The Autobiography of Billy the Kid by Ralph Estes

Everyone knows the saga of Billy the Kid. That story's been told, in an avalanche of books, songs, movies, TV programs. And yet - no one has given Billy's side. Until The Autobiography of Billy the Kid. Oh, there have been many claims that it wasn't Billy whom Pat Garrett shot in Pete Maxwell's darkened bedroom on July 14, 1881. But in fact it was. Billy just didn't die then. With the help of loyal friends he played dead, was "buried" long enough for Garrett to leave, nursed back to health, made his way to Wichita, and under the name of Henry Carter became a leading rancher until cancer laid him low. And now: Billy tells his own story. What were his feelings and fears, his pleasures and regrets? What really happened, not the media and the movies' and Garrett's exaggerations. Just as Billy, as he lay dying in a care center, told it to a young Ralph Estes in 1951.

Review
Ralph Estes writes like Billy the Kid lived: fast, furious, a great adventure. Hail, hail Billy the Kid and Ralph Estes. (John Nichols, author of The Milagro Beanfield War)

Authentic in detail and true to history, Estes delivers a fast-paced, engaging and enchanting account of the life of America's favorite outlaw. A must read.  (Paul Hutton, Distinguished History Prof., past pres., Western Writers of America)

A convincing and fun read - this book will appeal to history and mystery buffs alike.  So when does the movie come out? (Former NM Gov. Bill Richardson, who considered pardoning Billy)

Full of wit, charm, humor, history. (Johnny Boggs, Western Writers of Amer. past pres., author Law of the Land: The Trial of Billy the Kid)

As Mark Twain quipped, If it didn't happen this way, it coulda happened this way, & John Ford added, If it didn't happen this way, it shoulda happened this way. (Marshall Trimble, Official Arizona State Historian)

Ralph has done something most historians are never able to do - turn a legend back into a human being. (Dave Stamey, Western singer/songwriter)  

Could it be that up till now we've all been wrong? Sure could be! (R.W. Hampton, Western singer/songwriter)

From the Author
What would you have done as a boy orphaned at 14 in the Wild West of 1874, trying to make your way in a world of rough men - killers, outlaws, corrupt sheriffs, rustlers - every one of them toting a gun?  How would you have responded if you laid your life on the line in a deal with Governor Lew Wallace, who then callously betrayed you preferring instead to give his attention to his novel, "Ben Hur."  Ride with Billy the Kid as he tells his own story, his feelings and fears, his hopes and dreams, making his way under the constant threat of Pat Garrett's posses.  Ride with the real Billy the Kid, not the unreal legend of books, songs, movies, TV - even a ballet!

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