Myths of the Wild West

This chapter explores America's westward expansion and the cultural iconography associated with cowboys and legendary shootouts, particularly focusing on the Gunfight at the OK Corral. It reveals the complex realities of gun laws in the Wild West, countering popular myths with historical truths about gun control and civic order in towns like Tombstone. The narrative further examines the influence of dime novels and Wild West shows in shaping the romanticized imagery of the frontier, emphasizing the disparity between myth and reality.