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

An important update to the life of John Simpson Chisum, based on solid historical research and dealing with people and events that were of great importance to the development of the Southwest, to New Mexico in particular.  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 stood up to the corruption and monopolistic trade practices in Lincoln County New Mexico in the 1870s and carved out an empire along the Pecos River.  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 truth 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

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

Hailed by many historians and researchers as “a book that needed to be written”.   The bookshelves are flooded with volumes and volumes of material on Billy the Kid, but this unique book approaches the Lincoln County War 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 you will learn exactly what guns were available, and used, by the various combatants.  Cliff Caldwell’s “Guns of the Lincoln County War” is intended to aid Billy the Kid and Lincoln County War enthusiasts in understanding and interpretation the weapons that were available, and used, at the time. The book is written in such a way that the reader who is completely unfamiliar with firearms can still come away with a good understanding of the arms of the period and who might have used them.  It contains a number of photographs of period firearms as well as a helpful appendix section. 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

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 usual list of 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.

Currently out of print, though limited quantities are still  available

$21.95 plus $4.00 shipping...tax included

Dead Right - The Lincoln County War
ISBN 978-0-615-17152-4
340 pages

Possibly the best book of its kind Dead Right is a historically accurate, consise and factual interpretation of the people, places and occurences of the Lincoln County War. It also contains a chronology of events, and a brief biographical study of many of the major participants. If you plan to buy just one book about the Lincoln County War this should be the one you choose.

Revised 2nd Edition available Sept. 15, 2010

$23.95 plus $4.00 shipping...tax included

A Day’s Ride From Here
ISBN 978-0-9842563-0-3
170 pages
Review

Most residents of Kerr County Texas little more than a clue about the richness, not to mention the roughness of its past.  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 upstairs, one of the prominent local houses of ill repute 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 Great 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 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, which 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.

The various tales contained in this book 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.

$19.95 plus $4.00 shipping...tax included.