Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War: What Did They Get Right?

Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War: What Did They Get Right? What Did They Leave Out? And Why is My Name On It?

Bob Boze Bell is known as America's Western Storyteller. He is an artist, author, writer and serves as executive editor of True West magazine. Bell is a popular, sought-after figure in television documentaries about the Old West, appearing as an expert in dozens of Wild West history shows. Bell won an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of the PBS special, Outrageous Arizona, a zany look at the state's centennial, that he also wrote and helped direct. As an author, Bell has brought to life Billy the Kid, Geronimo, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok in his best-selling Illustrated Life and Times series. His books Classic Gunfights I, II and III are must-reads about the most important Old West gunfights. Bell’s Bad Men is now in its fourth printing, while his illustrated autobiography, The 66 Kid: Raised on the Mother Road, gives personal insight into the passions that have driven him on his lifelong quest to interpret the history of the American West for audiences around the world.

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[samthompson]

Bob, NOBODY explains the old west in the detail like you do. Not to take away from the friends you mentioned, but YOU have it on a platform we can all appreciate. Thanks for that.

[ksss]

I graduated from high school in 1996 and my graduation present was a trip I went on to Arizona to visit Tombstone. I was already a huge fan of the movies Tombstone and Wyatt Earp and I wanted to learn everything I could about the actual people involved. I had already purchased Bob Boze Bell's books on Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid.
The day before my visit, my then grandfather's girlfriend, called Mr Bell and informed him that I was a young amateur historian fascinated by these men & their history and was also a huge fan of Mr Bell's work.
Within about an hour, Mr Bell called me back and spent about two hours answering every question that I could think. He really knows his stuff and I'll never forget that day he gave a goofy, 18 year old kid hours of his time to answer whatever I asked. And yes, even back then, Mr Bell went on about the importance of period accurate hats. LOL

[davidwillis]

I am a REAL western history buff & I can relate so well to Mr. Bell's experience of going to Tombstone and the way it made him a researcher of the truth hidden in so much hyperbole for so many years. When I went there, I was very lucky in that the actual site of the "street fight" (as Wyatt Earp always called the gunfight) was fully accessible. I got to stand exactly where Wyatt Earp stood at approx. 2:30 PM Oct 26th, 1881. It gave me a perspective along with a thrill that has never left me to this day.

[dr.froghopper]

You bring back my childhood memories. I love historical accuracy!

[smoke]

I’m right beside you on authenticity. It grinds my gears when they don’t do their homework. It’s the little things… paying attention to detail of the historical period is so essential to the time frame you are trying to re-create.
UA 1970-1971 ‘Bare down’
This is a 👍👍 video!

[stevensmith]

Bob, you are the true west maniac numero uno. Love your insight, your knowledge, and your engaging style. Thanks!

[gofanman]

Publish more content Bob. Youre one of the last true story tellers of the old west

[michaelraynor]

Am a 30 year veteran retired police officer of the Fayetteville NC PD and came across your show and very glad I did. You cover alot of western history that I've always been very interested in. You bring it all back to life. Your narration is excellent! Am in the process of watching all of your work. Thank you sir from covering all this great history!

[davidelack]

I share your passion for" getting it right" it is hard to watch some of the westerns without having a coronary event. I have enjoyed your wit and wisdom from radio days and now the great magazine you pilot like a deranged pirate! What were you thinking when offering a LIFETIME subscription for $99?😂 Man, I couldn't get the credit card out quick enough. I have been thoroughly enjoying TrueWest ever since! You are a legend in your own time sir! I am super glad you are still entertaining us so splendidly.Stay healthy!

[sirronmitt]

Mr. Bell, thank you so much for your video and "mixed message." I enjoyed it. I have a friend in Egypt, an Egyptologist, who was once consulted by the National Geographic regarding a King Tut program they were producing. They wanted a review for historical accuracy. They didn't have much right, even the relationships to King Tut were incorrect. After he submitted his numerous comments, they thanked him for his effort and replied "it is not a classroom...it is more docutainment." Every since then, I remember that response and I take all documentaries and dramatizations (based upon the life of...) very lightly. For people that are "crazy" about accuracy, it must make one's life a never ending challenge. Thank you for True West Magazine, I subscribe and read it often and my guests enjoy it as well. I just wish some of the "facts" were referenced so that we also can separate them from "interpretations" of the west. Great job, and thanks again for your enthusiasm and effort.

[funjuror]

I live in the Scottish Borders, and love fact and fiction on the old west, you help connect me to that time .

[froggietwanger]

Thank you so much for mentioning that mostly forgotten fact about people and hats and how they were worn and used before the turn of the century, but really up until the WW2.The reality is that people did not take baths or showers as much as we all do now, and especially did not have as clean as hair as we do now (or even as short as many men now wear). And people spent a whole lot more time outside than we do now. So for both those reasons (and probably more), people in olden times (that is anytime before anyone saying that was born), wore some kind of head covering practically all the time while outside. So many movies today, treat the characters as if they are from our time, and were somehow transported back in time, and have them act, speak, wear clothes, etc. as if they were living in current times. Just takes something out of the movies to watch so many anachronisms being thrust forward.

[mckaypaterson]

Louis L'Amour had a large collection of Old West documents, newspapers, and diaries. What happen to all his researches?

[laurelcampbell]

I watched the show last week and was a bit dissapointed in it. I lived in Cochise Co in the 70s and worked in Tombstone from 1973-75 at the Silver Burron Indian Jewelry Shop. I dug into the history and researched a ton. Your thoughts square with mine (although I don't know a lot about hats!). The settings were odd. Why couldn't they film the ride where it happened in the Whetstones? Also the areas around Charleston Rd would have been acceptable. Thank you for making me feel like I still have some things right! Also, I'm the one that restored the 1870 Goodnight Barn in Pueblo, CO. You need to do a story on it!

[TahitiWave]

BBB... Thanks for the explanation.
I could see the BS while watching and was shocked to see your name in the credits. I get it now and wished you were included in the commentary during the show.
Looking forward to the upcoming issue re: Earp & Hollywood.
DAS (fellow True West Maniac)

[clivemacken]

So true when you see stuff that out and out wrong and when you see it it draws your eye every time. Thanks for doing this keep doing your chats on here

[Gitarzan]

Lol, I almost didn't make it past the 1st episode because of the music they chose, however I was really bored that day and kept watching. The hat was one of the 1st things I noticed. Great video thanks and stuff.

[CameronMcCreary]

Bob, I remember that show, "Appointment with Destiny." It was pretty good.

[murreygellmann]

I'm a Yuma boy
Wild west history is in my DNA

[johnking]

Everything out of " Hollywood " demands a large dose of salt for proper digestion, and the western magazines and Louis Lamour were part of my history plus whatever historical content I can find. Including this video. Thx. Much enjoyed. 👍