Book excerpt: The true life histories of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and other residents of the lawless town known as Deadwood—the inspiration for the award-winning HBO® series and film. With a cast of historically rich characters, The Real Deadwood explores the lives of Wild Bill Hickok, Al Swearengen, Seth Bullock, Calamity Jane, Sol Star, and a host of others who walked the streets of Deadwood. An historical crossroad of the American west, even Wyatt Earp came to Deadwood, only to bump heads with Sheriff Seth Bullock. Other celebrated visitors over the years include Buffalo Bill Cody, the Sundance Kid, Bat Masterson, and Teddy Roosevelt. Looking at the world of primitive medicine, prostitution, and law from lawlessness, The Real Deadwood separates the facts from the fiction in its overview of a town violent enough to rival the likes of Tombstone, Dodge City, and Abilene. This is the true story of life on the frontier—when roughing it was truly rough. It's good versus evil and civilization versus anarchy. It's the real Deadwood.