Alias Billy the Kid: A Timeline of the Life of America's Most Famous Outlaw

"William H. Bonney, Alias Billy the Kid: A Timeline of the Life of America's Most Famous Outlaw" is not a historical narrative; it is a journey into the enigmatic world of a legendary figure, a quest filled with more questions than answers. Born out of a deep-rooted fascination that began with iconic 1980s films like "Young Guns" and "Gore Vidal's Billy the Kid, " this book represents a relentless pursuit of the truth behind one of the Wild West's most enigmatic figures.
The book unfolds as a personal odyssey of discovery, driven by the author's enduring obsession with the life of Billy the Kid. From the immersive experience of traveling through New Mexico's landscapes that cradled Billy's life and legend, to standing in the very places where history was made, every part is a testament to the quest for understanding a figure shrouded in myth. This exploration delves into the many mysteries and unanswered questions that surround Billy the Kid.
Many of these remain unanswered as there is really no way to know what the actual truth is. Was his birthplace Utica or New York City? Most people think New York, but there are those historians that think Utica makes much more sense. How young was he really during the Lincoln County War? Some say he was born in 1859, other say 1861. Could he really have been as young as 15 or 16 during the Lincoln County War? What are the true origins of his father and the name 'Bonney'? Was it a rich guy or Patrick McCarty? And crucially, how many men did he actually kill? Was it the 21 or 5? Who can really know where the bullets of his gun reached during the many shootouts.
Each question leads down a rabbit hole of historical inquiry, revealing not just scarce facts but often more uncertainties.