Gunsmoke & Grit: Is This the End of Tom Clavin's Wild West Chronicles?

Dear Western Readers, 

Bandit Heaven is billed as the "final chapter of the Wild West" on its cover. However, it makes me wonder, is this truly Tom Clavin's last book about the Wild West? Given his extensive writing on the subject, I wouldn't be surprised if he discovers another fascinating 1800s topic that inspires him to pen yet another volume.

I usually avoid reading reviews or opinions about a book before I share my thoughts, but I made an exception for Bandit Heaven. I came across one reader who complained that Clavin's writing felt formulaic and that his research was outdated. Honestly, it seems like this reader might have a bit of an inflated ego or an envy issue. I wouldn't label Clavin's work as formulaic. He writes historical nonfiction in a way that’s accessible to all readers, regardless of their background. As for the claim about outdated research, I don’t think that’s entirely justified. He indeed skimmed over some history, and I suspect that’s because the publisher wanted to keep the book under 300 pages. Calvin takes on multiple outlaws; he probably had to select the content to create engaging chapters carefully.

The book touches on various infamous figures from the Wild West, including Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, Kid Curry, and Thomas "Black Jack" Ketchum. Clavin also delves into the role of the Pinkertons and their hunt for those unwilling to leave their life of crime behind. The book features some black-and-white photos midway through that were enjoyable to browse, offering us a captivating glimpse into the lives of these outlaws.

Overall, I found Bandit Heaven enjoyable for what it is: a concise exploration of outlaws from the 1880s to the 1890s. It’s fast-paced; I breezed through the pages and relished every moment. I even picked up a few new insights about these Wild West outlaws that I hadn’t known before. ╌★★★★★

⁓B.J. Burgess