Lucky Billy


Book Description

A myth-busting novel about America’s most infamous and beloved outlaw, Billy the Kid, from a critically acclaimed historical novelist According to legend, Billy the Kid killed twenty-one men, one for every year of his short life; stole from wealthy cattle barons to give to the po∨ and wooed just about every senorita in the American Southwest. In Lucky Billy, John Vernon digs deeply into the historical record to find a truth more remarkable than the legend, and draws a fresh, nuanced portrait of this outlaw’s dramatic and violent life. Billy the Kid met his celebrated end at the hands of Pat Garrett, his one-time carousing partner turned sheriff, who tracked Billy down after the jail break that made him famous. In Vernon’s telling, the crucial event of Billy’s life was the Lincoln County War, a conflict between a ring of Irishmen in control of Lincoln, New Mexico, and a newcomer from England, John Tunstall, who wanted to break their grip on the town. Billy signed on with Tunstall. The conflict spun out of control with Tunstall’s murder, and in a series of revenge killings, an obscure hired gunman called Kid Antrim became Billy the Kid. Besides a full complement of gunfights, jail breaks, and bawdy behavior, Lucky Billy is a provocative picture of the West at a critical juncture between old and new. It is also a portrait of an American icon made human, caught in the middle, more lost than brave, more nadve than principled, more of an accidental survivor than simply the cold-blooded killer of American myth.




Lucky Billy


Book Description

A myth-busting novel about America’s most infamous and beloved outlaw, Billy the Kid, from a critically acclaimed historical novelist According to legend, Billy the Kid killed twenty-one men, one for every year of his short life; stole from wealthy cattle barons to give to the poor; and wooed just about every senorita in the American Southwest. In Lucky Billy, John Vernon digs deeply into the historical record to find a truth more remarkable than the legend, and draws a fresh, nuanced portrait of this outlaw’s dramatic and violent life. Billy the Kid met his celebrated end at the hands of Pat Garrett, his one-time carousing partner turned sheriff, who tracked Billy down after the jail break that made him famous. In Vernon’s telling, the crucial event of Billy’s life was the Lincoln County War, a conflict between a ring of Irishmen in control of Lincoln, New Mexico, and a newcomer from England, John Tunstall, who wanted to break their grip on the town. Billy signed on with Tunstall. The conflict spun out of control with Tunstall’s murder, and in a series of revenge killings, an obscure hired gunman called Kid Antrim became Billy the Kid. Besides a full complement of gunfights, jail breaks, and bawdy behavior, Lucky Billy is a provocative picture of the West at a critical juncture between old and new. It is also a portrait of an American icon made human, caught in the middle, more lost than brave, more nadve than principled, more of an accidental survivor than simply the cold-blooded killer of American myth.







Our Family Umbrella


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Snow Ball


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Was It Luck or Destiny? The Incredible, True Story of Billy Earl Beaty


Book Description

Was It Luck or Destiny? The Incredible, True Story of Billy Earl Beaty by Billy Earl Beaty Nine broken bones, six confirmed concussions, and several close brushes with death have left Billy Earl Beaty wondering how he’s still alive. He truly believes God’s angels have protected him, and he’s kept them busy — whether from stupid things he did or stupid things done to him. Come along with Beaty as he retells the adventures of his life, including an attack from ground hornets, leaping from a speeding boat, falling thirty feet from a roof, and several scary close calls while driving. At the end of his story, you might come to believe as the author does — that God loves everyone, whether saint or sinner.




