Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber: The True Story of Leslie Ibsen Rogge, One of the FBI's Most Elusive Criminals

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Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber: The True Story of Leslie Ibsen Rogge, One of the FBI's Most Elusive Criminals

by Dane Batty (Goodreads Author)

3.65 of 5 stars 3.65 · rating details · 20 ratings · 12 reviews

What do you think of when you hear about someone on the FBI's Most Wanted List? Hardened criminals, without morals or any sense of right and wrong, ready to solve a dispute with a gun, right? But what if things weren't that cut and dried? What if the nice guy you hired to hook up your cable was Number Seven on the FBI's list? Les Rogge looks and acts just like your next-do...more

Paperback, 218 pages

Published June 30th 2010 by Nish Publishing Company (first published May 16th 2010)

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Mar 08, 2012 Leeswammes rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the story of Leslie Rogge, the uncle of the author, who robbed many banks during his criminal career and evaded the FBI for many years.

A small part of the book is devoted to his early years and his for few bank robberies. The book decribes in detail how he went about robbing banks – always dressed to the nines and at his most politest. While he had a gun (that he would show, but never used) he was always sorry for the employees that had to go through the ordeal of the robbery and in some...more This is the story of Leslie Rogge, the uncle of the author, who robbed many banks during his criminal career and evaded the FBI for many years.

A small part of the book is devoted to his early years and his for few bank robberies. The book decribes in detail how he went about robbing banks – always dressed to the nines and at his most politest. While he had a gun (that he would show, but never used) he was always sorry for the employees that had to go through the ordeal of the robbery and in some cases, may have got fired because of it.

Then there is a large part where Leslie has a boat and travels around with his girlfriend and her little boy.The FBI comes closer every time but his eventual arrest takes longer than you’d expect. Oh, and he did escape from prison a few times, too.

I liked Leslie and his clever ways. Everyone likes Leslie, apparently, and that’s how he managed to have a wonderful life outside prison (and to be assisted in escaping prison). For instance, he managed to talk the police into destroying evidence (it sounded like a very logical thing to do, in this particular case), as a result of which he couldn’t be convicted. How about that?

On the other hand, while the book started off really interesting, I found the middle bit boring. Leslie buys cars, later boats, and we get details on makes and how much work he needed to do on them. Then he and his girlfriend set off by boat, meet people on the way, etc. The ending, with the FBI hot on his tail, made a good read again.

The book was a chronological story about Lesle’s life but there wasn’t much reflection. I would have liked to know what his justification was for robbing banks, what he thought of being in prison, about leaving his two children (with his previous wife, who doesn’t grant him access). Also, more general, I would have liked to get an idea of what Leslie actually thought of all of his adventures.

The book doesn’t glorify crime but it doesn’t condemn it either. It evokes a good chuckle about Leslie’s criminal antics but not everyone may approve of this.

In conclusion, the book is a mixed experience for me – some of it was good fun to read, some I found rather boring, and I felt I missed some self-reflection.(less)

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May 17, 2011 Aaron Scott rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I bought the book after reading the first chapter, expecting the rest of the book to be like... the first chapter. But it wasn't, we only get more detail on one or two other bank robberies. Most of the rest are just referenced, but we don't get a lot of detail, like "I got 87,000 from that one..." .

Most of the story is about his adventures while on the run, which is fine - it just isn't what I was expecting.

The stories of people he met and adventures they had while on the run are really enterta...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Evangeline Han rated it 3 of 5 stars

Before I began reading Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber, I read what other reviewers were saying about it. Many of them were effusive about how they felt sympathy for Leslie after reading the book. After completing the book, I found that I couldn't feel the same way. I'll expound more about that, but first, let me do justice to the stories contained in the book.

It's not about the way the stories were told. In fact, the stories is highly entertaining and fascinating. It's not often you get to read o...more Before I began reading Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber, I read what other reviewers were saying about it. Many of them were effusive about how they felt sympathy for Leslie after reading the book. After completing the book, I found that I couldn't feel the same way. I'll expound more about that, but first, let me do justice to the stories contained in the book.

