Bryan Burrough, bestselling author and Texas Monthly editor, dives into the complex world of the Wild West. They unravel how honor culture fueled gunfights, reflecting a society where violence was commonplace. Discover the allure of outlaws and the myths surrounding figures like Wyatt Earp, straddling the line between heroism and vigilantism. The conversation reveals how small disputes often escalated into gunfights, challenging our notions of virtue versus performative strength in the rugged frontier.
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insights INSIGHT
Why We Root for Outlaws
People root for outlaws because they defy rules others must obey.
This fascination stems from seeing someone live freely what others can't.
insights INSIGHT
The Outlaw Paradox
We admire rule-breakers living outside societal constraints.
Yet their downfall reassures us the system still holds power.
insights INSIGHT
Outlaws Challenge Society
Outlaws like Al Capone challenge societal realities.
Such figures must eventually be stopped to preserve social order.
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The Gunfighters delves into the history of the American West's most iconic figures, exploring the myths and realities surrounding their lives and exploits. The book examines the cultural and social factors that contributed to the rise of gunfighter legends, including the prevalence of violence, the code of honor, and the pursuit of fame and fortune. It also uncovers the complex motivations and personal stories of these individuals, revealing their flaws, vulnerabilities, and the often tragic consequences of their choices. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, The Gunfighters offers a fresh perspective on a pivotal period in American history. The book challenges readers to reconsider long-held beliefs and confront the uncomfortable realities of the past.
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
The Battle Hymn of the Republic
S.C. Gwynne
Ulysses Grant's memoirs
Ulysses Grant's memoirs
Ulysses Grant
The Big Rich
The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes
Bryan Burrough
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.
Forget the Alamo
Bryan Burrough
Chris Tomlinson
Jason Stanford
Barbarians at the gate
The Fall of RJR Nabisco
Bryan Burrough
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.
Public Enemies
Bryan Burrough
Bryan Burrough's 'Public Enemies' explores the lives and crimes of notorious bank robbers like John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, and Pretty Boy Floyd during the Great Depression. The book illustrates how their brazen heists and larger-than-life personas captured the imagination of a struggling nation. It also chronicles the rise of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI, as they sought to combat these criminals and establish a new era of law enforcement. Burrough examines the social and economic factors that contributed to the crime wave. He uncovers the complex relationship between the public, the media, and these outlaws. The narrative culminates in a gripping account of the FBI's pursuit and eventual downfall of these infamous figures.
The Wild West is full of myths, but behind the gunfights and honor codes is a deeper story about virtue and civilization. In today’s episode, bestselling author Bryan Burrough joins Ryan to explore the truth behind America’s gunfighter era. They discuss how honor culture took root in the lawless frontier, where violence was so common that gunfights were simply called “fights”, and what that reveals about the difference between performative strength and real virtue.
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