A great history lesson that made these larger than life figures appear real. I am glad I got the pleasure to read.

I never get tired of reading western non-fiction, Tom Clavin has done a good job of researching and has laid out the story of the gunfight very well indeed, including backgrounds of the principal characters involved in the shootout and all peripheral incidents that led up to and occurred as a result of those few deadly seconds in American history.

Most of this story will be familiar to any fan of the wild west, but there may be details here that are new to most readers. Clavin has kindly provided an Epilogue in which he follows up on many of the people involved, in most cases right to the coffin. He has also appended a superb bibliography which can be mined for more sources if the reader wants to absorb a bit more western flavor. It was nice to see photos of a nice size on glossy paper as well.

This book was reviewed in Open Letters Review, which can be found here:

https://openlettersreview.com/posts/tombstone-by-tom-clavin?rq=peggy%20kurkowski

My family LOVED this book..~ I have always been fascinated by the romantic notion of the Old West, particularly Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Tombstone was done in an easy to read style while still delivering all of the detailed history that fans of this time period would crave.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well researched this book was and how incredibly accurate it felt. Not only the historical accuracy but how the author Tom Clavin, was able to take historical fact and weave an incredibly detailed unputtdownable read.

This was such an excellent glimpse into the story that we all think that we know. I thoroughly enjoyed Clavin's accounting!

If you thought you knew what happened at the OK Corral, think again. This meticulously researched book is a work of non-fiction but reads like a novel. History and western buffs will love this book-- but one caveat--- the actual gunfight was likely over in less than a minute, so the majority of this work is about what led up to the fight-- the history of the town, it's demographics, the area itself, and the people who were present and their lives. If you want detailed history, you will not be disappointed. If all you care about is the gunfight itself, this probably isn't the book for you.

My dad was obsessed with Wyatt Earp and so I grew up surrounded by books on his life and about the famous shootout at OK Corral, and of course my dad was a big fan of the movie Tombstone, and I’ve seen it easily a dozen times.

All that is to say, I was super excited to read Tom Clavin’s Tombstone: The Earp Brothers, Doc Holliday, and the Vendetta Ride from Hell, but WOW was this a dry read. The author clearly well-researched his subject matter, and deserves major props for that. But this reads like an encyclopedia of all things Earp, rather than narrative non-fiction which is what I’d been anticipating based on the publisher’s description. The reader is instantly overwhelmed with all manner of details and minutia with no clear thread connecting it all, other than we’re slowly (very slowly) building up to the big shootout. We bounce along with the Earps as they move from town to town, and jump from one Earp family member to the next, learning about them and their various women in what felt like haphazard fashion. We also learn about pretty much anyone and everyone who ever crossed paths with the Earps, no matter how unimportant.

I’d say this book isn’t for the casual Earp fan. The reader is expected to know quite a bit about the subject matter beforehand, and is definitely not a beginner or even an intermediate primer to the Earp family and Tombstone. If you’re someone who lives for names and dates and minutia, or you’re looking for a reference manual on the topic, you’ll appreciate this book, but if you’re looking for more of a narrative about Wyatt Earp’s life, probably best to look elsewhere.

Just like most who read this book might say, I love the movie Tombstone. It is one of my favorites to this day because that image of them walking to the OK Corral is so iconic - plus it was a better time, when Bill Paxton was alive (still heartbroken over this) and Val Kilmer was normal (also kind of heartbroken about this, but in a different way). It was certainly not perfect in conveying the facts, and definitely relied on some of the myths we know are not true, but it is still a fan-fucking-tastic movie. Side note: it seems Doc really did tell Johnny Ringo "I'm your Huckleberry" and I LOVE IT.

This book was so utterly engrossing that I hardly paused to take any notes. That's truly a sign of a good one, but it makes writing the reviews that much more difficult.

This is my first book by Tom Clavin but if all of his books are this engaging, I will definitely be reading more. Here he weaves the tale that's been told many times before, the infamous gunfight that would become synonymous with the Old West, yet it was written in such a way that it were as though I were learning about it for the first time.

