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The Dillinger Days
For thirteen violent months in the 1930s, John Dillinger and his gang swept through the Midwest. The criminals of the Depression robbed almost at will (the Indiana State Police had only 41 members, including clerks and typists). Dillinger's daring escapes-single-handed at Crown Point jail or through the withering machine gun fire of FBI agents at Little Bohemia Lodge-and his countless bank robberies excited the imagination of a despondent country. He eluded the lawmen of a half-dozen states and the growing power of the FBI, earning him the dubious honor of Public Enemy Number One and captivating Americans to the present day. His brief but significant career is vividly chronicled here in extraordinary detail, as is the entire outlaw era of Baby Face Nelson, Bonnie and Clyde, Ma Barker, and Machine Gun Kelly. The author conducted hundreds of interviews; his research took him through thirty-four states, into the cells where Dillinger was confined, and into every bank he robbed. The Dillinger Days is the inside account of a desperate and determined war between the law and the lawless, a struggle that did not end until a unique set of circumstances led to Dillinger's bloody death outside a Chicago movie house.
382 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1963
80 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
John Toland
40 books193 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
John^Toland - 17th century theologian, Philosopher & Satirist
John^^Toland - American writer and historian (WWII & Dillinger)
John^^^Toland - Article: "The Man who Reads Minds"
John Willard Toland (June 29, 1912 in La Crosse, Wisconsin - January 4, 2004 in Danbury, Connecticut) was an American author and historian. He is best known for his biography of Adolf Hitler.[1]
Toland tried to write history as a straightforward narrative, with minimal analysis or judgment. This method may have stemmed from his original goal of becoming a playwright. In the summers between his college years, he travelled with hobos and wrote several plays with hobos as central characters, none of which achieved the stage.[2] At one point he managed to publish an article on dirigibles in Look magazine; it proved extremely popular and led to his career as a historian.
One exception to his general approach is his Infamy: Pearl Harbor and Its Aftermath about the Pearl Harbor attack and the investigations of it, in which he wrote about evidence that President Franklin Roosevelt knew in advance of plans to attack the naval base but remained silent. The book was widely criticized at the time. Since the original publication, Toland added new evidence and rebutted early critics. Also, an anonymous source, known as "Seaman Z" (Robert D. Ogg) has since come forth to publicly tell his story.
Perhaps his most important work, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize in 1971, is The Rising Sun. Based on original and extensive interviews with high Japanese officials who survived the war, the book chronicles Imperial Japan from the military rebellion of February 1936 to the end of World War II. The book won the Pulitzer because it was the first book in English to tell the history of the war in the Pacific from the Japanese point of view, rather than from an American perspective.
The stories of the battles for the stepping stones to Japan, the islands in the Pacific which had come under Japanese domination, are told from the perspective of the commander sitting in his cave rather than from that of the heroic forces engaged in the assault. Most of these commanders committed suicide at the conclusion of the battle, but Toland was able to reconstruct their viewpoint from letters to their wives and from reports they sent to Tokyo. Toland died in 2004 of pneumonia.
While predominantly a non-fiction author, Toland also wrote two historical novels, Gods of War and Occupation. He says in his autobiography that he earned little money from his Pulitzer Prize-winning, The Rising Sun, but was set for life from the earnings of his biography of Hitler, for which he also did original research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tol...
John^Toland - 17th century theologian, Philosopher & Satirist
John^^Toland - American writer and historian (WWII & Dillinger)
John^^^Toland - Article: "The Man who Reads Minds"
John Willard Toland (June 29, 1912 in La Crosse, Wisconsin - January 4, 2004 in Danbury, Connecticut) was an American author and historian. He is best known for his biography of Adolf Hitler.[1]
Toland tried to write history as a straightforward narrative, with minimal analysis or judgment. This method may have stemmed from his original goal of becoming a playwright. In the summers between his college years, he travelled with hobos and wrote several plays with hobos as central characters, none of which achieved the stage.[2] At one point he managed to publish an article on dirigibles in Look magazine; it proved extremely popular and led to his career as a historian.
