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My Life with Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie and Clyde were responsible for multiple murders and countless robberies. But they did not act alone. In 1933, during their infamous run from the law, Bonnie and Clyde were joined by Clyde’s brother Buck Barrow and his wife Blanche. Of these four accomplices, only one—Blanche Caldwell Barrow—lived beyond early adulthood and only Blanche left behind a written account of their escapades. Edited by outlaw expert John Neal Phillips, Blanche’s previously unknown memoir is here available for the first time.
Blanche wrote her memoir between 1933 and 1939, while serving time at the Missouri State Penitentiary. Following her death, Blanche’s good friend and the executor of her will, Esther L. Weiser, found the memoir wrapped in a large unused Christmas card. Later she entrusted it to Phillips, who had interviewed Blanche several times before her death. Drawing from these interviews, and from extensive research into Depression-era outlaw history, Phillips supplements the memoir with helpful notes and with biographical information about Blanche and her accomplices.
Blanche wrote her memoir between 1933 and 1939, while serving time at the Missouri State Penitentiary. Following her death, Blanche’s good friend and the executor of her will, Esther L. Weiser, found the memoir wrapped in a large unused Christmas card. Later she entrusted it to Phillips, who had interviewed Blanche several times before her death. Drawing from these interviews, and from extensive research into Depression-era outlaw history, Phillips supplements the memoir with helpful notes and with biographical information about Blanche and her accomplices.
376 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
September 10, 2025
Bonnie and Clyde terrorised a huge swathe of Southern United States during the early thirties until their violent deaths in an ambush in Louisiana. For a certain length of time they had an almost legendary status as outlaws who fought the system. The publication of Bonnie's verses in particular gave them the aura of doomed lovers. By the time they were killed public opinion had turned against them largely owing to several violent murders. Still, Thousands turned out at their funerals. (You can see clips of them on You tube} In the 12 months following their deaths four of the major criminal gangs met violent ends: Pretty Boy Floyd, John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, and the "Ma Barker" gang.
What we have in this book is a memoir of the time Clyde's sister-in-law rode with the gang.In effect she takes the reader right into the car and gives a first hand account of what the lives of the two criminals were like. It soon becomes clear that it was a really awful existence. They weren't particularly good bank robbers and tended to live in their stolen Ford V8 automobiles. Blanche's husband, Buck, was clearly implicated in the crimes despite Blanche's futile attempts to make him seem an unwilling participant. Bonnie was an alcoholic with a wicked temper who at one point came close to killing Clyde. However, there is no indication that she ever shot any person during the crimes. Clyde, on the other hand, is clearly the individual who controlled events. He was obsessed with gaining revenge for the utter horror of his first and only prison experience in Texas. He described Eastham Farm Prison as a "Hell Hole. He was sexually abused and another convict said that he saw Clyde Barrow turn from an ordinary kid into a "rattlesnake" before his eyes. Unlike the other criminal gangs of the time, he was not really motivated by money--rather he was fuelled by anger. As bad as he was, and it must be stressed that he was fully culpable for some terrible crimes . . . he was partly created by the times.
The actual memoir of Blanche which was written in longhand in prison only takes up a bit more than a third of the book. The rest of the volume includes a foreword by Esther L Weiser who received the manuscript from Blanche and excellent notes by John Neal Phillips who also describes Blanche Barrow's life during and after prison. Phillips provides good background notes to the events occurring at the time thus putting the memoir in a contextual perspective. The result is an excellent piece of social history of life during the depression that is quite fascinating to read.
What we have in this book is a memoir of the time Clyde's sister-in-law rode with the gang.In effect she takes the reader right into the car and gives a first hand account of what the lives of the two criminals were like. It soon becomes clear that it was a really awful existence. They weren't particularly good bank robbers and tended to live in their stolen Ford V8 automobiles. Blanche's husband, Buck, was clearly implicated in the crimes despite Blanche's futile attempts to make him seem an unwilling participant. Bonnie was an alcoholic with a wicked temper who at one point came close to killing Clyde. However, there is no indication that she ever shot any person during the crimes. Clyde, on the other hand, is clearly the individual who controlled events. He was obsessed with gaining revenge for the utter horror of his first and only prison experience in Texas. He described Eastham Farm Prison as a "Hell Hole. He was sexually abused and another convict said that he saw Clyde Barrow turn from an ordinary kid into a "rattlesnake" before his eyes. Unlike the other criminal gangs of the time, he was not really motivated by money--rather he was fuelled by anger. As bad as he was, and it must be stressed that he was fully culpable for some terrible crimes . . . he was partly created by the times.
The actual memoir of Blanche which was written in longhand in prison only takes up a bit more than a third of the book. The rest of the volume includes a foreword by Esther L Weiser who received the manuscript from Blanche and excellent notes by John Neal Phillips who also describes Blanche Barrow's life during and after prison. Phillips provides good background notes to the events occurring at the time thus putting the memoir in a contextual perspective. The result is an excellent piece of social history of life during the depression that is quite fascinating to read.
