From 1926 to 1928, Gordon Stewart Northcott committed at least 20 murders on a chicken ranch outside of Los Angeles. His nephew, Sanford Clark, was...
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Aug 26, 2010
colleen
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In 1926, at thirteen years of age, Sanford Clark was given away by his mother to his uncle, Gordon Stewart Northcott. Northcott took the boy from Canada and illegally brought him into the United States where he was used as slave labor on a chicken ranch and sexually abused. Northcott also brought other boys to the chicken ranch to sexually abuse and murder. He forced Sanford to help him dispose of some of the boys. He used that and the fact that the boy was in the US illegally to keep Sanfo
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Nov 19, 2010
Dawn
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This is a true-crime book with the main character, Sanford Clark, the only surviving child of multiple murders (and an unwilling participant in them) and how he adapted, and later raised his own children and was accepted by his community.
This book has great suspense...and I began reading already aware of the historical background behind it. The author gets so firmly inside Sanford Clark's head here as the main (and real-life) character, that you feel suspense not only because of the w More...
This book has great suspense...and I began reading already aware of the historical background behind it. The author gets so firmly inside Sanford Clark's head here as the main (and real-life) character, that you feel suspense not only because of the w More...
Aug 03, 2011
Joy
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Disturbing. I wasn't sure if I was going to read this one before I had to send it back to the library (and probably wouldn't have added it back onto my list), but I started it today. It's really sad.
True story about a boy that was kidnapped and severely abused by his murderous uncle and the effects on his life once it was over. It was very interesting and well written - adding dialogue helps. It's so sad how sick people could get away with so much by isolating themselves before tele More...
True story about a boy that was kidnapped and severely abused by his murderous uncle and the effects on his life once it was over. It was very interesting and well written - adding dialogue helps. It's so sad how sick people could get away with so much by isolating themselves before tele More...
Mar 20, 2011
Rikelle
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I am not sure how tonrate o review this book. This is a true crime novel and the crimes are horrific so not sure I could recommend this to anyone as it is terrible. However, the true power of this book is the story of goodness of Sanford Clark. sanford was an unwilling accomplice and only survivor of his uncle's brutal serial murder rampage of perhaps 20+ boys. The crimes were so horrific the town changed their name to avoid the association. Sanford witnessed and was a victim to the worst tortur
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May 16, 2011
Jeff
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In 1928, Gordon Stewart Northcott kidnapped, raped, and killed at least twenty young boys on a chicken ranch fifty outside of Los Angeles. Rather than focusing on the inner workings of the serial killer, the book follows the story of Northcott's thirteen-year-old nephew Sanford Clark whose parents forced him to live with the abusive psychopath. Sanford was so abused physically, mentally, and sexually that out of fear for his own life, assisted in the murders of many of Northcott's victims. Ultim
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Jan 17, 2010
Nathalie
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Thanks, Mom. Oh, yay - another good serial killer book! This one is about the kid that assisted his uncle in killing young boys in the 1920s in Wineville, CA. Most recently, this case was of interest because it's referenced in that Angelina Jolie movie CHANGLING. It'll be awhile yet what with the Bataan Death March and early 1900s Brooklyn to keep me amused...but oh, I'll get to it!
Ugh...the first serial killer story that's actually disturbed me. What a monster Northcott was! How did More...
Ugh...the first serial killer story that's actually disturbed me. What a monster Northcott was! How did More...
Nov 20, 2010
Scoop
rated it: 
The emotional honesty of this book is almost too much to bear at times. It horrified me and broke my heart. The movie, The Changeling, starring Angelina Jolie, was based on this murder case. This book tells the story of the psychotic murderer's only witness, the young nephew he forced into his personal hell. The boy not only survived, but lived a long, good, and productive life. Tormented by guilt, flashbacks, brutal migraines for the rest of his life, he sought comfort and redemption in the pur
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Nov 17, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
I’ve always been a fan of true crime. I don’t review much of it, though, because there’s simply not much to say (in my opinion). I’ll try to find something to say, though. This story is the back-drop to the Angelina Jolie movie Changeling. It is believed that Gordon Stewart Northcott murdered or was somehow connected to the murder of Walter Collins, the child that is the focus of the movie Changeling.
The Changeling connection has little to do with why I read this book. I found the st More...
The Changeling connection has little to do with why I read this book. I found the st More...
Jun 25, 2010
Susan
rated it:
A true story which was the basis for the movie "The Changeling," A serial killer in 1920's California before they were identified as such lures young boys out to his remote chicken ranch to torture, rape and murder them. Keeping the ranch running is his nephew who is actually his uncle's sex slave who is brainwashed into helping him. The rest of the story is how this young man was rehabilitated and was able to lead a normal life.
This book was not salacious or too graphi More...
This book was not salacious or too graphi More...
Jul 06, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
"I have never read a book like this in my life. When I finished, I wanted to crawl into a ball and sob but also wanted to throw up at the thought of everything that little boy had to suffer. I'm still shaken up by the book that my stomach is still churning several hours after finishing, but I wanted to write this review while my feelings were so raw. [return:][return:][return:]Unfortunately, I had no idea what the Wineville murders were. My knowledge of them unfolded only as I kept tur
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Feb 10, 2010
Geri
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Book Review
The Road Out Of Hell-- Sanford Clark and the True Story of the Wineville Murders
By Anthony Flacco with Jerry Clark
Union Square Press; 285 pages,
It's not often we get to hear the story from the victim of a serial killer as we do in this sensitively written account of Sanford Clark, the nephew of serial killer Gordon Stewart Northcott.
In 1926 Northcott snatched his nephew, 13 year old Sanford, away from his self centered sister and used him for s More...