Before we are brought to that day in October of 1881, we see how Tombstone itself becomes a blip on the map, from its earliest days up through the results and consequences of Wyatt's vendetta ride to avenge Morgan's murder. Tombstone nearly burned to the ground on more than one occasion and raids from nearby Apache warriors were frequent. Though the town now makes it money from tourists, it was one of the last boomtowns in the West and easily the most well-known still today. By the time the Earps arrived, there was tension between the cowboys and their illegal cattle-rustling, and the citizens who wanted no part of the gun battles that erupted often between the roving gangs.

We are also given a fairly significant history of the Earp family and this is something of interest to me as well. The brothers were so close, and always had one another's backs, no matter what. I suppose in a place where you could never be 100% sure who were friends and who were foes, those bonds of brotherhood get tightened pretty quickly. Even so, they're remarkably close and reliant on one another. I've Googled pictures of them, and while all six look a lot alike, Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan could be triplets.

The Earp brothers were not in Tombstone to do anything but make money. Virgil was the only lawman of the group and Wyatt could not have been less interested if he tried. It is interesting to note that there are more Earps than just the three depicted in the movie, which was news to me. There were actually six altogether: Newton, James, Virgil, Wyatt, Morgan, and Warren. In addition to all but one of the Earp brothers spending time in Tombstone, I also found out that Bat Masterson had been there for a time with his friends as well to help lend a hand in trying to maintain some semblance of order. It was only when Masterson received word that his brother was in danger did he head back to Dodge City, just days prior to the gunfight. Can you imagine how differently the OK Corral might have gone, had Masterson been there as well? I'm not sure any of the Cowboys would have made it out alive.

What I find especially interesting is the fact that writers and directors feel the need to embellish an already-fantastic tale. Wyatt Earp was practically untouchable. He was the only one at the corral who was not injured, and in the ride that followed to avenge Morgan's death and Virgil's near-death, he again escapes unscathed. We're talking bullet holes in his clothes, his saddle horn shot off, completely physically untouched. It's bananas. Tombstone will remain one of my all-time fave movies, but there is so much more to the real story that is just a screen-worthy.

The Earp brothers basically ignored the Clantons, Frank and Tom McLaury, and the others until they simply couldn't anymore. They were not content to let the Cowboys continue to make trouble for the citizens of Tombstone, yet it was the Earps who were told to back off. Clavin provides great detail and insight as he walks readers through what all went down that day, and all the days leading up to it. The town's sheriff, Johnny Behan, played such a major role, yet this sometimes gets lost in the mist as well. Side note: he had a "relationship" with Sadie, who we all know Wyatt was in love with also. That's where the drama came from between those two men, but do not think that she is the reason that everything came to a head - though had Behan actually done his job, the whole thing could have been avoided. Wyatt had run for sheriff against Behan, but the two men struck a deal stating that Behan would make Wyatt his deputy. Of course once Wyatt did his part, Behan went back on his word. I kind of have to wonder why Wyatt didn't expect that, but who knows.

Clavin is a skilled historian and the immense amount of work that went into researching this book is obvious. He separates fact from fiction and provides fantastic follow-up on what happened when the dust settled and the Earps had their revenge. In the epilogue he provides details on what happened to all the main figures in the aftermath, at least as much as we can know about some of the men who all but disappeared into history. I was impressed with the bibliography and have already placed several books on hold at the library to continue reading up on this completely engrossing topic and these larger than life men whose actions ensured we would remember their names for years to come, whether that is what they intended or not.

Highly recommended.

This is a comprehensive account of the lives of the Earp brothers (and some of the story of Doc Holliday), the men’s various strong and often nonconventional female partners, as well as the goings-on in the lives of their enemies immediately preceding and following the big shootout in Tombstone.

The book traces the tensions and factors (including Western justice and on-the-fly policing; varied and horrific atrocities committed against Indians; and petty vendettas between families and individuals) building to pivotal events that help Tombstone live on in infamy.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

I received this advanced reading copy last year from NetGalley. I had requested it for a program I was going to do at my library in which I talked about upcoming books that I enjoyed. My belated thank you for granting me permission to read this book before publication. I was hooked when I first started reading and stayed hooked the whole way through. The story of the Battle of the OK Corral is one we have probably heard of many times, but what we have heard is most likely fictionalized. Certainly, some of the movie versions were. In this book, the author looks to the past to let us know the truth of the situation. I enjoyed reading it and presenting it at my program. I would recommend it to anyone interested in this period of history.