February 10, 2014
Blanche Barrow is your typical good woman who loves a rough character. Reading this personal story by Blanche gave me insight as to how a good girl could be led down a road of destruction she desperately wanted to avoid with her husband Buck. She fell in love with a convicted criminal who escaped from prison, turned himself in, did his time and came out to settle down with his loving wife. Enter Bonne and Clyde, who wanted Buck to travel along with them for "a rest with no danger to you or Blanche, just spending some family time together'. Of course we all know how it ends for Bonnie and Clyde, but very little inside information was known about Blanche and her life after prison. She admits to helping with a few of the robberies, although never having shot someone, it's just the old cliche of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. She was so much in love with Buck Barrow, that she would have rather taken her chances with Bonnie and Clyde and the law rather than lose Buck. Personally, I think that if Buck had not chosen to make that visit, which turned into a nightmare, Blanche could have kept him on the straight and narrow. Blanche Barrow did her time and became a quiet citizen who later remarried a man who bears a striking resemblance to Buck. This man seemed to be a good husband for her and maybe in a strange way it was her way of actually living the life she wanted so badly for herself and Buck. Her actual story is maybe a little less than half the book with the prologue detailing her life after prison. John Neal Phillips did a great job editing and helping to tell Blanche's story.
December 31, 2013
This was very interesting coming from the view of someone that was there, every since I saw the movie by Warren Beatty...I was always curious about Blanche. Throughout her memoir she kept saying she and Buck would never hurt anyone...she repeated it OVER AND OVER AND OVER and how much she loved him OVER AND OVER. Pretty much got sick of reading it, but then again she wrote this while serving her prison time. She would not DARE say that she held up stores and banks, it would just get her into more trouble. But I believed she was basically a just look out for them and ran errands, so the others would not be spotted and she was totally committed to Buck.
Now I did get the impression MORE so, by reading this book, that Clyde was a cold hearted son of gun, and Bonnie was always just miserable or drunk. It was not glamorous at all...they lived in stolen cars and drove back roads in different states..it was non stop running.
If I had to pick what movie was closer in truth to the book .... compared to Warren Beatty's film and the new recent one on History channel..I would go with Warren Beatty's film.
Overall, if your wanting to know more into what they were going through while running, read this book. I finished but at the end, the author put in more historical facts into the robberies and killings and that is what I am skimming through right now.
Now I did get the impression MORE so, by reading this book, that Clyde was a cold hearted son of gun, and Bonnie was always just miserable or drunk. It was not glamorous at all...they lived in stolen cars and drove back roads in different states..it was non stop running.
If I had to pick what movie was closer in truth to the book .... compared to Warren Beatty's film and the new recent one on History channel..I would go with Warren Beatty's film.
Overall, if your wanting to know more into what they were going through while running, read this book. I finished but at the end, the author put in more historical facts into the robberies and killings and that is what I am skimming through right now.
July 10, 2018
A good book from another angle of looking at what happened from someone in the car with Bonnie and Clyde. I grew up by Dexter Iowa so I knew a lot of the stories from around there and didn't learn much from the book. But then again the book was written from Blanche's viewpoint. She sure appeared different than the Blanche played by Estelle Parsons in the movie. She still had some whining but a much stronger personality. And by the end we TOTALLY understood that she only did it because she loved Buck. I gave the book 3 instead of 4 stars because I like the notes to be on the same page, not at the end of the book. I got tired of flipping but by the time I finished, I didn't know what the note was referring to so I just gave up. Probably comes from the stand point that I like history and want to know that background information. Wasn't the easiest book to find but enjoyed it.
January 5, 2014
Half of the book is notations from the editor-keep in mind Blanche was only with the gang for a few months. While it is interesting to read the firsthand account of someone who was with Bonnie & Clyde- it is clear Blanche's perspective is not 100% reliable & is very biased in her favor. It seems clear much of it is written with keeping in mind it all could be used against her. And while Blanche acknowledges she chose to stay & takes responsibility for her (admitted) actions- it is a very self indulgent & self pitying diary. Her devotion to Buck is of interest & I wish there was more about how her feelings about him and her reflections on that time changed over the years. Worth reading for historical significance & if depression era crime is of interest.
September 4, 2016
After reading Guinn's very excellent biography, I was looking forward to Blanche Barrow's first person account of their travels with Bonnie and Clyde. Where Guinn's narrative was intense, well researched and relentless, Blanche's was far more gentle and less detailed, much like the narrative of a person who was concentrating on only one aspect of the narrative. Indeed, her story is all about Buck and not really about herself at all, since it begins with their joining B&C in Joplin and ends three months later with Buck's death and her capture. Editor John Neal Phillips is to be commended for filling in the gaps in the story while letting Blanche's voice ring through. All in all a very tender and touching side to what is basically a very sad and violent story.
November 6, 2025
I was fascinated with Blanche Barrow’s memoir, which gave a detailed account of her time with Bonnie and Clyde, her time in prison and her normal life following.
May 27, 2014
My Life With Bonnie & Clyde
By Blanche Caldwell Barrow
Edited by John Neal Phillips
April 4, 2014
“Bonnie and Clyde were responsible for multiple murders and countless robberies. But they did not act alone. In 1933, during their infamous run from the law, Bonnie and Clyde were joined by Clyde’s brother, Buck Barrow and his wife, Blanche; of these four accomplices, only one-Blanche Caldwell Barrow-lived beyond early adulthood and she was the only one that left behind a written account of their escapades.”
“Blanche wrote her memoir between 1933 and 1939, while serving time at the Missouri State Penitentiary. Following her death, Blanche’s good friend and the executor of her will, Esther L. Weiser, found the memoir wrapped in a large unused Christmas card. Later she entrusted it to Phillips, who had interviewed Blanche several times before her death. Drawing from these interviews, and for extensive research into Depression-era outlaw history, Phillips supplements the memoir with helpful notes and with biographical information about Blanche and her accomplices.”