The Road Out Of Hell-- Sanford Clark and the True Story of the Wineville Murders
By Anthony Flacco with Jerry Clark
Union Square Press; 285 pages,
It's not often we get to hear the story from the victim of a serial killer as we do in this sensitively written account of Sanford Clark, the nephew of serial killer Gordon Stewart Northcott.
In 1926 Northcott snatched his nephew, 13 year old Sanford, away from his self centered sister and used him for s More...
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Dec 01, 2010
Tawni
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Apr 26, 2010
martha
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For anyone who saw the movie, The Changeling with Angelina Jolie, this is the true story of a serial killer in California in 1930. It is the story of the killer's nephew who was forced to participate--really horrifying and I had to skip some too graphic parts--but it is ultimately a story of survival and how one man triumphed over evil and managed to live a good life. It is the story that the movie was based on.
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Jun 23, 2011
Jamie
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Excellent book! Could not put this book down! It was amazing to me how someone could experience everything that he did aand wound up being normal. The movie Chaingling was supposed to be based on this book but it wasnt even close. BUY this book. This true story is so tradgic that California had to change the name of the town so people would live there again! The best true crime book I've ever read.
Aug 13, 2010
Katherine
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Amazing. Disturbing. Hopeful. Passionate. Not for the weary or faint of heart - but this true story is amazing. The survival of this one boy…hard to put into words. After all the horrible things he's been through and to end up such a pillar of strength with such strong morals and ethics. The psychology of the people in this book, well, it is fascinating.
I loved it.
I loved it.
Jul 10, 2010
Paul
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I've noticed some folks here on goodreads didn't enjoy this book.
It's not any easy nor enjoyable read,far from it! But the fact that
this kid could go through so much with his truly evil uncle,including
being raped and molested.But STILL grow up to be a fine upstanding
man and husband is REMARKABLE! Too bad I can't give this book
more than 5 stars.
It's not any easy nor enjoyable read,far from it! But the fact that
this kid could go through so much with his truly evil uncle,including
being raped and molested.But STILL grow up to be a fine upstanding
man and husband is REMARKABLE! Too bad I can't give this book
more than 5 stars.
May 31, 2010
Dale
rated it:
The true story of the Clint Eastwood-directed film Changeling is almost beyond belief for those who have trouble conceiving evil at this level. Sent to live with his abusive uncle at age 13, Sanford Clark was abused and witnessed abuse of other young boys, even being forced to participate in at least one of his uncle's murders. Not for the faint-hearted, but an inspiring story of survival and grace, if not recovery. PTSD survivors may find this one difficult.
Jul 22, 2010
Josh
rated it:
Not great. Don't know how many times an author can use the same metaphor in a 400 page book. All he talks about is the "weight" on the shoulders of the main character during his ordeal at his uncle's farm. The story itself is interesting and disturbing but written poorly.
Feb 17, 2010
Allison
rated it:
Sanford Clark was only 11 years old when he was sent to live with his Uncle Stewart in CA. Turns out Uncle Stewart had a little side hobby - murder. He enrolls Sanford to help him with his dirty work, ruining the young boy's childhood beyond repair.
This book was good, detailed, and pretty disturbing. I would have liked more background on how this all began, but maybe there just isn't any. It read like a novel and sometimes I did have to remind myself that it wasn't.
This book was good, detailed, and pretty disturbing. I would have liked more background on how this all began, but maybe there just isn't any. It read like a novel and sometimes I did have to remind myself that it wasn't.
Apr 19, 2010
LynnB
rated it:
I had never heard of this serial killer before ... and wish I still hadn't. The book was very disturbing and painful to read, and for that reason I rarely read true crime. Unbelievable that Sanford was able to get through it all and come out the other side as well as he did.
Jul 30, 2011
Terrible subject matter but a great read. I saw the Changeling but this was only a short mention at the end of the movie. I might have to watch the movie again to see that part better. Very well written and an easy read.
Mar 01, 2010
Domenica
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True Crime story about the murders in CA during the depression. This was featured in the movie, "The Changeling". Very disturbing, yet I wanted to read on.
Sep 14, 2010
Kimberly
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An amazing story of one boys life growing up with his uncle who murdered and raped young boys all while forcing his nephew to join in.
Feb 27, 2010
Crystal
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True story through the perspective of a victim, tastefully written, non-exploitive, profound. I actually cried real people tears twice.
Jan 03, 2012
Regan
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Very hard book to read, would not suggest to anyone who does not like to think about children being hurt.
Nov 29, 2009
Melfie
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A very well written journey through Sanford's mind. I was captivated and could picture the events and state of mind in my mind. It got me researching and reading more. It's good to see a "true crime" book written with some color and time consistency. It took me a few weeks to make sure clear the spinning thoughts and I have a 8 & 10 year old, Now that I'm done with book, I can move on.
May 25, 2010
Alicia
rated it:
An incredible portrait of a young man whose life and perseverance is a miracle in the face of absolute monstrosity. Sanford Clark, given to his sadistic, psychopathic uncle as a "help meet", becomes a sexual plaything and party to the torture and murder of countless helpless young boys like himself. His story, fleshed out by the author with the help of Sanford's eldest son, is one of abject terror and horror, both at his uncle and at himself, as well as being a quite moving portrait of
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Feb 16, 2011
Heather
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I found this book utterly repulsive and disturbing. I even found myself wondering how someone could stand to write a book like this. It takes a truly disturbed person to do the things described in this book but I can't imagine how much trauma Flacco went through while compiling the story. I like to think that there is an inherent goodness in every person on this earth because we are all children of God, and I cannot fathom where Uncle Stewart went astray to become this truly evil. That is the on
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