I thought Tombstone: The Earp Brothers, Doc Holliday, and the Vendetta Ride from Hell was an interesting read. It was intriguing learning about this event in history and about the people behind it.
Four and a half stars.

This book achieves that fine balance of being accessible to someone who doesn't know the topic while also having information that will be new even to those who are enthusiasts or experts. It's very well researched. The explanations, glosses, and footnotes are all done in an unobtrusive way that doesn't slow the story down, and it's obvious that the author really sees these historical figures as complex personalities. If you've seen a movie or two about the OK Corral, you can get the full picture from this book.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC.

Definitely an interesting read. I love the movie Tombstone, and that provided me with the visuals while reading the book. Loved the descriptions, really came to life on the page. Though it did tend to jump around a bit in time and was a bit hard to follow at times.

Tombstone, the city, holds a bit of magical appeal to me. I find that I am enjoying reading history books more and more (perhaps because I've got more of it myself?) and I absolutely love the American Southwest for its landscape and history and few cities in this region have more history that Tombstone, Arizona.

My knowledge of the gunfight at the OK Corral, I realize, comes from popular culture (as provided in films and television) and not from the history books, so I was very glad to correct that with Tom Clavin's book.

What Clavin has done is taken the pivotal gunfight and researched the heck out of the history of all the primary, secondary, and even tertiary people involved, giving us a glimpse of the character traits of each individual (were they prone to fighting or over-reacting, were they easy to anger or did they often look for alternatives?)

There are so many more people involved in the ordeal than were at the corral and there was a history among the players that weaves back and well before any of them arrived at Tombstone, Arizona. It's a complicated web and quite fascinating to discover.

Clavin's research is immaculate. It is fascinating how much of a trail we all leave and that Clavin was able to track down so much information about these people, from the 1800's, and put together a time-line of where and when people worked or met one another is absolutely incredible. Like a lot of modern bio-history books, there is a bit of the author making assumptions about the words spoken or the intentions behind an action (usually based on general human motivations), but it was nice to read him at least once admit to not knowing why someone proceeded the way that they did, but instead offered up a couple of different possible explanations based on their history.

In addition to his tremendous research, Clavin's writing style is smooth and his sense of storytelling moves this history from moment to moment with wonderful anticipation and ease. It is easy to read this book in a short amount of time, but you might not want to so that you can really absorb all the information proved.

Looking for a good book? <em>Tombstone</em>, by Tom Clavin, provides more information about the city, famous for its noted gunfight, and the people involved, than you ever imagined. This is a book not to be missed if you have even the most remote interest in history.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Tombstone, the shoot out at the OK Corral, and the names Earp and Doc Holiday are all part of collective culture but how much do you know about actual events and the people involved? Do you think of cowboys as a kind of knights errant of the frontier? Can you picture a time when the Mexican government and army are trying to keep Americans out of Mexico? Prepare to have your understanding expanded. Clavin does a good job of telling the backstory and the larger context for these often mythologized events and characters.

I have got to give credit where it's due: the author has obviously submerged himself so thoroughly in Wild West culture he's now living there - and reporting what he sees! At least it seems that way - more than once I found myself impressed with assumptions made that either come from deep knowledge - or bluster. I think it's the former.

If you've ever enjoyed films like Open Range or TV like Hell on Wheels you'll enjoy the pieces being pulled together as you read - the book really connects the types of events in these films.

The only slight misgiving I personally have is the amount of background material - there's nothing wrong with it - I just hoped to get to Tombstone faster than I did, and it felt like a bit of a hike reading wise to reach town.

Otherwise, written with such clarity and acumen - I would definitely read more by this author.

ARC from NET GALLEY

Superb swan song to end the wild west trilogy by Clavin. All his books are worth it because he brings information to life, even some you may have already read he puts a "writer's light" on the facts in unique ways.

I especially enjoy the fact that UNLIKE other historians he just writes the facts as they are and not as he can imagine or agree with them. If you have never read hin you are in for a treat, Sit down, enjoy, AND DON'T FORGET TO DUCK!!!

