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Who Killed Chester Pray? A Death Valley Mystery
Written in the newly recognized nonfiction genre of historical reconstruction, Who Killed Chester Pray? transports the reader to a last, grand hurrah of the American West. Seeking his fortune in the early 1900s, young prospector-assayer Chester Pray filched a Nevada sheriff's horses, stole gold belonging to a U.S. Senator, and ultimately discovered one of the richest lodes ever in Death Valley. Then, Pray was shot dead in the night. By who? Why? As many as seven individuals had ample cause to kill Chester Pray. His new partners? Gunslinger "Diamondfield Jack"? Even pretty Clara, his fiancée? The psychologically compelling answer is not what you would expect.
"Who Killed Chester Pray? provides new and revealing information about one of Death Valley's most provocative unsolved mysteries. Author Nicholas Clapp's intensive research and use of a flowing narrative result in a wonderfully readable book that not only probes the dark side of human nature, but presents an exciting picture of the American mining West of the early 20th century."--Linda Greene, coauthor, A History of Mining in Death Valley National Monument
"Who Killed Chester Pray? provides new and revealing information about one of Death Valley's most provocative unsolved mysteries. Author Nicholas Clapp's intensive research and use of a flowing narrative result in a wonderfully readable book that not only probes the dark side of human nature, but presents an exciting picture of the American mining West of the early 20th century."--Linda Greene, coauthor, A History of Mining in Death Valley National Monument
- GenresHistory
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2007
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 18, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was a hybrid of a nonfiction novel, history, and biography. I'd really like to hear the author give a reading or talk. He seems like a very interesting character. I especially liked the more narrative sections, such as the one about heat stroke. I also learned more about Death Valley Scotty, who is shown in a more harsh light that in other places I've seen.
Using Chester Pray as a focal point, Clapp paints a vivid portrait of the life of a prospector in one of the most inhospitable places in the world during the tail end of the era of desert boom towns. The prose is folksy and doesn't get too bogged down in historical details, but at the same time is thoroughly researched. It has great quotes from colorful primary material, with my favorite being the Death Valley Chuck-Wallah, which took on the persona of a talking lizard.
Considering the title of the book, it spends very few pages on his death and the possible theories for the culprit, but there wasn't much evidence left behind so perhaps Clapp didn't want to speculate endlessly. Personally, I think I would have put one of the endnotes about the modern-day coroner's opinion of the case into the main content.
Other than that, if you're interested in Death Valley history, and some of the stories behind the ghost town ruins, you should definitely read this book. I also recommend his related book, Gold and Silver in the Mojave: Images of a Last Frontier.
Using Chester Pray as a focal point, Clapp paints a vivid portrait of the life of a prospector in one of the most inhospitable places in the world during the tail end of the era of desert boom towns. The prose is folksy and doesn't get too bogged down in historical details, but at the same time is thoroughly researched. It has great quotes from colorful primary material, with my favorite being the Death Valley Chuck-Wallah, which took on the persona of a talking lizard.
Considering the title of the book, it spends very few pages on his death and the possible theories for the culprit, but there wasn't much evidence left behind so perhaps Clapp didn't want to speculate endlessly. Personally, I think I would have put one of the endnotes about the modern-day coroner's opinion of the case into the main content.
Other than that, if you're interested in Death Valley history, and some of the stories behind the ghost town ruins, you should definitely read this book. I also recommend his related book, Gold and Silver in the Mojave: Images of a Last Frontier.
Displaying 1 of 1 review