It's not about the way the stories were told. In fact, the stories is highly entertaining and fascinating. It's not often you get to read of the techniques a robber use to rob a bank of thousands of dollars. And without even firing a single shot! That is quite a feat although I can't really believe that Leslie would not resort to violence if bank staff had alerted the police while he was in the midst of robbing. I can't buy his "I'd just walk away", not after reading his criminal exploits. The stories in Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber are some of the most interesting stories I've ever read in non-fiction books. Leslie gives a no holds barred look into the lifestyle of a serial bank robber. He details the tactics he used when robbing banks, and one thing I'm sure is that I hope that a wannabe robber doesn't pick up this book and improvise on the tactics for his own usage!

In Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber, all is done to ensure that readers will have a measure of sympathy towards Leslie. This and the "gentleman" title of the book is a strong negative point for me. I can never understand how Leslie can be considered a gentleman bank robber. He preyed on female bank officers. How does that make him gentlemanly? Women are more easily frightened than man, and I can just imagine the trauma his victims went through. I could also not feel a teeny bit of sympathy for him because he robbed to obtain easy money. There's nothing respectable about that. Disabled people beg by the roadside to earn honest money. Leslie, as a person who isn't disabled, should feel ashamed of himself for not wanting to work hard to provide for himself the good lifestyle he enjoyed.

At the conclusion of the book, I couldn't help but feel pity. I pitied Leslie that he isn't sorry for the atrocities of his so-called harmless crimes. How hard can a criminal be to defend himself on the basis that he did not use violence? I pitied his victims. The shock and fear they must have felt is enough to make a gentlemanly man feel sorry. I pitied his family. Up to now, I still cannot figure how they can be accepting of his acts. I know that condemnation from their part would lead him to nowhere, but how his wife could live with the fact that her husband hurt other women indirectly is beyond me.

I don't know much about the laws of United States, but I couldn't help wondering why those who knew what he was doing could not be brought to court for perverting the course of justice. I know things aren't that simple, but if you know your husband or family member or friend is robbing banks, and you intentionally keep that a secret, aren't you aiding and abetting him? What happened to their consciences? Did Leslie hold such sway and influence over them that they were willing to protect a criminal who was no. 7 on the FBI's Most Wanted List?

Do I regret reading Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber? No. Yet, reading it has left behind an unpleasant taste. If Leslie is released today, would he continue the criminal lifestyle? After reading the unrepentant overtones in the book, I'm not sure that he wouldn't. I hope and wish that no one is inspired to go on robbing sprees after reading this book. The book sure does make the criminal lifestyle sound thrilling and fun. I am willing to forgo reading a book glamorizing a robber's life since the last thing we need is more robbers because of one entertaining book written mostly by an ungentlemanly robber who used ingenuity.(less)

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Mar 03, 2013 Ashley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, biography

I found this book very entertaining and incredibly interesting. I was intrigued immediately when I read the prologue and realized that Les Rogge is actually Dane Batty's uncle. After understanding the personal connection between Dane and Les I knew this book was going to be more about showing the personal side of Les and less about the actual robberies themselves. I wasn't disappointed at all. Les isn't what you would consider a violent criminal or a tough felon; in fact, I am more inclined to c...more I found this book very entertaining and incredibly interesting. I was intrigued immediately when I read the prologue and realized that Les Rogge is actually Dane Batty's uncle. After understanding the personal connection between Dane and Les I knew this book was going to be more about showing the personal side of Les and less about the actual robberies themselves. I wasn't disappointed at all. Les isn't what you would consider a violent criminal or a tough felon; in fact, I am more inclined to compare him to a con artist and general thief. He stole cars and vans and boats. He robbed banks without the use of a weapon. He traveled a lot and toyed with the authorities until he was finally caught. He played a game and took it as far as he could before he got caught and, even then, he escaped multiple times.

