Northfield: A Western Story

by Johnny D. Boggs

On September 7, 1876, the James-Younger gang attempted to rob the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota, with disastrous consequences. In a unique, compelling approach, author Johnny D. Boggs shifts perspectives from one first-person account to another to describe the bloody robbery, as well as the events leading to it and its aftermath.

Genres: Westerns, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Adventure, Ebooks, Adult Fiction

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2007

About the author

Johnny D. Boggs is a Spur- and Wrangler Award-winning author of the American West and frontier. Born in 1962, Boggs grew up on a farm near Timmonsville, South Carolina, around the old stamping grounds of Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion (chronicled in his frontier novel The Despoilers). He knew he wanted to be a writer at an early age. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his wife, Lisa Smith; son, Jack Smith Boggs; and basset hound, June.

Reviews

[Edwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An original and brilliant retelling of the James-Younger gang assault on a bank in Northfield Minnesota in 1876. Each chapter is told in the first person by a different person that was somehow involved in the failed robbery that resulted in several deaths and injuries. I love how Boggs was able to give a unique voice to each of the characters, from a little girl who’s father was killed in the robbery to the violent outlaws, some of whom were surprisingly intelligent and utterly fascinating. You can tell that Boggs did a lot of research to make this as historically accurate as possible. A remarkable achievement and a terrific read. Recommended.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, apparently as this is my second reading of it. Author Johnny Boggs does an excellent job of telling the story of the famous James/Younger gang robbery of a bank in Northfield, Minnesota. These boys headed north to rob them some Union money. Never having ventured this far north in their previous escapades they were lured there by the bragging of Bill Stiles/Chadworth of how all the banks in Minnesota were loaded with lots of money and easy for the taking. Cole Younger was against this plan to travel so far north to a place they were totally unfamiliar with the lay of the land. Dingus (J. James) argues that Bill would serve as their guide as he was from the area and familiar with all the escape routes. Of course when Dingus discovered the former Governor of Mississippi was now residing in Minnesota it sealed their decision to go. All did not go as planned with 3 of the 8 outlaws being killed, the Younger Brothers of 3 ending up in Minnesota's Stillwater penitentiary and the James brothers nairely escaping death or capture. Boggs writes each chapter from a different characters point of view ranging from the outlaws themselves to the townsfolk of Northfield, local law officials, posse members and even children that witnessed or were effected by the event of the bank robbery. This is a really quick read that puts the reader right in the thick of this event. Highly recommended to those that enjoy westerns or bank robberies of old.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads is a great tool for those who love books. Using Goodreads I had read several reviews prior to jumping into this. Knowing somewhat to expect really helped. This is a book about the James-Younger gang and their disastrous robbery of a bank in the town of Northfield, Minnesota. The book is told chapter by chapter each from a different person. So you have members of the James-Younger gang, town folk of Northfield and various other players telling you, the reader the story. A unique perspective that actually kind of works. I really do have to commend the author for the amount of research he put into this book. So if you are prepared for a unique western/historical fiction give this book a go. In the future I may find myself reading more from this author.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this western about the James/Younger robbery attempt in Northfield. Every chapter is told by a different character, some outlaws, some lawmen or townspeople. I found it fascinating that the author could make me feel empathy and like Cole Younger and even Frank James, part of me was rooting for them to get away even when they deserved to be caught and put in prison for what they did. Anyone who is looking for a great western would enjoy this book.

update: I just visited Northfield and took the historical tour of the bank where it all happened. Looking forward to rereading this book again as I have pictures of all of the participants in my head now.

[Joe Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the “Author’s Note” at the end of this story, Boggs ends the book with a comment written by Thomas Younger, one of the outlaws in this historical western, who wrote, “There is no heroism in outlawry . . . .” This enscapulates the moral of this tale.

This reader enjoyed the way the author structured this story. The tale is told in the first person, but there are many first persons. Each chapter is in the voice of a different character. The story of a robbery went wrong is revealed by the outlaws, the victims, townsfolks, members of the posses, and others. The author does a good job at keeping the voices different, and he is successful at getting into the heads of the members of the James & Younger outlaw gang.

Because most of the characters are not fictional, it is worth reading the “Author’s Note” to find out what happened to many of them in the years following the botched robbery of the Northfield Bank.

[Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining. Told from the point of view of all those involved before, during, and after the aborted bank robbery. Total take from the robbery - about $20.

[Steve Chaput · Rating 4 out of 5]

The attempted bank robbery in Northfield, MN is well known from books and films, but Boggs does an amazing job in this book. Telling the tale from the perspective of individuals on both sides of the law. Boggs uses the names of actual people who lived through the events.

The narrators range from farmers and business owners who met the gang members while they were scouting the area, never knowing their true identities until later. The young daughter of a bank employee. Law enforcement officials and various towns people who witnessed the crime and later took part in the hunt for the robbers. We also get chapters taken from the viewpoint of the James and Younger family, some who see themselves and what they do in a different light.

Boggs fills us in on what happened to many of these folks after the events of the novel.

A great read for fans of westerns and/or of the true American west.

[Shaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the writing style! Each chapter is told from a different person's perspective. Sometimes they overlap so that you really get a feel for what happened in, before, and after the James/Younger gang attempted to rob the bank in Northfield, MN. The book is short enough to hold your attention throughout, but had enough details to make you feel like the author was there doing interviews of everyone involved. All in all it was very well researched and set out in a very readable and enjoyable manner.