Unprotected


Book Description

From the incomparable Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner, a powerful and revealing autobiography about race, sexuality, art, and healing—now in paperback It’s easy to be yourself when who and what you are is in vogue. But growing up Black and gay in America has never been easy. Before Billy Porter was slaying red carpets and giving an iconic Emmy-winning performance in the celebrated TV show Pose; before he was the groundbreaking Tony and Grammy Award–winning star of Broadway’s Kinky Boots; and before he was an acclaimed recording artist, actor, playwright, director, and all-around legend, Porter was a young boy in Pittsburgh who was seen as different, who didn’t fit in. At five years old, Porter was sent to therapy to “fix” his effeminacy. He was endlessly bullied at school, sexually abused by his stepfather, and criticized at his church. Porter came of age in a world where simply being himself was a constant struggle. Billy Porter’s Unprotected is the life story of a singular artist and survivor in his own words. It is the story of a boy whose talent and courage opened doors for him, but only a crack. It is the story of a teenager discovering himself, learning his voice and his craft amid deep trauma. And it is the story of a young man whose unbreakable determination led him through countless hard times to where he is now; a proud icon who refuses to back down or hide. Porter is a multitalented, multifaceted treasure at the top of his game, and Unprotected is a resonant, inspirational story of trauma and healing, shot through with his singular voice.




Lucky, or What...?


Book Description

How many people have coveted their neighbour’s big premium bond win? How many have thought how lucky someone is for winning big on the National Lottery? How many, do you think, have just wished that they had more good luck in their lives? Eight people have had all these thoughts. What these eight people don’t realise is that the quicker they use up their good luck, the nearer they are to having a shed load of bad luck. What they also don’t realise is that once they have maxed out on good luck, their ultimate outlook is not what they expect… In more ways than they care to imagine! Playing an on-line game, the eight finalists don’t know that if they lose the game, they die. Something else they don’t know is that if they win the game, they die. Either way, they’re dead... Born in Sheffield in 1950, Bill is now retired and lives with Sheila, his wife of over fifty-three years. In 1966, at the age of 15½, he joined the army and enjoyed many overseas postings, with tours in Northern Ireland, France, Cyprus, Kenya, Iran, Bermuda and the USA. He culminated his Army career in 1977 as an instructor at his regiment’s depot. Since leaving the army, Bill has been a television and film extra and has been employed as a surveyor, lecturer, technical adviser to an insurer and, just prior to retirement, as a self employed health and safety consultant. Bill is a published author and is also a published music composer and arranger.




GETTIN' LUCKY


Book Description

She was really unlucky in love. So, when Lucky Myers came across a gorgeous cowboy swimming in the buff, she didn't know what to do—run or enjoy the show. And when he asked her to spend time on his ranch, she was floored! That is, until the sexy cowpoke asked her to be his nanny…. He'd be lucky…to get Lucky. How did he get in this fix? Rancher Tyler Grant had to find a nanny for his daughter before his blue-blooded ex-mother-in-law arrived. And the only one who could help him was Lucky—sassy, sexy Lucky. Tyler was willing to give the smart-mouthed tomboy a few lessons in being a lady. But in his books, she was definitely all woman….




Trial of Billy Ranhalt


Book Description

This is the story of Billy Ranhalt, who is struggling with one of the most difficult challenges one can face. He is in defense at a trial within himself as well as in society that came about in the prime of his life. He is being tried for an injury or as some would say illness that can be found in every society throughtout the world. He is guilty before his trial. His offence is almost invisible to himself as well as many others that may suffer from his offence. His injuries are almost invisible to those surrounding him, yet he sees them himself but does not want to see them. Billy Ranhalt tries to overlook the impossible but must face trial. The injury Billy suffered is one that has become more prominent to our society in the past few years with the growing number of war veterans. The character Billy Ranhalt; is a person most people have seen or may see some day within their job, their friends or among family and very well themselves. The intent of this story is to open the eyes and minds of people incurring awareness and respect to those suffering as Billy did from an incurable but not, untreatable suffering. The only cure Billy finds is not what he really wanted, which is carried out by those unwilling or failing to see his injury. The setting takes place in modern day United States, among a typical American family. It has a strong emphasis on a Gulf War veteran, yet similarites found throughout the world in various surrounding. The ending is not a good ending for Billy, his family or friends. However, an ending that foresight and forethought could have been prevented.




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