Where is the head of Pancho Villa really buried? Did Butch Cassidy die the way mainstream history says he did? Was the real Davy Crocket a hero of historic proportions during the Battle of the Alamo or a sniveling coward? Is the Lost Dutchman Mine real or a total farce? These questions and many more will be explored in the exciting book, Stand Off at High Noon. Controversy sells. There is no doubt about it. Whether one is discussing the lives of contemporary politicians or figures from our past, the public loves to continuously debate the sincerity of these individuals and subjects. Name recognition and the enduring popularity of these historic characters is a great selling point for this volume. Most people in the general populace are familiar with the names Davy Crockett and the Donner Party (amongst the many others featured within the pages) giving this work access to a wide and varied audience. Fans and detractors of these characters alike will enjoy the entertaining narrative and opposing opinions of the authors.
Kellen Cutsforth is a professional writer and is the author of Buffalo Bill, Boozers, Brothels and Bare Knuckle Brawlers: An Englishman's Journal of Adventure in America (TwoDot Publishers, 2015). He has also published over 20 articles featured in Wild West magazine, True West magazine, Western Writers of America (WWA) Roundup magazine, and the Denver Posse of Westerners Roundup periodical. Kellen is also a member of WWA and runs their Twitter account, their Wild about the West app, and is a videographer for the organization. He is also a contributor to the Western History blog for the Denver Public Library. His blogs have been featured in "Archives Open" national online periodical. Kellen is also a veteran speaker and presenter and has done multiple presentations for numerous history groups and organizations. Kellen is also a past president of the Denver Posse of Westerners and is the social media manager for the group. Along with this experience, Kellen has an astute professional knowledge and unique ability of in-depth research and reference on numerous Old West subjects. Bill Markley is a member of Western Writers of America (WWA) and is a staff writer for WWA's Roundup magazine. He has written three nonfiction books, and writes for True West, Wild West, and South Dakota magazines. His fourth book, Deadwood Dead Men is Markley's first historical novel. Bill manages WWA's Facebook page as well as Old West and American History Facebook pages. He was a member of Toastmasters International for 20 years and is comfortable talking in front of large audiences. He earned a master's degree in Environmental Engineering from Virginia Tech, worked on two field teams in Antarctica, and worked for forty years with the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Raised on a farm near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Bill has always loved history. He reenacts Civil War infantry and frontier cavalry and has participated in the movies: "Dances With Wolves," "Son of the Morning Star", "Far and Away," "Gettysburg" and "Crazy Horse." Bill and his wife Liz live in Pierre, South Dakota, where they have raised two children, now grown.
