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The Legend of Bass Reeves: Being the True and Fictional Account of the Most Valiant Marshal in the West Audiobook
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(3.14) - 206 listener ratings
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Cowboy stories and movies about the Wild West are full of amazing characters. Yet many of the lawmen we think of as heroes were anything but — some were violent scoundrels and outlaws themselves. Among all the lawmen of the frontier, one man stands out as a true hero: Bass Reeves. In his day, Bass Reeves was the most successful federal marshal in the United States. True to the mythical code of the West, he never drew his gun first. He rounded up hundreds of outlaws and was shot at countless times but was never hit. Bass Reeves was born into slavery. And though the laws of his country enslaved him and his mother, when he became a free man he served the law with such courage and honor that he was known and respected all over the Indian Territory. Gary Paulsen’s dramatic account of the life of Bass Reeves, through stories both real and imagined, makes him come alive as a boy and a man. Listeners will truly understand why he became a legend.
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"Bass Reeves was born in 1838 and is thought to be one of the first African-Americans to be commissioned as a Deputy US Marshal. For the first 17 years of his life, he was a slave "owned" by his master George Reeves (as far as I know, no relation to the George Reeves of Superman fame), a farmer. Just before the Civil War, Bass parted ways with his master and ran to Indian Territory, where he lived among the Creek and Seminole Indians for about 20 years. Later he moved to Arkansas, where he married twice and had 10+ children. There he was approached by the well-known Judge Isaac Parker (aka the Hanging Judge), who heard about his life living in Indian Territory. Bass Reeves spoke many Indian dialects and knew the land intimately. During his time as a lawman, he pursued and caught many a criminal using unique methods for the time. He would go undercover and disguise himself to catch his man. He even had to dress up as a woman at one point. He had to track down and arrest his own son for murder. During his 30+ years of service, he was shot at many times, but never hit. He became a constable at the ripe old age of 81. Bass Reeves was a well-respected and feared lawman of his time. A lot of his history still remains a mystery, but what is know about him is this...he was honorable, steadfast, feared, and respected. Bass was truly worthy of legendary status. In the words of US Marshal Leo Bennet, "He never shirked his duty."This somewhat fictionalized account of Bass Reeves from age 10 toward the end of his career is a great first-person narrative. Paulsen gives you some historical background throughout, but for the most part you get to see the world through Reeves' eyes. From the 10-year-old boy who still relies on his Mammy to the great man he would eventually become, Bass Reeves is a man to remember. If you are a younger reader interested in Reeves, I highly recommend Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy US Marshal, by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (Ages 5+).Ages 12+Publisher: Laurel Leaf (January 2008)ISBN: 9780553494297Available as an eBook"
— Ruby (4 out of 5 stars)
The Legend of Bass Reeves Listener Reviews
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" We loved this book! My kids (10) asked to read this and keep going past each chapter, averaging 2 chapters each setting. Interesting colorful story and great narration. "
— Jenna, 8/29/2023 -
" Interesting book...I could see it being a boy book...about the Wild West. I thought it was a bit sketcky and left out alot of detail (but then again, maybe not is known about him.) "
— Heather, 2/16/2014 -
" Amazing book! i love reading Gary Paulsen books and he hasn't disappointed me yet. this book is about a african american slave that runs away at the age of 18 and lives a free life from that point on. he lives a very long life and became a very successful marshal. he was more successful than many other marshals and because he was black, he didn't get credit for all of his achievements. "
— Jon, 2/15/2014 -
" I only noticed this book at the library because it was written by Gary Paulsen. I had never heard of Bass Reeves before, so I'm glad Paulsen wrote this. Paulsen does a great job with the very interesting life story of Bass Reeves - which he calls "fiction" because not many of the facts can be verified. There is some slightly graphic content of Comanche torture, so I wouldn't recommend this for younger students. "
— Luann, 2/5/2014 -
" Once again I learned the truth of not judging a book by its cover. From the cover art and title I somehow deduced that the book would be a Richard Peck-like farce. Wrong. The book (in two parts) first tells the fictionalized version of Reeves' childhood as a slave and then the historical fact version of Bass Reeves later life as an African American marshal. I loved that he started his law enforcement career at age 51--the same age I completed my bachelor's degree. Hurray for late bloomers! Adolescent boys will enjoy the accounts of Indian attacks and gun battles. A very interesting history. "
