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Born to Be Wild
An outlaw biker. Car thief, meth dealer, rapist, and killer. Gets a last chance to be a good guy.
Philadelphia suburbs, 1971. Bobby Nauss is a quiet, parochial school student. After high school, he becomes a gun-toting member of one of the most feared motorcycle gangs in America. And once his life changes, he can never go back.
Liz Lande is young, blonde, and beautiful. But she has a knack for picking the wrong men. And when she falls in love with Bobby Nauss, the mistake costs her life.
The Warlocks motorcycle gang specializes in kidnapping young women, gang-raping them, and murdering them. And Bobby Nauss is ultimately convicted of dealing meth, raping a young woman, and murdering Liz.
In 1983, while serving his sentences in a maximum-security prison, he escapes. While law enforcement tries to apprehend him, he relocates, changes his identity, and begins a new life. To his new family, friends, and neighbors in Michigan, he’s known as a decent, generous, law-abiding citizen.
But has he really changed, or is he still a Warlock at heart?
Born to Be Wild takes you into a criminal, misogynistic subculture, and traces Bobby Nauss’s involvement in a horrific rape and murder, his cunning jailbreak, and his new life as a “model” citizen. This true crime saga takes 20 years to play out before Bobby’s finally brought to justice.
Buy Born to Be Wild now to discover this amazing story.
Philadelphia suburbs, 1971. Bobby Nauss is a quiet, parochial school student. After high school, he becomes a gun-toting member of one of the most feared motorcycle gangs in America. And once his life changes, he can never go back.
Liz Lande is young, blonde, and beautiful. But she has a knack for picking the wrong men. And when she falls in love with Bobby Nauss, the mistake costs her life.
The Warlocks motorcycle gang specializes in kidnapping young women, gang-raping them, and murdering them. And Bobby Nauss is ultimately convicted of dealing meth, raping a young woman, and murdering Liz.
In 1983, while serving his sentences in a maximum-security prison, he escapes. While law enforcement tries to apprehend him, he relocates, changes his identity, and begins a new life. To his new family, friends, and neighbors in Michigan, he’s known as a decent, generous, law-abiding citizen.
But has he really changed, or is he still a Warlock at heart?
Born to Be Wild takes you into a criminal, misogynistic subculture, and traces Bobby Nauss’s involvement in a horrific rape and murder, his cunning jailbreak, and his new life as a “model” citizen. This true crime saga takes 20 years to play out before Bobby’s finally brought to justice.
Buy Born to Be Wild now to discover this amazing story.
- GenresTrue Crime
479 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1994
About the author
Barry Bowe
47 books17 followersAmerica’s best crime writer leads a fascinating life.
A jock in high school, Barry Bowe got kicked out of the Naval Academy two days before the beginning of Plebe Summer. Long story.
Sold life insurance, quit because he hated it.
Became a territory manager in Manhattan, for the world’s largest textile manufacturer. More interested in acting and rock ‘n’ roll, got himself fired.
Auditioned for a part in dinner theater. Got the part, didn’t know how to act. Moved on to music.
Fronted several rock groups for several years, couldn’t make enough money to support his family. Wife and two children. Favorite daughter Stevie, favorite son Ed.
Moved to Fort Lauderdale, installed carpet for a few years. Did well until aggravating an old football injury. Needed knee surgery, needed new career-path.
Moved back to Philly. Gave life insurance another try, still hated it.
Found a home in the fitness industry. Started at the bottom, worked his way toward the top. Loved his job, made tons of money. Refused to kiss the president’s ass, got fired after six years.
Divorce mixed in the middle of all that.
Moved to the Caribbean to become a writer. Didn’t know a story had a beginning, a middle, and an end. Taught algebra, geometry, and trigonometry in an expensive private school. Went from $60,000 per year, to $16,000. Tended bar seven nights a week to make ends meet, took correspondence courses on writing in his spare time.
Became a sportswriter with the local newspaper, first sportswriter to put the name of future NBA star Tim Duncan on the sports page.
Quit both jobs to move to L.A. to write the pilot for a TV series.
Moved back to the islands when the production company ran out of money.
Decided to become a freelance writer, subsidized by a rich girl who thought he had talent. Found a niche in the true-crime market, wrote more than 100 stories for the True Detective magazines.
Came home to visit mom, bumped into an idea for a book. Took a day-trip to New York City to interview two agents. Liked both, picked one. Connie Clausen.
Mentored him, sold his first book. Born to Be Wild in the United States, Der Wild in Germany.
Connie died, didn’t like the person taking over her agency.
