Ep. 740: The Gunslingers

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This novel by Ron Hansen delves into the life of Jesse James, a legendary outlaw, and his eventual assassination by Robert Ford. It explores themes of celebrity, notoriety, and the complexities of historical figures. The book is based on extensive research and weaves historical facts with fictional elements to create a compelling narrative.

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In 'The Big Rich', Bryan Burrough chronicles the rise and fall of one of the great economic and political powerhouses of the twentieth century—Texas oil. The book focuses on the epic sagas of the industry's Big Four: Roy Cullen, H.L. Hunt, Clint Murchison, and Sid Richardson. These men, from modest backgrounds, became patriarchs of the wealthiest oil families in Texas, influencing American politics, economy, and culture. Their stories include rags-to-riches tales, notorious scandals, high-stakes political influence, and eventual family feuds, scandals, and bankruptcies that marked the end of their era by the late 1980s.

Barbarians at the Gate is a detailed and engaging narrative about the takeover of RJR Nabisco in 1988. Written by investigative journalists Bryan Burrough and John Helyar, the book provides an unprecedented look at the financial operations and social history of the time. It centers around F. Ross Johnson's plan to buy out RJR Nabisco, which led to a bidding war involving prominent figures like Henry Kravis and Ted Forstmann. The book includes a new afterword that updates the story twenty years after the deal, tracing the subsequent success and failure of those involved and the impact of the story on the world.

The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild by Bryan Burrough explores the history and mythology surrounding gunfighters in the American West, with a particular focus on Texas. The book uncovers the real stories behind legendary figures, examining their motivations, actions, and the broader context of the era. Burrough delves into the factors that contributed to the violence and lawlessness of the West, including the legacy of the Civil War, economic opportunities, and cultural influences. The book aims to separate fact from fiction, providing a nuanced understanding of the gunfighter phenomenon and its impact on American history and identity. The intersection of Texas and Stoicism is deeply explored in this book.