The Raven: A Biography of Sam Houston (1929, by Marquis James)
Chalk up this volume’s relative obscurity to more recent bias against “Big Sam,” warts and all. Certainly not overlooked when published last century, The Raven earned James his first Pulitzer Prize (he earned a second for his 1937 biography of Andrew Jackson). While other authors have written better, more accurate accounts, James’ look at the legend (emphasis on legend) remains a lively read.
The Only Good Indian: The Hollywood Gospel (1972, by Ralph and Natasha Friar)
Chalk it up to the bias of a film historian, but this book is much more than an indictment against Hollywood as “a co-conspirator in committing cultural genocide.” The Friars point accusing fingers at James Fenimore Cooper, opera composers, songwriters, playwrights, artists—you name it. Unfortunately, a half century later it remains relevant.
Red Blood & Black Ink: Journalism in the Old West (1998, by David Dary)
Chalk it up to the bias of a former newspaper journalist, but Dary, a journalist and professor turned popular historian, knew how to weave a story. His look at reporters, editors, publishers and printers shows just how wild and woolly things could get when frontier presses rolled. The fine text is supplemented by many excerpts from the early newspapers themselves.
