In this now classic volume, Eugene Cunningham collects—in his “gallery” —biographies of nearly a score of master gunfighters, including such notables as John Wesley Hardin, Billy the Kid, Dallas Stoudenmire, Sam Bass, Wild Bill Hickok, Butch Cassidy, and Tom Horn. Himself a Westerner familiar with the feel of pistol and rifle, Cunningham knew firsthand several of the Texas gunfighters featured in his book, the product of more than thirty-five years of research, interviews, and writing.
Cunningham examines the evidence and breaks down the myths surrounding the exploits of Wild Bill Hickok, for example, preferring instead to find the living, breathing human behind the legend. His final chapter, "Triggernometry," remains a fascinating discussion of the gunfighters' expertise with the fast draw, the “road-agent's spin,” pistol fanning, the "border shift," “rolling” and “pinwheeling,” and the use of various holsters and harnesses. This new edition includes an extensive introduction and updated bibliography by Joseph G. Rosa. Discussing in detail the types of pistols used by the gunfighters, their speed and accuracy in gunfights, and the qualities of a deadly gunfighter, Rosa also provides new information on many of the more prominent gunfighters in Cunningham's gallery.