(Also, Jesse James' jump at the Palisades in SD was mentioned in first person, which was super exciting!! Lame, I know, but I've been there lots and it just makes me happy. Like it's part of my life story to or something...) ^_^

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A JDB. Minnesota western action adventure titled, "Northfield" which begin with the Younger Brothers, known bank robbers after the Civil War, decide to rob the Northfield Bank in Minnesota. The robbery was well planned. However, the town of Northfield had a plan in effect that if there was an attempt to rob the bank then everyone who could hold a gun was ready to defend against those robbers. This is an excellent read for the western genre. The movie, "The Great Northfield Raid" starring Cliff Robertson, Robert Duval and Luke Askew is an excellent rendition of a number of fiction and non-fiction novels and research material. JDB.'s novel reads just like the movie.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took a little bit to get going and it took me a little time to get used to the various (many) different styles of "speaking" in the book. Each chapter is written from a different person's perspective, which slowed me down some. In addition, the perspectives included the person's speaking style which made adjusting imperative.

Overall the book was OK... the book is relatively short (compared to the other books I have read recently).

[Jody Mabry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Maybe it was the outlaws, maybe it was that I don't live too far from Northfield. I think my favorite part of the book is how Johnny Boggs writes in the perspective of everyone directly and indirectly involved in the attempted heist. It brings the daily life of people surrounding the event into the light rather than just the big names of the James and Younger brothers. Well written, believable, and a great story.

[Galaxy Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think "Northfield" was the first novel I had read by Johnny Boggs. What amazed me was how complicated the story line actually was. It is told in sequence but as a combination of narratives. When I asked him about it, he confirmed that it was indeed amazingly difficult to pull off. But, pull it off he did and I will forever recommend him to anyone looking for a great western writer to check out.

[Megan Pratola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not usually a fan of Westerns but this book is well written, meticulous researched and good read. I spent part of my younger years living in Northfield, Minnesota, so I already knew much of the story behind the Northfield bank raid. I enjoyed Boggs' interpretation of the many characters involved and surrounding the event itself. This is a worthwhile read as long as you can stomach lots of cussing.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating subject matter but a poor writing style puts this book firmly in the "it's okay" category. The book would have had more of an emotional punch if Boggs had settled on one or two narrators rather than having every chapter narrated by someone new.

Read for westerns week for LS 549: Reader's Advisory and Genre Fiction.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about Jesse James and his gangs attempt to rob the Northfield bank. Told from the persepective of the participants, the author weaves a fictional narrative around the known facts to bring the characters alive.

[David Elkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book looking at the history from many different perspectives. Boggs has done his homework. If you are a fan of the American West, this is a must read. Just a marvelous romp through history.

[Martha Peebles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book.

I have enjoyed reading this book on Jesse James and his gang. I will be reading books by this author in the future.

[Melissa Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short interesting little book about the Younger and James gang on a bank job that went bad.

[Vali Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! Boggs displays a masterclass in the use of shifting perspectives. Very entertaining!

[Paschalis]

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[Douglas Fugate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story. This story is presented by the views of various individuals. Each chapter is the record of a participant or witness. The story flows and the action is grabbing.

[Pattie Babbitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

So glad to finish this so I could get the song lyric "I'm the lyrical Jesse James... I've got the power," out of my head.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. An interesting way to present the story, with each chapter from someone else’s point of view.

[Lee Tyner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the concept of the same story with different viewpoints. However, some of seemed to be completely unrelated to central story of the book. I stopped early. To for me.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of the Jesse James gang's defeat in Northfield, MN. I liked how the book didn't tell the story from an omniscient narrator, but from the point of view of many different characters. I liked that the same scene could be viewed from one character and then another, it made it seem more real. I also liked that it's not a necessarily well known incident (well, to me at least), but that it is really based in history. I am told, by my friend that went to college in Northfield, the town has a "Jesse James Days" celebration every year, with a re-enactment of this.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Northfield

The story of one of Jesse James less successful bank robberies. Told from varying perspectives including his favourite soiled lily. He is portrayed as the handsome young boy from Missouri with the fearsome blue eyes and small hands.

Interesting that many of the details related here are the opposite of those that appear in the movie American Outlaw. While I”m talking that show the scene where Ma James refuses to sell the farm is bunk, no woman could own property in those times.

Whether the details related here are historically correct the story makes good reading.

[Mrs.b · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was one of the first books that I read on my new Nook! While I truly enjoyed the historical accuracy (my dad would totally dig this story), the locations and plot twists were difficult to follow. I made a lot of connections to a movie that was about the brothers, so this helped. I think it also helped that I read this book up at the cabin...nothing like a rustic setting to read some American History.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have said....unique way of storytelling. Each chapter spoken by a person either indirectly or directly involved with the Northfield Bank Robbery and murder.
At times I had a bit of trouble keeping up with who was who with the 8 outlaws... they used different names; nicknames.... I could not understand how the Younger/James gang were "heroes"..... No different 100 years ago than today where women write letters to and marry jailed killers... strange concept, but a good book.

[Ken Schloman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting take on the James/ Younger gng attempt to rob the Northfield Minn.bank, an effort that was total disaster. A very good historical novel. Told from a variety on view points of people touched by this robbery. Being from Missouri, the lore of Jesse James will always draw my attention. The descriptions of the interactions between gang members lends a taste of real authenticity to the novel.
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[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I wasn't really sure I was going to like this book, but as I got into it started to flow better. There is something about having one event told by many different views. You heard from the outlaws and from the people they came in contact with. It was about Jesse James and his "gang" and a bank robbery that went bad. *Warning* there is some language through out this book.