Fort McKavett, And Tales of Menard County
Privately Published
175 pages 6x9 Trade Paperback
Release date: 10 February 2012

The Texas Hill Country is rich with history. In recent years revisionist historians have only written about a select few aspects of the region, apparently preferring to overlook the fact that outlaws, lawmen, Indians, horse soldiers and Spanish explorers crisscrossed the San Saba River and Menard County area for hundreds of years. True enough, the quaint shops and bistros, the music festivals, wildflowers, and the pleasing climate may be the attraction today but the area was home to Paleo-Indians 10,000 years ago. Spaniards trekked through the region in 1753, finding promise of gold and silver in the surrounding hills. Early Texas pioneers ultimately carved out a frontier settlement here, only to be menaced by hostile Comanche Indians, reluctant to release their hold on the region. Fort McKavett, the lonely outpost on the San Saba, played a vital part in the settlement of this area and in the rich military history of Texas. Join the author in rediscovering the fort, and Menard County.

$19.95 USD- Plus $4.00 postage

An Anthology of Old West Tales,
Selected Works of Clifford R. Caldwell
Privately Published
238 pages 6x9 Trade Paperback
Release date: February 2012

Cliff Caldwell is the author of a number of popular books on the American West covering subjects ranging from Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War to Texas Cattle Kings like John Simpson Chisum and Robert Kelsey Wylie. Cliff's most recent work, Texas Lawmen 1835-1899, chronicles the deaths of over 860 Lone Star peace officers of the 1800s. In addition to the medley of books Cliff has published he has also written a number of articles over the years covering a variety of old west personalities, places and events. Some have been published in journals and magazines while many have not.

This book is a collection of popular articles from Cliff's inventory of work. Contained in this book you will find new information about various Lincoln County War participants, Texas lawmen, the Horrell Higgins feud, mysterious Baby Head Texas, and much much more. Lots of gripping tales, little known facts and fascinating stories!  The book includes chapters on:

• The Illusive John Middleton
• Cutting the Trail of “Buckshot” Roberts
• Revisiting the Horrell Higgins Feud
• Searching for Shotgun Collins
• Texas Ranger Thalis Tucker Cook
• Deputy Sheriff John D. Nelson   
• Texas Ranger Davy Thomas Carson
• The Killing of Sheriff William Brady
• The Left Handed Gun
• Loving Bend on the Pecos River
• The Millicans of Brazos County
• James Highsaw
• John Wesley Vaden
• Baby Head Texas
• The Santa Claus Bank Robbery
• The Mysterious Black & White Dog

An Anthology of Old West Tales, Selected Works of Clifford R. Caldwell is available only from the author.

$19.95 USD - Plus $4.00 postage

John Simpson Chisum - The Cattle King of The Pecos Revisited
ISBN 9780865347564
224 pages  See our film on YouTube.

John Simpson Chisum, The Cattle King of The Pecos is an important addition to the library of any historian of the American West. This book fills a long vacant spot on the library shelf, and is the first full length biograaphical study of the noted Texas Cattle King.

Based on decades of solid historical research, and dealing with people and events that were of great importance to the development of the Southwest, John Simpson Chisum, The Cattle King of The Pecos answers many questions about the Cattle Kings role in the Lincoln County War and his relationship with Billy the Kid.

Sunstone Press is a well respected publisher, dealing with historically significant material.

John Simpson Chisum stands tall among the legendary cattlemen of the 1800s as a major force in the formation and development of the cattle business so closely identified with Texas and New Mexico. A charismatic leader of men, he carved out an empire using grit and determination. A true visionary of his time, he was a shrewd businessman and accomplished self-promoter. Along with legendary cattlemen Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving, Chisum pioneered the famous Western Trail and opened up large scale cattle ranching along the Pecos River in New Mexico.

Myth and legend have clouded the true picture of the man, his accomplishments, his flaws and his contributions. His own prolific efforts at self-promotion, although they served him well during his life, further obscure our vision of the man.

