Title: I Am John H. Holliday DDS. You May Call Me Doc
Author: Patrick Gillen
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1546206337
Pages: 234
Genre: Western; Biographical
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel
Pacific Book Review
I Am John H. Holliday DDS. You May Call Me Doc is the story of the famous dentist known as Doc Holliday. Doc was immediately ostracized by his father due to the cleft palate he was born with, but his mother adored him, raising him in her faith and with a love of music. He enters into the field of dentistry with big dreams and a first love in his future. His future is shattered when he’s diagnosed with consumption and the doctor advises him to go to Texas for the dryer air. As he leaves his family to go into his own exile, he creates a different future for himself and develops a friendship with Wyatt Earp. Patrick Gillen explores Doc’s life through a personal lens, drawing from his own experience living with illness to understand how Doc felt dealing with consumption. Also included is historical information about the guns and medicine used during Doc’s time, and a few illustrations.
Gillen includes his own thoughts through additional information and an introduction.The writing feels authentic with a sincere and honest voice written from a first person perspective. The style is reminiscent of a memoir, using biographical background from Doc’s birth to his death in a way that feels like Doc is sharing his personal story. The tone is reflective as Doc looks over his life which is more poignant considering Gillen includes Doc’s death as part of his journey. Doc’s death doesn’t stop his voice or his legacy. Doc’s experiences dealing with consumption are told honestly exploring his loss of hope, his resentment and his pain, his struggles moving forward, and even embarrassment of having others see him sick.
Gillen keeps the style in that of a western, complete with the gritty setting and certain phrases to transport you into the past. The Doc is often seen at a saloon, gambling, or using varies past remedies to treat patients. The time period is treated authentically as Doc often gets into gunfights and arrested, but every incident is seen with understanding and always remains sympathetic. His relationships are a key part of the story as he goes from his family to the family he creates which includes his famous friendship with the Earp’s and his relationship with Kate. His romantic relationships revolve around two specific women. His relationship with Mattie is treated as a first love and one that’s full of dreams for the future. When he loses the future he planned, he meets Kate who has the biggest role in his life. She’s the one he allows into his life, to see him when he’s sick and to care for him, and become his closest confidant. Kate is a layered character, giving insight into the prostitution and treatment of women at the time while also having a strong, feisty, and opinionated attitude.
Doc’s role as a dentist and a doctor defines him and his legacy as he’s constantly shown helping various people when they need help. Even though he tells them he’s a dentist and advises them to go their doctor, he still helps them. This desire to help people is at the root of who Doc Holliday’ is and what makes him such a commendable character. Religion is another important part of him as this is what his mother left for him and is seen throughout as what guides him and keeps him going. I Am John H. Holliday DDS. You May Call Me Doc is a well-researched and thorough account of Doc Holliday’s life told from his perspective with a lot of heart, emotion, and a fun western adventure everyone can enjoy.