One exception to his general approach is his Infamy: Pearl Harbor and Its Aftermath about the Pearl Harbor attack and the investigations of it, in which he wrote about evidence that President Franklin Roosevelt knew in advance of plans to attack the naval base but remained silent. The book was widely criticized at the time. Since the original publication, Toland added new evidence and rebutted early critics. Also, an anonymous source, known as "Seaman Z" (Robert D. Ogg) has since come forth to publicly tell his story.
Perhaps his most important work, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize in 1971, is The Rising Sun. Based on original and extensive interviews with high Japanese officials who survived the war, the book chronicles Imperial Japan from the military rebellion of February 1936 to the end of World War II. The book won the Pulitzer because it was the first book in English to tell the history of the war in the Pacific from the Japanese point of view, rather than from an American perspective.
The stories of the battles for the stepping stones to Japan, the islands in the Pacific which had come under Japanese domination, are told from the perspective of the commander sitting in his cave rather than from that of the heroic forces engaged in the assault. Most of these commanders committed suicide at the conclusion of the battle, but Toland was able to reconstruct their viewpoint from letters to their wives and from reports they sent to Tokyo. Toland died in 2004 of pneumonia.
While predominantly a non-fiction author, Toland also wrote two historical novels, Gods of War and Occupation. He says in his autobiography that he earned little money from his Pulitzer Prize-winning, The Rising Sun, but was set for life from the earnings of his biography of Hitler, for which he also did original research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tol...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 15, 2012
Not something I would usually choose to read I found I couldn't resist this first edition when discovered lost amongst old poetry folios in the bookshop I worked at.
John Toland is a well known name in military history and the surprise of finding his name attached to something more appropriate to tabloid journalists or the yellow press was what instinctively drew me to inspect the book. The rather fabulous 60s artwork on the slightly worn dust jacket added to my desire to make the $5 purchase and the broad look at the era made it a fait accompli.
Toland chronicles a thirteen month period during 1933-34 when John Dillinger and his contemporaries in crime - including Baby Face Nelson, Ma Barker and her boys, Machine Gun Kelly, Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow and Pretty Boy Floyd - terrorised the American midwest.
This promised to be an account of a place and time, not just a biography of that guy from the Johnny Depp movie, a document of moment in time that helped to change the mindset and opinion of an entire country.
It was an easy read, I spent a few hours in the sun reading a complete breakdown of who did what to whom and when. There were a lot of players in this game and Tolands approach to the minor characters meant I really didn't care about their exploits, they were just background noise there to confuse the lazy reader (me.) Everything reads like a recording of facts in chronological order and perhaps for somebody with an actual interest in the subject matter this might have been enough to fuel the imagination and encourage further reading but for somebody like me with only a passing interest it simply wasn't enough. I also found myself questioning how he could record entire conversations verbatim when his recorded sources were none of the people in question.
Reading around the history of the book I discovered that this was one of Tolands early works, perhaps he was still working on the style that would make his name. I also discovered that several of the facts reported in this volume were later disproved, not that Toland was lazy or inaccurate or a liar but that his book awakened the interest of others more passionate than himself who then went on to complete further research and discovered even more facts. This one fact is enough to upgrade to three stars from two, but then when you consider that Bonnie & Clyde were all but a forgotten footnote in American crime history before this book inspired David Newman & Robert Benton to write a movie about them the importance of John Toland and this book on popular culture is magnified tenfold.
I admit to being slightly unsatisfied by having read this but I must take some of the blame and for fans of the genre, the period or the subject this is pretty much essential reading I'm sure.
John Toland is a well known name in military history and the surprise of finding his name attached to something more appropriate to tabloid journalists or the yellow press was what instinctively drew me to inspect the book. The rather fabulous 60s artwork on the slightly worn dust jacket added to my desire to make the $5 purchase and the broad look at the era made it a fait accompli.
Toland chronicles a thirteen month period during 1933-34 when John Dillinger and his contemporaries in crime - including Baby Face Nelson, Ma Barker and her boys, Machine Gun Kelly, Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow and Pretty Boy Floyd - terrorised the American midwest.
This promised to be an account of a place and time, not just a biography of that guy from the Johnny Depp movie, a document of moment in time that helped to change the mindset and opinion of an entire country.
