Written with Lead: America's Most Famous and Notorious Gunfights from the Revolutionary War to Today

by William Weir

Book Overview

Written with Lead offers a compelling narrative history of twenty-one tragic episodes in American history-all involving firearms, heroes, and the ongoing public fascination with guns and gunfighters.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0815412894
• ISBN13: 9780815412892
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Cooper Square Press
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Better than I expected

Maybe it's because I wasn't expecting a whole lot when I bought this book. I picked it on a whim to read while traveling. I especially like being able to read one story, stop, pick the book up later and read another. Fewer interruptions are likely to happen when I read this way. The stories are in chronological order and unfold a bit of history. Some very interesting facts, and probably little known to the average person, are revealed. I truly enjoyed this book.

Entertaining Stories of American History

The 18 chapters tell of historical events in America. Some are well-known, others are not. They are different form the legends created by dramas and fiction. These stories of violence recall the Iliad, the Odyssey, Beowulf, or the Song of Roland; they were the equivalent of broadcast or filmed dramas of today. America was founded by a violent revolution, unlike Europe or Asia where violence occurs without creating new nations. Most of the heroes in this book are anti-establishment, which reflects American character. Most American myths do not have a military origin (p.viii). America's growth came from struggles against other peoples [like Europe in the Dark Ages]; this still occurs throughout today's world. The relatively higher murder rate of America reflects its colonial past; it is lower than in countries south of the Rio Grande (p.x). In fact, the murder rate in Europe is much higher when you include wars, purges, and ethnic cleansing (pp.x-xi). Myths, stories of historical events that reflect popular views, are relatively recent and better documented than the Trojan War. You can compare this book to an uncensored and unexpurgated version of "Grimm's Fairy Tales". The British plan for winning the war was to have three armies meet: Burgoyne down the Hudson valley, St. Leger down the Mohawk River, Howe up from New York. [This tactic of converging columns was used by General Custer in Montana.] Chapter 2 will teach you a lot about early American history, like Hamilton's scheme to split the Federalist that nearly elected Jefferson (p.22). Burr's exposure of Hamilton's treachery destroyed Hamilton's political career. Page 33 gives more about the treachery among these men. Custer's forces unknowingly attacked "the largest concentration of Indian fighting men ever seen north of the Rio Grande" (p.75). Custer's Last Stand was the heaviest defeat suffered against the Indians, but it was also the last victory of the Indians. Sitting Bull lived to ride with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, only to die when "resisting arrest". Chapter 7 explains the Lincoln County Land War, and Billy the Kid's part in this commercial rivalry. Chapter 8 explains how the Earp gang profited from gambling and drinking in Dodge City before moving to Tombstone Arizona. Most miners and townsmen were northern Republicans, most cattlemen were southern Democrats; each had their criminals. The business of Tombstone was entertainment: saloons, gambling casinos, brothels (their businessmen were called the "Law and Order Party"). Did Wyatt and Morgan tip off the stage robbers (p.117)? Was the Gunfight at the OK Corral meant to eliminate competitors? "Wyatt Earp, Frontier Marshall" may be history by the survivors (p.125). You've heard of the Hatfield-McCoy feud? But what about the conflicts over land rich in timber and coal, or the railroad (Chapter 9)? The 1921 Matewan coal strike occurred nearby. The War on Powder River, Wyoming, won't be found in school textbooks. The millionaire ra

