Born into slavery, Bass Reeves became the most successful US Marshal of the Wild West.
Many "heroic lawmen" of the Wild West, familiar... read full description
Many "heroic lawmen" of the Wild West, familiar... read full description
reviews
Jul 05, 2011
Jim
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The Legend of Bass Reeves by author Gary Paulsen is a Western written for young readers. It focuses on the true story of a little-known marshal who patrolled the old Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma.
Bass Reeves was born a slave in the 1830's American South. He grew up tending to chores and animals while his 'mammy' cooked and cleaned. One day while out searching for cattle he came across a strange dog that seemed to speak to him, telling him that "someday things will c More...
Bass Reeves was born a slave in the 1830's American South. He grew up tending to chores and animals while his 'mammy' cooked and cleaned. One day while out searching for cattle he came across a strange dog that seemed to speak to him, telling him that "someday things will c More...
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Jan 29, 2012
Libby
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This short historical fiction book is perfect for tweens interested in the Wild West. We recognize names like Buffalo Bill, Butch Cassidy, and Wyatt Earp with their questionable heroics in a wild time, but not many have heard of the truly heroic Bass Reeves. One of the most successful federal marshals in the late 1800s, Reeves worked in Indian Territory arresting criminals and fighting for justice against amazing odds. Reeves, the only recorded African American marshal, was known for his hone
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Feb 22, 2011
Ruby
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Bass Reeves was born in 1838 and is thought to be one of the first African-Americans to be comissioned as a Deputy US Marshal. For the first 17 years of his life, he was a slave "owned" by his master George Reeves (as far as I know, no relation to the George Reeves of Superman fame), a farmer. Just before the Civil War, Bass parted ways with his master and ran to Indian Territory, where he lived among the Creek and Seminole Indians for about 20 years. Later he moved to Arkansas, where
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May 30, 2009
Historical novel about a black man, born a slave, who became "the most successful federal marshal in the United States." The first section of the book is the most fully fictionalized and the best written. Paulsen wrote in the author's note "The part about his boyhood is the longest because to me it was the most important part of his life, the fire that forged him." The life of a slave on an isolated ranch in Indian Territory is fascinating, and different from the other histor
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Dec 05, 2011
I liked the overall story of this book a lot. But when you are reading it and you end a section and it starts a new one or you start a new chapter the time changes. For example in one part in the book it tells about him then when you finish the chapter it starts off twenty years later. I don't really like books like this, I like books that explain just one thing and stay on that topic for the rest of the book. But this was one book that I actually really liked that did that thing even though the
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Jul 09, 2011
Andrea
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I really liked this book. Bass Reeves is a real person, but Gary Paulsen mixes his real life with a fictional narrative, which he explains at the beginning of the book. This style makes the book extremely interesting and I learned about someone I had never heard of, and enjoyed learning about it! It always good to have interesting biographies (especially since so many of them can be really dry) for students to read, and I think this one would interest both boys and girls. I also like how sho
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Feb 04, 2012
Karen
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This is Gary Paulsen’s fictionalized account of Bass Reeves, the most successful federal marshal of the Wild West era. Very little is recorded about Bass Reeves, but Paulsen has taken what there is and added historical details and figures of the times. Bass Reeves was unusual as a lawman because he had been born a slave, but once he was freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, he served as a lawman for many years, far longer than virtually any other of the time. He never drew his gun first, an
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Feb 12, 2009
Felicia
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This book is another good read for young readers and adults. It provides a dramatic account of the true and fictional account of the most valiant marshal in the West. Bass Reeves is a legend and true hero. I highly recommend this book for the personal shelves of anyone that loves stories about the "Ole West".
For those who saw the Mel Brooks movie, "Blazin Saddles", Mel Brooks stated in an interview that he based the character, played by Clevon Little as Sheriff More...
For those who saw the Mel Brooks movie, "Blazin Saddles", Mel Brooks stated in an interview that he based the character, played by Clevon Little as Sheriff More...
Apr 26, 2008
Kerri
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Don’t let the boring cover fool you – this is a very interesting true story about the first black Texas Ranger. Lots of cool Indian stories, along with some really great bounty hunter type stories as he tracked some of the worst criminals in the West. Also, don’t forget the Forward! Paulsen tells the truth about some of our Old West “heroes” and what was really going on with them.
Summary:Born into slavery, Bass Reeves became the most successful US Marshal of the Wild West. Many " More...
Summary:Born into slavery, Bass Reeves became the most successful US Marshal of the Wild West. Many " More...