It was an easy read, I spent a few hours in the sun reading a complete breakdown of who did what to whom and when. There were a lot of players in this game and Tolands approach to the minor characters meant I really didn't care about their exploits, they were just background noise there to confuse the lazy reader (me.) Everything reads like a recording of facts in chronological order and perhaps for somebody with an actual interest in the subject matter this might have been enough to fuel the imagination and encourage further reading but for somebody like me with only a passing interest it simply wasn't enough. I also found myself questioning how he could record entire conversations verbatim when his recorded sources were none of the people in question.
Reading around the history of the book I discovered that this was one of Tolands early works, perhaps he was still working on the style that would make his name. I also discovered that several of the facts reported in this volume were later disproved, not that Toland was lazy or inaccurate or a liar but that his book awakened the interest of others more passionate than himself who then went on to complete further research and discovered even more facts. This one fact is enough to upgrade to three stars from two, but then when you consider that Bonnie & Clyde were all but a forgotten footnote in American crime history before this book inspired David Newman & Robert Benton to write a movie about them the importance of John Toland and this book on popular culture is magnified tenfold.
I admit to being slightly unsatisfied by having read this but I must take some of the blame and for fans of the genre, the period or the subject this is pretty much essential reading I'm sure.
December 18, 2025
Perhaps the prototypical “true crime” work, written in the early sixites, prior to even Bonnie and Clyde being released. However, there’s very little evidence of this being written in the sixities other than some archetypical terminology. As a sheer reconstruction of Dillinger’s biography, given the limitations of archives, criminal databases it’s impressive. The background/context work is well paced, though I do wish there was more about the proceeding gangster epoch that came before the second Wild West of the early 1930s. It’s not at all sympathetic to Dillinger, if anything it views him as nothing more than a sociopath, totally unreconstructable. Of course, he provides evidence toward this hypothesis but it’s generally disagreeable. A fun read, though not one with too much depth.
April 28, 2020
**3 stars**
Hard to follow as an audiobook!
For thirteen violent months in the 1930s, John Dillinger and his gang swept through the Midwest. The criminals of the Depression robbed almost at will (the Indiana State Police had only 41 members, including clerks and typists). His brief but significant career is vividly chronicled here in extraordinary detail, as is the entire outlaw era of Baby Face Nelson, Bonnie and Clyde, Ma Barker, and Machine Gun Kelly.
The problem I had with this book is I didn't bother to read the synopsis. Therefore, when listening along I got really confused because the author jumps between the different stories or various outlaws. I think I would have much preferred to just read a comprehensive account of John Dillinger, and then research other outlaws if they interested me.
Overall, it was quite comprehensive, although not overly ripe with detail. A good starting point if you are interested in American outlaws of the '30s.
Hard to follow as an audiobook!
For thirteen violent months in the 1930s, John Dillinger and his gang swept through the Midwest. The criminals of the Depression robbed almost at will (the Indiana State Police had only 41 members, including clerks and typists). His brief but significant career is vividly chronicled here in extraordinary detail, as is the entire outlaw era of Baby Face Nelson, Bonnie and Clyde, Ma Barker, and Machine Gun Kelly.
The problem I had with this book is I didn't bother to read the synopsis. Therefore, when listening along I got really confused because the author jumps between the different stories or various outlaws. I think I would have much preferred to just read a comprehensive account of John Dillinger, and then research other outlaws if they interested me.
Overall, it was quite comprehensive, although not overly ripe with detail. A good starting point if you are interested in American outlaws of the '30s.
July 24, 2018
#ReadHarderChallenge #TrueCrime
I grew up in Northern Indiana, and often asked to write reports of famous Hoosiers. While fame is usually something to attain, a life of crime is how Dillinger earned notoriety. Many of the towns he burglarized are less than 30 minutes from home, the state prison he escaped only an hour away and Chicago, a hideaway many times, can be traveled to in 2 hours. While now a part of history, still too close to home.
I grew up in Northern Indiana, and often asked to write reports of famous Hoosiers. While fame is usually something to attain, a life of crime is how Dillinger earned notoriety. Many of the towns he burglarized are less than 30 minutes from home, the state prison he escaped only an hour away and Chicago, a hideaway many times, can be traveled to in 2 hours. While now a part of history, still too close to home.
