Rating: 
Summary: An Outstanding Work of the History of Doc Holliday
Review: A true work of any historical person requires a lot of research.Karen Holliday Tanner not only uncovers a lot of research that disproves the "Fairy Tale" of Stuart Lake but uncovers facts unknown till now.Doc was a Southern Gentleman.How a person is raised,their family life,religious beliefs,whether they have a higher education background are factors that shape a man.
Thus it is appropiate this is titled "A Family Portrait".Ms Tanner explains in detail how all these factors and the life he had to live due to TB evolved into the person he had to become----not the life of Dentistry he wanted.Of course Doc was his own worst enemy towards the recovery of his TB.
Anyone who reads this and does not see a throughly researched book (such as reviewer Mr Warren----who must be clueless to excellent writing or beholding to Stuart Lake)has missed out on the closest to the truth as we can get on Doc Holliday.
If reviewers like Mr Warren can do better than a relative of Doc's then write the book and prove it.
Rating: 
Summary: A gifted story for history, biography, and genealogy buffs.
Review: American history brought to life with caring concern for the truth, Doc Holliday is seen as a human being not as an icon of the Wild West. Reads like a story but stands up well next to any academic effort; this book is full of source material gathered from John Henry Holliday's relatives by an afficionado of western lore and also a cousin of his. Our public library featured Tanner as author of the month of April and Tanner's writing style is similar to her speaking style--sprinkled with wry wit and based on fearless candor. She tells it like it was.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what it could've been
Review: Even today people want to cling to the notion that J.H. "Doc" Holliday was a famous, notorious gunfighter despite the myths not being proven or sources listed. Although Tanner spends most of her book telling readers the history of the well-to-do Holliday family of Georgia, she pieces together the life of Doc Holliday as best as possible with the documentation available, including presenting new information, if not evidence, of what may have actually taken place (such as the killing of Old Man Clanton and Johnny Ringo).Back in the 1800s stories were often-times embellished, especially in "the wild west" to placate people or to seek revenge. Additionally, this mis-information spread like wild fire throughout the country (much as it still does today); people love gossip and thrive on rumor (even "Wild Bill" Hickok was not the notorious gunfighter people made him out to be). Virtually every town in the West in the 1800s had at least one newspaper that told of the events occuring on a weekly, if not daily basis. Additionally, even back then, legal documents were filed, such as marriages, property ownership, court procedings, etc., all of which provide and, more importantly, can substantiate claims of events having taken place. Tanner clearly scoured these documents to prove, if not disprove, what Doc did or did not do during his time in the West as his family was left in the dark as to what he was up to, aside from infrequent written correspondence to his cousins. Unless we can go back in time we never know what REALLY happened, whether it be that Doc killed 15 people before arriving in Tombstone or . After reading the comments of several other reviewers who were disappointed with Tanner's book, they clearly did not read that the title is "...A Family Portrait." Tanner's book is just that: a family portrait of a man who became a western icon and legend; a man who grew up in a southern, aristocratic family that felt shame upon hearing of their beloved John Henry's western exploits (as would have been the case in ANY wealthy family) and thereby never spoke of his name. In that respect, the one disappointment in Tanner's work is the fact that a few famous tales were left out. Shedding light on Doc's true relationship with his cousin Mattie (what made her become a nun?) and those famous last words of his (if Kate was really with Doc when he died, did he really say, "This is funny"? which Kate claims is not what he said). All in all, a great read for Doc afficionados.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, the truth is uncovered!!
Review: First off I would start by saying I am a Doc Holliday fanatic.
Mrs. Tanner has uncovered legal police, and court documents never seen before to create the truth behind the legend and the man. If you are on the side of the fense that believes Doc Holliday was a cold blooded, savage killer this book in not for you. However, if you are setting out to discover the TRUTH about him, this will be your first and only stop.
In truth, Doc was nothing more than a southern gentleman, who set out on his own, and never first seeked violence. However, if he was backed into a corner, yes, he would shoot first, as would anyone else. I hope more people can read this and dismiss all the fabrication, and fiction produced about this man for the last 120 plus years. May the TRUTH behind the legacy, and the man live forever!!