I found the book totally intriguing. My mother was raised in central Wisconsin thick with farmland. It was here, according to her recollection that gangsters would come and hide out for rest and relaxation. This conceived an interest in the Depression-era gangster and so I sought out this book to give me some profile on fictional gangster characters for my current novel.
Her verbiage was authentic and raw with words like “walls”; depicting prison; “hot”; where police were on the lookout; and “tourist camps”; where criminals as well as the down and out family could reside for a time. This made the memoir authentic as well as personal.
Blanche’s account mostly dealt with her relationship with Buck, which was die-heart love, as well Buck’s relationship with his brother Clyde and her relationship with Bonnie. It all was feasible as well as slow but made a great memoir far from what Hollywood as well as the mythical legends of their lifestyle was made out to be a sort of “steal from the rich give to the poor” Robin Hood type of drama which was totally false. When the facts of their exploits were laid out it was obvious that they were cold bloodied killers who bungled many a robbery job and quarreled often amongst themselves; especially the brothers. I loved the part in her memoir where she elaborated on the fact that the brothers constantly argued over just about everything. It was plain the siblings did not get along. What got me was the brothers did not get along about the overall scheme of robbing. Clyde preferred the rob for a day idea while Buck, the obvious smarter one of the gang, insisted on robbing banks for the big haul that could last for a long, long time.
Memoirs by non-authors can be boring and difficult to read; however this one is so full of raw information and life that it is worth the effort. What a life Blanche led before, during, and after her days of crime that it is simply a worthwhile educational experience to read. I highly recommend it to anyone that is interested in criminal history as well as Depression-era history.
By Blanche Caldwell Barrow
Edited by John Neal Phillips
April 4, 2014
“Bonnie and Clyde were responsible for multiple murders and countless robberies. But they did not act alone. In 1933, during their infamous run from the law, Bonnie and Clyde were joined by Clyde’s brother, Buck Barrow and his wife, Blanche; of these four accomplices, only one-Blanche Caldwell Barrow-lived beyond early adulthood and she was the only one that left behind a written account of their escapades.”
“Blanche wrote her memoir between 1933 and 1939, while serving time at the Missouri State Penitentiary. Following her death, Blanche’s good friend and the executor of her will, Esther L. Weiser, found the memoir wrapped in a large unused Christmas card. Later she entrusted it to Phillips, who had interviewed Blanche several times before her death. Drawing from these interviews, and for extensive research into Depression-era outlaw history, Phillips supplements the memoir with helpful notes and with biographical information about Blanche and her accomplices.”
I found the book totally intriguing. My mother was raised in central Wisconsin thick with farmland. It was here, according to her recollection that gangsters would come and hide out for rest and relaxation. This conceived an interest in the Depression-era gangster and so I sought out this book to give me some profile on fictional gangster characters for my current novel.
Her verbiage was authentic and raw with words like “walls”; depicting prison; “hot”; where police were on the lookout; and “tourist camps”; where criminals as well as the down and out family could reside for a time. This made the memoir authentic as well as personal.
Blanche’s account mostly dealt with her relationship with Buck, which was die-heart love, as well Buck’s relationship with his brother Clyde and her relationship with Bonnie. It all was feasible as well as slow but made a great memoir far from what Hollywood as well as the mythical legends of their lifestyle was made out to be a sort of “steal from the rich give to the poor” Robin Hood type of drama which was totally false. When the facts of their exploits were laid out it was obvious that they were cold bloodied killers who bungled many a robbery job and quarreled often amongst themselves; especially the brothers. I loved the part in her memoir where she elaborated on the fact that the brothers constantly argued over just about everything. It was plain the siblings did not get along. What got me was the brothers did not get along about the overall scheme of robbing. Clyde preferred the rob for a day idea while Buck, the obvious smarter one of the gang, insisted on robbing banks for the big haul that could last for a long, long time.
Memoirs by non-authors can be boring and difficult to read; however this one is so full of raw information and life that it is worth the effort. What a life Blanche led before, during, and after her days of crime that it is simply a worthwhile educational experience to read. I highly recommend it to anyone that is interested in criminal history as well as Depression-era history.
December 30, 2016
I picked up the book wanting to read a first-hand experience of Bonnie and Clyde. I finished the book glad to have read a first-hand experience of Clyde and Buck (the “Barrow Brothers”.) Apparently many people were accomplices at one point or another with Bonnie and Clyde. I can’t compare other accomplices, but I have a newfound respect for Buck as an outlaw. Blanche herself didn’t seem to like Clyde or Bonnie, and she doesn’t really talk about them as much as one might expect, and it’s often casting them in a negative light.
Blanche’s writing carries itself. It’s an unpublished first draft, but she has such great content to work with, that it’s really hard to mess up. If you’ve seen the movie, push Blanche’s character out of your head. The real Blanche was cute, petite, and when push came to shove she could hold her own.
The editor, John Phillips, is a good writer himself. Some chapters begin with a page or two of historical context to provide a proper setting. Every chapter is littered with endnotes that are worth reading. The endnotes provide context, insights, and nuanced details that Blanche’s unedited and straightforward writing often omits. I only wish that the endnotes had been footnotes instead, so I wouldn’t have to keep turning to the back of the book; though I suppose a Bonnie & Clyde aficionado would appreciate them as endnotes because they would already have the context.
