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hailstorm9's review against another edition
4.0
More like 3.5. I appreciate the author trying to give us the "most true" version of Bonnie and Clyde. I thought it would be told in a more literary nonfiction fashion, but the audiobook wasn't bad and was presented in a way that was mostly easy to understand. There were so many names and I was getting a little confused who was who.
marissax22's review against another edition
4.0
Bonnie and Clyde are absolutely romanticized for their outlaw ways due to feeling as outsiders. I knew of the couple and the story but I learned SO much about their story and their past that was really interesting. I found the book to be well researched and interesting enough to want to keep reading.
creolelitbelle's review against another edition
4.0
Very readable account of the notorious Bonnie Parker & Clyde Barrow that feels comprehensive with thorough research from a multitude of sources. I feel like this book is a great foray into getting a true picture of who the people behind the legend were and how they became legends in the first place. There are primary sources throughout the book including pictures and other documents. Pieces of the legend are spelled out and evaluated for the reader. The back of the book contains Bonnie's poem "The Story of Bonnie and Clyde"; a section on what happened to various family and gang members; and involved officers. I highly recommend this to those interested in the crimes commuted by the Barrow gang or actual people connected to it all.
jm414328's review against another edition
3.0
Written in a much drier and factual manner than both Dean Jobb’s “Dr. Cream” book as well as books by Michelle McNamara & Truman Capote. Nonetheless, still an enjoyable read which lets us have a view at the “real” Bonnie & Clyde and who they were without the Americana legend
missprint_'s review against another edition
3.0
You've read the story of Jesse James
of how he lived and died.
If you're still in need;
of something to read,
here's the story of Bonnie and Clyde.
You might think you know the story of Bonnie and Clyde--the love struck couple who went on a crime spree throughout Texas in the 1930s. Over the years they have been immortalized in stories, songs, and on film.
Thanks to the advent of photography, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were documented in newspapers which printed Bonnie's poetry left behind after a fortuitous flight from a safe house. The media and the public were quick to latch onto these ill-fated young people ready to cast them as a modern answer to Robin Hood.
Bonnie and Clyde: The Making of a Legend (2018) by Karen Blumenthal unpacks this sensationalized story to look at the facts.
By examining the poverty of their neighborhood and the other barriers they faced growing up in Texas Blumenthal tries to offer some explanation of how two poorly educated teens became two of the most notorious criminals of our time.
Bonnie and Clyde: The Making of a Legend is a quick and informative read with numerous photos and first-person accounts from witness statements. Recommended for true crime enthusiasts and mystery readers of all ages.
Possible Pairings: Fatal Fever: Tracking Down Typhoid Mary by Gail Jarrow, Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson, The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century by Sarah Miller
ballista_2003's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
3.0
Very well researched, informative piece. I finished it in 2 days! Personally, I don’t care for nonfiction informative books and found it a bit boring at times but this book is objectively good. Due to my bias, I gave it 3 stars. Wish it focused on their emotions more.
vintage_b's review against another edition
3.0
I did not know much about Bonnie and Clyde going into this read. I was a bit shocked as some of the things discussed in the book were aimed at the YA crowd, but it was done tastefully and with great educational backing. The writing style though aimed at younger readers was not juvenile which I appreciated. I did feel the headings of the chapters with place and date while helpful did not match up at times with the timeline we were in. There were many instances where the timeline was well before the heading of the chapter was meant to take place. This caused a bit of confusion and I needed to go back a few times to place myself at the right time. I learned a lot and felt Karen Blumenthal did a wonderful job at the end explaining sources.