Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies

1. Frontier Life Forged Legends of Courage and Infamy

America has a tendency to glamorize its past, creating myths instead of reporting truth.

Harsh realities. The American West was a crucible, testing the limits of human endurance and morality. Life expectancy was short, brutality was common, and survival often depended on a willingness to cross ethical lines. The romanticized image of the West often obscures the harsh realities faced by settlers, Native Americans, and outlaws alike.

Dual nature of heroes. Many figures of the Old West embodied both heroic and villainous traits. Men like Kit Carson and Daniel Boone were celebrated for their courage and skill, but also participated in actions that caused immense suffering to Native American populations. This duality challenges simplistic notions of good and evil.

Debunking falsehoods. The book aims to debunk the lies and myths that have become folklore, revealing the complex and often disturbing truths about famous figures and events. By separating fact from fiction, the book offers a more nuanced understanding of the American West.

2. Daniel Boone: Patriot or Pragmatist?

Of the great names which in our faces stare, The General Boon, back-woodsman of Kentucky, Was happiest amongst mortals anywhere…

Frontier icon. Daniel Boone embodied the spirit of the frontier, facing countless dangers to carve a trail west. He was a hunter, tracker, soldier, and politician, whose exploits made him world-famous. Yet, he was also accused of treason, highlighting the complex moral landscape of the time.

Accusation of treason. In 1778, Boone faced a court-martial for allegedly collaborating with the British and Shawnee Indians. He was accused of surrendering his men, consorting with the enemy, and weakening Boonesborough's defenses. Though acquitted, the accusation tarnished his reputation.

Legacy of exploration. Boone's story raises questions about loyalty, survival, and the cost of westward expansion. Was he a traitor who betrayed his country, or a pragmatist who did what was necessary to protect his people? His actions and motivations remain open to interpretation.

3. Davy Crockett: From Backwoodsman to Alamo Martyr

I’m that same David Crockett, fresh from the backwoods, half horse, half alligator, a little touched with the snapping turtle; can wade the Mississippi, leap the Ohio, ride upon a streak of lightning and slip without a scratch down a honey locust; can whip my weight in wildcats and, if any gentleman pleases, for a ten dollar bill he may throw in a panther …

Coonskin Congressman. Davy Crockett was a celebrated frontiersman who rose to political prominence as a champion of the common man. His backwoods persona and engaging personality made him a popular figure, but his political career was marked by conflict and controversy.

Clash with Jackson. Crockett's opposition to Andrew Jackson's policies, particularly the Indian Removal Act, led to political battles and ultimately contributed to his decision to leave Tennessee. His commitment to his principles often put him at odds with powerful figures.

Heroic death. Crockett's decision to join the Texas Revolution and his death at the Alamo transformed him into a national hero. His sacrifice became a symbol of American courage and the fight for freedom, solidifying his place in American legend.

4. Kit Carson: A Complex Legacy of Duty and Displacement

From the Mississippi to the mouth of the Colorado, from the frozen regions of the North to Gila in Mexico, the beaver trapper has set his traps in every stream.

Mountain man. Kit Carson was a renowned trapper, scout, and Indian fighter who played a key role in the exploration and settlement of the American West. His skills and courage made him a valuable asset to the U.S. Army, but his actions also had devastating consequences for Native American tribes.

Forced relocation. Carson's involvement in the forced relocation of the Navajo people to Bosque Redondo remains a controversial aspect of his legacy. While he may have believed he was acting in the best interests of both settlers and Native Americans, his actions resulted in immense suffering and cultural destruction.

Warrior's code. Carson's story raises questions about duty, honor, and the moral compromises required to survive on the frontier. Was he a hero who served his country, or a villain who betrayed the Native Americans he once lived among? His legacy is a complex and troubling one.

5. Black Bart: The Gentleman Bandit's Elusive Game

I’ve labored long and hard for bread, For honor and for riches But on my corns too long you’ve tread You fine-haired sons-of-bitches

Poet bandit. Black Bart was a stagecoach robber who gained notoriety for his polite demeanor and the poems he left at the scenes of his crimes. His identity remained a mystery for years, adding to his mystique and making him a folk hero.

Hatred of Wells Fargo. Charles Bowles, the man behind the mask, may have been motivated by a personal vendetta against Wells Fargo, stemming from a land dispute that cost him his livelihood. His robberies can be seen as acts of revenge against a powerful corporation.

