‘Ol G.R. grew up in the rough Texas brasada of the infamous “Nueces Strip” where he soaked up the stories told by old vaqueros around campfires. After years of historical research he has authored books and articles that cover the people and events that truly transformed the era into the Wild West.
His new book, The Texas Pistoleers: Ben Thompson & King Fisher, accurately tells the true and deadly story of these two gunfighters. Known as the most feared gunmen of their day their exploits have largely been forgotten - until now.
Currently he is putting the final touches on a non-fiction book entitled, Frontier Gambling: The Games, The Gamblers & The Great Gambling Halls of the Old West.
Williamson’s western screenplays have won several writing awards but as he has found out – the chance of getting a good western movie produced ranks right in there with drawing to an inside straight.
Click on one of the side buttons to explore his works and the true tales of the American Frontier.
1880s: How the West really was back then
G.W. Williamson peels back the pulp-fiction
veneer of the old West for a gritty look at the life
and times of Ben Thompson and John King Fisher,
two of the most infamous Texas gunfighters in
history. Throw Bat Masterson and Wild Bill Hickok
in the mix and you have a riveting read about the
authentic West of the late 1800s. Punctuated by
such firsthanddescriptions as Libbie Custer's, wife
of the General Custer, of Hickok,"Physically, he was
a delight to look upon," and other eyewitness
accounts from the 1880s, The Texas Pistoleers is
a treat for the reader. The narrative is so realistic
you want to shake the dust off at the endof each
chapter, and you feel as though you can smell the
gunpowder.
5.0 out of 5 stars September 30, 2009 Mayo Quin "Writer/reader"
Texas Pistoleers-WOW!
Terrific book. The Texas Pistoleers is a fun read - factual but very well told. The writer did a bang up good job of thoroughly researching the lives of these almost forgotten Texas folk heroes. He paints a vivid picture of the English born gunfighter, Ben Thompson and the outlaw-lawman, King Fisher. The book is loaded with photographs depicting events that eventually led to their ambush at the Vaudeville Theater in San Antonio. One in particular is a rare picture of King Fisher and his wife Sarah at the time of their marriage which shows the pearl handle of one of his Colt pistols. I could heartily recommend this book to any fan of the American West. I sure hope there are more books coming from this expert storyteller.
5.0 out of 5 stars July 19, 2009 C. F. Smith
The Texas Pistoleers
I have read quite a few books on notable figures of Texas History and the Old West, and I have to say this was one of the most well written books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It never seemed to get bogged down with too many minute details so it genuinely kept my interest to the last page. I felt that the author really had a connection and love for the history of Ben Thompson and King Fisher that shows in his writing. It was a great book and well worth reading. The author is supposed to be writing a book on frontier gambling soon and I'm in for a copy of that also when it comes out!!! Great book! Go Buy one and you'll enjoy it also!
5.0 out of 5 stars July 12, 2009 J. Dove
The Real Wild West
This is a well-written and entertaining book about real gun fighters of the old West. The book focuses on the lives of two such gun fighters, Ben Thompson and King Fisher, ending with their confrontation in a San Antonio saloon in 1884. Williamson's writing brings out his extensive knowledge, and the great story-telling is enhanced by an expansive bibliography, helpful appendices, and plenty of vintage photographs. There is obviously a lot of careful, professional research in this book - not something you'll learn by just browsing the web. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the real history of the old West.
5.0 out of 5 stars June 30, 2009 Julie Ann