Cowboys and Outlaws

The Golden Era of the American cowboy was a powder keg of history — a period of conquest, war, and money. In these brief but tumultuous years following the Civil War, men and women endured astonishing hardship and danger, from battles with Indians and outlaws to nature’s own brutalities. Yet for a few extraordinary individuals, it was a time of incredible opportunity. Cowboys drove millions of steers from Texas along cattle trails to northern railroad heads. Their daring but solitary journeys established cowboys as heroes whose strength and character made them the ultimate icons of their time. But the hazardous frontier, where the law often amounted to little more than a man with a badge and a posse, also bred some of America’s most infamous outlaws, whose reputations still inspire awe. Discover the legendary qualities of these amazing men in this visually stunning series from HISTORY. Combining dramatic reenactments of some of the era’s most revealing moments with forensic evidence and surprising new documentary twists, Cowboys and Outlaws unveils the true tales and characters of the American West.