• Texas Ranger

  • The Epic Life of Frank Hamer, the Man Who Killed Bonnie and Clyde
  • By: John Boessenecker
  • Narrated by: Graham Winton
  • Length: 17 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (605 ratings)

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Texas Ranger  By  cover art

Texas Ranger

By: John Boessenecker
Narrated by: Graham Winton
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Publisher's summary

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 front lines of some of the most important and exciting periods in American history. He participated 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.

©2016 John Boessenecker (P)2016 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Texas Ranger

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definitely worth your time.

This was a very interesting narrative. I'm happy I selected it. As a history buff, I've learned well that the snippets of people's lives we are in history do not paint a full picture of their lives.

I was fascinated to learn the facts about Frank Hamer.

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Great history lesson of Texas

Wonderfully written and great story. Kept me interested through the entire book. Not one dull moment

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Detailed history

As a retired Texas peace officer, I enjoyed this book. The writer did his research well giving a lot of detail.

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I had no clue what a bada#* legend he was!

Great book! So much Texas history, social history, Wild West history, Texas Ranger history and even National political history. What an insight into America. Bonnie & Clyde were a blip in this man's life.

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Texas Ranger

Out standing true history of the man and times. and his life long battle against corruption and crime.

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Texas treasure

The book was well researched and stayed in a timeline very well. The author gave dates, times, and sources of where the facts were derived. It was also entertaining.
The narrator was poorly chosen, in my opinion. His “impersonation” of Frank Hamer was terrible. Every time he would change the pitch and tone of his voice to do it, I silently wished for a narrator with at least a southern drawl. Overall, though, it was good, factual history that any Texas history buff will surely enjoy.

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Great Texan Legend!

Fantastic read and should be required for all Texans. Did not know about many historical events in Texas. My Grand Parents lived in Sherman at the time of the lynching. Wish they were here to ask them about it.

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A must read for historians and public alike

Scrupulously researched and beautifully written: this book sets straight some of the misconceptions of history regarding the Texas Rangers and their most famous lawman. Everyone who has seen the film “Bonnie and Clyde” needs to read this book

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More History

A well written and impressive book, for me personally I could have been told more accounts of the US Marshals history.

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LISTENED TO IT TWICE - BACK TO BACK

It's just great because it's true. I thought I knew a lot about Texas history and even the rangers. The way Hamer was pretty much forgotten is a crime. It's a top notch story anyone would enjoy.

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