Search results for ""Art T. Burton" "Black Gun Silver Star""

Book SynopsisIn The Story of Oklahoma, Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves appears as the “most feared U.S. marshal in the Indian country.” That Reeves was also an African American who had spent his early life enslaved in Arkansas and Texas made his accomplishments all the more remarkable. Black Gun, Silver Star sifts through fact and legend to discover the truth about one of the most outstanding peace officers in late nineteenth-century America—and perhaps the greatest lawman of the Wild West era. Bucking the odds (“I’m sorry, we didn’t keep Black people’s history,” a clerk at one of Oklahoma’s local historical societies answered one query), Art T. Burton traces Reeves from his days of slavery to his Civil War soldiering to his career as a deputy U.S. marshal out of Fort Smith, Arkansas, when he worked under “Hanging Judge” Isaac C. Parker. Fluent in Creek and other regional Native languages, physically powerfuTrade Review"As Burton traces Reeves' exploits through oral accounts, records of court proceedings and scraps of correspondence, his fascination with the subject helps to maintain a vigorous pace and ultimately makes Black Gun, Silver Star an eye-opening study of justice and race in the Old West."—Nick Smith, The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)"Art Burton has resurrected a heroic Black U. S. Deputy Marshal that thieves and outlaws in the Indian Territory could not kill but was practically eliminated by scholars of frontier history."—Bruce T. Fisher, curator of African American History, Oklahoma Historical Society"Art Burton's extensive research for Black Gun, Silver Star fleshes out the fascinating life story and exploits of a former slave who became one of the most famous lawmen in the Indian Territory days of 'Hanging Judge' Isaac Parker."—William Black, Superintendent Fort Smith National Historic Site"This is a book that should become mandatory reading for any student of American Frontier history. Black Gun, Silver Star not only answers questions about Bass Reeves, the man, but it also provides insight into the incredible courage and extraordinary skill required in nineteenth-century law enforcement. Those with a passion for history, particularly of the nineteenth century, will find this biography of Reeves to be an essential book for their library."—Angela Y. Walton-Raji, author of Black Indian Genealogy Research"Burton is a generous author who shares his thinking and analysis with the reader, and explains his personal fascination with the story of Bass Reeves. The result is a highly readable book with a tone that will appeal to several audiences."—Barbara C. Behan, Journal of African American History"In the long, sanguinary history of the battle to bring law and order to the violent American West there was no greater or more important figure than this former slave who spent his life enforcing the law in what was the most lawless section of the country. Because Reeves was Black, his remarkable career for the most part was overlooked by the contemporary press, making it difficult now to reconstruct his history, but author Art Burton has admirably tackled the task and told a story, long overdue."—Robert K. DeArment, author of Bravo of the Brazos: John Larn of Fort Griffin, Texas"[This] biography is more statement of fact than tribute to Reeves and no punches are pulled. Bass had an exceptionally long tenure as a Deputy U. S. Marshal and made a few mistakes along the way. These are covered. But, so too, are the remarkable feats he accomplished. . . . No critic, then or now has been able to show that Bass did not do good and bring law and order to the frontier. Art's rendering takes on all comers and their questions. The book is a heck of a good read and not the least bit painful."—Mike Tower, Oklahombres.org“Aside from a few fluff films (like Mel Brooks’s Blazing Saddles) and a smattering of lesser-known scholarship, the African-American presence in Wild West history has been severely underrepresented. . . . Against this backdrop rises Burton’s painstaking account of U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves. . . . Rigorous and impartial, Burton is less concerned with entertainment than faithful research—no small task given the Old West’s diverse and troubled racial climate, in which Black accomplishment often went overlooked. But dedicated readers will become acquainted with a brave, resourceful lawman and the patchwork of homesteaders, murderers, horse thieves and bootleggers he governed.” —Publishers Weekly."[Burton's] years of research resulted in a remarkable story of an Old West giant, one who arguably was the best in his business."—True West“The book is a good addition to the history of law enforcement in the Twin Territories. Students of this area will certainly want to add the book to their library.”—Western Outlaw-Lawman History Association JournalTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction: Uncovering the History of Black Deputy U.S. Marshals 1. The Lone Ranger and Other Stories 2. Arkansas Son 3. Van Buren and Fort Smith 4. On the Trail 5. “No Sunday West of St. Louis, No God West of Fort Smith” 6. Gunman’s Territory 7. Hell on the Border 8. Trial of the Century 9. Back on the Trail 10. TheWinds of Change 11. Land of the Six-Shooter 12. Paris, Texas 13. Northern District, Indian Territory 14. Muskogee Marshal 15. A New Century 16. Devotion to Duty 17. The Invincible Marshal 18. A Lawman to the End Epilogue Appendix Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAdapted for the Paramount+ miniseries Lawmen: Bass Reeves, directed by Taylor Sheridan and starring David Oyelowo2022 National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist for Western Fiction2021 Phillip H. McMath Post Publication Book Award Finalist for Prose2021 International Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society Book Award for Historical Fiction in Event/Era2021 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist for Fictionfrom the Oklahoma Center for the Book2021 Will Rogers Medallion Book Award Finalist for Western Fiction2021 Spur Award Finalist for Historical Novel from the Western Writers of America2021 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist for Historical Fiction (Pre 1900s)2020 Arkansas Gem from the Arkansas Center for the Book2021 Peacemaker Award Finalist for Best First Novel2021 Indie Book Award Finalist for Historical FictionFollow the Angels, Follow the Doves is an origin story in the true American traTrade Review"Thompson's short novel is a fascinating look at life in northwest Arkansas in the years before and during the Civil War, when the future lawman came of age and ultimately made his break for freedom. The rest of the trilogy is likely to be just as intriguing, especially because that's the way the real Bass Reeves lived his life."—Glen Seeber, Oklahoman"Reeves shines . . . . Many a good novel has at its core a spiritual crisis, and readers will experience a great one here . . . masterful trilogy."—John Mort, Clarion-Ledger“Fearless and unflinching, Follow the Angels, Follow the Doves is a magnificent work of historical fiction. The characters and the times in which they lived are intensely and beautifully realized, and every line rings with authenticity. . . . Its truths are ever so urgent.”—Steve Yarbrough, author of The Unmade World: A Novel“Sidney Thompson has the ability to pull you into the narrative and give you a glimpse of the antebellum life of a young slave destined for greatness as a lawman. . . . Highly recommended.”—Art T. Burton, author of Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves“This novel, like all the best historical fiction, reminds us that the most memorable events in our history happened in specific minutes, hours, and days to individuals every bit as complicated and contradictory as you or me.”—Susan Perabo, author of The Fall of Lisa Bellow: A Novel“Thompson’s historical novel delivers an unforgettable character based on a true American hero. . . . A believable coming-of-age story that echoes Huckleberry Finn in its realism and social observation.”—Michael Ray Taylor, Commercial Appeal Table of ContentsNote on Language Part 1. Genesis 1. Bass Reeves 2. Shoo 3. Peas in a Pod 4. Ice 5. Books 6. The Pussytoes 7. The Wallows 8. Friends Part 2. Exodus 9. The Sticks 10. A Good One 11. A Sire Mule 12. The Bottle 13. Rub 14. Cracker King 15. Crumbs and Raindrops Part 3. That Heaven Place 16. The Seed 17. What a N—— Wants 18. A Revelation 19. The Quiet Places 20. Walpurgisnacht 21. Now That There’s Space 22. Closer 23. A Little Red Church 24. Left 25. Thataway Acknowledgments

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