With dramatic flair, Jeff Guinn delivers the definitive portrait of Bonnie and Clyde. These media-savvy outlaws appealed to America's Depression-era hunger for swash-buckling characters. Glowing radio and newspaper reports transformed these "public enemies" into celebrities-much like the cinema gangsters of the time. "Compulsively readable . Completely fascinating."-Robert Parker, novelist
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"I loved the detail in this book that described life in the depression era south. Tough, difficult, and brutal at times. The story about the tow truck that was towing Bonnie and Clyde's car back into town after they had been ambushed, with their bodies still in the car, breaking down in front of the school, with the kids running out of school to check it out is not something you would expect to see today. The stories about the robberies gone bad, when everyone who owned a gun came out shooting, and hitting everything but Bonnie and Clyde. Something to think about. The low tech communications between police departments that allowed Bonnie and Clyde to escape too many close calls. A very interesting read."
— George (5 out of 5 stars)
" I started this book having only heard about Bonnie and Clyde. I walked away with a better understanding of how they were products of their times, and how our own lives today are what they are in part because of the impact of this young celebrity criminal couple. This balanced and well-researched book is fascinating. The audiobook version is well-read. Highly recommended. "
— Diana, 2/14/2014" I've learned not only quite a bit about Bonnie and Clyde, but also about the time and area. Quite interesting! "
— Tamara, 2/13/2014" Learned a lot about their early life, life in the depression era, and B.&C.'s family. Lot of action and a lot more! "
— Dad, 2/10/2014" This is a very good read. Compelling. Timely. Desperately poor people who would rather die than keep on being poor. Good history of Dallas, Tx. also. "
— Alison, 2/7/2014" Hey, Bonnie and Clyde were small-time bandits who broke into gumball machines to score enough change for sandwiches. The author tells the story pretty straight, and doesn't leave out any of the embarrassing details of their bad luck and poor planning. Book also has a lot in it about the bad times in Depression/Dustbowl Dallas and how bumbly yet vicious law enforcement was in this era, not to mention the inhumanity of Texas' prisons. "
— David, 2/1/2014" This book reads like a novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!! "
— Susan, 1/31/2014" So far, very interesting and informative. "
— Susan, 1/14/2014" One of the best books I've read all year! "
— Allison, 1/7/2014" While I haven't read any other books about the story of Bonnie and Clyde, this one seems to be one of the few that attempts to tell the whole story while leaving out the untruths and over-exaggerations of the papers from that time and since then. "
— Danielle, 12/23/2013" Love hurts. So does poverty. "
— Mark, 12/8/2013" A brilliant look into the lives of Bonnie and Clyde, taking you to times before they were criminals on the run and as well as the time they were shooting, killing, and robbing. A fascinating read. "
— Shannon, 11/26/2013" Fascinating and extremely well researched. "
— Mary, 10/13/2013" This one took some time to get through, but only because it was so thoroughly researched and so full of details. REALLY interesting read. "
— Brentley, 9/19/2013" Awesome book! He did a great job pulling you in without having to embellish the truth. I love non-fiction books because I think they can stand on their own feet. This book proves me right! "
— Trisha, 12/23/2012" This book was awesome great look into our past and the creation of criminals during the hard time of the depression. No glits or Holly Wood Glammer just how it was. "
— Gary, 11/11/2012" Excellent history of the Barrow Gang that separates myths and legends from the reality. "
— Joe, 10/2/2012" A pretty well writen, detailed account of the story of Bonnie and Clye. It dispels the myths and legends common about them and one could even say that it their existence was quite tough. Overall, it's worth reading. "
— Marc94, 3/29/2012" Far from being the master criminals popular mythology makes them out to be, Clyde and Bonnie were really just a couple of hapless kids with no prospects. The book is a bit repetitive and the writing is unspectacular, but it kept me reading until the end. "
— Doug, 11/9/2011" Very entertainingly (is that a word?) written book. Hard to put down and a very quick read. The author competently fleshed out the backgrounds and exploits of Bonnie & Clyde beyond what most folks probably believe they know about the duo. "
— Cary, 9/19/2011" Great read - tremendous detail. The author has done his homework. "
— Patrick, 9/6/2011" It's ridiculous what those two got up to. "
— Laura, 8/2/2011" Really enjoyed this book. It debunks all the myths around Bonnie and Clyde and gives you a glimpse into their reality. Especially good and also heartbreaking, the viewpoint of their respective mothers. "
— Elpheaba, 7/31/2011" I liked Jeff Guinn's book The Last Gunfight better than this one but it was interesting non the less. Bonnie and Clyde were a lot more desperate than Warren Beaty and Faye Dunaway portrayed them to be. "
— Kent, 4/15/2011" Not my typical read - not really into "true crime." But I was babysitting, the baby was sleeping and the book was on the shelf. Very interesting story - compelling people and a well-told yarn. "
— Katie, 4/13/2011" I really enjoyed reading this book. I did not realize how young they were and their background. I also read a book at Dillinger just before this one-who was involved in robbing banks as well. "
— Marla, 4/11/2011" This gave a lot of details I had never heard about Bonnie and Clyde. I have never seen the movie and what I had heard about them was mainly just legend. "
— Liz, 1/15/2011" I was in the mood for some "real life" story...and I realized there wasn't anyone I cared to know about. Then I saw this...:)<br/>The story of two lives strongly influenced by circumstances, bad judgement, and mainly, the power of the media. <br/>I really enjoyed it.<br/><br/> "
— Tara, 11/21/2010" I came to understand what can drive people to crime through this book. I'm not justifying what the "Barrow gang" did but I understand how they were very much a product of their time and place. Though nonfiction I enjoyed this as much as a fictional novel. "
— Denise, 10/8/2010" An interesting history of high profile gangsters in a short, but bright, burst of fame. "
— Jj, 9/25/2010" I learned a lot about Bonnie and Clyde in this book. "
— Kristen, 8/19/2010Jeff Guinn is the bestselling author of several books of fiction and nonfiction, including The Last Gunfight and Go Down Together, which was a finalist for an Edgar Award in 2010. Formerly an award-winning investigative journalist and now a frequent guest on national radio and television programs, he lives in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jonathan Hogan is a stage, television, and film actor. He has appeared in several episodes of Law & Order, as well as One Life to Live, As the World Turns, and Ryan’s Hope. In 1985 his performance in the play As Is earned him a Tony Award nomination.