Bryan Burrough

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.

Bryan Burrough, a bestselling author known for exploring American history, joins the conversation to discuss his book, "The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild." The talk dives into legendary outlaws like Jesse James and Wild Bill Hickok, dissecting the myths versus the facts of their deadly exploits. They also analyze the cultural significance of gunfighters in shaping America's past and the transition from gunfights to gangster culture. Burrough shares humorous anecdotes and insights about the chaotic beauty of the Old West and its notorious figures.

Bryan Burrough, a noted author on American radicalism, delves into the forgotten era of Leftist violence in the 1970s. He explores how radical movements like the Weathermen and the Black Liberation Army emerged, driven by ideals tied to racial justice. Burrough discusses the internal fractures within these groups and the complexities of documenting their underground activities. The conversation shifts to the legacy of violence from these movements and contrasts public responses to terrorism then and now, provoking thought on how history shapes today’s societal fears.