Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Step into the real American West with two of the nation’s most respected historians—Dr. Paul Hutton and Peter Cozzens—as they join Tim White at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.
In this fascinating conversation, they unravel the truth behind the myths that shaped America’s frontier, from Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok to Calamity Jane, Davy Crockett, and Daniel Boone.
Discover how the “New Western History” movement reshaped our understanding of the West, why Deadwood became a symbol of lawless opportunity, and how the American dream took root across the frontier.
✨ Featuring insights from:
• Dr. Paul Hutton, author of The Undiscovered Country
• Peter Cozzens, author of Deadwood
Hosted by Tim White
📚 Topics explored:
• Myth vs. reality in the Old West
• Native American history and representation
• The cultural legacy of Buffalo Bill
• How greed, hope, and reinvention built a nation
🕰️ Timestamps
0:00 Introduction — The New Western History
1:00 Meet the Guests: Dr. Paul Hutton & Peter Cozzens
2:45 When Does the American West Begin?
4:30 Inside the Lawless Town of Deadwood
6:00 Native American Perspectives and the Cost of Expansion
8:00 Separating Western Myth from Fact
10:30 The Role of Greed and the Pursuit of the American Dream
13:00 Legendary Figures: Boone, Crockett & Cody
15:00 Calamity Jane and the Birth of a Legend
17:00 Forgotten Figures: John C. Frémont & Mangas Coloradas
19:00 How Disease and Fire Shaped Deadwood’s Fate
21:00 Buffalo Bill Cody: The Man Behind the Myth
23:00 When Art and History Collide in the Wild West
25:00 Reflections on Writing and the Legacy of the West
26:05 Closing Remarks
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With Wyoming PBS content you can delve into Wyoming history, explore the breathtaking beauty of our iconic national parks, and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of Native American leaders, ranching life, the wonders of nature, and the many things to do in Wyoming. Whether you're seeking inspiring narratives or planning your next adventure in our beautiful state, WY PBS is your trusted guide.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/wyomingpbs
Subscribe to our email newsletter: wyomingpbs.org/newsletter-signup-form
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/WyomingPBS
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wyoming-pbs
#americanwest #buffalobill #deadwood #pbs #historydocumentary #westernhistory #wyomingpbs #historyenthusiasts #wildwest #CalamityJane #frontierhistory
Step into the real American West with two of the nation’s most respected historians—Dr. Paul Hutton and Peter Cozzens—as they join Tim White at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.
In this fascinating conversation, they unravel the truth behind the myths that shaped America’s frontier, from Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok to Calamity Jane, Davy Crockett, and Daniel Boone.
Discover how the “New Western History” movement reshaped our understanding of the West, why Deadwood became a symbol of lawless opportunity, and how the American dream took root across the frontier.
✨ Featuring insights from:
• Dr. Paul Hutton, author of The Undiscovered Country
• Peter Cozzens, author of Deadwood
Hosted by Tim White
📚 Topics explored:
• Myth vs. reality in the Old West
• Native American history and representation
• The cultural legacy of Buffalo Bill
• How greed, hope, and reinvention built a nation
🕰️ Timestamps
0:00 Introduction — The New Western History
1:00 Meet the Guests: Dr. Paul Hutton & Peter Cozzens
2:45 When Does the American West Begin?
4:30 Inside the Lawless Town of Deadwood
6:00 Native American Perspectives and the Cost of Expansion
8:00 Separating Western Myth from Fact
10:30 The Role of Greed and the Pursuit of the American Dream
13:00 Legendary Figures: Boone, Crockett & Cody
15:00 Calamity Jane and the Birth of a Legend
17:00 Forgotten Figures: John C. Frémont & Mangas Coloradas
19:00 How Disease and Fire Shaped Deadwood’s Fate
21:00 Buffalo Bill Cody: The Man Behind the Myth
23:00 When Art and History Collide in the Wild West
25:00 Reflections on Writing and the Legacy of the West
26:05 Closing Remarks
---
With Wyoming PBS content you can delve into Wyoming history, explore the breathtaking beauty of our iconic national parks, and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of Native American leaders, ranching life, the wonders of nature, and the many things to do in Wyoming. Whether you're seeking inspiring narratives or planning your next adventure in our beautiful state, WY PBS is your trusted guide.
Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/wyomingpbs
Subscribe to our email newsletter: wyomingpbs.org/newsletter-signup-form
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/WyomingPBS
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wyoming-pbs
#americanwest #buffalobill #deadwood #pbs #historydocumentary #westernhistory #wyomingpbs #historyenthusiasts #wildwest #CalamityJane #frontierhistory
