Last Rampage: The Escape of Gary Tison

by James W. Clarke

In 1978 convicted murderer Gary Tison escaped from an Arizona prison with the help of his three sons. Over the following two weeks, Tison and his gang roamed the Southwest, murdering six people before confronting police in a bloody shootout near the Mexican border. Next to the Gunfight at the OK Corral, this is the most sensational crime story in Arizona history.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, History

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1988

Reviews

[Eric_W · Rating 4 out of 5]

In late July, 1978 Gary Tison and Randy Greenawalt, both convicted killers, escaped from the Arizona State Prison during broad daylight with the help of Gary's three sons. Before being captured less than three weeks later the pair had brutally murdered 6 people, one a small baby. Up until the prison escape Gary's sons had never been in trouble, yet they stood by and watched as their father shotgunned a family and honeymooning couple. Why?

This is one of the fundamental questions asked by James W. Clarke in his narrative of the Tison escape: Last Rampage: The Escape of Gary Tison . The book is also a searing indictment of the Arizona Penal system during the seventies. Warden Caldwell had been warned of the planned escape on several occasions, both by Gary's brother, Joe, and the Texas police authorities who discovered the escape plan after capturing a pilot during a drug bust. The pilot revealed he was supposed to fly the escapees to Mexico after the breakout.
     Everyone who knew Tison agreed he was a calculating and manipulative individual who could be very persuasive and a master of sycophantic attention to those in authority he needed something from. Here was a man convicted of several armed robberies who had killed a prison guard unnecessarily during an escape (with a gun undoubtedly provided by his wife) and who was suspected of killing several inmates, yet who was allowed to transfer to the minimum security wing of the prison. The family, who saw Tison only briefly for a few months when he was out on parole (promptly violated), created a melange of myth and fantasy nurtured by his wife Dorothy. She always maintained he was imprisoned unjustly, that it was all a frame-up, and that he could never hurt anyone. Gary was totally solicitous toward the boys during that brief time and despite overwhelming evidence they could not see his sociopathological personality. They mistook "his shrewdness and manipulative skills for intelligence and sound judgment; his impulsiveness and independence they mistook for courage and integrity; his lack of empathy and toughness they mistook for strength of character." Only when Gary blew the head off the baby did the boys discover how wrong they were. They still failed to leave or stop the bloodletting. Clarke speculates that it has something to do with a trait inherent in most of us: an unquestioning obedience to authority. He cites the 1963 Milgram studies done at Yale where 65% of subjects continued to administer what they believed to be lethal electrical shocks to innocent victims "for no other reason than Milgram told them to." It was not a question of right or wrong but subjugation to an authority figure. The situation controlled behavior rather than an individual's morality. An individual's guilt transfers to the authority figure. The boys knew their father was in charge and he was responsible for the killing; they therefore felt no guilt or remorse. I suspect many Nazis felt similarly.
     Ironically, the Tisons probably would have escaped had Gary not been so obsessed with wanting to kill his brother, Joe (another unsavory character), who had informed the authorities about Gary's second attempt to obtain an airplane. By wasting time looking for Joe they gave police time to set up a roadblock (actually not intended for the Tisons) which they stumbled on and tried to shoot their way through. The book is an interesting study in motivation and corruption.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the more interest true crime books I've read in recent times. Gary Tison sounds like quite the charmer but it wasn't just his charm and pleasing good manners that helped break him out of prison, although that helped. The corruption and politics happening at the time (and possibly even now) were the main factors. It is kind of sad that Gary got his sons mixed up in his scheme, but they weren't exactly choirboys to start with. I checked the AZ DOC website to see if Arizona ever got around to dishing out the death sentence on the boys and Gary's partner, Randy Greenwald.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is on the level of In Cold Blood. That's how brilliant it is.

[Jerry Peace · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do you "like" a book about a murderous sociopath? You don't, really. Fascinated, mesmerized, yeah. You know, most of us toss the word "sociopath" around like cheap cigars or pencils that say "Merry Christmas." And we all know about Charles Manson. But Clarke's portrait of Gary Tison is perhaps more gruesomely scary than even Manson. Manson's charisma seduced a group of young people. Tison did too-his sons. But Tison coolly, efficiently, and methodically manipulated nearly everyone else he set out to. Fellow inmates and particularly prison administrators succumbed to his persuasions. I would guess there's probably lots of people roaming around without a conscience, without any moral barriers inhibiting their desires. But I have to hope that there are very few who combine this internal barrenness with this disturbing power and willingness to control others. And if all that isn't enough, throw in Tison's unhesitating solace to murder. Clarke puts it this way-"Like the leader of another family cult, Charles Manson, Gary Tison was THE unquestioned authority. Like Manson, he could inspire both awe and love, and always compliance, through the charismatic force of his personality." The tragedy is always that it never just stays in the family.

[Syd (Sydsbooked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

The author does a great job of blending fact and dramatization. Clarke supports a lot with the evidence he has collected and goes into clinical detail regarding the real-life characters. It was great that he established credibility while also admitting to tailoring interviews for clarity.

It feels weird rating a true crime novel, as I view it as a memoir of sorts in the way that these were real victims with families that loved them. That being said, looking at it strictly from the perspective of the author providing this context, I give this a 3.5 out of 5.

I would have loved a bit more about the victims and their lives. What was said about them felt like the author was honoring them well, but it could have been elevated.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story and read. I was introduced to this book by a local book club in Tucson. The real-life story is simply amazing and beyond compare. The author does a terrific job in painting the picture for you as the crimes are occurring as if you are there with the criminals. I was not aware of this story but it is a must read for anyone that likes true crime stories. The psychological analysis at the end of the book is smart and interesting. The Epilogue provides the reader with updated information on the main characters. Highly recommend!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling read. Clarke's meticulous mastery of all aspects of this story -- from the incompetence & corruption of prison officials, to the involvement of organized crime, and the psychological dynamics of a totally dysfunctional family -- makes for a terrific, sensitive telling of this tragedy. I'm very much looking forward to the movie being released this week, which has a great cast & a script by the author.

[Paul Stansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd never heard about this particular murderer before, but this true crime book was very good. Tison is an interesting criminal to read about--he was a murderous thug, but darkly charismatic and controlling enough to involved his wife and sons in his crimes. I liked the author's writing style too--it was detailed enough, but still read smoothly. I highly recommend this book.

[Ryan Hannay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Save yourself time and just read the wikipedia article.  This book is too drawn out, and focused needlessly on gruesome details of the crimes.  I think the real problem is there's just nothing that interesting about Gary Tison.  He was basically a wild animal with no redeeming qualities that should have been put down after his first murder (of a prison guard, no less)

[Trudy Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biography. Gary Tison is broken out of jail with the help of his three sons. This story chronicles their escape and subsequent capture. Six innocent people are killed for their vehicles. Interesting as it is set in Arizona. Very good read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*

[Claire P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced read that somehow manages to be thorough and provide psychological background. This is very much a good read if you can stomach the crimes involved.

[Joe Hauglie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

[Susan's Sweat Smells Like Literature · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting true crime read with an academic accent.

[Giancarlo Sapelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book as Professor Clarke required us to read it for his class I took in college back in 2002. It was very well written and very enjoyable. As I took this class back in 2002 and I'm writing this review in 2017 you can feel safe to know I am not just trying to suck up to my professor

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chilling account of murderer Gary Tison's last escape. A tale that is guaranteed to give the reader nightmares. Do not read this book at night, in the desert, whilst alone, the fugitives in this real tale are more frightening than any made-up monsters. Full review to follow.