Continued as an independent writer: 1964, Stosh, Caribbean Queen, The War Journal (ghost writer), Birth of the Birds, Eagles QBs A to Z. And now ... America’s best crime saga: 21 Years. Polish Widow on the drawing board.
Delivered pizza to make ends meet, for years. Loved the job and co-workers.
Loves horseracing. Splits time equally between betting on horses and writing.
Favorite grandson Zack (my spelling, not his) graduated from Rosemont College with a degree in chemistry. Favorite granddaughter Ally married a soldier stationed in Fort Riley.
Obsessed with seeing 21 Years on Netflix.
A jock in high school, Barry Bowe got kicked out of the Naval Academy two days before the beginning of Plebe Summer. Long story.
Sold life insurance, quit because he hated it.
Became a territory manager in Manhattan, for the world’s largest textile manufacturer. More interested in acting and rock ‘n’ roll, got himself fired.
Auditioned for a part in dinner theater. Got the part, didn’t know how to act. Moved on to music.
Fronted several rock groups for several years, couldn’t make enough money to support his family. Wife and two children. Favorite daughter Stevie, favorite son Ed.
Moved to Fort Lauderdale, installed carpet for a few years. Did well until aggravating an old football injury. Needed knee surgery, needed new career-path.
Moved back to Philly. Gave life insurance another try, still hated it.
Found a home in the fitness industry. Started at the bottom, worked his way toward the top. Loved his job, made tons of money. Refused to kiss the president’s ass, got fired after six years.
Divorce mixed in the middle of all that.
Moved to the Caribbean to become a writer. Didn’t know a story had a beginning, a middle, and an end. Taught algebra, geometry, and trigonometry in an expensive private school. Went from $60,000 per year, to $16,000. Tended bar seven nights a week to make ends meet, took correspondence courses on writing in his spare time.
Became a sportswriter with the local newspaper, first sportswriter to put the name of future NBA star Tim Duncan on the sports page.
Quit both jobs to move to L.A. to write the pilot for a TV series.
Moved back to the islands when the production company ran out of money.
Decided to become a freelance writer, subsidized by a rich girl who thought he had talent. Found a niche in the true-crime market, wrote more than 100 stories for the True Detective magazines.
Came home to visit mom, bumped into an idea for a book. Took a day-trip to New York City to interview two agents. Liked both, picked one. Connie Clausen.
Mentored him, sold his first book. Born to Be Wild in the United States, Der Wild in Germany.
Connie died, didn’t like the person taking over her agency.
Continued as an independent writer: 1964, Stosh, Caribbean Queen, The War Journal (ghost writer), Birth of the Birds, Eagles QBs A to Z. And now ... America’s best crime saga: 21 Years. Polish Widow on the drawing board.
Delivered pizza to make ends meet, for years. Loved the job and co-workers.
Loves horseracing. Splits time equally between betting on horses and writing.
Favorite grandson Zack (my spelling, not his) graduated from Rosemont College with a degree in chemistry. Favorite granddaughter Ally married a soldier stationed in Fort Riley.
Obsessed with seeing 21 Years on Netflix.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 23, 2013
Know that it's a tough read if you are sensitive to violence. I was surprised with the level of detail regarding the crimes committed. The book read more like a outline of facts rather than story. It was eye opening though and interesting if you are from the areas mentioned!
July 6, 2011
It was enjoyable as long as you went into it with the understanding that the majority of the alleged facts that the book was based on, were derived from cops, the media, court documents and the author's imagination.
The fact that I now live it the general vicinity where this story allegedly took place, makes it a fun read. "hey I know where that is" or hey I know his daughter or went to school with her uncle", kind of fun.
What I truly disliked about this book that it WAS written upon the research of those I listed in the first paragraph. Yet the author clearly proclaims it as true story. well, if it was actually a TRUE story, then why so little truth? Why was a good portion of the book a re-write out of the courts documents. It also clearly states in one chapter that the prosecuting witness committed purgery on the stand and influence by law enforcement, who actually rigged the case by exonerating 2 of the key defendants because they were both "tag teaming" the poor rape case victim. She was a straight nymph-criminal whore.
To put it straight, the "system" are the TRUE criminals in a good portion of this case and second.. What did some rapist/murder case have to really do with the Warlock MC. I feel that the author tied the biker club into the book to get the sales, when truly Nauss did not commit the alleged crimes as a WMC or with other WMCs and from what I was told, at the time all of this went down, he wasn't really a fully active member.
So in conclusion, if your from the DelCo area, it's a good make believe in your real live home town. If you are a biker, don't waste your time getting yourself mad at a man who had no clue, other then what the cops told him, if you are one of the cops, SHAME ON YOU!