Blanche, if anything, seemed to downplay the violence. (The editor provides a lot of details she omits.) And she herself was rarely involved in the robberies. So what we see is the in-between time, the infighting, the escaping, the suffering and diminishing hope. It is crazy to me how many miles they put in each day driving around the country. How Buck or Clyde would steal cars like they were candy – in fact they stole so many cars I wondered why they couldn’t just re-sell them or sell car parts as a better business than robbing banks/grocery stores. Repairing flat tires seemingly twice a day. Car accidents. Relying on the kindness of strangers during the Great Depression.
The editor tries really hard to not state anything certain as fact. His endnotes cite other sources, and where there are factual disputes he mentions factual disputes (even for minor details.) One of the appendices includes brief synopses of all the men who died at the gun of Clyde Barrow (or affiliate) – though it has nothing to do with Blanche, still makes for interesting reads to see the murder crimes from the side of the victims.
Blanche’s writing carries itself. It’s an unpublished first draft, but she has such great content to work with, that it’s really hard to mess up. If you’ve seen the movie, push Blanche’s character out of your head. The real Blanche was cute, petite, and when push came to shove she could hold her own.
The editor, John Phillips, is a good writer himself. Some chapters begin with a page or two of historical context to provide a proper setting. Every chapter is littered with endnotes that are worth reading. The endnotes provide context, insights, and nuanced details that Blanche’s unedited and straightforward writing often omits. I only wish that the endnotes had been footnotes instead, so I wouldn’t have to keep turning to the back of the book; though I suppose a Bonnie & Clyde aficionado would appreciate them as endnotes because they would already have the context.
Blanche, if anything, seemed to downplay the violence. (The editor provides a lot of details she omits.) And she herself was rarely involved in the robberies. So what we see is the in-between time, the infighting, the escaping, the suffering and diminishing hope. It is crazy to me how many miles they put in each day driving around the country. How Buck or Clyde would steal cars like they were candy – in fact they stole so many cars I wondered why they couldn’t just re-sell them or sell car parts as a better business than robbing banks/grocery stores. Repairing flat tires seemingly twice a day. Car accidents. Relying on the kindness of strangers during the Great Depression.
The editor tries really hard to not state anything certain as fact. His endnotes cite other sources, and where there are factual disputes he mentions factual disputes (even for minor details.) One of the appendices includes brief synopses of all the men who died at the gun of Clyde Barrow (or affiliate) – though it has nothing to do with Blanche, still makes for interesting reads to see the murder crimes from the side of the victims.
September 14, 2014
I just couldn't continue reading the book. The book would be more bearable if the editor's notes were within the body of the text instead of in the back of the book. It's an easy read, if you can tolerate going back and forth, trying to remember where on the page you left off to read the notes in the back. I couldn't take it anymore. I don't want to waste my time reading something that seems to be someone's faulty memory of history, then reading the contradictions to her statements in the notes. So, I just gave up. Additionally, I have a difficult time sympathizing with someone who loses all sense of morality and sensibility in the name of "love." I call BS.
February 11, 2024
a great resource for serious Bonnie & Clyde-heads (it me) but it wouldn’t be linear or comprehensive enough for anyone just getting into learning about them. still, i love any book that helps deconstruct the myth of Bonnie & Clyde being tough professional gangsters because they were really just violently opportunistic hillbilly twentysomethings in the right place at the right time for their crimes to be mythologized
also i found it probably more endearing than i should have that Clyde’s sister-in-law and Bonnie’s sister renewed their friendship 50 years after their crimes as old ladies that would go shopping for Oreos together
also i found it probably more endearing than i should have that Clyde’s sister-in-law and Bonnie’s sister renewed their friendship 50 years after their crimes as old ladies that would go shopping for Oreos together
April 27, 2019
Young love can be so intoxicating! Unfortunately for Blanch this led her to a lot of painful adventure. This diary is such a gem!! It reminds me of the goodness of God for people...her father no doubt prayed for her and she ended up teaching Sunday school. She should have died in her 20’s in a hail of bullets with her husband Buck, But she was peculiarly spared! Highly interesting and added depression era history included!
November 10, 2018
This book was written by Clyde's sister in law Blanche. She wrote this book about her time with the Barrow gang while in jail. I liked reading her perspective of how she caught up in the life cause her husband. Really grateful that the editor included maps, dates, and photographs. However, his chapter introductions were a bit too wordy and were often unrelated.
December 29, 2014
You really feel like you are there with the gang. Plus I love the additional facts and history added by the editor. I'm pretty sure she loved Buck ;)
May 28, 2018
John Neal Phillips deserves some credit for doing a solid job transcribing and editing Blanche Barrow's handwritten memoirs. His effort to turn the memoirs into a critical edition, however, has failed utterly. The book is filled with problems relating to citation, historical context, and a tendency to lapse into unrelated trivia.
A book about Bonnie and Clyde and the Barrow gang should make for interesting reading. And Blanche's memoirs do that. But the key to understanding them is to read between the lines. Becoming too engrossed in their accuracy or historical fact at the cost of misreading Blanche Barrow's mythologized rendering of history means missing the forest for the trees. Phillips is all about counting those trees.
For me, as a reader accustomed to growing up around people with a similar background to the Barrows and Caldwells, the latter being Blanche's maiden name, it was as if I was rediscovering the idioms, speech patterns, and common views on life that formed part of the rural culture stretching from East Texas to Southeast Oklahoma. I have heard Blanche's same exact beliefs and attitudes (probably in a very similar voice) expressed by members of my own family, one part of which came from Kaufman County, in Texas, and the other from Bryan County in Oklahoma. Like the Barrows and the Caldwells, they, too, eventually made the Great Depression and Post World War II migration from the farmlands to Dallas. So this is a story that rings true to me. There is verisimilitude in its dialogue and the habits of its characters' talk. How Blanche adapted the specifics of her history of crime to fit her own emotional and psychological requirements, her own mythologizing, is another matter.