Tom Clavin has written an engaging, well-researched book that takes the reader to the hot, dusty streets of Tombstone and on the Vendetta Ride with the Earp Brothers and Doc Holliday.
I raced through this book - it kept my attention riveted on every page. I really enjoyed the way the book was organized - a topic that has so much information available needs a strong focus and organization. Tombstone has it.

The author first sets you up with the history of how the town got its name who the mining came into existence, the men associated with the mine how much they were able to pull out of it and what happened to those men. You are then given the history of the Claytons and how the settled in Arizona and then how they would end up into cattle rustling and other illegal activities.
You are given a history of the Earp family from the marriages, births the different places that they would live and then how the brothers would be together they’re in Tombstone. You are given a look into the different activities that the cowboys were into robbing the different stages coming through besides the cattle rustling and their rides into Mexico. The author sets the stage with all of the players when Doc is in town that leads up to what would be the gunfight.
Once you are there and taken through the fight it is quick and over. Also, within a short span news reports are out of the shot out, and then the tide switches on the Earp’s. Arrested you are taken through their trail when they are released but then months later two brothers would be gunned down in cold blood. One would lose the use of his arm, the other brother killed playing pool. When a trial was held but the men are set free this is when Wyatt goes on his so-called vendetta ride. You are taken through that ride and the events that happened all the up to when after the last shoot out when Wyatt was not hit but his jacket was full of holes he just rides away. He then shows up a few more times where he eventually makes it to Hollywood where he works until his death. Though you may know the story and most of the facts this is still a fascinating story of greed, politics, newspapers working at swaying the perception one way or the other. Overall a good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

This was an informative look at the things surrounding the shootout at the OK Corral. The book filled in the different events that led up to the shooting and what happened after. This book goes in depth on the history that led up to the shooting and the reasons for the conflict. I really enjoyed this book!

This was an excellent look into the real story of legendary events like the shoot out at the OK Corral and Wyatt Earp's famous ride. Tombstone is one of my favorite films of all time and I really enjoyed reading up on the true events and the backgrounds of everyone involved. I highly recommend this! It's a fun nonfiction read that never falls into the trap so many nonfiction books fall into; it is never so detailed as to be boring. If you have a love and interest in the Wild West, I think you will really enjoy this.

A big Thank You to Netgalley.com for a free Kindle copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the book so much and was so intrigued by the subject matter that I went a head and purchased the Kindle version. The book includes photographs and tin types from the 1880's. The book does need the reader's undivided attention as it goes back and forth in time. The author did seemed to repeat and contradict himself but that is why the reader needs to pay close attention. The reason is the source material. The author would quote or paraphrase one source that would directly contradict another source. The best reading order this Tom Clavin history trilogy is start with Wild Bill (2019), Dodge City (2017) and then Tombstone (2020). While each book can be read individually, reading them in the order I mentioned will make understanding the history of gunfighters and shootists of the Old West easier especially for people that have never been exposed to the subject matter in an American History course.

I did have a hard time with imagining the cast because so many movies and TV shows had different people cast in the various roles.

The author first sets you up with the history of how the town got its name who the mining came into existence, the men associated with the mine how much they were able to pull out of it and what happened to those men. You are then given the history of the Claytons and how the settled in Arizona and then how they would end up into cattle rustling and other illegal activities.
You are given a history of the Earp family from the marriages, births the different places that they would live and then how the brothers would be together they’re in Tombstone. You are given a look into the different activities that the cowboys were into robbing the different stages coming through besides the cattle rustling and their rides into Mexico. The author sets the stage with all of the players when Doc is in town that leads up to what would be the gunfight.
Once you are there and taken through the fight it is quick and over. Also, within a short span news reports are out of the shot out, and then the tide switches on the Earp’s. Arrested you are taken through their trail when they are released but then months later two brothers would be gunned down in cold blood. One would lose the use of his arm, the other brother killed playing pool. When a trial was held but the men are set free this is when Wyatt goes on his so-called vendetta ride. You are taken through that ride and the events that happened all the up to when after the last shoot out when Wyatt was not hit but his jacket was full of holes he just rides away. He then shows up a few more times where he eventually makes it to Hollywood where he works until his death. Though you may know the story and most of the facts this is still a fascinating story of greed, politics, newspapers working at swaying the perception one way or the other. Overall a good book.

