Thread: Billy the Kid may be riding again

The romanticizing of Henry McCardy, aka Billy Bonnie, aka Kid Antrim, aka Billy the Kid actually began in his own lifetime with the dime novels. Why he was chosen over the other participants in the Lincoln County range war is puzzling to me. Perhaps it was the prison escape (not his first) or the fact that he more colorful than most of the others. He was reported to be quite likeable, extremely intelligent, and a friend to the underdog such as the Mexican community. He was actually a lawman at one point. He had a sense of morality. Despite the fact that he made his living stealing horses from the rich cattle barons, on two occasions, he stole horses to escape and saw to it that the horses got back to their owners. On the other hand, while most of his killings were in self-defense and there were far fewer than the 21 he's credited with, he was a cold-blooded killer. (Actually, he probably commited fewer murders than Wyatt Earp). Pardon him? Hell, no.

Originally Posted by sinnfein

i actually know very little of billy the kid, i know who he was but have never really read about him. does anyone know of any good (historically correct) books about him that would be a good read? my criminal heros were bonnie and clyde and the barrow gang. i dont know why people romanticize criminals but we do for some reason

-dan-

Billy The Kid:The Endless Ride, by Michael Wallis