The James And The Younger Brothers

The Jameses are perhaps the most extraordinary and distinguished family in American intellectual life. Henry's novels, celebrated as among the finest in the language, and William's groundbreaking philosophical and psychological works, have won these brothers a permanent place at the center of the nation's cultural firmament. Less well known is their enigmatic younger sister, Alice. As Jean Stouse's generous, probing, and deeply imaginative biography shows, however, Alice James was a fascinating and exceptional figure in her own right.

Jesse James may be the most famous outlaw from the wild days of the Old West. He began his career during the Civil War, as part of a group of Southern-supporting guerrilla fighters in his native Missouri. After the war, James turned his hand to crime, becoming one of the leaders of the famous James-Younger Gang, along with his brother, Frank, and another set of brothers, the Youngers. These bandits became notorious for their bold robberies of banks, stagecoaches, and railroads around Missouri, but James was never taken prisoner, despite years of manhunts for him. James's legendary career ended when he was betrayed and murdered by Robert Ford, a member of his gang. As proved in Jesse James, his daring exploits are still fascinating more than a century after his death.