The story of the "Gunfight at the OK Corral" has been told millions of times. In this book, Tom Clavin doesn't just retell the story - he digs past the legend to give the full story behind the gunfight, then tells the story of Wyatt & Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday as they rode to settle accounts after the shootout. A unique book on a well-known story from American history, told as it should be.

Tombstone, Arizona, is a historical town full of legend, gunslingers, gamblers, drinkers, and family lore. Most of what we know is based on romantic recounting, much of which is hoopla and falsehood. Noted journalist Tom Clavin, in “Tombstone,” has shined his reporter’s light on this long misrepresented Western town, providing a detailed history of its existence including authentic stories of the Earp clan and the much-discussed Shootout at the OK Corral. I am excited about the results.

The Earp family, under the patriarch Wyatt, generally formed the main constituency of the law enforcement efforts in the lawless community. Doc Holliday, another infamous character about which many falsehoods exist, was a habitual follower of the group and his own intriguing story is chronicled. Most readers of Western lore have glossed over what Tombstone really was and zeroed in on the more infamous events about its existence. In reality, it was a complex existence filled with ambiguities, bad actors, behavioral excesses, and some cowardice that occurred in the efforts at taming it.

Throughout Clavin’s reporting, I was amazed at how many bad actors were actually in existence at the time. Cowboys, as these rough characters came to be known, were in and out of the town, spreading their malfeasance around like a disease. The ranchers were largely supportive because they used the illegal activities as a basis for expanding their empires. The confusing roles of the law enforcement officers and their allegiances, if not totally understood, demonstrate why the illegal activity flourished. The exasperated citizens had every reason to be wary and unhappy.

Clavin’s prodigious knowledge of the activities is on display. The events unfold before the reader’s eye as in a portrait, aided by minute detail and picturesque splendor. The writing is clear and grammatically excellent. The research is immense and beautifully organized. The history of Tombstone is revealed and the ambiguities of past accounts are removed. This is a great book for those interested in remote corners of US history.

Tom Clavin keeps the old west alive with his vivid accounts of historical icons and fascinating events. Tombstone tells the story of Wyatt Earp, his brothers, and the gunfight at the OK Corral - along with how Tombstone came to be, gold and silver miners, stagecoach hold-ups by renegade cowboys, the politics of the day, and more. Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, Geronimo, Cochise, and a host of other people also take their place in this entertaining and informative account. I loved Mr. Clavin's biography of Wild Bill Hickock, and I loved this book, too. Great story, and easy to read - if you like history at all, you can't go wrong with this author! Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-arc - 4.5 stars!

I received an advanced reading copy (ARC) of this book from NeGalley.com in exchange for a fair review. Tom Clavin hit a home run with this one! With grace and wit, he details not just the story of the Earp Brothers, but gives a detailed background on Tombstone that I found fascinating. The colorful characters who shaped the city, as well as the events that led up to the famed shoot-out at the OK Corral, were well worth the read. Clavin's research was thorough as he described everything you could possibly want to know about Tombstone. They didn't call it the 'wild' west for nothing! From criminal cowboys to crooked officials, the book maintained a quick pace and his portrait of the Earp Brothers was quite vivid and I believe spot on. Doc Holliday (one of my favorite western characters) was also given his due. Clavin gave a great background on the entire Earp clan, as well as Doc Holliday and many of the other inhabitants of Tombstone. If you want to know what Tombstone was really like or what really happened at the OK Corral, I highly recommend this book. As for me, I will be looking for more books from Tom Clavin--he is one of my new favorite authors!

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am obsessed with the American West – particularly Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the gunfight at the (empty lot adjacent to the) OK Corral. My obsession for Wyatt and Doc began ten years ago when I visited Tombstone, Arizona.

In TOMBSTONE: THE EARP BROTHERS, DOC HOLLIDAY, AND THE VENDETTA RIDE FROM HELL, Clavin provides a well-researched and thorough account of the events leading up to the gunfight, the gunfight itself, and the aftermath. Clavin gives a mini-biography of all of the main participants in the gunfight as well as outsiders who played a major role – explaining why and how they got to the Tombstone area. Clavin weaves together the history of Tombstone and the backstory of the major players into a captivating, detailed account of the gunfight and the following vendetta ride.

