(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

To most Americans, Frank Hamer is known only as the “villain” of the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. Now, in Texas Ranger,historian John Boessenecker sets out to restore Hamer’s good name and prove that he was, in fact, a classic American hero.
From the horseback days of the Old West through the gangster days of the 1930s, Hamer stood on the frontlines of some of the most important and exciting periods in American history. He participating in the Bandit War of 1915, survived the climactic gunfight in the last blood feud of the Old West, battled the Mexican Revolution’s spillover across the border, protected African Americans from lynch mobs and the Ku Klux Klan, and ran down gangsters, bootleggers, and Communists. When at last his career came to an end, it was only when he ran up against another legendary Texan: Lyndon B. Johnson.
Written by one of the most acclaimed historians of the Old West, Texas Ranger is the first biography to tell the full story of this near-mythic lawman.

Like another reviewer said, I am glad the publishers decided to add the Bonnie & Clyde reference to the title cos otherwise I would have missed a great book.

While the story of Frank Hamer did hit a high point with his part in the death of Bonnie & Clyde, he was involved in a lot of other things throughout his life in the Rangers. He protected African Americans from lynch mobs, stopped illegal shipments from crossing the Mexican border, caught horse and cattle hustlers, investigated election fraud, and protected the oil interests of Texas. He wasn't always perceived as a good guy - he made his fair share of enemies and his temper was sometimes getting him in trouble - but he wasn't a bad guy, if you get my meaning...

While the man himself didn't leave behind much in the way of a journal or anything of that sort, there is plenty of information found in old court documents, newspapers, archives and the like. I have to say I was impressed with the research involved in this story, as well as the easy style of writing. This could have easily become a "textbook-style" book but the author kept me engaged throughout.

Well worth a read - recommended!


Paul
ARH