The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid Audiobook By Pat F. Garrett cover art

The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid

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The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid

By: Pat F. Garrett
Narrated by: Daniel Luna
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Reputed to have killed his first man at the age of 12, William Bonney went on to gun his way into Western legend as Billy the Kid. When he was finally shot himself at the age of 21, the Kid was famous throughout the country as the boy who, so he boasted, had killed a man for every year of his life.

This is the story of William Bonney as told by the lawman who ended his notorious career. While explaining the public sympathy that the citizens of the Southwest often accorded youths like Bonney, Garrett challenges the glorified legends of the Kid, offering instead the more genuine story of a young, reckless cowhand who became a hired gun.

Combining the best elements of eyewitness history with the dramatic flair of a great western novel, this is the clearest account we have of the meteoric career of a man some thought of as a murdering fiend, and others as the Robin Hood of the Southwest.

(P)1997 Blackstone Audio Inc. Americas Historical True Crime United States Old West Wild West

Critic reviews

"Was Billy a true Western hero fighting for justice in New Mexico's Lincoln County War or simply a wacko who enjoyed killing? Find out here." (Library Journal)
Authentic Historical Account • Firsthand Perspective • Engaging Topic • Insightful Character Portrayal • Personal Account
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I bought the hard copy so I can read it in more detail. i am fascinated by the history of billy the kid and wanted to read this book.

Great book

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The recording fidelity leaves a lot to be desired but the story is great and well told. It’s amazing how much of the kids life isn’t told in modern documentaries. It’s worth a listen if you have any interest in the west, particularly if you want to hear it in the parlance of the day.

Bad audio good story

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Not a fan of the narrator. The literal bleeping of words got annoying, just read the story dude, as it was written.

Not the worst

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Bastante bueno como cultura general, un libro entretenido, ha estado bien.
Gracias y buena lectura

Bastante bueno

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Well written story of Billy the Kid. Nice to get facts for a change rather than mostly fiction

Excellent Account of a Desparado

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How many biographies can you read that are penned by the man who killed the subject? My only complaint about this work is the recording. It flips between sounding like it was recorded with a cassette player (I’m aging myself) to sounding like it was recorded on a cassette player from inside a box. The reading was good enough but the audio quality was not very good.

Liked the story but…

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Good history from one who was actually there. Garrett is now looked upon as a villain, but was in fact doing the duty others were afraid to do.

well done except for the obvious patch ins.

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This book is OK. Just ok. If your interested in Billy the Kid then you probably are going to buy this regardless of what is said about it. I know I disregarded the reviews and bought it anyway.

My problem is the recording. It is terrible. It really sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom on a cassette tape and transferred to digital audio later.

I understand it probably was recorded a long time ago, but that really is no excuse for the poor audio quality. I hate to be that person, but the narration was also the worse I have ever listened to. Like the person reading it was just reading it like a kid does when called on in class. You know, doesn't really want to read and has no emotion in what he/she is reading.

Perhaps if the audio was better I would have been able to appreciate the book more.

I know its a old book, but comeon.

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To hear the story from someone who was there and had first hand knowledge is a rare opportunity. Worth the price of the purchase.

Great story…

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Good story- glad I read the official version. I learned a great many things. The Audible recording was not the best quality (very rare), being louder and softer in certain places and muffled considerably in others. Almost sounds like it was recorded in mono vs. stereo. Otherwise it was a fun, fast read.

Interesting Take…

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