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The Barefoot Bandit: The True Tale of Colton Harris-Moore, New American Outlaw
The Barefoot Bandit tells the riveting true story of Colton Harris-Moore, America’s twenty-first-century outlaw. Born into a poor family marred by alcohol abuse, Colt had the local sheriff after him before the age of ten. Colt survived by breaking into homes to forage for food, and learned to evade the police by melting into the Pacific Northwest wilds. As a teenager, he escalated to stealing cars, boats, and identities. An extensive manhunt finally caught Colt, but he escaped juvenile prison and fled to nearby Orcas Island, where he assured his place alongside outlaw legends such as D. B. Cooper by stealing an airplane without ever having a formal flight lesson. And that was just the beginning. As a resident of Orcas Island, author Bob Friel witnessed firsthand as local police, FBI agents, SWAT teams, and even Homeland Security helicopters pursued Colt around the island. Colt’s crime spree infuriated and terrified many locals, while others sympathized with the barefoot young criminal—the controversy tearing at the formerly quiet community. The story gained international fame, with Time calling Colt "America’s Most Wanted Teen" when he stole and crashed his third airplane. After more than two years on the run in the Northwest, Colt fled Orcas and began a spectacular cross-country trek. Friel followed the Barefoot Bandit all the way to the Bahamas, where the chase finally ended in a hail of gunfire at 3 a.m. on a dark sea. Through his personal experiences and hundreds of interviews with witnesses, victims, local authorities, Colt’s family, and, indirectly, Colt himself, Friel gives readers an exclusive look at an outlaw legend. Set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen islands, where Internet millionaires coexist with survivalists and ex-hippies, this is a gripping, stranger-than-fiction tale about a neglected and troubled child who outfoxed the authorities, gained a cult following, and made the world take notice. "I doubt if even the best fiction writer could create a character like Colton Harris-Moore. This is an incredible but true story. Bob Friel is a gifted reporter and a very fine writer."
—Nelson DeMille, New York Times bestselling author of The Gold Coast and The Lion "Something about Colton Harris-Moore—crafty stealer of cars, boats, and airplanes—captured the fascination of our fast-moving country. But it took Bob Friel, a plucky reporter with a pitch-perfect story sense—to chase down the legend and make it real. In Friel’s fine telling, the Barefoot Bandit emerges as both villain and folk hero in a thrilling modern fugitive tale."
—Hampton Sides, author of Hellhound on His Trail "A Dillingeresque tale for our current Great Recession era. Friel not only gives a brilliantly clear-eyed look at a bandit’s adventures but also the effects they had on his peaceful community."
—Matthew Polly, bestselling author of American Shaolin and Tapped Out "Riveting, thorough, and deeply human, this terrific read doesn’t just tell the story—it brings it to life."
—Marcus Sakey, bestselling author of The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes and The Blade Itself "Friel offers a thrilling portrait of a bright and neglected teen trying to outrun authorities and his own troubled past."
— Booklist "This highly entertaining story of a modern-day Huck Finn will be enjoyed by lovers of adventure stories as well as true crime."
— Library Journal "It is Friel's ability to spin a great yarn that draws the reader in from the start and never lets up. And he does it with deft reporting and a breezy and entertaining style that enlivens a tale as incredible as it is true."
— Associated Press "[A] true-crime classic."
— Aspen Daily News
—Nelson DeMille, New York Times bestselling author of The Gold Coast and The Lion "Something about Colton Harris-Moore—crafty stealer of cars, boats, and airplanes—captured the fascination of our fast-moving country. But it took Bob Friel, a plucky reporter with a pitch-perfect story sense—to chase down the legend and make it real. In Friel’s fine telling, the Barefoot Bandit emerges as both villain and folk hero in a thrilling modern fugitive tale."
—Hampton Sides, author of Hellhound on His Trail "A Dillingeresque tale for our current Great Recession era. Friel not only gives a brilliantly clear-eyed look at a bandit’s adventures but also the effects they had on his peaceful community."
—Matthew Polly, bestselling author of American Shaolin and Tapped Out "Riveting, thorough, and deeply human, this terrific read doesn’t just tell the story—it brings it to life."
—Marcus Sakey, bestselling author of The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes and The Blade Itself "Friel offers a thrilling portrait of a bright and neglected teen trying to outrun authorities and his own troubled past."
— Booklist "This highly entertaining story of a modern-day Huck Finn will be enjoyed by lovers of adventure stories as well as true crime."
— Library Journal "It is Friel's ability to spin a great yarn that draws the reader in from the start and never lets up. And he does it with deft reporting and a breezy and entertaining style that enlivens a tale as incredible as it is true."
— Associated Press "[A] true-crime classic."
— Aspen Daily News
418 pages, Hardcover
First published March 20, 2012
42 people are currently reading
872 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 16, 2022
What a read! Colton Harris-Moore looted houses and businesses for cash, computers, and junk food - sometimes doing his laundry, showering, and cutting his hair in victims' homes! My having a friend who lives on Camano Island, and one who lives on the Orcas Islands made this book even more fascinating to me.
Colt's mom was an alcoholic who bought beer, rather than food and spent his growing-up years so drunk she was barely able to walk. Interviews with locals, Colt's mother, and childhood friends paint a picture of a shy outsider who spent much of his life fending for himself. What started out as a hungry boy stealing food to eat evolved into a young man who ultimately stole multiple cars, aircraft, and boats, before finally being apprehended after stealing an airplane and flying himself to the Bahamas.
As I read this book I kept thinking how differently this story would have turned out had Colt had used his amazing brain for good. I mean, who teaches himself to fly airplanes from watching CDs and using computer programs?? That would be Colt! He is now out of prison and I honestly wish him well. I hope he's able to follow his dream of designing aircraft.
