Had an off-forum request to provide reviews of a couple of books I excerpted in my "How many packed two handguns?" thread. Seeing no real need to reinvent the wheel since some pre-existing reviews pretty much track with my assessment of the book, the following reviews of Triggernometry from Amazon.Com are provided for your reading pleasure. I'll only add that I think it is definitely worth reading, particularly if you have an interest in Old West gunfighters and gunfights.
Triggernometry: A Gallery Of Gunfighters, April 27, 2000
Reviewer: O.D.DAVENPORT from Juneau, Alaska
From the first page to the last, this book was one tough hombre to set down. My interest in this period of American History was greatly served. One should keep in mind that much of the stories of the legendary gunslingers [Both, the popular ones as well as the lesser knowns] are subject to interpretation as there was very little factual documentation of the characters themselves. This, in itself, leaves room for speculation as much of the information relied on "word of mouth" from various sources with varying opinions. I found it a more realistic accounting on the subject of gunfighters and less of the hollywood facade that many people accept. Really great reading for any true western buff.
Deserves its place in any 'western' library, January 30, 2000
Reviewer: Jonathan Ince from Essex, England
A fast moving collection of short biographies concerning the careers of lawmen, gunmen, rangers, ranchers and robbers. From this contrasting selection of backgrounds, Eugene Cunningham has compiled a wonderful blend of colourful Western characters. Individuals with the notoriety of Wild Bill, John Wesley Hardin and Billy the Kid, are coupled with their lesser known contemporaries that had equally intriguing existences. None more so than the accounts of Tom Horn, Jim Courtright and Dallas Stoudenmire, which were excellently written, revealing and entertaining. This book is suited to the 'western' fanatic, who will discover several flaws in the accuracy of the text, but will appreciate it for it's style and attempted honesty. Much of the authors research stems from a raw source - first-hand witnesses for example. This enhances the realism surrounding the book, and though some of the errors are quite alarming, it should be remembered that the author's sources of research would still have been tainted with as much fiction as fact. Eugene Cunningham has endeavoured to sift through the fiction, but is also susceptible to showing great degrees of personal bias. Evidence of this is clearly shown in the section concerning Billy Breakenridge. The foreword by Joseph G. Rosa is especially helpful with understanding this. As important as it is to recognise the minor faults, it should not be detrimental to the book's value. For what really sets this book apart from others is the final chapter on 'Triggernometry'. An in depth analysis of methods and techniques of drawing and firing an assortment of relevent firearms is offered. Historical characters are used in this chapter, to demonstrate the variety and individuality of their techniques. Eugene Cunningham is enthusiastic about his subject - and it shows! An enjoyable read.
Disturbingly Racist, but highly informative, July 30, 2002
Reviewer: charles ballew from burbank, ca United States
I haven't read this particular edition, but I read an older edition, so it's possible the racist bias of the author has been discussed in the foreward, or perhaps even eliminated. But in the edition I read, the author seemed to applaud the cold blooded murder of blacks committed by a gunslinger who would today be considered a serial killer. In spite of the author's unsavory sympathy with the racist motives of the murders, I think it's wonderful that he recorded the racism of the old west. Popular culture has pretty much overlooked the presence of black folks in the old west and the rabid racism they had to live with. In this book innocent black men are murdered by a crazed killer who I had never heard of before (his name escapes me at the moment). He killed more people than any other western outlaw, according to the author, mainly because his murder of black people was condoned and even applauded by the white populace. These weren't gunfights in the standard sense, but cold blooded assasinations. The author neglects to villify this killer with the same passion he villifies other gunfighters in the book, but if you can overlook the distaste his attitude leaves in your mouth, the book can be very informative about one of the dark secrets of the old west. (If you haven't already figured it out, he is referring to John Wesley Hardin. Hamp)
This book is a classic, fun-to-read treatment of Western guns, October 12, 1997
Reviewer: jsweet@wyoming.com from Riverton, Wyoming
If the image of the steely-eyed, quick to shoot western gunhand is what you're looking for, Cunningham's work can't be beat. A true Texan, he covers the legendary careers of the most famous Southwestern pistoleros, relying heavily on uncited interviews and cracker-barrel sessions with "old-timers". He tells the yarns as they were spun, with plenty of loose ends. For instance, he goes so far as to say that Johnny Ringo was possibly the finest six-gun artist of 1880s Tombstone, AZ, even though historians cannot confirm that Ringo ever killed anybody! Cunningham does little to deflate old myths, but hell, the book was published in 1934 so at the time they were still NEW myths. He includes some interesting choices amongst his array of undisputably great gunslingers (i.e. John Wesley Hardin, Bill Hickok, et. al.) The American soldier of fortune Lee Christmas? Cochise County sheriff John Slaughter (a real killer, but no master of the quick draw by any means)? The real value of this book is in its final chapter titled "Triggernometry" (aka "gunology"). Cunningham records the methods of carry and draw commonly used by Old West gunhands. Although some of the experts he quotes seem obscure (Old Hard Rock Urch?) most of the data seems accurate and is consistent with info found in other sources. The final chapter alone makes this book invaluable for Cowboy Action Shooting buffs.
