Product Description

Supported by strong ratings and a rich history, The Real Deadwood provides background and historical accuracy for the figures depicted on the hit HBO series, and takes a broader look at the times that spawned them. Covering law and order, politics, journalism, and early medicine, and examining some "historical guest stars" who may play a factor in future Deadwood episodes (Teddy Roosevelt was an acquaintance of series protagonist Seth Bullock and made several visits to the lawless town; Bullock turned away Wyatt Earp when he offered his services as a lawman)-The Real Deadwood will allow readers to traverse the unpaved streets of an outlaw town without ever getting their boots dirty.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21743 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08
• Released on: 2004-08-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781596090316
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
John Ames is the author of several western adventures, including several Trailsman books for New American Library.

Customer Reviews

Very unsatisfying 'history' of Deadwood
If you're a rabid fan of "Deadwood," the TV series, as I am, this is a book you should avoid. I'm sure the author is a fine fellow and a talented writer, but...this book is extremely disappointing. It's an hour's reading, and that includes plenty of padding--15 pages, for instance, on frontier medicine and plenty of stuff that has nothing to do with Deadwood. The book is vastly underresearched--a simple Google search will tell you a lot more about Deadwood. It shows signs of being hastily written. (Publisher to writer: "Hey write us something about Deadwood. We can capitalize on the TV series." Writer to publisher: "How soon do you want it?" Publisher: "Yesterday.")

The only thing in the book that's really interesting are four or five photographs--of Hickock, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock. If you want to see them, don't bother to buy the book. Instead, search Google images under "Deadwood." Or try some other book.

Deadwood Lite
If you're looking for a fast, easy read about Deadwood with little detail, insight, or depth, this is the book for you. The book offers nothing new or interesting for those of us already familiar with Deadwood's history.

I also consider the strong tie in to the HBO series (which is, by the way, my favorite show) generally ill advised. The positive aspect of doing so is the author makes it clear early in the book that the series is not completely factual, the writers, producers, etc. do not intend for the show to be completely factual, and the book addresses some of these characters, events, situations presented in the series, and "corrects" the facts. Unfortunately, in a few cases, the author discusses fictional characters/situations from the series, it's important to understand the context and details of the reference, the context and details are not included in the book, so only readers who've watched the series would understand the references. I'm sure there are a lot of people interested in Deadwood and it's history who haven't watched or have no interest in the series. Overall, I found the constant references to the series annoying. I love the series, I wanted to learn more about the real Deadwood, I didn't want to read about the series, I didn't get what I wanted or thought I'd get from this book.

The Real Deadwood
Dissappointing. Not enough about the characters. Too much reference about the television series.