The Real Story Behind the Wild West

by Daniel R. Faust

Stories of the American West have been a source of excitement and entertainment for more than 100 years. Novels, movies, and television shows have all drawn upon the Wild West for inspiration. But was the Wild West truly that wild? Were there gun-toting outlaws hiding behind every corner? Were white settlers and Native American tribes constantly at war? This book looks at some of the myths, legends, and tall tales surrounding the Wild West and attempts to separate fact from fantasy. Black-and-white and full-color photographs, fact boxes, and sidebars support the age-appropriate text and provide additional information.

32 pages, Library Binding

Published July 15, 2019

Reviews

[Margaret Boling · Rating 2 out of 5]

10/21/2021 ~ There aren't a ton of books for elementary school readers that attempt to tell complex stories from multiple perspectives. This series of 6 books is adequate. My biggest complaint is that there are no sources cited and there is no bio of the author, so it's difficult to judge the credibility of the information.

This book was below average when ranking the 6 books in the series. It highlights the mythological figures who have grown developed from the stories of the wild west, such as Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, and Annie Oakley. It also explained the practice of "circling the wagons," the role of mining in the west, and the Pony Express. This volume seemed to spend more time on the myths than on debunking them; also, it didn't give specific examples how the myths of the Wild West were wrong.

I am not adding this book to my elementary library collection.