Book Review: Butch Cassidy, My Uncle by Bill Betenson

Hi all,

It's no surprise that I am quite interested in Butch Cassidy, The Sundance Kid and Etta Place considering that I wrote the middle-grade action/adventure novel Outlaw Heroes. I think I've read practically every research book on these historical characters that is out there. So, when a new book comes along about any of these three, I am the first one in line to read it.

Butch Cassidy, MyUncle is written by Butch's great-nephew, Bill Betenson, so this makes it even more interesting and exciting. I had read his great-grandmother's book, Butch Cassidy, My Brother and I was sure that Bill's book would be just as interesting, if not more so. I knew already who Bill was through the Western Outlaw-Lawmen Association, WOLA, (although I've never met him), so I was very excited to see he'd written a book about his famous great-uncle. I was not disappointed. Here is a description of the book and my 5-star review.

Butch Cassidy, My Uncle

Bill Betenson

Book Description:

Lots of people wish they were related to a famous person. Bill Betenson is, Butch Cassidy is his great-uncle. Bill's interest in Butch Cassidy was sparked when he was four years old and attended a private screening of the Paul Newman/Robert Redford movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with his great-grandmother, Lula Betenson, who wrote Butch Cassidy, My Brother. For over two decades Betenson has researched and studied the life and times of Butch Cassidy. Betenson utilized privileged family information and memorabilia, traveled to South America to conduct interviews and visit Butch Cassidy's ranch, and spent hours in dusty archives. Betenson offers up new information about this infamous outlaw's life and death.

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My 5-Star Review

In the late 1800s though the early 1900s, Butch Cassidy and his band of outlaws rode wild and free across the western plains putting fear in railroad and bank owners while leaving people in awe of their daring, well-planned exploits. Then, at the height of his popularity, Butch and his friends Sundance and Etta left the U.S. and headed down to South America where many have only been able to speculate their eventual fate. In Butch Cassidy, My Uncle, author Bill Betenson, Butch's great-nephew, attempts to set the record straight on the many myths and stories surrounding his famous relative.

Butch Cassidy, My Uncle is filled with interesting information about the elusive outlaw. Between his meticulous research and inside family knowledge, Betenson shares new details and thoughts about this historical character. As someone who has read extensively on these outlaws, I was impressed by Betenson's research and attention to detail in this book. This is definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys reading about the old west and outlaws.

Other books you may find interesting on this topic include:

Butch Cassidy, My Brother  

Sundance, My Uncle by Donna B. Ernst

The Sundance Kid: The Life of  Harry Alonzo Longabaugh by Donna B. Ernst

Etta Place:Her Live and Times with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid by Gail Drago

I would suggest, however, finding them at used book stores instead of paying the outrageous prices Amazon has placed on them.

Cheers,

Deanna