July 7, 2009
An excellent book on john Dillinger and the times he lived (and died!)Though Gangsters are not Toland's forte (he specialized on WW2) he did a great deal of research. He was able to interview many of the policemen, convicts, and women who knew Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, the Barker Gang, etc..
As the title suggests, most of the book focuses on Public Enemy Number One with some mention of the Barker-Karpis gangs and Machine Gun Kelly. Boonie adn Clyde are barely discussed.
In some ways he does a better (an in a shorter space) job than what Geoff Buroughs did quite well his 2004 (Supposedly the basis of the new film starring Johnny Depp).
Toland does not paint a flattering view of Dillinger (he was a thief from his childhood and participated in a gang rape of a young girl. However. you neverthess find much to like about Dillinger's drive and usual professionalism in robbing banks (when compared to amateur losers such as Bonnie and Clyde. The last 100 pages are rivetting and though you know it will all end in front of the Biograph on that hot July evening, you can't stop reading.
To learn more about the individual DILLINGER gang members try King's THE DILLINGER GANG (Which I am currently reading)
As the title suggests, most of the book focuses on Public Enemy Number One with some mention of the Barker-Karpis gangs and Machine Gun Kelly. Boonie adn Clyde are barely discussed.
In some ways he does a better (an in a shorter space) job than what Geoff Buroughs did quite well his 2004 (Supposedly the basis of the new film starring Johnny Depp).
Toland does not paint a flattering view of Dillinger (he was a thief from his childhood and participated in a gang rape of a young girl. However. you neverthess find much to like about Dillinger's drive and usual professionalism in robbing banks (when compared to amateur losers such as Bonnie and Clyde. The last 100 pages are rivetting and though you know it will all end in front of the Biograph on that hot July evening, you can't stop reading.
To learn more about the individual DILLINGER gang members try King's THE DILLINGER GANG (Which I am currently reading)
November 12, 2008
This is a very good account of Dillinger & others of his type from the 1920's - 30's. Baby Face Nelson, Bonnie & Clyde, Ma Barker & more have their careers & deaths described. There are some B&W pictures, too. I really got a feel for the era & why these people were both 'Public Enemies' & heroes.
January 16, 2012
Excellent book on John Dillinger, the infamous bank robber of the 1930's. This is the best book that deals strictly with Dillinger although others of that era are touched upon. Highly recommended. Note that Bryan Burrough's "Public Enemies" is an excellent follow up and recommended as well.
July 17, 2014
A little "dull"inger in parts. John Toland is not the stylist that such a story deserves.
July 24, 2021
While John Dillinger is the main thrust of the book, this is also about the times in which he grew up and then became legendary until his name was known worldwide. We also hear the stories of the other gangsters and gangs who were also part of the post-Prohibition/Depression era: Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, Machine Gun Kelly, Ma Barker, and of course, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. It seems fitting that Toland - in great detail - discusses all of them as they rob, murder, and kidnap their way across the American landscape. Dillinger, especially, captured the imagination of regular people, law enforcement, the media, and government officials from DC to London to yes, even Nazi Germany. He was a scourge, but also a celebrity, both alive and dead.
While I was surprised at first to see that the book would get me so involved in that period, I’m glad it did. You know only hear about the gangsters, their families, the wives and girlfriends. We get glimpses of regular people, who, by being in the cliched wrong place at the wrong time, found themselves held hostage, injured, kidnapped, or dead. Just being in a cafeteria to have a meal, running a hotel or motel, leaving a movie theater, or driving down Main Street as a bank robbery happened could possibly wrap you up in something you never dreamed could occur. And yet, it’s all true.
If you’re seeking a basic biography that will give you a few highlights of Dillinger’s life, this might not be for you. If you want more details about the world during this time frame where you feel like an eerie part of it, I recommend this. The narrator has a nice, soothing, well-modulated voice, that doesn’t get hysterical during key episodes. He also doesn’t try to imitate both male and female voices since he’s reading a history, not something fictional. I’m grateful for that.
While I was surprised at first to see that the book would get me so involved in that period, I’m glad it did. You know only hear about the gangsters, their families, the wives and girlfriends. We get glimpses of regular people, who, by being in the cliched wrong place at the wrong time, found themselves held hostage, injured, kidnapped, or dead. Just being in a cafeteria to have a meal, running a hotel or motel, leaving a movie theater, or driving down Main Street as a bank robbery happened could possibly wrap you up in something you never dreamed could occur. And yet, it’s all true.