The problem with My Life with Bonnie and Clyde arises with the use of the editor's footnotes. They are a mess. Page long rambling, off topic filler takes place over 73 pages of endnotes. Much of it is repetitive (at one point, the fact that Blanche is a "good driver" is cited in the endnotes three times, all within a few pages and even lines of the memoirs' main text). Sometimes, it goes off into geographical rambling and what things used to look like before or what they looked like after Bonnie and Clyde and Buck and Blanche came through town. At other times, the editor unnecessarily cites sources for commonly agreed upon matters of history--and then still gets it wrong, writing for example that Germany "invaded" the Rhineland. (The Rhineland was already part of Germany; it was re-militarized, not invaded.) Essentially, endnotes/footnotes should be in place to provide sources--not long-winded commentary or discussions only tangentially tied to the topic. I am surprised that an academic press allowed this book to be published in this form. Even in the "Editor's Conclusion," he does this. Frankly, it became aggravating to flip back and forth continually, often four or five times within a paragraph, to the endnotes and thus losing concentration on the memoirs themselves.
Aside from Blanch Barrow's worthy memoirs, this is a very troubled book. It needs an extensive overhaul and rewrite.
A book about Bonnie and Clyde and the Barrow gang should make for interesting reading. And Blanche's memoirs do that. But the key to understanding them is to read between the lines. Becoming too engrossed in their accuracy or historical fact at the cost of misreading Blanche Barrow's mythologized rendering of history means missing the forest for the trees. Phillips is all about counting those trees.
For me, as a reader accustomed to growing up around people with a similar background to the Barrows and Caldwells, the latter being Blanche's maiden name, it was as if I was rediscovering the idioms, speech patterns, and common views on life that formed part of the rural culture stretching from East Texas to Southeast Oklahoma. I have heard Blanche's same exact beliefs and attitudes (probably in a very similar voice) expressed by members of my own family, one part of which came from Kaufman County, in Texas, and the other from Bryan County in Oklahoma. Like the Barrows and the Caldwells, they, too, eventually made the Great Depression and Post World War II migration from the farmlands to Dallas. So this is a story that rings true to me. There is verisimilitude in its dialogue and the habits of its characters' talk. How Blanche adapted the specifics of her history of crime to fit her own emotional and psychological requirements, her own mythologizing, is another matter.
The problem with My Life with Bonnie and Clyde arises with the use of the editor's footnotes. They are a mess. Page long rambling, off topic filler takes place over 73 pages of endnotes. Much of it is repetitive (at one point, the fact that Blanche is a "good driver" is cited in the endnotes three times, all within a few pages and even lines of the memoirs' main text). Sometimes, it goes off into geographical rambling and what things used to look like before or what they looked like after Bonnie and Clyde and Buck and Blanche came through town. At other times, the editor unnecessarily cites sources for commonly agreed upon matters of history--and then still gets it wrong, writing for example that Germany "invaded" the Rhineland. (The Rhineland was already part of Germany; it was re-militarized, not invaded.) Essentially, endnotes/footnotes should be in place to provide sources--not long-winded commentary or discussions only tangentially tied to the topic. I am surprised that an academic press allowed this book to be published in this form. Even in the "Editor's Conclusion," he does this. Frankly, it became aggravating to flip back and forth continually, often four or five times within a paragraph, to the endnotes and thus losing concentration on the memoirs themselves.
Aside from Blanch Barrow's worthy memoirs, this is a very troubled book. It needs an extensive overhaul and rewrite.
September 15, 2025
For goodness sakes. I was expecting more. It’s an interesting time in history and they are interesting characters. It’s a biography and people’s memories are often softened and sometimes not even close to actual fact. I think it might be true with this book.
I’ll confess I questioned Blanch and the author’s honesty from the very beginning. There’s so much religion and probably whitewashing from the start. The first thing we learn about Blanch is what a fine Christian she is. She teaches a Sunday school class to children and buys each of them their own Bible. Oh wow! Thank God!
According to Blanch: “I didn’t kill anyone. I never stole anything.” “The loud sound of guns scared me.” “Buck was good. Clyde was a bad influence.” “I was only with the gang because I couldn’t lose Buck.”
Blanch was a photographer and kept scrapbooks of everything Bonnie and Clyde she could find until her death.
I think we’re supposed to believe their relationship is a Romeo and Juliet story. “Buck loves me more than anyone else and people are jealous.” “Buck was worried I would get cut or burned while cooking.” “He always wanted me beside him so I had to sit beside him while they played cards.” Buck made Blanch promise to not commit suicide if he died while on the run. Eye roll… At times it was a silly as a Harlequin romantic novel.
I always thought Estelle Parsons’ depiction in the 1967 movie was over the top. The real Blanch certainly seems naive and a real drama queen always whining, afraid, crying, and screaming. Several times she tells us she was hysterical. Sorry, but calling her husband “Daddy” seems a little icky.
Blanch was a beautiful, magnetic woman. While in prison she had many “boyfriends.” She manipulated several of them. When they served their purpose, she often moved on. I think she was charismatic and charmed everyone including women. She was less than five feet tall and encouraged others to take care of her. Blanch was a gossip and often bad mouthed her friends to others.
The author doesn’t know when to use “me” instead of “I.” The error is constant. Do they even teach children grammar rules anymore?! Is that important to writers or editors? Obviously not.
