One of the great lawmen of the Old West, Bob Paul (1830–1901) cast a giant shadow across the frontiers of California and Arizona Territory for nearly fifty years. Today he is remembered mainly for his friendship with Wyatt Earp and his involvement in the stirring events surrounding the famous 1881 gunfight near the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. This long-overdue biography fills crucial gaps in Paul’s story and recounts a life of almost constant adventure. As told by veteran western historian John Boessenecker, this story is more than just a western shoot-’em-up, and it reveals Paul to be far more than a blood-and-thunder gunfighter. Beginning with Paul’s boyhood adventures as a whaler in the South Pacific, the author traces his journey to Gold Rush California, where he served respectively as constable, deputy sheriff, and sheriff in Calaveras County, and as Wells Fargo shotgun messenger and detective. Then, in the turbulent 1880s, Paul became sheriff of Pima County, Arizona, and a railroad detective for the Southern Pacific. In 1890 President Benjamin Harrison appointed him U.S. marshal of Arizona Territory. Transcending local history, Paul’s story provides an inside look into the rough-and-tumble world of frontier politics, electoral corruption, Mexican-U.S. relations, border security, vigilantism, and western justice. Moreover, issues that were important in Paul’s career—illegal immigration, smuggling on the Mexican border, youth gangs, racial discrimination, ethnic violence, and police-minority relations—are as relevant today as they were during his lifetime.

Blue Book Publications, Inc. is proud to announce the release of its first biography, John Bianchi An American Legend 50 Years of Gunleather. Anyone who has ever owned a sidearm holster knows the name John Bianchi, the Godfather of Gunleather who revolutionized gun carry methods and handgun performance throughout the world. This just released biography tells the story of the man who founded Bianchi International the world's largest manufacturer of gunleather for police, military, and sportsmen. Bianchi and his company, Bianchi International, set the "Gold Standard" for quality and innovation for millions of shooters, law enforcement, and military personnel around the world during the last half century. Written and photographed by award-winning photojournalist Dennis Adler, this 260-page, 9x12 in. hardcover deluxe landscape format publication is a must-have for any firearms enthusiast's library. John Bianchi An American Legend 50 Years of Gunleather features nine full color chapters covering the extraordinary life of this firearms industry innovator, former police officer, citizen soldier, industrialist, Western personality, and great American.

Dear reader: this is an unabashed picture book about gunleather. In particular, it is about the innovative holsters that were created by American men and women during the 20th century; specifically, during the saeculum 1905 to 1985 because that's when all the heavy lifting was done. And it's about their linkages . . . 'A Texas Ranger, born 1844, married a woman who, after she was widowed then married a Texas saddler 1908. 'That saddler in Austin employed a clerk who in 1912 began building unique holsters for the Texas Rangers. 'And that clerk, born 1872, bore a son in 1896 whose daughter married the Governor of Texas in 1940. 'That bride escaped the bullets fired at the President's car as she rode with him in November 1963. 'They were the McNellys, the Wroes, the Brills and the Kennedys.' 'Holstory' - a term the authors coined so they wouldn't be typing 'holster history' over and over again - is filled with just these kinds of linkages amongst real gunfighting lawmen like Capt. Leander McNelly and officer Tom Threepersons of Texas; D.A. 'Jelly' Bryce and J.C. 'Doc' White of the F.B.I.; and the gunleather makers like Sam D. Myres of Texas and Hermann H. Heiser of Colorado who supplied them. It's a tale that's never been told in quite this way. It is thoroughly researched and heavily footnoted so that you can delve deeper if you like. There are lots of full-color pictures of gunleather collectibles. This is the Book of Holstory that you've been waiting for.

Gunleather is an icon of American Western lore. PACKING IRON is a high quality pictorial celebration of the artistry & innovation of the craftsmen who designed the gun rigs of the old time trail driving Cowboys, lawmen & Hollywood heroes. This unique slice of Western Americana is presented in over 300 dazzling color photographs, plus almost 100 historic images. Standard trade discounts. To order write or call: ZON INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, P.O. Box 47, MILLWOOD, NY 10546. Phone: 914-245-2926. FAX: 914-962-1945.

Harry Morse - gunfighter, manhunter, sleuth - was among the West's most famous lawmen. Elected sheriff of Alameda County, California, in 1864, he went on to become San Francisco's foremost private detective. His career spanned five decades. In this biography, John Boessenecker brings Morse's now-forgotten story to light, chronicling not only the lawman's remarkable adventures but also the turbulent times in which he lived. Armed only with raw courage and a Colt revolver, Morse squared off against a small army of desperadoes and beat them at their own game. He shot to death the notorious bandidos Narato Ponce and Juan Soto, outgunned the vicious Narciso Bojorques, and pursued the Tiburcio Vasquez gang for two months in one of the West's longest and most tenacious manhunts. Later, Morse captured Black Bart, America's greatest stagecoach robber. Fortunately, Harry Morse loved to tell of his feats. Drawing on Morse's diaries, memoirs, and correspondence, Boessenecker weaves the lawman's colorful accounts into his narrative. Rare photographs of outlaws and lawmen and of the sites of Morse's exploits further enliven the story. A significant contribution to both western history and the history of law enforcement, Lawman is also an in-depth treatment of Hispanic crime and its causes, immigration, racial prejudice, and police brutality - issues with which California, and the nation, still grapple today.

Three hundred trigger-happy cowhands were on a march from Texas to the cattle market at Dodge City. Suddenly a herd owner and his range boss were found murdered. Suspicions flared. Trigger fingers began itching. A first-class range war was in the making when Walt Slade, astride his big black horse Shadow, rode into the encampment.