I can understand why so many people liked Les and why he was able to get so many people to cover for him or help him out. If you didn't know about his bank robberies and thieving ways I am sure he would have been a lot of fun to hang around. He was always up for an adventure. He tried to take a houseboat UP the Mississippi river, he traveled with his girlfriend and her son through the Bahamas and surrounding islands for months, he played jokes and pranks on people, at one point he even owned a spider monkey. He was like a kid that just never grew up. He wasn't a great guy though because he did have two kids with his first wife that he never really spent much time with and even states, on multiple occasions, that he sent them gifts to try to "buy" their love again. He would take a firearm into the bank robberies with him to intimidate the staff and he would prey on the banks that were female-only because they were less likely to cause trouble. He was a sneaky, conniving, low-down thief but, after reading this book, I do not think that he would have been violent toward anyone. He didn't strike me as a physically violent person. In many ways he made me think of Leonardo DiCaprio's character in that movie, "Catch Me If You Can."

The book mostly shares all letters and stories as told by Les himself. Dane includes little side notes here and there to fill in missing data or to clarify details but it mostly reads as Les telling his adventures. He talks about robbing a bank, getting the money, and then he goes on to tell all of the things that he did with that money. It was fascinating and I enjoyed it immensely. (less)

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Jun 07, 2011 rob rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Entertaining account of a very successful bank robber who was on the run throughout the 70's, 80's, and 90's. I blew through this in an afternoon on vacation and enjoyed it just as if I'd gone to see an action movie or something similar. Highly enjoyable, but not particularly lasting.

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Jan 11, 2012 R.J. Gonzales rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: received-for-review

3.5/5 (rounded to 4)

A highly interesting account of Leslie Rogge, aka "Gentleman Bank Robber" who robbed more than 30 banks.

These books are usually not my type of reads. I am very selective with the nonfiction genre, so it was interesting seeing how I would like this one. It was definitely an intriguing look into the life of of Rogge. For me, it's really hard to review a non-fiction book because you cannot say much without giving away too much of what readers should read. What I can say is that...more

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Dec 14, 2010 Carol Bridgestock rated it 5 of 5 stars

Working for the police force for 17 years it was nice to read a book from 'the otherside'. Dane - you did an excellent job! Well done! Terrific read.

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Feb 03, 2012 BJ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: giveaways

A fun read following Les Rogge's exploits into bank robbing. Bane builds his uncle up to be a very likeable and resourceful character. It is hard not to root for Les as he is running from the FBI. Unfortunately for Les the fun ends when he gives himself up to the FBI. Hopefully when Les gets out in 2047 he will continue this amazing story. I would love to hear how the story ends.

I won this book through a GoodReads giveaway.

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Mar 13, 2013 Maria Kiguthi rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked the book as a memoir. If you are looking for detailed accounts of the crimes this book isn't that. If you want to read about the lifetime of a criminal this is a good book. While I can't share the author's view on his uncle, I can understand how a boy can admire an unusual relative. I received a copy thru Goodreads First Reads.

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Aug 09, 2012 Valerie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Thank you for the book. All I could think about while reading is why is he robbing banks and stealing cars.Why didn't he get a job, instead of taking from others. The book made him out to be a smug thug.

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Mar 12, 2013 Jodie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I won this through Goodreads. This author did an excellent job of telling a fascinating story, that was very entertaining. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Dane Batty.

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Jun 19, 2012 Carol K. rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book which I won on Goodreads was an interesting and enjoyable read...I always like real life stories, I liked the inclusion of input from family and friends in addition to the subject.

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About Dane Batty

Dane Batty is a technical writer, biographer and designer and holds an MBA from George Fox University. He lives near Portland, Oregon with his family.

His next book that is coming out in 2013 is called Heist and High, a biography of pure athlete that became an addict from injury and a high-profile criminal and overcame his demons to win back his family and give back to his community.

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