If you’re seeking a basic biography that will give you a few highlights of Dillinger’s life, this might not be for you. If you want more details about the world during this time frame where you feel like an eerie part of it, I recommend this. The narrator has a nice, soothing, well-modulated voice, that doesn’t get hysterical during key episodes. He also doesn’t try to imitate both male and female voices since he’s reading a history, not something fictional. I’m grateful for that.
October 5, 2022
John Toland's The Dillinger Days is a classic account of the wave of bank robberies and kidnappings in mid-'30s America. Toland (best known as a military historian) provides sharp, colorful sketches of the era's most notorious figures: Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the Oklahoma ne'er-do-wells who actively cultivated their own legend while committing cold-blooded murder; Machine Gun Kelly, the bumbling kidnapper dominated by his wife and immortalized by a clever nickname; the psychotic Baby Face Nelson and smooth Pretty Boy Floyd; kidnapper Roger Touhy and arch-criminal Alvin Karpis; and, of course, John Dillinger, the most successful and notorious of them all. Where Toland's later works often opt for a plodding, analytical style, this early volume has a breezy you-are-there reportorial vibe, as Toland speeds through the robberies, kidnappings, arrests, shootouts and murders immortalized by a million books and movies with a bracing breeziness. He makes an effort to place the criminals in their time period, viewing the FBI's growth as an extension of Roosevelt's New Deal policies and the crime wave's exploitation by a sensationalist media. Toland falls victim to romanticizing his subjects a few times, especially when discussing Dillinger, whom he depicts as a tragic victim of circumstance who backed his way into crime. Some of the book's information is dated (he blames Pretty Boy Floyd for the Kansas City Massacre, though to be fair more recent writers like Brian Burrough still believe this; he also repeats rumors about Dillinger's sexuality and tall tales about Bonnie and Clyde that have since been disproven), which qualifies its trustworthiness though is inevitable for a work of popular history written in 1947. Still, for an introduction to this violent, colorful time period Toland's book remains a worthy, highly readable resource.
April 28, 2025
John Toland is probably best-known for his military histories, particularly those dealing with World War II. This fast-paced narrative looks at underworld life in the USA during the Great Depression of the 1930's, when bank robbers were considered folk heroes by a surprising number of persons. It's primarily the story of John Dillinger and his gang, known for prison breaks and bank holdups.
Dillinger was an anti-hero and celebrity (he played the role to the hilt) as were certain other criminals of that era such as Bonnie and Clyde, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd. Readers get a feel for the criminals, the top FBI personnel on their trails, and for life during the hard times of the Depression. Alas, many came to a violent end, suffering the same fate as some of their victims. Author John Toland has a way with gripping prose, and this effort is no exception. Some attack this book for glamorizing vicious criminals, while others point to a handful of inaccuracies. Whatever your take, this book still makes very interesting reading even though it was written 1963 and might be a little dated. There might be some factual inaccuracies, but Dillinger became a symbol of rebellion and a folk hero to some, particularly those struggling financially, as he robbed banks and seemed to defy authority in the 1930's. His daring escapes, charismatic personality, and romanticized image in the media further fueled public interest.
This book is a great starting point for any reader who wishes to learn more about these colorful criminals and the year they helped define. But the fact remains that Toland's work inspired a great deal of research on this subject of gangsters. So, a lot of the new information available today probably wouldn't have surfaced without it. Toland's book remains a useful starting point for anyone interested in the gangster era--the Dillinger days.
Dillinger was an anti-hero and celebrity (he played the role to the hilt) as were certain other criminals of that era such as Bonnie and Clyde, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd. Readers get a feel for the criminals, the top FBI personnel on their trails, and for life during the hard times of the Depression. Alas, many came to a violent end, suffering the same fate as some of their victims. Author John Toland has a way with gripping prose, and this effort is no exception. Some attack this book for glamorizing vicious criminals, while others point to a handful of inaccuracies. Whatever your take, this book still makes very interesting reading even though it was written 1963 and might be a little dated. There might be some factual inaccuracies, but Dillinger became a symbol of rebellion and a folk hero to some, particularly those struggling financially, as he robbed banks and seemed to defy authority in the 1930's. His daring escapes, charismatic personality, and romanticized image in the media further fueled public interest.
