Just got done with this book and it was very interesting. Not a Western by a long shot (Sullivan did tour the west but most of his career was in the East and Europe) but a good look at Victorian times from a common mans perspective instead of the usual "rich" vantage point. Bat Masterson crossed his path several times (but Bat bet on the wrong guy usually!)
I didn't realize that during most of his career he was fighting illegally and was subject to jail and arrest. He was a drunk and a lout, but America loved him! Made over a million dollars and spent all of it on living high! That would probably be like going through 25 million in todays dollars. He was really the first sports superstar. How many other 19th century boxers (or athletes of any kind) can you name off the top of your head??
Anyway, it was a piece of history I hadn't read up about much and filled in a bit more of my knowledge of the 19th century.