Leon Claire Metz, a highly regarded historian, does more than just list names; he provides a cohesive look at the lives of over 500 men and women who shaped the American frontier.
: Readers from Amazon praise the book for being a "good primer" that avoids becoming too "murky and obtuse". The writing is noted for being plain and smooth, allowing you to fly through dense historical information easily. The Encyclopedia of Lawmen, Outlaws, and Gunfig...
Readers generally find it to be an "indispensable" part of a Western historian’s library, though some note that certain entries could benefit from even stronger sourcing. Leon Claire Metz, a highly regarded historian, does