This book is a great starting point for any reader who wishes to learn more about these colorful criminals and the year they helped define. But the fact remains that Toland's work inspired a great deal of research on this subject of gangsters. So, a lot of the new information available today probably wouldn't have surfaced without it. Toland's book remains a useful starting point for anyone interested in the gangster era--the Dillinger days.
June 19, 2022
I have always had a love for crime and prison literature - few things are as exciting as tales of outlaws. Growing up on Grand Theft Auto, the violence of modern hollywood and televisions obsession with criminology - these are outlets for our darker fascinations.
This book captures the modern criminal well, striving for freedom and to get for free what others have worked for - and its immense cost. Prison time, loss of life and limb, acts committed which one can never take back. It captures how we are captured by such outlaws, dangerous men - and how they capture the respect of many people - the adoration of many women.
John Dillinger is a very interesting case, modest as he is bombastic, cruel as much as he is human - heart, soul and all. Him, his gang, the trends of gangs around him, they all make for very interesting and provoking reading.
As to the author, Toland has become my favorite historian, and for good reason. He is never a dry read - and can suck one into almost any topic and time. I greatly reccomend you give this book, and this author in general your time. It will not be wasted.
I listened to this book on Audible, suitable for a long drive.
This book captures the modern criminal well, striving for freedom and to get for free what others have worked for - and its immense cost. Prison time, loss of life and limb, acts committed which one can never take back. It captures how we are captured by such outlaws, dangerous men - and how they capture the respect of many people - the adoration of many women.
John Dillinger is a very interesting case, modest as he is bombastic, cruel as much as he is human - heart, soul and all. Him, his gang, the trends of gangs around him, they all make for very interesting and provoking reading.
As to the author, Toland has become my favorite historian, and for good reason. He is never a dry read - and can suck one into almost any topic and time. I greatly reccomend you give this book, and this author in general your time. It will not be wasted.
I listened to this book on Audible, suitable for a long drive.
November 16, 2021
This book refers to a very specific, short period of American history (roughly 1933 to 1935), when it seemed gangsters were unbeatable. This was the time of Bonny and Clyde, of the Barkers and the redoubtable Ma Barker. And of the Dillinger gang, that included such grotesques as the fearsome Pretty Boy Floyd and lanky sociopath Homer van Meter, who liked to catch flies with lassos made of yarn and keep them as pets. Dillinger started out as a chilling psychopath who nearly sawed a boy in two while he was still in his teens, and, amazingly, seemed to become more reasonable and likable as he aged and became public enemy number 1. He was athletic, fearless, chivalrous toward the ladies and generally eschewed unnecessary violence. He loved the people’s attention and many of them liked him: he robbed banks, and these were insured and nobody liken them anyone, during the Great Depression. He also starred in several magnificent prison escapes, in which he showed his ability to keep his cool, think on his feet and use the corrupting power of money to his advantage. Although the numerous captures and escapes tend to become tiresome, it’s still a very good story. The episode of the Little Bohemia hotel would make a nice movie by itself. Eventually all these gangsters were undone, including the much overrated and despicable antisocial Bonnie and Clyde. Dillinger himself was betrayed by a friend who wanted to use this to keep from being deported back to Romania. She was deported anyway. This was also the period when J Edgar Hoover’s FBI came into its own. It would live for decades off the accumulated social capital of these few years, when it fought gangsters for the control of the heartland.
December 3, 2024
A Grown-Up Book About A Kids Game - Cops and Robbers
I’m 74 and part of what I believe is the last generation of young boys to play fantasy games outside in the fresh air. We played Cowboys And Indians (not politically correct, I know) and we also played cops and robbers. In that version, we heard about the real bad guys from our Depression-era parents and grandparents. Some friends were the G-Men while others were Baby Face Nelson or … king of the good guy criminals, John Dillinger.
This interesting read recalls that historical period vividly and really is a morality play for what might have been had a good guy had he not gone horribly wrong.
