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Bonnie and Clyde: The Lives Behind the Legend
by
Paul Schneider (Goodreads Author)
The flesh-and-blood story of the outlaw lovers who robbed banks and shot their way across Depression-era America, based on extensive archival research, declassified FBI documents, and interviews
The daring movie revolutionized Hollywood—now the true story of Bonnie and Clyde is told in the lovers’ own voices, with verisimilitude and drama to match Truman Capote’s In Cold Bl...more
The daring movie revolutionized Hollywood—now the true story of Bonnie and Clyde is told in the lovers’ own voices, with verisimilitude and drama to match Truman Capote’s In Cold Bl...more
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
March 31st 2009
by Henry Holt and Co.
(first published 2009)
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The author of this book could not decide whether he was trying to write a novel that paid homage and tribute to the toughness of Clyde Barrow, or a well-researched biography. Therefore, he provides a book that is well-researched and covers all of the necessary angles (Was Clyde bisexual? etc.) but with a style that is so silly and absurd it reads almost like a love letter to Clyde Barrow.
Throughout the book the author provides sensory details and attributes thoughts to Barrow that cannot be kno...more
Throughout the book the author provides sensory details and attributes thoughts to Barrow that cannot be kno...more
Second person perspective is annoying enough, but Schneider takes it a step further by constantly switching back and forth between 2nd and 3rd person perspective.
The author claims this is a factual representation, however the only sources he sites are for quotes, and even those some times are lacking. Not once does he site anything in the narrative, which is troubling considering how the events often greatly differ from the far superior Go Down Together. Disturbingly, the author all too often w...more
The author claims this is a factual representation, however the only sources he sites are for quotes, and even those some times are lacking. Not once does he site anything in the narrative, which is troubling considering how the events often greatly differ from the far superior Go Down Together. Disturbingly, the author all too often w...more
The author lets us know that no dialogue in his extensive biography of Depression Era hoodlums Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrows was made up, that it was taken from documents and interviews. In fact, I recommend you first read the "notes" section in the back of the book where Schneider described how he did his research to appreciate the scope of the effort. Yet this book is not "strictly non-fiction" as described on the dust jacket. It is more of a non-fiction novel as in the style of In Cold Bloo...more
I liked it. The description of the area and the time period is especially fascinating to me. This book contained most of the same information as the Guinn book I have recently read. I'm starting to feel like I really know the Barrow, Parker and Methvin families. I would read more on this subject if it was readily available. Readily available means: at my local library.
I've read reviews of this title that find fault with the author's switching from 2nd and 3rd person when Clyde suddenly is telli...more
I've read reviews of this title that find fault with the author's switching from 2nd and 3rd person when Clyde suddenly is telli...more
My Warren Beatty/Faye Dunaway obsession has been diminihed after finishing this non-fiction account told mostly in the voice of Clyde. I didn't realize both were tiny people (Bonnie under 5', Clyde 5'4") and that Clyde was nothing but a hot head, trigger finger happy, punk that had no motive in mind when robbing others. While they were able to steal what was probably a year's salary at the time (robberies over $500 divided by the number of accomplises) it wasn't until the end that I realized tha...more
Bonnie and Clyde, by Paul Schneider, narrated by Patrick Lawlor, produced by Tantor media, downloaded from audible.com.
This was a DNF (did not finish) for me. The story itself, a look behind the legend of the movie, was extremely interesting, but there were too many irritants to make it enjoyable. The publisher’s note likens it to Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood”. That is a huge exaggeration. The voice in which Schneider wrote this book was irritating. Whenever he referred to Clyde he wrote it in...more
This was a DNF (did not finish) for me. The story itself, a look behind the legend of the movie, was extremely interesting, but there were too many irritants to make it enjoyable. The publisher’s note likens it to Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood”. That is a huge exaggeration. The voice in which Schneider wrote this book was irritating. Whenever he referred to Clyde he wrote it in...more
There are two aspects of this book that keep it from being a higher-starred review: 1) the general tone of the novel, while not overtly annoying, has some annoying characteristics, such as the author's insistence in spelling out the gun battles thus: BLAM! BLAM BLAM! or rata rata rata, lending a juvenile, comic-book feel to what otherwise reads as a fairly serious narrative; 2) the weird switching back and forth between the third-person and second-person narrative, which I found to be jarring at...more
Although strangely written from sometimes Bonnie's and sometime's Clyde's and sometimes other principal characters' perspectives, it painted a much more true to life picture of the desperate times these people lived. Hard to imagine all the action that occurred in this sad tale happened less than 40 years before the movie "Bonnie and Clyde" was made. I thought it was a fascinating book, amd would encourage anyone interested in learning more about their actual lives to read it.