-Brian
Rating:
Summary: Doc Holliday - A Family Portrait
Review: I was hoping to get some interesting insight into Doc Holliday by one of his ancestors and this book does provide information on his early life that you don't usually find. However, there was a little too much information about his family - parents, uncles, aunts - that I personally did not care about. There is also a section of Doc Holliday's genealogy that I felt could have been left out, although actually there was a tidbit of information there that was useful to me. I didn't feel that there was much detail brought in to certain events, but then, there are other books that provide practically second by second coverage of the Tombstone gunfight. His death was not written in detail and his famous last words were left out of the book. That said, I would still recommend this book to someone wanting to know more about the life of Doc Holliday away from Tombstone. It is also an easy, to the point read.
Rating:
Summary: Review of "Doc Holliday: A Family Portrait"
Review: I was very impressed with Ms. Tanner's work on Doc. Most people
think of Doc as being an assasin but this simply was not the case. Doc obtained his manners in Georgia, as well as his card
playing ability, and unfortunately TB. Doc was a brilliant man
who proved himself in the world of Dentistry. Ms. Tanner uses
a lot of information only she was privy to convey the transition
of this unusual man from being a Georgia Doctor to becoming a
"sporting man." Yes, Doc did kill some people. The times were
much harsher back then. If you gambled, you better have a six
gun on standby and be ready to use it if a crooked player crawfished a bet and tried to throw down on you. In my view,
Ms. Tanner also conveyed one of the most outstanding characteristics about Doc...his loyalty. He proved this time and time again with the Earps. I loved Ms. Tanner's book, and if Doc
were still alive, he would be welcome around my campfire anytime.
Rating:
Summary: Not what it could've been
Review: I would have preferred that if the author was wanting to refute some of legendary happenings attached to J.H. "Doc" Holliday that she would have done so to each instance. Instead she ignored many circumstances completely. What was in reality only a 233 page effort with 100+ pages of geneology, bibliography and contents could have been with more research and work easily a 450+ page novel.
What is written is well written and is an easy read. "A Family Portrait" is for the most part exactly that. I bought the book for a greater understanding of the character and that I received. I put the book down believing that although many of the acts attributed to Doc Holliday through legend and Hollywood may be false this version of his life does the complete opposite by not going far enough.
I do have what I believe a greater understanding of the man but by far not the complete picture. I'll just have to keep reading.
Rating: 
Summary: very disappointing
Review: it was clear from the beginning of the author's agenda. since she is family she definitely wanted to sanatize his reputation and deeds. she never really got into any of the details of his frontier life and the men he allegedly killed. she spent way too much time about his family and not enough about him in the west.
Rating:
Summary: Have you ever wondered about Doc Holliday?
Review: The first time I watched the movie Tombstone, I was heartbroken that it chose to focus on the Earp family, rather than Doc Holliday who seemed SO much more interesting! After the movie, I realized that I knew very little about this man other than his nickname. I started to search for factual information about "Doc" Holliday, and not much is available. This is a FANTASTIC book. Forget your romantic notions about the gunslinger, and be prepared to meet the real man who is much more fascinating and WORTHY OF ADMIRATION than you would have believed previously. The greatest weakness of this book is also it's greatest strength since the book is authored by a Holliday cousin. She has access to a wealth of information and photos that the publisher claims has never been available before its 1999 printing of this book. However, when it comes to certain scandals, you can easily see how she chooses to represent history in a favorable light. Probably best read in conjunction with other first hand but less biased sources. Definately worth owning. A very easy read. Would make a great gift to interest a teenager in reading or in history.
Rating:
Summary: If your only gonna read ONE!!!
Review: Then this is THE Doc Holliday Book. Mrs. Tanner has done an excellent job of painting a true and realistic historically correct "diary" of his life and times. Some of the family input lends much provenance. My hat off to Mrs. Tanner/Holliday Respectfully, David W.
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