A factfilled if flatly executed attempt to uncover the truth behind anAmerican legend by Kansas City Star reporter Kasper. Relying largely onOakleys own scrapbo... » 

A factfilled if flatly executed attempt to uncover the truth behind anAmerican legend by Kansas City Star reporter Kasper. Relying largely onOakleys own scrapbooks Kasper reveals a complex character far removed fromthe rough Western tomboy mythologized in popular lore. Born Phoebe Ann Moses toa Quaker farming family in Ohio Oakley 18601926 discovered her lifelongpassion and extraordinary talent at age eight after sneaking off with herfathers hunting rifle. When she was 20 local farmers pitted her againstcircus sharpshooter Frank Butler in an impromptu contest. Winning both thematch and her rivals heart Oakley who married Butler soon gained a careerwhen she stepped in for her new husbands ailing partner. In 1886 with Butlernow serving as devoted manager and assistant Oakley joined Buffalo Bills WildWest show. Petite and slender clad in a prettily embroidered skirt and blowingkisses the prim star used humor pantomime and drama along withastounding shooting prowess to captivate audiences in America and Europe for17 years finally retiring with dignity and selfmade fortune intact. Kasperpointedly emphasizes the paradox informing both Oakleys appeal and her placeas a symbol of the liberated woman. Conservative and proper she was appalledby bloomers and uncertain about womens suffrage but at the same time shewas a feminist despite herself constantly proving the truth of her statementthat women could equal men in anything outside of heavy manual labor.Despite firstrate research though Kasper fails for the most part to go pastquotes and chronology to the deeper historical and personal analysis necessaryto animate Oakley and her world. The result is an admirable but unsatisfyingsketch. A bit wide of the mark but with a worthy enough target to warrantreaders giving it a shot. Kirkus Reviews «