Catherine's Son: The Story of a Boy Who Became an Outlaw

by James L. Smith

Before the world knew Henry McCarty as Billy the Kid, he was a quick-witted and industrious boy living with his mother in the New Mexico Territory. Under his mother’s loving guidance, he seemed destined for a conventional life as a law-abiding and well-respected man, a man who would make any mother proud.

Fate intervened, however, and young Henry turned to the wrong side of the law, becoming one of history’s most notorious outlaws. By the time of his death at age twenty-one, he was known throughout the world as a murderer and thief — the “devil’s meat,” as one newspaper described him.

Catherine’s Son is a work of historical fiction that tells the story of how Henry McCarty became Billy the Kid, a young outlaw portrayed by the press as the “terror and disgrace” of the New Mexico Territory.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2013

About the author

James Leslie Smith

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My interest in Billy the Kid was sparked when I listened to a podcast on the topic and learned that he spent a significant amount of time in NM, where I have family. This book provided a wonderful addition to the story I'd already learned about him, diving into what his younger life might have looked like and the events that may have lead him to his outlaw career later in his young life. Flew through this book and enjoyed it immensely! Highly recommend!

[Karen Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What to believe and what not to believe? Classified as a novel, it seemed like historical fiction, written by a former history teacher. As I live in Silver City, this book piqued my interest. I learned a lot about Billy the Kid (only the last name he took!) and his lifetime. I also learned that he wasn't always an outlaw! I enjoyed reading the book.

[Donna Kubiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading this book because it’s about Silver city and this is the first time I differ read anything about Billy the kid. I liked knowing that the story about this outlaw could have ended up completely differently.