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W. John L. Sullivan
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Twelve Years in the Saddle for Law and Order on the Frontiers of Texas Paperback – April 13, 2018

4.1 out of 5 stars 1,240 ratings
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Life as a Texas Ranger was never easy.

But to survive twelve years confronting vicious murderers, stopping terrible crimes, and suppressing lawlessness in this frontier state was truly remarkable.



W. J. L. Sullivan was born in Mississippi ten years before the outbreak of the American Civil War. He underwent a difficult childhood and youth that certainly hardened him and taught him to uphold decency and order whenever possible.

Making his way down to Texas he became a Ranger in 1889 and would remain with the outfit through to beginning of the next century.

Through the course of his service he travelled huge distances across the vast plains of Texas, over rugged terrain, in oppressive heat and sometimes atrocious storms, always under the threat of ambush from hardened criminals, all in order to secure law and order in these tumultuous years.

Fifty-five different episodes are vividly covered in the book, from apprehending cattle rustlers, combating Indian raids, quelling civil unrest, participating in shootouts with murderers, chasing horse thieves across border lines, as well as much more.

Sullivan writes in a gritty, matter-of-fact style that takes the reader to the heart of the action. This book is essential reading for anyone interested the history of Texas, law and order and life in the Old West.

"Quiet, cool, and always sober, he stood when in the service without a peer in the State as an officer. He made some enemies, it is true, but so has every other officer who has discharged his duty as honestly and as fearlessly as he did." Amarillo Register

W. J. L. was a sergeant in the Texas Rangers in the late nineteenth century. His book was first published in 1909.
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  1. Print length
    210 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 13, 2018
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.53 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1980824428
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1980824428
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (April 13, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1980824428
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1980824428
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.53 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 1,240 ratings

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W. John L. Sullivan

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
1,240 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a wonderful read with fascinating true accounts of life in the Wild West, filled with details of Texas history. The writing style receives mixed feedback - while some find it easy to read, others say it's not very interesting or well written. Customers appreciate the book's authenticity, noting it's not embellished, and find it entertaining with lots of action.

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84 customers mention "Readability"77 positive7 negative

Customers find the book readable and entertaining, with one noting it reads like a diary.

"...or treatment of native Americans or outlaws, but it was interesting to read what it took to bring law and order to some of the most wild areas of..." Read more

"..."Twelve Years in the Saddle" was the most interesting read of the three...." Read more

"...my attention and begged me to read on it was interesting and a fun read. When and where history was in the focus’s was to me most interesting." Read more

"...While done in reporter's style, this is an interesting read." Read more

59 customers mention "Historical accuracy"59 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical accuracy of the book, describing it as a fascinating true account of life in the Wild West.

"...in it, once I started reading I was hooked and thoroughly enjoyed these personal histories. A great read of taming the west...." Read more

"Three books in one, it was a pretty long read. The books are autobiographical, written by retired 19th century Rangers...." Read more

"Quite the story from Mr Sullivan, the ending of an era and the beginning of a new one. While done in reporter's style, this is an interesting read." Read more

"...Very good reading and a true story of the Old West.-FS" Read more

31 customers mention "Information value"31 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative, providing a detailed look at the Texas Rangers and their history. One customer mentions it includes first-hand accounts of several Rangers.

"This COLLECTION of boks includes first hand accunts of several Texas Rangers of what it was like to serve in that famous organization during the..." Read more

"These books were interesting in seeing the Texas Rangers from the ranger’s perspective...." Read more

"...Interesting views that would not be politically correct. Covers a tiny bit of New Mexico, a lot of Oklahoma (Indian Territories), and of course..." Read more

"...This is an interesting read about the Rangers in Texas." Read more

28 customers mention "Interest"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining with lots of action and exciting stories, with one customer describing it as an action book of good versus evil.

