Russell writes vivid historical fiction and it is as fun to inhabit her 19th century Dodge City as her WWII-era Italy. Wish they had kept the title "Eight to five, against"!

For dad, and maybe Clay

Lost interest halfway in. Just moved too slowly.

Cleveland's own Mary Doria Russell turns again to historical fiction in her best book ince "The Sparrow." This new book, a story of John Henry "Doc" Holliday, is meticulously researched, from Doc's childhood in Atlanta to his life in Dodge with the cultured and erudite prostitute Kate--who continued her vocation while she lived with Doc--and his friendship with Wyatt Earp and his rothers. The famous gunfight is only a footnote here, the spotlight instead centered on Doc's life during his tragic battle with tuberculosis and the whiskey that kept his cough and pain at bay. Doc is much more than the myth, being a concerned and able dentist, an accomplished pianist, a generous and loyal friend, and a cultured southern gentleman. Russell provides an afterword explaining what is fact (lots,) what is fiction (not much) and the author's resources, including memoir-like writings of Kate nee Maria Katarina Harony.

Historical fiction-well written and interesting, but not as good as her other books

Your imagination is the canvas, and Russell is the painter. It is only at the end, that she draws aside the curtain, and shows you what she has created in you.

Great read! Mary Doria Russell, a superb writer, has created a masterful portrait not only of Doc Holliday and others but sets her characters in a fully-drawn Dodge city of 1878, complete with cowboys, politicians, lawmen, prostitutes and businessmen. The story and characters are not soon forgotten.

A novel created around the character of Doc Holliday. This was a really good read that would appeal to anyone who likes westerns, historical fiction or American folklore.