Enduring mystery. Black Bart's story raises questions about justice, revenge, and the allure of the outlaw life. Was he a criminal driven by greed, or a victim of circumstance seeking retribution? His true motivations remain a subject of speculation.

6. Wild Bill Hickok: A Gunslinger's Justice on the Plains

You would not believe that you were looking into the eyes that have pointed the way to death to hundreds of men.

Quick draw. Wild Bill Hickok was a legendary lawman and gunslinger known for his speed, accuracy, and courage. His exploits on the plains made him a symbol of frontier justice, but his life was also marked by violence and tragedy.

Showdown in Springfield. Hickok's gunfight with Davis Tutt in Springfield, Missouri, established his reputation as a deadly marksman. The event became a defining moment in the mythology of the Old West, solidifying the image of the quick-draw showdown.

Death in Deadwood. Hickok's murder in Deadwood, South Dakota, cemented his status as a tragic hero. His death while holding the "dead man's hand" added to the mystique surrounding his life and cemented his place in American folklore.

7. Jesse James: Outlaw, Rebel, and Romanticized Figure

They are outlaws through no fault or crime other than participating in a civil war that was not successful.

Confederate sympathies. Jesse James was a Confederate guerrilla who turned to a life of crime after the Civil War. His actions were often portrayed as acts of rebellion against the Union, making him a hero to many in the South.

Edwards's portrayal. Journalist John Edwards played a key role in shaping the image of Jesse James as a noble outlaw. His romanticized accounts of James's exploits helped to create a myth that obscured the reality of his violent crimes.

Complex legacy. James's story raises questions about the nature of heroism, the legacy of the Civil War, and the power of myth-making. Was he a freedom fighter or a cold-blooded killer? His true character remains a subject of debate.

8. Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley: Selling the Myth of the West

The west of the old times, with its strong characters, its stern battles and its tremendous stretches of loneliness, can never be blotted from my mind.

Wild West show. Buffalo Bill Cody created a traveling spectacle that brought the excitement and adventure of the Old West to audiences around the world. His show helped to shape the popular image of the frontier, often exaggerating and romanticizing the realities of life on the plains.

Sharpshooting star. Annie Oakley was a skilled markswoman who became a star of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. Her talent and feminine charm helped to challenge traditional gender roles and made her a popular figure with audiences.

Creating a legend. Cody and Oakley's story raises questions about authenticity, commercialization, and the power of entertainment. Did they accurately portray the Old West, or did they create a myth that served their own interests? Their legacy is a complex mix of fact and fiction.

9. Bass Reeves: The Real-Life Inspiration for the Lone Ranger

Maybe the law ain’t perfect, but it’s the only one we got, and without it we got nuthin’.

Black deputy marshal. Bass Reeves was a black U.S. deputy marshal who served in the Indian Territory. His courage, skill, and dedication to justice made him a legendary figure, but his story has often been overlooked in traditional accounts of the Old West.

Lone Ranger inspiration. Reeves's life bears striking similarities to the fictional Lone Ranger, leading some to believe that he served as the inspiration for the character. Both were known for their bravery, their commitment to justice, and their use of Native American sidekicks.

Forgotten history. Reeves's story highlights the contributions of African Americans to the settling of the West. His legacy deserves to be recognized and celebrated as an important part of American history.

10. George Armstrong Custer: Ambition's Reckoning at Little Bighorn

I regard Custer’s Massacre as a sacrifice of troops, brought on by Custer himself; that was wholly unnecessary—wholly unnecessary.

Civil War hero. George Armstrong Custer was a celebrated Civil War general who gained fame for his courage and leadership. His flamboyant style and aggressive tactics made him a popular figure with the public, but his ambition and recklessness would ultimately lead to his downfall.

Custer's Last Stand. Custer's defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn became one of the most famous events in American history. His decision to attack a much larger force of Native American warriors resulted in the deaths of hundreds of soldiers and cemented his image as a tragic figure.

Legacy of controversy. Custer's story raises questions about leadership, ambition, and the consequences of underestimating one's enemy. Was he a hero who died fighting for his country, or a reckless commander who sacrificed his men for personal glory? His legacy remains a subject of debate.

Last updated: April 18, 2025