The narrator doesn’t know how to pronounce penitentiary. She adds an extra syllable. It is jarring every time she says the word. At least she is consistent.
I listened to the book but I enjoyed looking at photos in the e-book. I feel generous in giving the book three stars. If it weren’t for the photographs, my rating would have been one less star. I just didn’t like Blanch. I didn’t think the author or reader did a good job either.
I’ll confess I questioned Blanch and the author’s honesty from the very beginning. There’s so much religion and probably whitewashing from the start. The first thing we learn about Blanch is what a fine Christian she is. She teaches a Sunday school class to children and buys each of them their own Bible. Oh wow! Thank God!
According to Blanch: “I didn’t kill anyone. I never stole anything.” “The loud sound of guns scared me.” “Buck was good. Clyde was a bad influence.” “I was only with the gang because I couldn’t lose Buck.”
Blanch was a photographer and kept scrapbooks of everything Bonnie and Clyde she could find until her death.
I think we’re supposed to believe their relationship is a Romeo and Juliet story. “Buck loves me more than anyone else and people are jealous.” “Buck was worried I would get cut or burned while cooking.” “He always wanted me beside him so I had to sit beside him while they played cards.” Buck made Blanch promise to not commit suicide if he died while on the run. Eye roll… At times it was a silly as a Harlequin romantic novel.
I always thought Estelle Parsons’ depiction in the 1967 movie was over the top. The real Blanch certainly seems naive and a real drama queen always whining, afraid, crying, and screaming. Several times she tells us she was hysterical. Sorry, but calling her husband “Daddy” seems a little icky.
Blanch was a beautiful, magnetic woman. While in prison she had many “boyfriends.” She manipulated several of them. When they served their purpose, she often moved on. I think she was charismatic and charmed everyone including women. She was less than five feet tall and encouraged others to take care of her. Blanch was a gossip and often bad mouthed her friends to others.
The author doesn’t know when to use “me” instead of “I.” The error is constant. Do they even teach children grammar rules anymore?! Is that important to writers or editors? Obviously not.
The narrator doesn’t know how to pronounce penitentiary. She adds an extra syllable. It is jarring every time she says the word. At least she is consistent.
I listened to the book but I enjoyed looking at photos in the e-book. I feel generous in giving the book three stars. If it weren’t for the photographs, my rating would have been one less star. I just didn’t like Blanch. I didn’t think the author or reader did a good job either.
April 12, 2020
Although at times Blanche gives a bit of a skewed perspective, it is nonetheless a one-of-a-kind firsthand account of the events described by the person who actually was there for the excruciating four months of her life. Blanche Barrow was an amazing woman, a survivor who managed to put her life back together more than once, and even a role model to some (Mind you, I would never advocate a life of crime but I think neither would Blanche in her later years). She’s had an interesting life to say the least and I really wish she had kept a diary though-out her life post Buck and Bonnie & Clyde.
Anyhow, as I know that most of you are here not particularly for Blanche, I can tell you that her memoir is a must read for anyone interested in the true story of Bonnie & Clyde. But be advised that this probably should not be your first book on the subject. I recommend you start with John Neal Phillips’s book as most researchers agree that it’s the most accurate account of the events to date. You should also know that Phillips was as an editor of Blanche’s memoir too. But to be completely honest, editor’s notes before chapters as well as the notes section often disrupt Blanche’s story and turn what was supposed to be her personal experiences into a fact sheet. Unfortunately, if you are not familiar with the more or less accurate account of the events or do not remember it well, you’ll have to read the notes section anyway. Otherwise you would never know which events are misrepresented by Blanche and you could also miss some important pieces of information that could be new to you.
I loved the editor’s book - it’s hands down the most accurate book on Bonnie and Clyde. But when it comes to Blanche’s memoir, I believe he should’ve sticked to just pointing out and correcting accidental and/or deliberate misrepresentation of the true events on Blanche’s part. What I recommend is read the chapter first and then look through the notes. That’s what saved me from hating this book. It had pained me to stop hundreds of times in the middle of Blanche’s narrative.
But in the end her voice was the only thing that mattered - I just couldn’t give this book less than 5 stars. It was a great read regardless of the disruptive notes.
Anyhow, as I know that most of you are here not particularly for Blanche, I can tell you that her memoir is a must read for anyone interested in the true story of Bonnie & Clyde. But be advised that this probably should not be your first book on the subject. I recommend you start with John Neal Phillips’s book as most researchers agree that it’s the most accurate account of the events to date. You should also know that Phillips was as an editor of Blanche’s memoir too. But to be completely honest, editor’s notes before chapters as well as the notes section often disrupt Blanche’s story and turn what was supposed to be her personal experiences into a fact sheet. Unfortunately, if you are not familiar with the more or less accurate account of the events or do not remember it well, you’ll have to read the notes section anyway. Otherwise you would never know which events are misrepresented by Blanche and you could also miss some important pieces of information that could be new to you.
I loved the editor’s book - it’s hands down the most accurate book on Bonnie and Clyde. But when it comes to Blanche’s memoir, I believe he should’ve sticked to just pointing out and correcting accidental and/or deliberate misrepresentation of the true events on Blanche’s part. What I recommend is read the chapter first and then look through the notes. That’s what saved me from hating this book. It had pained me to stop hundreds of times in the middle of Blanche’s narrative.
But in the end her voice was the only thing that mattered - I just couldn’t give this book less than 5 stars. It was a great read regardless of the disruptive notes.
