The Fourth Horseman

by Randy Lee Eickhoff

An epic historical novel follows Doc Holliday, the legendary gunfighter and gambler, from a promising dental career cut short by tuberculosis, to his trip West and into history as the lone outsider at the infamous OK Corral gunfight. Reprint.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Westerns

610 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Assiha · Rating 3 out of 5]

75/100

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. I really enjoy historical fiction and this first-person narrative about Doc Holliday was really good. His style was terse, with some spots of more description, which I think entirely fit with Holliday's persona. It was such a sad tale of a misplaced life-all of his hopes and dreams stolen by tuberculosis...but there was still a hint that he had the rage in him when he was very young. I also thought it was interesting that he was basically the same "person" in society as Wyatt Earp, one of his good friends, yet he was cast as the villain, while Earp enjoyed the "white knight" persona. Really good.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this historical novel to anyone interested in Doc Holliday. I shared it with my mother, who said it rang true compared to stories told to her about Doc by Sister Melanie, Doc's cousin.

[Kathleen Gear · Rating 5 out of 5]

We can't say enough good things about this book. When we first read it, we were absolutely certain it would win all the finest western literary awards. No one has ever gotten into Doc Holliday's mind the way Randy Lee Eickhoff does in this book.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Award winning author outdoes himself. If you like the genre you'll love the book.

[Mira · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me 4 months to finish this book.
I guess my love of Val Kilmers portrayal of Doc Holliday will have to suffice.
I liked the early-middle chunk of the book, but in general I found it difficult to slog through. Just not my cup of tea, I suspect.

[Sue Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical adventure

This a historical timeline of Doc Holliday I have read before. But I enjoyed the telling unusually its told in the first person point of view. I would recommend it

[Joe Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Doc Holliday told from the 1st person perspective of Holliday. Very well written. The author's descriptive writing excels at putting the reader in the locations, in the hotel rooms. In Part 4, the last part of the story, I found that the writing gets even better, more intense. On one level this is a story of the west, a story of a string of shoot outs. But there are multiple levels to the story. For one, Holliday represents the fading west. As he travels through the west, we experience how civilization (law & order) follows pushing him westward until there is only civilization. At another level, this is a morality tale of a person dealing with his known fate and how it drives him. It's a story of love, revenge, and loyalty. On the other hand, seeing Holliday's life through his own eyes, can't help but examine whether or not he was a natural psychopath or did his fate of TB make him a psychopath. This aspect is to take his story in a contemporary perspective because in today's world Holliday would likely be considered a serial killer during which in his mind he is wielding a out of form of justice. Also, the story provides insight into the gun culture as Holliday's life rests on guns and using them. In all likelihood, the author was not intending this, but I think this issue is there. Finally, the author's description of gambling and how cheating is done is an education, and an intriguing and fascinating aspect of the story. I look forward to reading more by Eickhoff.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who like the story of the OK Corral and Dodge city, here is a tale about one of the most intriguing players Doc Holiday

Yes, I find Doc Holiday to be very intriguing, and this book caught my eye in the strangest of places...the grocery store.

Its a good story, most likely filled with some of Doc's story that you hadn't heard before.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Doc Holiday was such a unique character. I enjoyed learning more about him and the Wild West!

[Mike Currier]

Excellent read for those Doc Holiday fans.

[Samira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doc Holliday...need I say more?

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good bio of Doc Holliday. Not sure how historically accurate it is but most of the major events of his life are covered. Recommended