As much as recalling the stories of criminals, it made me fondly recall my parents who chose a much more morally proper … and safer path and for those choices I’m here.
Rather than just about crime, this book is about choices and the path NOT taken. It’s a good read.
I’m 74 and part of what I believe is the last generation of young boys to play fantasy games outside in the fresh air. We played Cowboys And Indians (not politically correct, I know) and we also played cops and robbers. In that version, we heard about the real bad guys from our Depression-era parents and grandparents. Some friends were the G-Men while others were Baby Face Nelson or … king of the good guy criminals, John Dillinger.
This interesting read recalls that historical period vividly and really is a morality play for what might have been had a good guy had he not gone horribly wrong.
As much as recalling the stories of criminals, it made me fondly recall my parents who chose a much more morally proper … and safer path and for those choices I’m here.
Rather than just about crime, this book is about choices and the path NOT taken. It’s a good read.
August 15, 2018
John Toland is an excellent historian and every book he has written has captured and held my attention. Every time we drive past Little Bohemia, questions arise of the importance it played in the madcap gangster days of the 1930's and Toland's book answers those questions as well as "why did St. Paul play such an important role". Names like Bonnie & Clyde, the Ma Barker Gang, Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, etc. are written about with sound historical research recreating for the reader the elements of the Depression/Gangsters/FBI.
October 22, 2024
So I took a break from this book because at times it was hard for me to follow. I don't do too good jumping back and forth to different stories of different people in this case gangsters but I gave it another shot and the end half of the book was mainly about Dillinger gang. I'm glad I gave it another shot.
January 7, 2019
This book stands the test of time - I didn't realize it was published many years ago.
I didn't know that much about John Dillinger, especially that he was active in the Midwest. To have been in many of the towns or on the roads he traveled made the book that much more interesting.
I didn't know that much about John Dillinger, especially that he was active in the Midwest. To have been in many of the towns or on the roads he traveled made the book that much more interesting.
September 27, 2023
Just the facts, Ma’am
A book written in a style of reportage that Toland mastered. I liked the attention to detail, yet found some of the minutiae tedious to his prose. Published in 1963, the book is of its time. Nevertheless I found it engaging.
A book written in a style of reportage that Toland mastered. I liked the attention to detail, yet found some of the minutiae tedious to his prose. Published in 1963, the book is of its time. Nevertheless I found it engaging.
March 30, 2025
Very Entertaining
Well-written and comprehensive story of the criminal gangs operating in the Midwest, during the Depression years. As the book shows, crime definitely does not pay!
Well-written and comprehensive story of the criminal gangs operating in the Midwest, during the Depression years. As the book shows, crime definitely does not pay!
January 16, 2019
Although you may think you now about Dillinger, you should still grab this book that steps in the man's shoes and takes readers on an intriguing ride.
August 22, 2020
I read this book many years ago and at the time thought it was pretty good. Sometime last year I re-purchased a copy and did not like it quite as much this time. Not sure why
December 24, 2020
If you’re interested in this period of time, as I am, this is a good read/listen.
July 2, 2021
This book, I think, is from 1963 so it does use some older language.
August 5, 2021
I love books on Dillinger and the gangsters of the early 1930s. This book gets dumped on a lot but it’s pretty good.
February 5, 2022
Quite interesting!
February 13, 2024
An enjoyable book about Dillinger and other bank robbing gangs during the 1930s. It was first published in 1963 so Toland was able to talk to some of the gangs' associates.
September 20, 2024
3.3 Written in 1963 about the crimes and deaths of John Dillinger and members of his gang. Well written, I listened to the audiobook by Grover Gardner which was excellent.
May 10, 2025
good story
Very well paced and interesting. Pure history. If you like gangs of the 30s you will love this book. I couldn’t put it down.
Very well paced and interesting. Pure history. If you like gangs of the 30s you will love this book. I couldn’t put it down.
August 21, 2025
A lot of information but could really use a proofreading and some trimming.
October 4, 2025
interesting rendering
A bit long winded and tedious. However with my interest in the myth, I wanted what I hoped would be a fact filled narrative, I wasn't disappointed.
A bit long winded and tedious. However with my interest in the myth, I wanted what I hoped would be a fact filled narrative, I wasn't disappointed.
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