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The Sharpshooter and the Showman
Step into the exhilarating world of Wild West entertainment with The Sharpshooter and the Showman, a riveting new book that explores the remarkable lives of May Manning Lillie and Gordon “Pawnee Bill” Lillie. As trailblazers in the world of Wild West shows, the Lillies built a spectacle that rivaled even Buffalo Bill Cody’s legendary performances, captivating audiences across the United States and Europe.
From May’s transformation from a Philadelphia Quaker to a fearless sharpshooter to Gordon’s deep connection with the Pawnee people, their story is one of ambition, resilience, and innovation. The Sharpshooter and the Showman reveals the struggles and triumphs of their show business empire, their commitment to fair treatment of performers, and their lasting impact on Western heritage.
The era of Wild West Shows revealed America at its most enterprising. Join Pawnee Bill and May Manning Lillie as they embark on a wild, sometimes tragic, but often joyful ride together. Theirs was a love story that rose to every challenge and seized every opportunity that came their way. They made headlines in newspapers, won fans among European royalty, and captured the heart of Americans from New England to California. This is their remarkable—and true—story.
The Sharpshooter and the Showman: May Lillie, Pawnee Bill, and Their Wild West Show written by New York Times bestselling author Chris Enss who has earned numerous awards including nine Will Rogers Medallions, two Laura Downing Journalism award, and the Willa Cather Award from Women Writing the West.
“After reading The Sharpshooter and the Showman: May Lillie, Pawnee Bill, and their Wild West Show, I regret not being able to see Pawnee Bill and May Lillie leading the Wild West Show into the arena. What a great book! I was captivated by the Lillie’s story, a true partnership in every sense of the word.”
– Michael D. Williams, director of the Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library
“Without a shade of exaggeration, this Wild West ride of Pawnee Bill and May Lillie gave me goosebumps! I was hooked just reading the introduction.”
– Lynn Eldridge, award-winning romance author of Hearts and Mountains
“Pawnee Bill and his sharpshooting wife, May Lillie, brought the wonder of different cultures, including the Wild West, to the USA and Europe. Their long marriage was a miracle of understanding, deep love, and support that allowed them to reach their dreams and keep creating new ones. Go on the adventure with them as they overcome tragedy, and build extraordinary bonds, from their ranch in Oklahoma to European royalty. Enjoy this fun and inspired read!”
– Meredith Blevins, eight-time Magellan gold, award-winning travel writer, award-winning author of The Hummingbird Wizard
“In The Sharpshooter and the Showman, Author Chris Enss shows how May Lillie and Pawnee Bill not only recreated the Wild West but also lived it to the fullest. A powerful and enthralling dual biography written by a masterful historian and writer.”
– Preston Lewis and Harriet Kocher Lewis, award-winning authors of Pintsized Pioneers: Taming the Frontier, One Chore at a Time
The Sharpshooter and the Showman: May Lillie, Pawnee Bill, and their Wild West Show is available at local retailers, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and from Farcountry Press at farcountrypress.com.
