Mark Lee Gardner

Mark Lee Gardner grew up in the small town of Breckenridge, Missouri (pop. 500), in the heart of historic Jesse James country. He has written extensively about the American West, on subjects such as the Santa Fe Trail, George Armstrong Custer, Bent's Old Fort, Geronimo, and Billy the Kid. His book on the 1876 Northfield raid by the notorious James-Younger gang, Shot All To Hell, received the Western Writers of America 2014 Spur Award for best western nonfiction historical book, the 2014 Best Book Award from the Wild West History Association, and the 2014 Milton F. Perry Award for Best Nonfiction Book. He holds a master's degree in American Studies from the University of Wyoming and a bachelor's degree in history and journalism (double major) from Northwest Missouri State University. Mark is also an award-winning performer of the historic music of the American West. His most recent CD is Outlaws: Songs of Robbers, Rustlers, and Rogues. Listen to the CD and order at www.CDBaby.com/markleegardner.In addition to his historical research and writing, Mark's passions include rare books and ephemera; historic photography; old-time, bluegrass and classic country music; and hunting, mainly calling up big toms in the spring.Mark is married with two children and lives with his family at the foot of majestic Pikes Peak.