by Walter Noble Burns
This very well may be the most entertaining book about Billy the Kid that you’ll ever read. It is also probably the watershed moment in Billy the Kid historical research and publishing. Prior to Walter Noble Burns’ Saga, all that was known of Billy was from the greatly embellished Upson/Garrett book, and the even less accurate dime-novels that gave little-to-no concern for accuracy or truth. So while Burns account is still not a complete, nor completely accurate telling, it is a giant step forward to enlightening the general public to the idiosyncrasies of all the New Mexico tumult.
Having written and published in the early part of the century, Burns was able to speak with actual living participants in the Lincoln County feud. It, unfortunately, lacks a lot of our contemporary self-imposed morals of research. Not privy to many of the records (or the internet for that matter) that we are today, Burns form of research was more akin to the Herodotian model; meaning he went around and asked people what the heck happened. This is both a blessing and a curse. He gives us some great insights and perspectives, but he also leaves a lot of undocumented, or at least un-cited, details that historians had to either prove or disprove.
For the most part, it’s a pretty accurate account. He spends a lot of time giving helpful background, and balanced attention, to the different facets. While he doesn’t heap any praise on the Murphy-Dolan faction, he does a great job of making you wonder whose side he’s on, at times. And that’s a great compliment to someone wishing to stay, or at least appear, neutral; which he did quite well.
The writing style is a bit more inspired than a lot of modern writers. Right from the beginning when he opens with John Chisum and his move to New Mexico, and the description of his ranch and operations, it really sets a tone for the world these men stomped around in.
Ultimately, if you are an even half-serious reader of Billy the Kid, you have to read Walter Noble Burns book; you don’t have to read it first, but it is a great place to start. From there, when you dive into Utley and Nolan, you have set a wonderful foundation.
Handy With A Gun...! 