the photos and the concept were good---the writing...terrible.
Not sure if Paul Schneider was writing a junior high school paper that got out of control and became a 'novel'. Or perhaps he lives in the suburbs with his wife and 2.5 kids and decided to live vicariously through the characters. Either way, find a better book on the subject.
Not sure if Paul Schneider was writing a junior high school paper that got out of control and became a 'novel'. Or perhaps he lives in the suburbs with his wife and 2.5 kids and decided to live vicariously through the characters. Either way, find a better book on the subject.
A pesquisa é acurada e interessante, mas o livro é mal escrito, assim, no nível de as retinas doerem. O cara usa onomatopéias quase toda vez que vai falar de tiros. Não dá, gente.
Mas de qualquer maneira, para interessados no assunto, no casal, no mito, na lenda e tals, vale a leitura. Eu não sabia quase nada sobre eles, não vi o filme e tinha uma idéia bem errada sobre eles. Eu imaginava que eles realmente tivessem uma gangue, que se tratasse de crime organizado, pra juntar fortunas. Meio que nã...more
Mas de qualquer maneira, para interessados no assunto, no casal, no mito, na lenda e tals, vale a leitura. Eu não sabia quase nada sobre eles, não vi o filme e tinha uma idéia bem errada sobre eles. Eu imaginava que eles realmente tivessem uma gangue, que se tratasse de crime organizado, pra juntar fortunas. Meio que nã...more
This book was more interesting as a glimpse into the history of Dallas rather than a look at B&C. Throughout the book the author switches into an odd, second person narrative to reflect Clyde's perspective of the events describe. It's a liberty that shouldn't have been taken and tends to discredit the author as a source of fact.
Wow, I was surprised at how much I liked this book. I found this in a $1 book sale and figured it was worth a try. I couldn't put it down. In a way, I was actually rooting for Bonnie and Clyde. I won't give away the ending though...
I did not finish this audiobook because the narrator, Patrick Lawlor, was unpleasant to listen to. I did not enjoy his performance of the material, which was fascinating but ruined for me by the narrator. Will get a print copy and read it myself.
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This excellent history includes background like the economic forces which created the right environment for characters like Bonnie and Clyde. You almost feel sorry for them in the way their lives and options degraded over time.
very curious history about them, strictted to the facts and without romance. the only problem is that the author doesn't decide what person he will tell the story, some part in third, some parts in second. kindda messy.
An unusual treatment in that the author continually speaks to Bonnie and Clyde as if he were with them through their criminal lives. It is based on very solid research and is an eye-opener if all you know is the Beatty-Dunaway movie!
Loved it! Very well researched and well written. A remarkable story about a most remarkable couple.
Written in third person present tense. Icky Icky Icky!!!!
interesting, not all true, I'm sure
I like the perspective in which this was written. It's a little clunky, but once you get used to it, the story moves much quicker than it would in third person perspective. A fun read.
I liked it and have no doubt it was well researched, but the change in narration to Clyde's perspective really took me out of the drama.
Miserable writing.
So very interesting. The author did so much research. It was interesting to read about this time period and learn the "whys" of so much crime occurring during this period of America.I learned a lot. Greta photos too!
What a way to live! and none of this dialouge was made up. This was a fascinating look at what on the lam really means,(hope I spelled lam correctly).They were definitely criminals, but I came to care for them.
Guess I.m on a "true historical crime" kick...Here we go with another one. Hoping for a good ride here.
Bonnie was only 4'10" and Clyde 5'5"?! wow.
Not very good.
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