Few western American have been more often written about than William F. Cody, the Buffalo Bill of history, the dime novel, and popular lore.

There are several important aspects of this biography. The whole career of the plainsman is presented - it is the only biography, in fact, that contains any major assault on the army records dealing with Cody's scouting career - and it relates with skill and insight the truths behind the legends exploited in contemporary dime novels, the stage, and the Wild West show.