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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.
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Click here for more info and to order
"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" only $9.95 +$2 shipping Click here for more info and to order
Cost per CD ROM is $24.95 + $4.00 priority mail shipping Related pages on Civil War St. Louis: Russellville ▪ Ste. Genevieve ▪ Northfield James & Youngers in the Census Making of Confederate Guerrilla Manly Missouri Cross-Dressers of the Civil War Recommended movie on the Border War and the Missouri guerrillas: and 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.
the novel by Daniel Woodrell and
Ride With the Devil Soundtrack
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The Devil Knows How to Ride: The True Story of William Clarke Quantrill and his Confederate Raiders, by Edward E. Leslie A well-researched and well-written history
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William Clarke Quantrill: His Life and Times Castel is a recommended author, a good historian with a very readable writing style.
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Short but very intense book. It's well-written with the two authors balancing each other's biases. The telling of the Centralia massacre and battle are vivid and memorable. Recommended.
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Black Flag: Guerrilla Warfare on the Western Border, 1861-1865
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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.
Gray Ghosts of the Confederacy: Guerrilla Warfare in the West, 1861-1865 by Richard S. Brownlee
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Civil War on the Western Border, 1854-1865
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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.
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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.
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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
"The Great Cole Younger & Frank James Historical Wild West Show by John Koblas
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30% off cover price
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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. |
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by T. J. Stiles
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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.
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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.
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(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.
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Jesse James: The Man and the Myth
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Outlaws : The Illustrated History of the James-Younger Gang
all by Marley Brant Highly regarded recent additions to the field with good writing. |
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The Many Faces of Jesse James |
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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. |
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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford |
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I,
Jesse James Ross is a great-grandson of Jesse James
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In
the Shadow of Jesse James 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.
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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) |
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Pages in the James & Youngers
website
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Missouri Civil War Reader, Volume I
Jesse
James Was His Name
Frank and Jesse James: The
Story Behind the Legend
Jesse
James Ate Here: An Outlaw Tour & History of Minnesota at the Time of the
Northfield Raid
Jesse James and the
First Missouri Train Robbery
Brand
Book, Vol. 27, No 2. Summer 1990. "Ravenous Monsters of Society":
The
Early Exploits of the James Gang, by Robert J. Wybrow