— Jean, 2/3/2014 -
" Horible Book "
— Adam, 1/8/2014 -
" Awesome book! We need a Bass Reeves movie, stat! :) "
— Marti, 1/2/2014 -
" This is the story Bass Reeves...from a life born into slavery, to the life of a run away slave, to becoming one of the most feared federal marshels of the wild west. Gary Paulsen compares Bass Reeves's adventurous life to that of Billy the Kidd, Wild Bill Hickock, Butch Cassidy, Wyatt Earp, or Jeremiah Johnson. "
— Melissa, 12/21/2013 -
" Gary Paulsen is a great adventure writer and this book is an adventure but it is based on the life of a real man. Historically interesting and this man's life was trully amazing! "
— Michele, 12/16/2013 -
" This book is somewhat a true story. It does a good job telling how slavery was for some blacks and how life was still bad for them after the civil war. "
— Brandon, 11/13/2013 -
" Great book. Read this novel a long time ago. "
— Travis, 10/16/2013 -
" If I were teaching fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade, I would have it on my required reading list. "
— Jennifer, 9/28/2013 -
" This is based on a true story. Read this to my reading class along with "Which Way Freedom" these two go very well together. I would recommend reading it as a family with boys. Both are great examples of intgegrity. "
— Kimberly, 9/3/2013 -
" young-reader with some adult themes. Overall a good, quick read. Wish the book was longer. "
— Michael, 7/24/2013 -
" A good read. Bass Reeves sounds like he was an interesting man. I would love to read more. Is there a biography? "
— Mark, 5/11/2013 -
" Rootin' tootin' adventure! "
— Josh, 4/3/2013 -
" A fantastic young adult book which produces strange emotions for me: joy that this subject has FINALLY been written about; sadness that it wasn't me to write it. A very, very good story that is well told. "
— Brian, 9/21/2012 -
" This book would be good for boys ages 10 and up. Personally, not my most favorite book ever, but I can see how others may enjoy it. "
— Kristen, 10/20/2011 -
" A good interesting story, a bit different from the other Paulsen books I have read. "
— Ashley, 10/17/2011 -
" Paulsen at this best - taking fact and expanding it in fiction. A cowboy story with life. "
— Hapzydeco, 7/26/2011 -
" this book is kind of violent but it was ok "
— Pradeep, 5/19/2011 -
" The book was clean, but rather boring. I only finished because I'm not a quitter! "
— Maryann, 5/11/2011 -
" This book would be good for boys ages 10 and up. Personally, not my most favorite book ever, but I can see how others may enjoy it. "
— Kristen, 3/31/2011 -
" Great book. Read this novel a long time ago. "
— Travis, 12/31/2010 -
" I liked this book a lot. Paulsen does a good job of capturing a Western voice and really brings to life this important historical figure. It's quick and enjoyable and would probably appeal to boys, or girls, who want to read about the Wild West. "
— Laura, 1/31/2010 -
" Paulsen at this best - taking fact and expanding it in fiction. A cowboy story with life. "
— Hapzydeco, 10/30/2009 -
" A fantastic young adult book which produces strange emotions for me: joy that this subject has FINALLY been written about; sadness that it wasn't me to write it. A very, very good story that is well told. "
— Brian, 8/18/2009 -
" Very interesting and well written book about the first black deputy sheriff in the West. "
— Caren, 7/22/2009 -
" Gary Paulsen is a great adventure writer and this book is an adventure but it is based on the life of a real man. Historically interesting and this man's life was trully amazing! "
— Michele, 7/19/2009 -
" this book is kind of violent but it was ok <br/> "
— Pradeep, 5/21/2009 -
" Interesting book...I could see it being a boy book...about the Wild West. I thought it was a bit sketcky and left out alot of detail (but then again, maybe not is known about him.) "
— Heather, 12/14/2008
About Gary Paulsen
Gary Paulsen Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor Books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the ALA for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. He divides his time between his home in Alaska, his ranch in New Mexico, and his sailboat on the Pacific Ocean
About Dion Graham
Dion Graham is an award-winning narrator named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine. He has been a recipient of the prestigious Audie Award numerous times, as well as Earphones Awards, the Publishers Weekly Listen Up Awards, IBPA Ben Franklin Awards, and the ALA Odyssey Award. He was nominated in 2015 for a Voice Arts Award for Outstanding Narration. He is also a critically acclaimed actor who has performed on Broadway, off Broadway, internationally, in films, and in several hit television series. He is a graduate of Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, with an MFA degree in acting.