This book has instant appeal from its rough-riding illustrations facing down the barrel of a gun to its main character with melting eyes, a big hat, and a catchy name: Bass Reeves. Although a really good Western is timeless, it must have something different. The Quick and the Dead is one of my favorites, and one sheriff character in the film looks a lot like Reeves. It is easy to get caught up in the romance of this man’s life and existence. The book also points out that the blackness of his skin allowed him to mingle with the Native Americans in a way that a white Marshall could not. Implicit in this statement is the characterization of a man who turns what others perceive to be his weakness into one of his greatest strengths.

One of my favorite portions of this book was when Reeves saved the man from the lynch mob. The author, Vaundu Micheaux Nelson, wrote: “He was respected, and he was hated”. This simple quote says a mouth-full. First, it relates that effort is not always successful or rewarded. This idea of being intrinsically motivated to do something out of a sense of personal pride makes this biography mythological in that it presents several guiding mores for everyday life. Second, it describes the racism of the time without being overbearing and accusatory; it does not drag down the action of the story but blends in as an essential part. Once again, I was struck by how well the illustration set the mood for the page, which was somewhat forlorn. Because the illustrations evoke feelings and are still somewhat cryptic, they present an irresistible use of the before strategies, and I have no doubt that students will be entranced during and after the reading as well. For after, it would be interesting to see which sentence students pick to represent the entire book. I would pick this one, but there are other viable possibilities. Anyway, it would provide some interesting critical thinking and discussion.