September 14, 2023
Inside look at the lives of notorious couple Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker
This is the autobiography of Blanche Barrow, the sister-in-law of Clyde Barrow who was married to his brother, Buck Barrow. When Clyde was already a wanted fugitive he and Bonnie went to see Buck and Blanche and Clyde asked Buck to accompany him on his flight from law enforcement, who were looking for Bonnie and Clyde already. Although Blanche knew that accompanying Bonnie and Clyde on their journey wasn't a good idea when Buck insisted that he had to go because he wanted to try and talk some sense into Clyde and insisted that he was going with him and Blanche decided that she loved him and was going to go with him despite the fact that she knew it was a bad idea. Clyde, Buck, another young man named W.D., Bonnie and Blanche took off and lived like fugitives. Buck and Blanche were not with Clyde and Bonnie when they were ambushed and shot to pieces by law enforcement in Louisiana because before that Buck was shot in the head and Blanche lost an eye because of flying glass during a shootout with the police. Blanche surrendered to get medical treatment for Buck because his injuries were severe. Buck Barrow was shot multiple times and the most serious injury was a shot to the head (one source described it as so severe that his brain could be seen) so Blanche was taken to jail and Buck was taken to the hospital to have surgery to attempt to save his life, but the damage was too severe and he died in the hospital several days later. This poor young lady had to see her husband, who she deeply loved shot to death right in front of her. In court she pled guilty and got ten years in a Missouri Womens' Prison. Blanche Barrow served a little over 5 years before getting paroled and lived the rest of her life without ever getting into trouble again and everyone describes her as a wonderful lady. I hope that she is Resting in Peace with her husband Buck
This is the autobiography of Blanche Barrow, the sister-in-law of Clyde Barrow who was married to his brother, Buck Barrow. When Clyde was already a wanted fugitive he and Bonnie went to see Buck and Blanche and Clyde asked Buck to accompany him on his flight from law enforcement, who were looking for Bonnie and Clyde already. Although Blanche knew that accompanying Bonnie and Clyde on their journey wasn't a good idea when Buck insisted that he had to go because he wanted to try and talk some sense into Clyde and insisted that he was going with him and Blanche decided that she loved him and was going to go with him despite the fact that she knew it was a bad idea. Clyde, Buck, another young man named W.D., Bonnie and Blanche took off and lived like fugitives. Buck and Blanche were not with Clyde and Bonnie when they were ambushed and shot to pieces by law enforcement in Louisiana because before that Buck was shot in the head and Blanche lost an eye because of flying glass during a shootout with the police. Blanche surrendered to get medical treatment for Buck because his injuries were severe. Buck Barrow was shot multiple times and the most serious injury was a shot to the head (one source described it as so severe that his brain could be seen) so Blanche was taken to jail and Buck was taken to the hospital to have surgery to attempt to save his life, but the damage was too severe and he died in the hospital several days later. This poor young lady had to see her husband, who she deeply loved shot to death right in front of her. In court she pled guilty and got ten years in a Missouri Womens' Prison. Blanche Barrow served a little over 5 years before getting paroled and lived the rest of her life without ever getting into trouble again and everyone describes her as a wonderful lady. I hope that she is Resting in Peace with her husband Buck
April 17, 2024
A book by Blanche Barrow, Buck’s wife and Clyde’s sister in law, Blanche breaks down her time with the Barrow gang from the perspective of someone who clearly does not want to be there. While clearly meant to be a historical recap of the happenings of the gang, what results is actually a strange Sit-com like view of the Barrow gang in which one brain cell is shared between all of them and Blanche holds it pretty much the entire time.
I’ve been in the middle of my B and C hyperfixation, which means I have been hoarding EVERY Bonnie and Clyde book from my university library and have been rewatching the Musical like an addict (side note, please watch the musical it’s amazing and actually very accurate to the true story of the Barrow Gang! Plus- Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes are to die for (no pun intended)). And this book, by far, is the most personal account of the Barrow Gang, so personal that it feels like watching a bunch of friends getting involved in way too much chaos, dealing with the drama of each other, and committing crime. To show exactly what I mean, one entire page is dedicated to the fact that, after losing poker and pouting/throwing a tantrum, Clyde Barrow decided to try a jigsaw puzzle (something that Blanche had taken up to keep herself occupied) and then got addicted. The gang (minus Buck cause apparently puzzles hurt his head) often just… did puzzles for funsies- and Clyde would refuse to sleep until he finished them.
Obviously, there’s a lot more to this, including the awful things the gang went through, but because of the personal insight- you get a very different side of it than most other sources- and that insight, again, comes off as almost comedic at times, in which 4 people, two of which who basically hate each other, are trying to get away with crime and living together and often are arguing over whether or not they can go pick up chicken for dinner or not.
This is my way of saying this source is basically crucial to any Bonnie and Clyde fan, mainly due to how different it is from every other source out there.
Not to mention, Clyde Barrow playing jigsaw puzzles- how perfect is that?
I’ve been in the middle of my B and C hyperfixation, which means I have been hoarding EVERY Bonnie and Clyde book from my university library and have been rewatching the Musical like an addict (side note, please watch the musical it’s amazing and actually very accurate to the true story of the Barrow Gang! Plus- Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes are to die for (no pun intended)). And this book, by far, is the most personal account of the Barrow Gang, so personal that it feels like watching a bunch of friends getting involved in way too much chaos, dealing with the drama of each other, and committing crime. To show exactly what I mean, one entire page is dedicated to the fact that, after losing poker and pouting/throwing a tantrum, Clyde Barrow decided to try a jigsaw puzzle (something that Blanche had taken up to keep herself occupied) and then got addicted. The gang (minus Buck cause apparently puzzles hurt his head) often just… did puzzles for funsies- and Clyde would refuse to sleep until he finished them.
