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  • The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid

  • By: Pat F. Garrett
  • Narrated by: Daniel Luna
  • Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (65 ratings)

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The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid

By: Pat F. Garrett
Narrated by: Daniel Luna
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Summary

Reputed to have killed his first man at the age of 12, William Bonney went on to gun his way into Western legend as Billy the Kid. When he was finally shot himself at the age of 21, the Kid was famous throughout the country as the boy who, so he boasted, had killed a man for every year of his life.

This is the story of William Bonney as told by the lawman who ended his notorious career. While explaining the public sympathy that the citizens of the Southwest often accorded youths like Bonney, Garrett challenges the glorified legends of the Kid, offering instead the more genuine story of a young, reckless cowhand who became a hired gun.

Combining the best elements of eyewitness history with the dramatic flair of a great western novel, this is the clearest account we have of the meteoric career of a man some thought of as a murdering fiend, and others as the Robin Hood of the Southwest.

(P)1997 Blackstone Audio Inc.
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Critic reviews

"Was Billy a true Western hero fighting for justice in New Mexico's Lincoln County War or simply a wacko who enjoyed killing? Find out here." ( Library Journal)

What listeners say about The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good story

I was hoping for more details, a good account but take with a pinch of salt

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Billy the Kid

I did not know much bout Billy the Kid so it is gud to listen to his story, I don't think he was as bad as his reputation.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Insightful

For those that are tainted by the movies must listen to this. Pats rendition of his chase for Billy is excellent and his explanations of Billy’s behaviour and history paints more pictures than I’ve seen in other books and movies.

Great read

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Old west told as it was

The story of Billy the kid by someone who knows him and doesn't big up there events in it.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Spoilt by terrible audio

Terrible, distant, tinny audio.
Bland narration with poor edits.
Interesting account of Billy the Kid.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting read

Quite interesting hearing from an actual participant in the events, but an utterly abysmal quality of recording.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

awful recording

the recording of this book is awful and unfortunately makes this a difficult listen.

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