"...cannot say it demanded my attention and begged me to read on it was interesting and a fun read...." Read more

"...Interesting views that would not be politically correct...." Read more

"This is an action book of good versus evil. Ultimately, right triumphs, but not without courage and sacrifice from the men involved." Read more

"...in the way he thought and spoke back in the 1800's old west, it is interesting and easy to decipher his meaning...." Read more

9 customers mention "Authenticity"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book, describing it as factual and not embellished.

"...There are very few true accounts about the life of a Texas Ranger and this is one of that few and we are lucky to have this to enjoy...." Read more

"...excellent because it appears to be more factual and containing reliable reporting. Given the topic the escapades seem braggadocio but plausible...." Read more

"Dry read but can tell the accounts are true from someone who lived the real life!..." Read more

"Best book I have read in years, makes me want more, exciting,true account s, lots of adventure, the real Texas rangers" Read more

6 customers mention "Moral character"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the moral character of the book, with reviews highlighting its honest testimony, compassionate examples, and portrayal of the rangers' hard work during challenging times.

"...I saw vivid examples of compassion, brutality, tenacity, loyalty, acceptance and dedication that were admirable and not widespread enough today." Read more

"...Sullivan was a good ranger in troubled times. Good insight into the history of Texas after the Indians were no longer the threat on the frontier." Read more

"...He exemplifies both courage and good moral character. He even talks about assessing his life and his need to give God first place in his life...." Read more

"I love this book! the real life situations of the ranger being a detective as well as an officer of the law...very great history." Read more

46 customers mention "Writing quality"26 positive20 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it easy to read and written in first person, while others describe it as roughly and not very interesting.

"...The books are autobiographical, written by retired 19th century Rangers. "Twelve Years in the Saddle" was the most interesting read of the three...." Read more

"The flow of the narrative and some of the language was difficult but what I found so interesting was the insight into frontier life just a little..." Read more

"A man of simple education and a drive for duty,strings together many incidents and actions taken...." Read more

"...I gave it 4 stars only because the writing wasn't as readable as it could have been." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Steve-Sandy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Multiple Books Included
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This COLLECTION of boks includes first hand accunts of several Texas Rangers of what it was like to serve in that famous organization during the 1800s. Although I was never particularly interested in it, once I started reading I was hooked and thoroughly enjoyed these personal histories. A great read of taming the west. I didn't always agree with the politics or treatment of native Americans or outlaws, but it was interesting to read what it took to bring law and order to some of the most wild areas of Texas by a small number of motivated men.
    One person found this helpful
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  • DD
    4.0 out of 5 stars Informational, Moderately Interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Three books in one, it was a pretty long read. The books are autobiographical, written by retired 19th century Rangers. "Twelve Years in the Saddle" was the most interesting read of the three. At the inexpensive price, you can skip over the less exciting portions of the narratives.
    Helpful
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  • Sundance
    3.0 out of 5 stars interesting part of history.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    These books were interesting in seeing the Texas Rangers from the ranger’s perspective. While I cannot say it demanded my attention and begged me to read on it was interesting and a fun read. When and where history was in the focus’s was to me most interesting.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Larry Spencer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A changing time
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Quite the story from Mr Sullivan, the ending of an era and the beginning of a new one. While done in reporter's style, this is an interesting read.
    Helpful
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  • Pandaz3
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but slow, mostly 1890 to 1901
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A man of simple education and a drive for duty,strings together many incidents and actions taken. Sometimes hopscotch and other time logical and chronological. Some manner of expression completed in the vernacular of the times . Interesting views that would not be politically correct. Covers a tiny bit of New Mexico, a lot of Oklahoma (Indian Territories), and of course all of Texas.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Peter Cullen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Men of Courage
    Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is an action book of good versus evil. Ultimately, right triumphs, but not without courage and sacrifice from the men involved.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Floyd Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars True Old West History
    Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great read.Sullivan was the real thing.Texas Rangers have always been a special breed of men and Sullivan fills that bill all the way.These men had all of the courage that was needed to do their job and this book proves that in spades.If you want to know what the life of a true Lawman was like on the frontier then I highly recommend this book.There are very few true accounts about the life of a Texas Ranger and this is one of that few and we are lucky to have this to enjoy.Very good reading and a true story of the Old West.-FS
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Jim Phipps
    4.0 out of 5 stars A History of the Frontier Companies of the Texas Rangers
    Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The series of stories needed a bit of editing but since Rangers who wrote the stories decribing their experience as Rangers. However all of these men are long gone & that isn’t possible.

    The timeframe was normally post Civil War until almost the turn of the century. The regions generally described were from mainly the Colorado River to the Rio Grande River.

    They were closer to being a paramilitary force & less as lawmen initially. That role shifted as the Indian problem subsided some.

    Their initial targets were plains Indians like Commanches and other plains Indians. They also dealt with Mexicans raiding into Texas Border Areas killing ranchers & stealing cattle. Some of the Mexicans were members of the Mexican Army gone rogue.

    They also dealt with outlaws & criminals. Most were arrested & then like now some beat the sentence with good attorneys & were released.

    As a Native Texan, I am familiar with many of the towns that they worked in. The towns are now somewhat boring smaller towns to larger cities. In the era the wrote about the plains Indians were raiding & killing people on the frontier. Many Central Texas Towns, West Texas towns, & Panhandle Towns were wide open with saloons, gambling, & prostitution. There were serious turf wars in some countries with substantial bloodshed. It took Rangers to bring the towns with a semblance of law & order.

    Like now state appropriations were an issue. Eastern Texas Legislators were not in favor of funding the Rangers with appropriations.

    In many instances the Rangers went into Mexico to apprehend criminals & gangs. Later as the Plains Indians were less of a threat, they worked on expeditions with the Mexican Army & Mexican civilian posses chasing Apaches.

    During that period they were doing more law enforcement.

    It was interesting in that Texas was a rough place well into the 1890s. By the turn of the Century the Ranger Frontier battalions we’re eliminated.

    This is an interesting read about the Rangers in Texas.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Colleen Toohey, Australia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Life of a Texas Ranger
    Reviewed in Australia on December 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    An interesting read, of a man who fought many a battle with Indians and desperadoes and brought many a bad man to Trial. The Texas Rangers helped keep the towns safe and helped the towns to grow into what they are today, in Texas.
    A good read
    Report
  • John W.
    5.0 out of 5 stars It has been written in the language of the day. Wonderful read.
    Reviewed in Canada on March 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Just received twelve years in the saddle and I love it. I spend six years in Texas around Houston and Fredericksburg, many town and landmarks I have been mentioned in this book. I did not realize at the time that I had been where many of these stories had originated .
    Report
  • Ann Thomson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book - enjoyable read -
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed reading this book. The author put something of himself into the first part - his childhood was hard to read, and I thought it must have been difficult for him to write about. At the time this book was written, people did not talk about their feelings like they do now, so there is a naivety to the writing. I think I would have enjoyed this book even more if he had written all about his own life, but he says at the beginning of the book, he did not feel his own life, in its entirety, was worth writing about - I think he was a very interesting person so his readers might disagree.

    There's lots of details and facts in the book - which again, was the style of writing at the time - to concentrate on dates and details rather than his emotions - although he does relate some incidents that were important to him personally - including an incident regarding poor and abused children, which he had strong feelings about given his own childhood.
    Report
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in Brazil on June 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    If you like western movies, you will really enjoy this book. Sullivan is a good example of bravery.
    I recommend.
    Report
  • john
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Rangers fight back.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    An entertaining quick read. It tells of how lawlessness was rife in Texas in the late eighteen hundreds but at the same time lets you know how determined the Texas Rangers were in fighting back. I got a feeling that most of the crims were jolly decent people once arrested.

    in fighting crime
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