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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 C
...moreHardcover, 416 pages
Published
March 31st 2009
by Henry Holt and Co.
(first published 2009)
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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...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...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 s...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 reali...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 Cly...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 Cly...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.
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.
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!
Written in third person present tense. Icky Icky Icky!!!!
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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.
Ladybird
marked it as to-read
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Jen Lieder
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