You may order a signed copy from the author by placing your order through the PayPal link below.

$22.95 plus $4.00 S&H

A Day’s Ride From Here, Volume One
ISBN 978.1.60949.393.6
$19.99 plus $3.00 shipping--tax included.

A Day’s Ride From Here, Volume Two
ISBN 978.1.60949.394.3
$19.99 plus $3.00 shipping--tax included

The History Press
Now Available

Review

Most residents of Kerr County Texas have scarcely more than a hint of the rich and rugged past of our picturesque hills. Conveniently located historical markers provide the newcomer, or the tourist, with a “drive by” snapshot of history. Few would know that while enjoying a delightful lunch in a downtown bistro they are seated on the spot where many a drunken brawl or shootout took place, or that just upstairs one of the prominent local sporting houses flourished. In those days one could see, and no doubt smell, the milling herds of cattle as they restlessly awaited the journey north on the Western Trail. Not far from the stock pens was the noted hanging tree where several outlaws met their just end.

The sights and sounds of the late 1800s were markedly different than many may wish to recall. Some historians would prefer to ignore the less attractive elements of the county’s past, but the whole is always comprised of the sum of its parts, and to ignore the “gritty” parts would be analogous to rewriting history. Although first known as an area rich in giant cypress trees lining the rivers and streams that provided early settlers with a thriving shingle making industry, the place would become most know for having a hospitable climate, well suited for those suffering from tuberculosis, at the time known as consumption. But the local history runs far deeper than shingle factories and summer camps!

The various tales contained in these books are about people from here, or who left their mark while passing through here. They are about events that took place here…or at least within A Day’s Ride From Here.

Guns of the Lincoln County War
ISBN 978-0-578-01679-5
130 pages

Guns of the Lincoln County War has been hailed by historians and researchers as “a book that needed to be written”.

The bookshelves are crowded with volumes of material on Billy the Kid and th Lincoln County War, but this unique book approaches the topic from an entirely new perspective. Beginning with the Horrell War of 1873 and concluding with Billy’s death at the hands of Pat Garrett on 14 July 1881 at Fort Sumner, New Mexico the reader will learn what guns were available, and used, by the various combatants, thus making it a valuable aid in understanding and interpreting this landmark event in history.

The book is written in such a way that the reader who is completely unfamiliar with firearms can come away with a good understanding of the arms of the period. It contains a number of photographs of period firearms as well as a helpful appendix section to aid the reader in his or her own further research.

No matter if you are an accomplished historian or have only recently acquired an interest in Billy the Kid you will find this book to be a valuable and informative addition to your collection.

$19.95 plus $4.00 shipping...tax included

Dead Right - The Lincoln County War
ISBN 978-0-615-17152-4
Revised 2nd Edition
340 pages

Possibly the best book of its kind Dead Right: The Lincoln County War is a historically accurate, concise and factual interpretation of the people, places and occurrences of the Lincoln County War. It contains a chronology of events, numerous photos, and a brief biographical study of many of the major participants. An excellent choice for the emerging historian and researcher, or for those who have recently acquired an interest in the Lincoln County War or Billy the Kid.
If you plan to buy just one book about the Lincoln County War this should be the one you choose.

$23.95 plus $4.00 shipping...tax included

Old West Tales - Good Men, Bad Men, Lawmen
ISBN 978-1-4303-2621-2
224 pages

In my first book, Old West Tales: Good Men, Bad Men, Lawmen I give the reader a glimpse of life in the old west. The characters are not from the list of usual suspects, most of whom have been written about ad nauseum. These are the folks who made up the real old west, not the Hollywood version. The stories are largely about the town marshals, sheriffs and outlaws who were not famous enough to make it to the silver screen.

The inspiration for most of the stories came from the real life history of these characters. Some real people, some fictional. Some lived at the time, and in the places where these stories take place. Some did not. Some are almost entirely fictional. They will make you laugh, cry, and experience every emotion in between. All are entertaining. Readers of Old West Tales say the book is a joy to read.

Sorry - Currently out of print.