History of the Chisum War or Life of Ike Fridge (Illustrated Edition)

This book is the telling of the "Chisum [sic] War" by Ike Fridge to author Jodie D. Smith. Fridge worked as a cowpuncher for John Chisum during this "War." The events relayed in the book seem borne out by another book written about this period in history -- "The Lincoln County War."

This book has all the elements of a good western -- fights between American Indians and cowboys, and Mexican and American cowboys, stolen cattle and cattle drives. It includes a version of Billie [sic] the Kid's death, which Fridge may have witnessed.

It's a short book. Although it has 27 chapters, a printed version would be about 82 pages. It is, nonetheless, worth reading as it provides a first-person account of an important point in history of the U.S.

This edition of the book contains the 10 original illustrations, rejuvenated. Except for the frontpiece, a full-page photograph of Ike Fridge, and the endpiece, an image of a cowboy riding a bucking broncho, the rest are small end-of-chapter illustrations which are more like present clip-art than paintings. In addition, this edition contains 10 additional place-, time-, and subject-relevant iconic illustrations of cattle drives and cowboys that are unique to this edition of the book.