

The Outlaw Youngers: A Confederate Brotherhood & Jesse James: The Man and the Myth & Outlaws : The Illustrated History of the James-Younger Gang by Marley Brant Jesse and Frank James : The Family History
by Phillip W. Steele The Many Faces of Jesse James
by Phillip W. Steele, George Warfel (Contributor)

Uncommon Men: A Secret Network of Jesse James Revealed

by Ralph P. Ganis



with Julie Hampton, Mike Little, & John Walsh

Explores a family history of otherwise unknown James gang associates. Also looks at potential connections to the war-time Knights of the Golden Circle secret Confederate organization. Interesting analysis of a Nashville photo that may contain numerous of the gang members.

Copies available at ABEBOOKS. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
by Ron Hansen


I, Jesse James
by James R. Ross

Ross is a great-grandson of Jesse James



In the Shadow of Jesse James
by Milton F. Perry (Editor), Stella Frances James
Stella James was the wife of Jesse Edwards James (Jesse Jr.).

A very enjoyable book--the word "charming" kept coming to mind. Stella James recounts the story of her married life with the son of infamous outlaw Jesse James and the way that kinship continually impacted their lives. While the book doesn't give us the ultimate answers to questions of robberies and such, it does give very much a flavor and sense of the people themselves. Stella James seems like a very pleasant person and speaks kindly of all her James kin, not slamming or demeaning any of them which lets you look at them without any haze of personal animosity. She also addresses the impact on her family of the numerous imposters who begin appearing claiming they were the "real" Jesse James. Lots of good family-owned photos.



Jesse James, My Father

by Jesse James, Jr. (Jesse Edwards James)

Autobiography by the son of Jesse James who had his own difficulties with being accused of train robbery. The first half of the book is Jesse Jr.'s remembrances of his father and family stories he was told. This half of the book is quite good and interesting. The second half is his own story of being accused of train robbery. One would think the story of Jesse James' son being accused of train robbery would make for quite an exciting, interesting story, but it's surprisingly dull. Scarce. A few copies available at ABEBOOKS.



The Trial of Frank James for Murder, July 21, 1883, by George Miller, Jr.

originally published 1898 - includes the testimony and confession of Dick Liddil, which is a primary source if it's given accurately here, and if Liddil was telling the truth, and of Clarence Hite, amongst other trial material. The author gives an historical summary at the end with participants in some of the robberies given as based on Dick Liddil's statements. The author gives William Clarke Quantrill's name as "George Quantrell", so an element of wariness as to accuracy is definitely needed.Copies available at ABEBOOKS.

The Border Outlaws: An Authentic and Thrilling History of the Most Noted Bandits of Ancient or Modern Times, THE YOUNGER BROTHERS, JESSE AND FRANK JAMES and THEIR COMRADES IN CRIME, originally published 1882 and The Border Bandits: An Authentic and Thrilling History of the Noted Outlaws JESSE AND FRANK JAMES and their BANDS OF HIGHWAYMEN, by J. W. Buel

Originally published 1880- quite good, interesting books with some excellent pictures and history. The author did travel to Stillwater prison to interview the Youngers, who told him little if anything, however there are several interesting letters written by Cole Younger included in full. There are also interviews with George Sheperd. The book also contains some contemporary newspaper accounts of various robberies. The author made an attempt to be accurate and scholarly, however a degree of inaccuracy is to be expected. Copies available at ABEBOOKS. Noted Guerrillas or the Warfare of the Border, by John N. Edwards, originally published 1877 - Totally biased and flamboyantly over-written but great reading and wonderful accounts by a man who knew the people in question. Not a reliable source for accuracy of events, but as he knew the people personally, a good source for descriptions and personal material. Edwards is generally credited with having created the outlaw-hero mythos surrounding the James-Younger gang.Rare and expensive in print. Now available on searchable CD-ROM along with "A Terrible Quintette".

Shelby and His Men, by John N. Edwards

Originally published 1867 A bit hard to find though Morningside Press has done a recent reprint. A few copies available at ABEBOOKS (pricey) Recommended movie on the Border War and the Missouri guerrillas:

Ride With the Devil-VHS

and

Ride With the Devil-DVD.

One of those rare cases where the book and the movie are both equally good. "Ride With the Devil" is about the guerrillas of western Missouri. It does so many things right it's impossible to name them all. The story centers around Jake Roedel, German-born but raised amidst Missouri Southerners. He and a freed slave, Holt, fight together as bushwhackers in western Missouri and in the Lawrence, Kansas raid with Quantrill. The scenery and settings are vivid and authentic. Terrific action and battle scenes. Singer Jewel does a fine job as the young, tempting widow. Audio on the DVD is excellent and there are a number of extra features. Highly recommended.See Also:

Ride With the Devil

the novel by Daniel Woodrell and Ride With the Devil Soundtrack