​Hell Paso: Life and Death in the Old West's Most Dangerous Town by Samuel K. Dolan offers a compelling and meticulously researched chronicle of El Paso, Texas, during its most tumultuous years in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Drawing from court documents, government records, oral histories, and period newspapers, Dolan paints a vivid picture of a city once dubbed the "murder metropolis" of the Southwest.​
 
The book delves into the lives of notorious figures—both lawmen and outlaws—highlighting the blurred lines between justice and lawlessness in a rapidly growing frontier town. Dolan's narrative is both informative and engaging, appealing to both casual readers and seasoned historians. However, some readers have noted that the chronological structure can occasionally make the narrative feel repetitive, and the absence of maps may challenge those unfamiliar with the region's geography.​
 
Overall, Hell Paso is a significant contribution to Western history, offering readers an in-depth look at a city that played a pivotal role in the shaping of the American frontier.