TOMBSTONE: THE EARP BROTHERS, DOC HOLLIDAY, AND THE VENDETTA RIDE FROM HELL is a must read for anyone who is a fan of the American West.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Superb new book by Tom Clavin. Here he completes his trilogy of books about some of the biggest names in the West. First there was Dodge City dealing a lot with Bat Masterson, from there it was Wild Bill and the exploits of Wild Bill Hickock, and now we have the most well known of the group Tombstone and the epic clash between the Earps and the Cowboys. Most books that deal with this topic tend to come at the event as either pro-Earp or anti-Earp or pro-Cowboys. Here Clavin gives us a vivid look at the creation of the town of Tombstone, along with mini-biographies of so many of the characters and then the eventual Gunfight at OK Corral. We learn about Indian raids led by Geronimo and others prior to the gunfight, fires that almost burned down the town, rustling and Cowboy raids into Mexico and a very straight forward telling of the gunfight that is gleaned through a voluminous bibliography of books, newspaper, diaries etc. Unfortunately, many of todays youths have no idea of these individuals, but for those of us who are lovers of American History this book fills in certain gaps in knowledge, as well as giving us so many new facts I never was aware of, such as Cowboy Curly Bill Brosius actually being a tax collector appointed by Sheriff John Behan. There have been 3 major movies about this gunfight (My Darling Clementine, The Gunfight at OK Corral & Tombstone) but none of then really get the facts straight. However, it is true that Doc Holliday said to Johnny Ringo "I'm your Huckleberry" just not in the dramatic scene as portrayed in Tombstone.
Just a super book, a fast read, and when it is all over you will have a much better understanding of the Gunfight at OK Corral as well as the town of Tombstone!
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin Press!

While the jump in timeline was a bit unsettling at first, I eventually settled into it. This book, as are all the others from this other, was interesting, enlightening and informative. He brought the characters to life in ways that no other author can for me. I learned so much...like Doc Holliday was originally a dentist! I had no idea!
Anyway, a great book. This is one to buy for any true Western fan or collector.

Well researched, but I did not like the organization. It seemed to jump around and was difficult to folow.

Very well written account of the Earps and Doc Holliday.. Contains information I had not previously read.

This is a well-researched book about the Earp brothers and their legacy. The book is an in-depth look at the most famous gunfight in history and it's aftermath as well as the people and events that played a roll in it. Most of the book focuses on Tombstone's beginning as well as the history of the region and how law enforcement and the political situation influenced events to come. We are introduced to our major players and Clavin expertly brings everyone's stories together and shows us how and why they have landed in Tombstone. The last quarter of the book deals with the gunfight, vendetta ride, and the ensuing political and legal problems that ensued. It is very thorough and is probably one of the most in-depth looks at the dynamics at play during this intriguing part of American history.

My love of history contains a fascination with certain icons of the Old West, and one of them is Wyatt Earp and the real gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Mr. Clavin brings it all alive in this wonderfully written and a joy to read historical rendition.

I love nonfiction history books that are not complicated to read or leave you with a dry, boring taste in your mouth. This is not one of those books. Characters come alive, locale has you feeling the dry, desert heat, the developing town trying to find its way out of lawlessness and all the machinations that go along with it. You will even get a laugh or two with some humor weaved into the story to make it even more realistic.

Don't pass this one up! Highly recommended!

If you thought you knew the story of Tombstone, then you need to step back and rethink everything!

I read through this book in one sitting! It was fabulous! The amount of detail, backstories, history, and timelines all come together to paint a vivid portrait of the incidents and factors that led up to the famous shootout. The Earp brothers, Doc Holliday, and more are given extensive viewage here, and you can get a deeper look into motives, thought processes and more of each of the main players (and some of the minor players).

Now that I am finished with the book, I am going to sit back and turn on John Wayne's "Chisum" (yes, this features in the book, not a random thought) as I was not aware before now that it was based on a real person, real story, and so much more - (like, for real, I have a masters in history, and this never came up!? I am rather disappointed as most of my professors knew of my love of John Wayne...)

Get this on your to read list now, pre-order it, and prepare to have your mind blown!