My knowledge of Tombstone, Arizona, began when my aunt put on the famous movie by the same name and included an all-star cast that included Kurt Russell, the most famous actor of my childhood next to Robin Williams. Tombstone, the movie, remains the only western film I enjoy watching because the story transcends time and genres. It’s a story of vengeance, loyalty, and family. Years passed before I realized the events at the O.K. Corral were based on a true story.

The author, Tom Clavin, does an excellent job of telling the full story of Tombstone, the story and the town. I love a good bibliography and he follows through on providing one, along with footnotes included within each chapter. This was an interesting read and well-researched tale of one of the most famous events in the Wild West.

I received a free advance copy of this from NetGalley for review.

I will try to restrain myself and not include any quotes from the movie Tombstone in this review. It won’t be easy.

The interesting thing to me about the infamous gunfight near the O.K. Corral and its bloody aftermath is how the event has been subject to interpretation. Depending on which version of history you believe either several lawmen were valiantly standing up against a gang of criminals or a bunch of crooked officials used their badges to murder some innocent ranchers to seize control of a town.

Tom Clavin follows the most generally accepted facts and seems to have come down on the side of the Earps. While they were no angels and come to Tombstone seeking fortune, the Earps look like choir boys compared to the large numbers of rustlers, thieves, and killers who were driven west by the Texas Rangers who banded together in a loose affiliation in Arizona. Time after time the Earp brothers tried to do things according to the book only to be frustrated by how the cowboys and their pals like the corrupt Sheriff Behan skirted the law.

Clavin does a particularly nice job of giving the overall history of the area as well as the major and minor figures. He uses the facts to build a narrative that explains how the law, politics, business, crime, and the affections of one woman put the two sets of rivals on a collision course. While well researched it also hums along as a hell of a story so there’s no dry ole dusty history vibe to it.

However, while it’s interesting and well written, I also didn’t learn anything particularly new other than a few stray bits of trivia. I also think that Clavin does put a bit of romantic sheen to the Earps with Wyatt in particular coming across as the hero who first tries to do the right thing and then goes on a revenge rampage once his family was attacked following the gunfight. That’s the general perception these days, and again, there’s an argument to be made for that interpretation. On the other hand, while I think the Earps were in the right overall, I also think that this is a story that proves that even seemingly righteous violence has a way of coming back and biting you in the ass, and there's not much consideration of that idea in the book although there is one chapter about how the gunfight might have been avoided if things played out just a little differently. Clavin also tries to spin Wyatt’s ‘vendetta ride’ as an overall victory when in truth the whole thing kind of fizzled out with no big winners or losers. It seems like everybody just lost the stomach for it and went their separate ways eventually.

If you’re interested in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral this would be a great book to understand it. There’s no new real info in it, and Clavin definitely thinks Wyatt was the hero of the whole mess. Still, he provides a pretty fair and objective view of it while making the whole time and place come alive in his writing.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy for review.

When I requested this ARC I was in a bit of a Tombstone kick, but all I really knew of the story was what I had seen in movies. There is SO MUCH MORE to the story. I was initially confused a bit with how the author jumps around in the timeline, but once I got into it more it didn't feel disjointed. There are so many more moving parts than the few people actually involved in the O.K Corral shooting. The way the author introduced the players, and followed them all over the place felt natural. The Earps and many others had a very vagabond existence. These guys moved which ever way the wind blew, until Tombstone.

I loved how the author also worked in a lot of the politics, and changing times into the story. I always thought this was practically the height of the "Wild West" times, but it was when all that was starting to die out. People were settling, the frontier was diminishing and lawlessness was frowned upon. This was such a fun, informative read! I couldn't put it down. I will definitely be checking out more of this author's works for sure.