Wild Bill

The True Story of the American Frontier's First Gunfighter

By: Tom Clavin

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

“The first thing you will notice about this engaging and delightful biography is that [Narrator Johnny Heller] sounds like a character actor who moseyed off the set of an old-fashioned oater. His voice is a little scratchy, a little seasoned and perfectly suits this biography of larger-than-life Bill Hickok and his pals, from Calamity Jane to Buffalo Bill Cody and General Custer.” —The Berkshire Edge

This program includes a bonus interview with the author.

The definitive true story of Wild Bill, the first lawman of the Wild West, by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dodge City.

In July 1865, "Wild Bill" Hickok shot and killed Davis Tutt in Springfield, MO—the first quick-draw duel on the frontier. Thus began the reputation that made him a marked man to every gunslinger in the Wild West.

James Butler Hickock was known across the frontier as a soldier, Union spy, scout, lawman, gunfighter, gambler, showman, and actor. He crossed paths with General Custer and Buffalo Bill Cody, as well as Ben Thompson and other young toughs gunning for the sheriff with the quickest draw west of the Mississippi.

Wild Bill also fell in love—multiple times—before marrying the true love of his life, Agnes Lake, the impresario of a traveling circus. He would be buried however, next to fabled frontierswoman Calamity Jane.

Even before his death, Wild Bill became a legend, with fiction sometimes supplanting fact in the stories that surfaced. Once, in a bar in Nebraska, he was confronted by four men, three of whom he killed in the ensuing gunfight. A famous Harper’s Magazine article credited Hickok with slaying 10 men that day; by the 1870s, his career-long kill count was up to 100.

The legend of Wild Bill has only grown since his death in 1876, when cowardly Jack McCall famously put a bullet through the back of his head during a card game. Bestselling author Tom Clavin has sifted through years of western lore to bring Hickock fully to life in this rip-roaring, spellbinding true story.

"[Narrator Johnny Heller] ensures that Western aficionados will enjoy listening to the life of Wild Bill" — AudioFile Magazine

Critic reviews

"The first thing you will notice about this engaging and delightful biography is that Johnny Heller sounds like a character actor who moseyed off the set of an old-fashioned oater. His voice is a little scratchy, a little seasoned, and perfectly suits this biography of larger-than-life Bill Hickok." -<b><i>Christian Science Monitor</i></b>

I Learned Much

I learned a great deal about Wild Bill. The book helped me appreciate the man and all he did and learn about the many famous people who passed through his life in his short lifetime. He truly was larger than life. I recommend this audiobook.

great book

i enjoyed the mix of lore and known facts. the book painted a superb picture of wild Bill's life and the people around him.

The world around Wild Bill, and Wild Bill, too.

It certainly is a comprehensive account of James Butler Hickok, and shares a lot of information from his private and public lives, A lot of his work, prior to his later fame, as a Union spy was quite interesting, and the book gives a coherent picture of the man.

That being said... Wild Bill is often a supporting character, or even at times absent, in his own book. There are extended periods of time when we learn about George Custer, Buffalo Bill Cody, Tom Smith, John Wesley Hardin, Calamity Jane and many others, making the book half again as long as it might be, if it stayed on the main subject. Certainly crossing paths with these people is noteworthy, particularly in clearing up the relationship with Jane. But even as the tangents stray, fortunately, they stay just this side of reasonable, providing color and context for the life of Wild Bill Hickok.

Truly rugged men

Another great book about one of the greatest characters in the west. Thank you for bringing the truth and the clarity about our amazing Frontier history and the larger than life characters that helped forge the way.

Incredibly exciting & informative!

Excellent narrator! beautifully written with excitement, mystery & charm! I will definitely read this author's other books as well.... starting with "Dodge City".