GOOD READ: 5 stars
FRAUDULANT: 2 star
Total: 2.5 stars rounding up to 3
The fact that I now live it the general vicinity where this story allegedly took place, makes it a fun read. "hey I know where that is" or hey I know his daughter or went to school with her uncle", kind of fun.
What I truly disliked about this book that it WAS written upon the research of those I listed in the first paragraph. Yet the author clearly proclaims it as true story. well, if it was actually a TRUE story, then why so little truth? Why was a good portion of the book a re-write out of the courts documents. It also clearly states in one chapter that the prosecuting witness committed purgery on the stand and influence by law enforcement, who actually rigged the case by exonerating 2 of the key defendants because they were both "tag teaming" the poor rape case victim. She was a straight nymph-criminal whore.
To put it straight, the "system" are the TRUE criminals in a good portion of this case and second.. What did some rapist/murder case have to really do with the Warlock MC. I feel that the author tied the biker club into the book to get the sales, when truly Nauss did not commit the alleged crimes as a WMC or with other WMCs and from what I was told, at the time all of this went down, he wasn't really a fully active member.
So in conclusion, if your from the DelCo area, it's a good make believe in your real live home town. If you are a biker, don't waste your time getting yourself mad at a man who had no clue, other then what the cops told him, if you are one of the cops, SHAME ON YOU!
GOOD READ: 5 stars
FRAUDULANT: 2 star
Total: 2.5 stars rounding up to 3
February 27, 2017
Thoroughly researched and well written, this true life crime book focuses on Bobby Nauss and his involvement in the Warlocks Motorcycle Club, the crimes he committed and both the Police and FBI's focus on the imprisonment of him. Interesting reading, especially as I hadn't heard of him before reading this.
June 2, 2008
Another one for in case I ever need to remember...
Read
October 2, 2011LOVED this book, read it several times...when is the next book, Barry?
January 27, 2018
This book was ok. I expected it to be a little more story and less repeating facts, page after page. I am familiar with most of the locations so that was interesting, but the whole thing just wasn't what I expected.
June 2, 2021
The story is extremely intriguing, especially since I am from and am very familiar with the area that is the setting of this true story.
However, this edition of the book is full of editing/proofreading mistakes which sometimes make it difficult to read.
However, this edition of the book is full of editing/proofreading mistakes which sometimes make it difficult to read.
August 10, 2017
Pending.
September 5, 2017
Set in the neighborhood where I grew up. Made me homesick in a strange way. Violence is everywhere. And always has been.
May 5, 2021
Enjoyed the book but probably because I'm from the area and remember some of the events from the news.
January 20, 2024
Great book based on a guy who went to my high school, Monsignor Bonner and from outside Philly, Delco who is now in prison for his crimes. A good read
January 2, 2020
"Like a disco ball packed with dynamite." The back cover description aimed a little too high. The story was interesting, but not well written. The authors picture looked like the meme of an older person's FB profile pic - hilarious. I read it as I could not find any other book on Warlocks. Information doesn't seem too reliable but he says it's just what people told him or he "researched." Take it with a grain of salt.
But you have to ready it cause it's like a disco ball packed with DYNAMITE!
But you have to ready it cause it's like a disco ball packed with DYNAMITE!
May 30, 2015
Your not a writer, all you did was re-wright everything you read from newspaper articles and what the feds point of view is. Nauss and Cookie aught to sue your sorry a** for slander. The feds did not want Hansell or Turner to testify at Nauss's hearing, because they new the case would of been thrown out of court. Charlotte Ellingsworth enjoyed having group sex with Turner and Hansell (for years). There was no rape. Cookie was not a drunk, drug user ... and all the other crap you portrayed her to be. Get your facts straight.
June 17, 2016
A little different from your typical true crime format. In this case the convicted criminal was a member of the Warlocks motorcycle gang, so history of biker gangs is included. The other interesting twist is that after conviction, the killer escaped from prison and was outwardly living a seemingly normal life with wife and kids in Michigan. In the meantime still making his money as a meth cook and dealer.
May 27, 2015
Charlotte Ellingsworth (real name) had group sex with Hansell and Turner for years. Rape?????? Turner said "That f** bi*** liked it until I started beating her." They did not need to rape anyone they knew to many sluts like Charlotte Ellingsworth, to rape. To many girls were willing to do it for some meth.
March 2, 2014
Excellent excellent excellent. I read the newest version that was released last month. As a former Delco, PA resident, I was just absolutely fascinated by this account of the Warlock Bobby Naus, and his life and the life are outlaw bikers. Loved it and a real page turner!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews