Join us for a special afternoon with author and historian Michael Wallis, his new book "Belle Starr: The Truth Behind the Wild West Legend," and a Q&A screening of the classic western "The Long Riders." The film tracks the ultimate fate of the Jesse James gang, featuring Belle Starr played by Pamela Reed.

The event will begin at 3pm in the lobby with Michael Wallis signing copies of the book available to purchase on-site from Magic City Books. At 4pm, guests will move into the theater for "The Long Riders" with an introduction by Michael about the legends and fictions of Belle Starr and how his book sets the record straight. After the screening, Michael will be joined by Ken Busby, Executive Director and CEO of the Route 66 Alliance, for a Q&A session about the film and book. Following the Q&A, Michael will continue signing and selling books in the lobby.

All are welcome to attend the book signing and purchase a copy. A ticket is required to attend the film screening portion, on sale now for $11 members and $13 non-members.

About "Belle Starr: The Truth Behind the Wild West Legend:" Belle Starr developed a reputation as a scandalous outlaw in the Wild West. Wallis (The Best Land under Heaven, 2017) argues that much of Starr’s reputation was unearned and debunks myths about her life. Starr grew up as a spirited child in Missouri and was a teenager during the Civil War, in which Missourians engaged in bloody guerrilla warfare. After the war ended, her family home became a haven for infamous Wild West bandits, which continued throughout her life. Wallis also relates life events and crimes of the significant men in Starr’s life, including her many husbands, and how relations with them further tarnished her reputation. Although Starr aided and abetted unsavory characters, Wallis makes the case that she was likely innocent of many—but not all—of the crimes of which she was accused. Finally, Wallis evaluates the likely suspects in Starr’s murder and reveals the fate of her remaining relatives and her homestead.

About Michael Wallis: It has been said, “Reading a Michael Wallis book is like dancing to a romantic ballad. He offers his hand and gently guides you across the floor, swaying to the song of the American West.” A best-selling author and award-winning reporter, Michael is a historian and biographer of the American West who also has gained international notoriety as a speaker and voice talent. In 2006 Michael’s distinctive voice was heard in "Cars," an animated feature film from Pixar Studios. A storyteller who likes nothing better than transporting audiences across time and space, Michael has published nineteen books, including "Route 66: The Mother Road," the book credited with sparking the resurgence of interest in the highway. Michael’s 20th book, the biography of Belle Starr, was published in June. Michael has been nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize and was also a nominee for the National Book Award. In 2016 he received an Emmy Award for his work in the documentary film, "Boomtown. "

About "The Long Riders:" 1h40min - Rated R. During a bank robbery by the legendary James-Younger Gang, Ed Miller (Dennis Quaid) impulsively kills a man, much to the displeasure of leader Jesse James (James Keach), who insists that the gang scatter until the heat is off. The groups of brothers go their separate ways, with Cole Younger (David Carradine) considering settling down with his feisty girlfriend, Belle Starr (Pamela Reed). But they soon regroup for an ill-fated bank job in Northfield, Minn., that results in an epic chase.

Wallis, the nationally known author born in Missouri who lives now in Tulsa, has just released his latest book on Oklahoma outlaw legend Belle Starr, will speak and sign books at the Oklahoma History Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and then at Best of Books in Edmond 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2.

The new book will be for sale at the book signings as long as supplies hold out. Area bookstores have copies available. Admission is free at the book signings.

Wallis, the nationally known author born in Missouri who lives now in Tulsa, has just released his latest book on Oklahoma outlaw legend Belle Starr, will speak and sign books at the Oklahoma History Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and then at Best of Books in Edmond 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2.

The new book will be for sale at the book signings as long as supplies hold out. Area bookstores have copies available. Admission is free at the book signings.

Join us in-store to meet Michael Wallis, where he will be signing copies of his new book Belle Starr--The Truth Behind the Wildwest Legend. 

Joplin Historical Society is hosting a night featuring Pulitzer Prize nominee and author, Michael Wallis. The event will include a program and book signing for the author's new book, Belle Starr: The Truth Behind the Wild West Legend.

Friday, July 18, Carthage

   6:00-7:30  The Old Time Reunion Event Center

          Livery Draught House at Red Oak II, 12275 Kafir Road, Carthage

Wallis’s new book offers a fresh, rigorously researched perspective on the real woman behind the legend, challenging long-standing myths and vividly bringing history to life. His program will provide guests with an engaging look at the blurred lines between myth and fact and the powerful stories that lie in between.

In the annals of legendary Wild West desperadoes, Belle Starr is remembered to this day as the Bandit Queen. Shortly after her murder in 1889, a highly romanticized, sensational book titled Bella Starr ... The Bandit Queen, or the Female Jesse James, was published—the first in a series of high-profile portraits to brand Starr as a villain.

Celebrated author Michael Wallis parses over a century of mythmaking to reveal the woman behind the renegade legend. Of Belle Starr, he states, “Her life was so wrapped up in lies and innuendo that I wanted to unwind it and find the true story. She’s portrayed either as a wild gang leader or as a groupie to outlaws like Jesse James. She was neither. She, in truth, was a strong, independent woman. And that was hard to be in the post-Civil War South.”

Starr’s time living in the Carthage and Joplin area is detailed in the book.

Michael Wallis is known for authoring 20 books, including “Route 66: The Mother Road,” which earned a Pulitzer Prize nomination. His work has explored figures like Billy the Kid, Davy Crockett, Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, and the Donner Party. As with those books, Belle Starr began with months of research, a draft sent to his agent, and further refining once it was greenlit for publication.

This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.

The Joplin Historical Society will have books for purchase for $28.

Joplin Historical Society is hosting an exclusive night featuring Pulitzer Prize nominee and author, Michael Wallis. The event will include a program and book signing for the author's new book, Belle Starr: The Truth Behind the Wild West Legend.

  Thursday, July 17, Joplin

   6:00-7:30  Joplin History and Mineral Museum, 504 S. Schifferdecker Avenue, Joplin

Wallis’s new book offers a fresh, rigorously researched perspective on the real woman behind the legend, challenging long-standing myths and vividly bringing history to life. His program will provide guests with an engaging look at the blurred lines between myth and fact and the powerful stories that lie in between.

In the annals of legendary Wild West desperadoes, Belle Starr is remembered to this day as the Bandit Queen. Shortly after her murder in 1889, a highly romanticized, sensational book titled Bella Starr ... The Bandit Queen, or the Female Jesse James, was published—the first in a series of high-profile portraits to brand Starr as a villain.

Celebrated author Michael Wallis parses over a century of mythmaking to reveal the woman behind the renegade legend. Of Belle Starr, he states, “Her life was so wrapped up in lies and innuendo that I wanted to unwind it and find the true story. She’s portrayed either as a wild gang leader or as a groupie to outlaws like Jesse James. She was neither. She, in truth, was a strong, independent woman. And that was hard to be in the post-Civil War South.”

Starr’s time living in the Carthage and Joplin area is detailed in the book.

Michael Wallis is known for authoring 20 books, including “Route 66: The Mother Road,” which earned a Pulitzer Prize nomination. His work has explored figures like Billy the Kid, Davy Crockett, Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, and the Donner Party. As with those books, Belle Starr began with months of research, a draft sent to his agent, and further refining once it was greenlit for publication.

This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.

The Joplin Historical Society will have books for purchase for $28.

Join the Fort Smith Museum of History as we welcome Pulitzer Price nominee and author Michael Wallis in conjunction with the premier of FSMH newest exhibition featuring artifacts from the legendary Belle Starr and her descendants.

Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 1:00 PM.

Mr. Wallis will join us for a special program and book-signing in honor of his latest release, Belle Starr: The Truth Beind the Wild West Legend. Wallis’ new work offers a fresh, deeply researched perspective on one of the most mythologized women of the American West.

Get your tickets at fortsmithmuseum.org. It’s free, but seating is limited!

In this definitive biography of the most infamous female outlaw of the nineteenth century, best-selling historian Michael Wallis challenges a notorious legacy.

Details to come…