An American History Lesson Written With Lead

Readers expecting to read the nitty-gritty details of famous gunfights -- the guns, the ammo, the tactics, the wound trauma -- will be sorely disappointed with this book. While Weir gives some general information in this regard, this book is not an after-action report or a forensic analysis of gunfights -- and it isn't intended to be. Instead, Weir offers readers narratives of violent incidents from the American Revolution to Columbine that are rich in character studies and historical detail, and try to tell the story behind the story. Sure, there's mention of guns and gunfights, but they are secondary to the stories of the people and events that have helped shape and define America and Americans. Weir cuts through the myths and legends surrounding famous figures like Aaron Burr, Jesse James, Wyatt Earp, Pancho Villa, Billy the Kid, Bonnie and Clyde, and Dillinger, and incidents like the Brinks Job, the Alamo, the Johnson County War, and the siege at Waco. While Weir doesn't explicitly tie the stories together (each is a stand-alone chapter), several recurring themes emerge. Among them is how different the historical reality is from modern popular perceptions (not to mention Hollywood's renditions). Another is how the clear-cut distinctions we like to make between "good guys" and "bad guys" were often not as clear cut as we like to think. This book starts slowly, and Weir sometimes allows the level of detail to slow the pace of the book too much. But in this kind of work, the detail is ultimately appreciated, and Weir seemingly picks up the pace as he moves along. This book will almost certainly be worthwhile for those who have an interest in learning the truth behind many of the legendary heroes and villains that have become so integral to the American identity.

The history, culture, and mythology of guns in America

In Written With Lead: America's Most Famous And Notorious Gunfights From The Revolutionary War To Today, author William Weir showcases twenty-one violent episodes in American history which involved the use of firearms, heroes, and gunfighters from all walks of life. From the St. Valentine's Day Massacre of Al Capone's Chicago; to the bloody ambush of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde; to the Siege at Waco, the massacre at Columbine, and the D.C. sniper, Written With Lead is an unusually revealing, rather unique, thoughtful and thought-provoking exploration of the history, culture, and mythology of guns in America.

Entertaining Stories of American History

The 18 chapters tell of historical events in America. Some are well-known, others are not. They are different form the legends created by dramas and fiction. These stories of violence recall the Iliad, the Odyssey, Beowulf, or the Song of Roland; they were the equivalent of broadcast or filmed dramas of today. America was founded by a violent revolution, unlike Europe or Asia where violence occurs without creating new nations. Most of the heroes in this book are anti-establishment, which reflects American character. Most American myths do not have a military origin (p.viii). America's growth came from struggles against other peoples [like Europe in the Dark Ages]; this still occurs throughout today's world. The relatively higher murder rate of America reflects its colonial past; it is lower than in countries south of the Rio Grande (p.x). In fact, the murder rate in Europe is much higher when you include wars, purges, and ethnic cleansing (pp.x-xi). Myths, stories of historical events that reflect popular views, are relatively recent and better documented than the Trojan War. You can compare this book to an uncensored and unexpurgated version of "Grimm's Fairy Tales".The British plan for winning the war was to have three armies meet: Burgoyne down the Hudson valley, St. Leger down the Mohawk River, Howe up from New York. [This tactic of converging columns was used by General Custer in Montana.] Chapter 2 will teach you a lot about early American history, like Hamilton's scheme to split the Federalist that nearly elected Jefferson (p.22). Burr's exposure of Hamilton's treachery destroyed Hamilton's political career. Page 33 gives more about the treachery among these men. Custer's forces unknowingly attacked "the largest concentration of Indian fighting men ever seen north of the Rio Grande" (p.75). Custer's Last Stand was the heaviest defeat suffered against the Indians, but it was also the last victory of the Indians. Sitting Bull lived to ride with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, only to die when "resisting arrest". Chapter 7 explains the Lincoln County Land War, and Billy the Kid's part in this commercial rivalry. Chapter 8 explains how the Earp gang profited from gambling and drinking in Dodge City before moving to Tombstone Arizona. Most miners and townsmen were northern Republicans, most cattlemen were southern Democrats; each had their criminals. The business of Tombstone was entertainment: saloons, gambling casinos, brothels (their businessmen were called the "Law and Order Party"). Did Wyatt and Morgan tip off the stage robbers (p.117)? Was the Gunfight at the OK Corral meant to eliminate competitors? "Wyatt Earp, Frontier Marshall" may be history by the survivors (p.125).You've heard of the Hatfield-McCoy feud? But what about the conflicts over land rich in timber and coal, or the railroad (Chapter 9)? The 1921 Matewan coal strike occurred nearby. The War on Powder River, Wyoming, won't be found in school textbooks. The millionaire ranch