Jesse james biography books
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T.J. Stiles (center) at the English Speaking Union's presentation of the Ambassador Book Awards
Jesse James as a 16-year-old bushwhacker
Jesse James as an adult, in a photo authenticated by his widow, Zee
Further Reading:
A Short List of Other Books on Jesse James
(See the Essays page for a full review of some of these books)
Highly Recommended:
William A. Settle, Jr.,
Jesse James Was His Name, or, Fact and Fiction Concerning the Careers of the Notorious James Brothers of Missouri
--The first scholarly biography of Jesse James, this volume grew out Settle's graduate studies in the 1940s. Settle's short work is now out of date (it was published in 1966), but it is the essential starting point for any writing about the James brothers. Settle's careful research, grasp of the political context, and use of sources that have since been lost (including interviews with Robert James, Frank's son) make it a landmark.
Ted P. Yeatman,
Frank and Jesse James: The St
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Jesse James
American outlaw (1847–1882)
For other uses, see Jesse James (disambiguation).
Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847 – April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the "Little Dixie" area of Missouri, James and his family maintained strong Southern sympathies. He and his brother Frank James joined pro-Confederate guerrillas known as "bushwhackers" operating in Missouri and Kansas during the American Civil War. As followers of William Quantrill and "Bloody Bill" Anderson, they were accused of committing atrocities against Union soldiers and civilian abolitionists, including the Centralia massaker in 1864.
After the war, as members of various gangs of outlaws, Jesse and Frank robbed banks, stagecoaches, and trains across the Midwest, gaining national fame and often popular sympathy despite the brutality of their crimes. The James brothers were most active as members of their
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Many books have been published about the infamous Jesse James but the majority of them fail to fully explain and identify the man behind the legend.
There are so many stories, rumors and legends about James that it’s hard to know what to believe. Fortunately, a handful of authors have attempted to tackle this problem and have succeeded in writing some of the best books on Jesse James, his gang and their outlaw ways.
The books on this list are considered some of the best on the topic and have great reviews on sites like Amazon and Goodreads and also have great reviews from critics.
I’ve also used many of these books in my research for this website so I can personally say they are some of the best on the topic.
The following is a list of the best books about Jesse James:
(Disclaimer: This article contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
1. Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War by T.J. Stiles
Published in 1993, this book b