I, Willie Sutton: The Personal Story of The Most Daring Bank Robber and Jail Breaker of Our Time

by Quentin Reynolds

The story of Willie Sutton is one of the most astonishing in the annals of crime. Known as 'Willie the Actor' for his clever and disarming impersonations, his career was an amazingly successful one of fabulous bank robberies, daring prison breaks, and front page headlines, all of which captured the imagination of America. Yet Willie Sutton was 'clean'-throughout his life of crime he never killed anyone, and he was known as much for his intelligence, manners, and dapper elegance as for his audacious escapades.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Biography

273 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Born in the Bronx, New York, on April 11, 1902, to a school principal and his wife, Quentin James Reynolds grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Manual Training High School. He enrolled at Brown University and excelled in football, boxing, and swimming. In fact, after earning his Ph.D. he spent a year on a professional football team. Going from job to job, Reynolds couldn't find a career he enjoyed. His father suggested law school, and by the time he earned his degree, Reynolds had finally figured out what he wanted to do.

Journalism, not law, appealed to Reynolds, and he worked as a reporter and then a sports columnist. In 1933 he was sent as a feature writer to report on Germany and the rise of Hitler. At that time, Reynolds was writing for the International News Service. The Germans didn't approve of Reynolds's slant against the Third Reich and national socialism; however, from the article Reynolds gained employment at Collier's Weekly for whom he eventually penned 384 articles and short stories over a fifteen year span, eventually rising to the position of associate editor. A prolific writer, Reynolds's fame came during an assignment to cover the erupting World War II.

Reynolds spent time in France and then fled to England. While there he came to appreciate and respect the British. In account after account he portrayed the strong will and determination of a nation fighting for its very survival. He penned seven books about the war, broadcasted for the British Broadcasting Company, narrated two film documentaries, and lectured in the United States. Reynolds's popularity soared as people learned of his bravery and the risks he took to get the story.

Unfortunately for Reynolds, not everyone found him admirable. A Hearst columnist disputed his claims and suggested Reynolds was cowardly. After five years in the court system, Reynolds won over $175,000 in the libel judgement. This wasn't his only time he was brought to the public's attention for questionable acts. In 1952 Reynolds had penned a book about a Canadian spy, only to later find out that he had been duped and misled into believing a false tale. The publisher in turn changed the book from nonfiction to fiction.

When Reynolds traveled to Manila, Philippines, to research the president for a biography, he became ill with abdominal cancer. He passed away on March 17, 1965 at the age of sixty-two.

Reviews

[Michael WOZNY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was on the bookshelf at Eastern State Penitentiary, so I got to read this book as a work resource. Although Willie Sutton's book may have inaccuracies about Eastern State, it's a fantastic read. Willie finds exciting ways for the reader to identify with a criminal. He explains the craft of a bank robber, and through his explanation it becomes a skilled trade. Willie also understands fiction and psychology which he liberally applies to himself. Constructing and explaining his narrative of how he became a criminal and his difficulty leaving the criminal world. I was surprised by how much empathy I felt for Willie Sutton, of course he was nick-named Willie the Actor for a reason. Overall, I highly recommend I,Willie Sutton.

[Sara Mokken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dit boek heb ik gekocht bij de Eastern State Penitentiary, deze man was een van de gevangen die ook een ontsnappingspoging heeft gedaan. Leest heel snel en is verassend goed geschreven. Hij omschrijft zichzelf erg positief, ik ben benieuwd of dat echt klopt.

[Kmeelyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willie Sutton's story is a good one and it would be hard to make his life uninteresting.

Still, I much preferred Where the Money Was.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1953 a very compelling read. Willie followed a strict code that bank robbers and inmates demand. A voracious reader and thinker it's too bad Willie was always on the wrong side of the law.