The Escapades of Frank and Jesse James

New York: Frederick Fell Publishers Inc., 1974. This is taken from the dustwrapper:"Many books have been written about the infamous James Brothers. None, however, have been as authoritative, well documented and lively as this one.THE ESCAPAOES OF FRANK ANO JESSE JAMES contains detailed accounts of the numerous robberies and killings in which the Jameses participated. It deals with the action side of these men, taking the reader beyond the pages and hurling him into the tempestuous times in which the two outlaws and their cohorts lived and died. Illustrated with scores of rare and never-before-published photographs, and containing much new material that previous authorities have overlooked, this book transcends former works on the subject, providing a true sense of "being there" in a way that only an historian who has devoted his life to the study of the men and their times can do. Lively, entertaining and, more important factual, this book breaks away from the pulps of the turn of the century and their successors to tell the true story of the two most fascinating and legendary folk heroes of the West. Shattering the myths and revealing them as men of flesh and blood, THE ESCAPADES OF FRANK AND JESSE JAMES will show you the two brothers as they really were - not hardened killers, but men Of high spirits and daring unmatched by any bandits to try to follow in their rampaging paths.To devotees of Western lore, this book will bring not only excitement and fun, but a revealing and often surprising glimpse of one of the most colorful eras in America's history." About the author, also from the dustjacket: "Carl W. Breihan is a former St. Louis County Police Commissioner. Presently he is serving his second term on the St. Louis County Council, the legislative body of the county, representing the Sixth District Mr. Breihan lives with his wife Ethel and daughter Janis Sue in Maftese, Missouri, a suburban area of St Louis. He also has a son, Carl, Jr., who lives in Chicago, and a married daughter, Carol Ann Willey. Colonel Breihan is an historian of note and a universally recognized authority on Frank and Jesse James and the Younger Brothers. He has published thirteen books dealing with various outlaws, lawmen and badmen of the Old West. A meticulous researcher, Mr. Breihan was highly instrumental in disproving the matter of J. Frank Dalton's claim to be Jesse James, both in Circuit Courts and the Missouri Appelate Court. He also writes for various Western magazines,'and his ability to collect new and rare photographs dealing with his subjects is amazing. Colonel Breihan is also fortunate in having personally known the sons of Frank and Jesse James, as well as close relatives of the Younger brothers. He is presently working on a book on the surrender, trial and death of Frank James." 288 pages, 5.75 X 8.5 inches. Illustrated with photographs. Very good book with some small nicks at the head of the spine and dust soil on the top edge, in a good dustwrapper with a very small tear repaired at the head of the spine..