Obviously, there’s a lot more to this, including the awful things the gang went through, but because of the personal insight- you get a very different side of it than most other sources- and that insight, again, comes off as almost comedic at times, in which 4 people, two of which who basically hate each other, are trying to get away with crime and living together and often are arguing over whether or not they can go pick up chicken for dinner or not.
This is my way of saying this source is basically crucial to any Bonnie and Clyde fan, mainly due to how different it is from every other source out there.
Not to mention, Clyde Barrow playing jigsaw puzzles- how perfect is that?
Read
May 30, 2025I watched The Highwaymen with Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson last month and it re-sparked my fascination with Bonnie & Clyde. I did a report on them my senior year and found their popularity so interesting. Of course I don’t condone what they did, but their little gang and their notoriety was fascinating. The 1930’s sure was a different time.
Blanche’s story was interesting. She was married to Clyde’s brother, Buck, and she traveled with them for a while. This ultimately led to Buck’s death and her being sentenced to prison. It’s so interesting to me that her overwhelming love for her husband could lead to her becoming part of the barrow gang. Her first hand account was nice to read and the editing by John Neal Phillips was great because he gave insight to the political climate at the time which kind of helped me to understand why the gang made some of their choices.
This was a fast read and was interesting. If you’re interested in history you might want to check it out. 😊
Blanche’s story was interesting. She was married to Clyde’s brother, Buck, and she traveled with them for a while. This ultimately led to Buck’s death and her being sentenced to prison. It’s so interesting to me that her overwhelming love for her husband could lead to her becoming part of the barrow gang. Her first hand account was nice to read and the editing by John Neal Phillips was great because he gave insight to the political climate at the time which kind of helped me to understand why the gang made some of their choices.
This was a fast read and was interesting. If you’re interested in history you might want to check it out. 😊
July 2, 2018
I have always had a fascination with Bonnie and Clyde and found this book interesting. It is a compilation of many different things. First the woman who befriended and inherited the memoirs wrote an intro. Then the editor wrote a preface followed by a chronology of events and Blanche's memoirs which were cleaned up by the editor. At the end was his conclusion and almost 75 pages of notes and a bio on each person killed by the group. I found it difficult to read the story and 3-7 times per page having to refer to the notes in the back....it was hard to find my place again and keep up with the story line. Not sure of a better way to use the footnotes though. Blanche was only with Bonnie and Clyde for four months but what an unfortunate devotion she had to these robbers/killers (she was only 18). This is her story and her love for her husband, Buck.
March 10, 2022
Man, I loved this book! Blanche Barrow was Clyde Barrow's sister-in-law and it truly is a first-hand account of her travels with her husband (Buck), Bonnie, and Clyde. Although some have criticized Blanche's writing as too simple, I found it honest and refreshing. I am from Texas and really enjoyed reading about the places the gang traveled/hid in Texas. Confession: I borrowed this from the library and enjoyed it so much that I ordered a copy of Amazon. I would definitely recommend it!
September 28, 2018
After reading this book, I walked away knowing both Bonnie and Clyde more then I ever thought I would. There was so much more to them then just what they are portrayed to be. They were a young couple in love that made some seriously wrong decisions but hasn't everyone made decisions that they would come to regret? Unfortunately their decisions cost them their lives.
September 12, 2021
A very interesting read
This is a fun look at Blance Barrow and her memories, contemporary to the events and looking back as an elderly woman. It has the “warts” of very different people living in tight quarters and having to depend on each other literally for their lives. A very good read.
This is a fun look at Blance Barrow and her memories, contemporary to the events and looking back as an elderly woman. It has the “warts” of very different people living in tight quarters and having to depend on each other literally for their lives. A very good read.
April 18, 2025
Been wanting to read this book ever since I listened to a podcast about Bonnie and Clyde. Loved this story, glad to know Blanche had a long happy life despite what all she went through and 5 years in prison. Too bad her memoir didn’t get published until after she died but still loved reading it and hearing her story.
September 2, 2025
Absolutely fascinating. When I was in college, I was a teaching assistant in a class called "The Road Movie," and "Bonnie & Clyde" was one of the films we covered. I wish I had this memoir as a text to teach alongside that unit. I cannot recommend this enough, whether you are a fan of the Arthur Penn movie or interested in the "real" lives of the infamous Barrow gang.
February 2, 2021
Very interesting and we'll written.
I appreciate the authors work to verify the information of the story. The truth is always more interesting than fiction and this true account is a real page turner.
I appreciate the authors work to verify the information of the story. The truth is always more interesting than fiction and this true account is a real page turner.
March 17, 2023
Interesting point of view from her side. I feel bad for her sometimes, but other times I just can't. They had opportunities all along the way to leave Bonnie and Clyde...they chose not to. It's a tragic tale of the life of crime during the Great Depression. Tough times ☹️
August 15, 2023
As someone who is fascinated by this era and the criminals of the Midwest. To get a first hand account of life on the run, can’t ask for much more than that. Blanche lived quite life living on the run with Bonnie and Clyde. Highly recommend!
January 8, 2024
I listened to this, so my inability to rate it higher is because of the narrator. She read Blanche's memoir as if she were a 4th grader stumbling to read. Considering that Blanche wrote it, I rather doubt that Blanche sounded that poorly educated.
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