The Strange History of Bonnie and Clyde

by John Treherne

Here is the true story of Bonnie Parker (1910-1934) and Clyde Barrow (1909-1934), a young sociopathic Southern couple gunned down by authorities after a two-year crime spree that left twelve people dead. This history cuts through hype and mythology and examines the outlaws' liberal and dysfunctional sex life, their astonishing ability to elude a 1000-man posse, the contradictory accounts of the mythic ambush that resulted in their deaths and the extraordinary growth of Bonnie and Clyde legend.

Genres: History, Biography, True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, American

280 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 1984

Reviews

[Chan Fry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and seemingly well researched double biography. I had to take off a point for the photo caption that described a semi-automatic pistol as a "revolver" - because it cast doubt on the rest of the facts.

[Sofia Currin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, well written. It doesn't mention that fact that Clyde was raped so I don't know what's up with that. Still, the book had given me a realistic representation of what happened and really done a good job of disillusioning me.

[freyamorgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️s Interesting, comprehensive look at the lives of Bonnie and Clyde and their subsequent legacy.
The author frequently refers to Clyde as a psychopath which seems outdated odd today; and seems to want to ensure the reader doesn’t think of him as some sort of outlaw hero which he seemingly wasn’t.

This book is reasonably balanced and appears to showcase the various sides of the story and tells it in an understandable and concise manner.

[Connie Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about killers I've heard of all of my life; they definitely were not Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty!!

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting. It tells the more realistic story of Bonnie and Clyde and puts them into historical perspective as well as sheds light on the way they acted; lived and carried themselves. They were not the smooth glamorous characters of 30s legend but bumbling unsucessful crooks whose frequent trigger happy panics and bad driving skills during their many petty thefts and raids shed unecessary and attention getting bloodshed and mayhem wherever they went.

[Ernest Langston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must say, I'm not a huge fan of true crime stories, but this book was a very interesting read. I first borrowed it from a library, then about 1/3 into the read, I bought a copy. The book's title couldn't be more spot on. An informative book about Bonnie and Clyde, their adventures and misadventures. Read this book, then watch the films.

[Sue Kozlowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

It amazes me how inefficient the police were back then. Bonnie and Clyde killed 12 people in the South Midwest. The films about them are not accurate. They were killed in May 1934, both in their early 20's.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading two other Treherne books I was anticipating something great. Unfortunately, though well researched, this history proves neither strange nor interesting.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read if you want to know more about the lives and deaths and the legend surrounding the real Bonnie and Clyde. Highly recommend it for those interested!