Aug 24, 2010
Rebecca
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The story of Bass Reeves, one of the overlooked stories of the Wild West. A black law man who never shot first and always got his man. The first 3/4 of the book is mostly fictional and covers his formative years as a slave in Texas, until he beats up his owner and runs away. The final quarter follows his exploits as a law man, including arresting his own son for murder. The writing in the last part completely looses the flow and poetry of the earlier sections, as the writer sticks closely to the
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Aug 29, 2011
Jenny
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Bass Reeves is the unsung hero of the West. He was born into slavery, escaped to freedom in the Indian Terretory, and lived with the Creek Indians for many years. AFter the Civil War, he was a successful rancher and at the age of 51 became a Texas Ranger. He had the largest arrest record of all of them, and he even brought his own son in for murder. All this, and he never drew first.
May 23, 2010
Theo
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This is a great book about a slave as he grows up to be a marshal in the west. He makes his way from being a slave, to being the most feared marshal in the west. He is not scared of anything, and knows how to track down and kill even the quickest and slipperiest criminals. He knocks out, and almost kills his master at age 16. He runs off and makes a living soon after. This one is in my top 20.
Apr 13, 2011
Janille
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Very enjoyable story from a great story teller. A fast read, great for older children. Paulsen successfully mixes real facts with some great story telling to provide a nice introduction to a piece of history I have never heard of. You are missing out if you don't find out more about Bass Reeves. Someone ought to make a movie about this guy.
Jun 15, 2010
James
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Except for some awkward moments of uncharacteristically heavy-handed political correctness, this book is superb. Evocative attention to detail, astute understanding of character, and an almost unbelievably rock 'em, sock 'em true-life plot. There is a tip of the Stetson to True Grit in the last chapter, and Bass Reeves is not unworthy of such august company.
Mar 04, 2011
Theophilus
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A must read. From slave to deputy United States marshall. I saw a little of Bass Reeves in the character of Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit" adn in the Clint Eastwood character from "Hang 'Em High". Of course both of those movies were about white lawmen. Maybe one day someone will put this larger than life man's story to film.
Jan 31, 2010
Laura
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I liked this book a lot. Paulsen does a good job of capturing a Western voice and really brings to life this important historical figure. It's quick and enjoyable and would probably appeal to boys, or girls, who want to read about the Wild West.
Aug 18, 2009
Brian
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A fantastic young adult book which produces strange emotions for me: joy that this subject has FINALLY been written about; sadness that it wasn't me to write it. A very, very good story that is well told.
Dec 14, 2008
Heather
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Interesting book...I could see it being a boy book...about the Wild West. I thought it was a bit sketcky and left out alot of detail (but then again, maybe not is known about him.)
Jul 19, 2009
Michele
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Gary Paulsen is a great adventure writer and this book is an adventure but it is based on the life of a real man. Historically interesting and this man's life was trully amazing!
Apr 23, 2010
The Reading Countess
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Gary Paulsen never disappoints. This "true and fictional" account of the unsung hero who was Reeves will keep even the most reluctant reader's attention. As a lover of historical fiction, I appreciated the glimpse into what it was to live as a slave, endure years of degradation and finally live free. Divided into three sections: Bass' life as a slave growing into a man, living free with Native Americans, and finally his life as a lawman, my favorite parts were the first and second. See
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Dec 05, 2011
Jon
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Amazing book! i love reading Gary Paulsen books and he hasn't disappointed me yet. this book is about a african american slave that runs away at the age of 18 and lives a free life from that point on. he lives a very long life and became a very successful marshal. he was more successful than many other marshals and because he was black, he didn't get credit for all of his achievements.
Mar 07, 2008
Jean
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Once again I learned the truth of not judging a book by its cover. From the cover art and title I somehow deduced that the book would be a Richard Peck-like farce. Wrong. The book (in two parts) first tells the fictionalized version of Reeves' childhood as a slave and then the historical fact version of Bass Reeves later life as an African American marshal. I loved that he started his law enforcement career at age 51--the same age I completed my bachelor's degree. Hurray for late bloomers!
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Oct 30, 2009
Hapzydeco
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Paulsen at this best - taking fact and expanding it in fiction. A cowboy story with life.
Jul 22, 2009
Caren
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Very interesting and well written book about the first black deputy sheriff in the West.
Apr 24, 2009
Bass was a slave with his mother and he was good at playing poker and he bate the master.
Apr 13, 2011
Kristen
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This book would be good for boys ages 10 and up. Personally, not my most favorite book ever, but I can see how others may enjoy it.
Jul 12, 2010
Karen
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I wanted to read this after I read the picture book Bad New For Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy Marshall by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson. Quite simply, I wanted to know more about this man's life. It helped that I read Steve Sheinkin's book Which Way To the Wild West, which gave me some additional background information on the Indian Territory. Gary Paulsen does an excellent job of telling the story switching from a fact to story perfectly.