I have to end this review by saying I loved the author's sense of humor, which prevented this book from being a grim read!
Colt's mom was an alcoholic who bought beer, rather than food and spent his growing-up years so drunk she was barely able to walk. Interviews with locals, Colt's mother, and childhood friends paint a picture of a shy outsider who spent much of his life fending for himself. What started out as a hungry boy stealing food to eat evolved into a young man who ultimately stole multiple cars, aircraft, and boats, before finally being apprehended after stealing an airplane and flying himself to the Bahamas.
As I read this book I kept thinking how differently this story would have turned out had Colt had used his amazing brain for good. I mean, who teaches himself to fly airplanes from watching CDs and using computer programs?? That would be Colt! He is now out of prison and I honestly wish him well. I hope he's able to follow his dream of designing aircraft.
I have to end this review by saying I loved the author's sense of humor, which prevented this book from being a grim read!
June 7, 2014
Like everyone else on Orcas, I thought I was following this story pretty closely, but I was surprised at how much I didn't know. It's really astonishing this kid is alive! I thought Friel did a bang- up job describing the allure of Orcas, from its quirkiness to the backroom politics. It was fun to read about places I know, people I've talked to... I've been here five years, and learned some new things-the Ditch was an attempt to cut Orcas in two? Huh. The first part of the book is devoted mostly to Orcas and includes the damaging effect of having a thief among us and the changes to our attitudes and lifestyle. Part two goes back to Harris-Moore's miserable upbringing, renewing the debate about how much responsibility society can assign the family for a juvenile's delinquent behavior. It picks back up with Colton's cross country flight and eventual capture in the Bahamas. I want an autographed copy for Christmas
July 22, 2012
I picked this up because I remembered hearing about this kid evading authorities on Orcas Island by hiding out in the woods back when I was living in Seattle. I slogged through the whole thing because I wanted to know what happened, but wished it were a quarter of the length. The author starts out jumping between 2 or 3 different timelines, and when he settles on a purely chronological one includes way too many background details (for example, about the childhoods of Colton's victims). I have to be impressed by the amount of research that went into this, but a highly edited version would have been much better.
March 30, 2017
On the good side, this book is a sympathetic portrait of a tragic, likable criminal. You feel like Colton had so much going against him (abusive mother, unstable home, unhelpful school & social services), and fell into more serious crimes step-by-step, yet avoided some of the worst criminalities (drug use, violence, etc.). He's obviously a smart kid and needed better opportunities and guidance. It seems that when he had to steal food to eat because his mother spent all their money on beer and cigarettes, that this inured him against the taboo of stealing, opening the door to further crimes. Friel writes sympathetically about Colton and often exhibits a wry sense of humor (I'm still laughing about his line about his dog staring at him like it has mind-control powers!). It's often shocking how easily Colton could get away with his crimes.
On the negative sides, as others have said, this book is repetitive and the chronology unclear. He skips around quite a lot at the beginning of the book and doesn't make the timeline clear. Others found the book a "page turner," but I found the crimes to all be discussed in detail even though they were all pretty much the same after a while. Maybe that's the point: Colton kept doing the same things and kept getting away with it! I stuck with the book for the sake of finishing it and to see what happened in the climatic scene in the Bahamas.
Also, a inset of photos in the middle of the book would've been nice--photos of Colton and the beautiful places where he had his misadventures.
On the negative sides, as others have said, this book is repetitive and the chronology unclear. He skips around quite a lot at the beginning of the book and doesn't make the timeline clear. Others found the book a "page turner," but I found the crimes to all be discussed in detail even though they were all pretty much the same after a while. Maybe that's the point: Colton kept doing the same things and kept getting away with it! I stuck with the book for the sake of finishing it and to see what happened in the climatic scene in the Bahamas.
Also, a inset of photos in the middle of the book would've been nice--photos of Colton and the beautiful places where he had his misadventures.
July 24, 2012
absolutely LOVED this book. First off I was totally obsessed with this story while it was going on and this book has so many great details and the writer kept me going to bed wanting to wake up to find out what the kid was up to. Also its a lesson in how bad parenting and broken homes can lead to alot of hidden depression and issues. This boy is a genius and with support and coaching as opposed to getting drunk and beating him up nightly he could have cured something or invented something, his smarts are so unbelievable. Also I never mind someone making law enforcement look like tools.
I tried to finish on way to Florida and stopped at last chapter for 3 days because I was afraid of it ending.. It really blew me away
I tried to finish on way to Florida and stopped at last chapter for 3 days because I was afraid of it ending.. It really blew me away
May 29, 2012
I read this because it was a local story. I love Orcas Island and was curious about the details the media left out. Can't believe this book is non-fiction. It was so interesting, riveting and exciting. Total page turner.
January 16, 2025
Wow! What an amazing TRUE story! The whole time I was reading this, it had the feeling of a cop/crime thriller. Its amazing that a teen was capable of evading cops and the FBI for months and months, all the while stealing a million dollars worth of goods and property, including freaking airplanes, without a pilot's license!
Friel does a very good job telling Colton Harris-Moore's story from his rough, impoverished, abusive childhood to his transition into the Barefoot Bandit. Friel not only lays out all the facts with no bias against anyone involed, but he was also there on Orcas island when Colton was on the lam, camping in the backwoods, and constantly running from the cops. He had a personal connection to the main character and really felt for him despite Colton's wrong-doings.
Some of the stunts that Colton pulled were mindblowing to think about. He was only 17! Breaking into literally any kind of house or business to steal identities, food, electronics, money or to just lay low and have a shower and a sleep. And then he graduated to stealing airplanes! Just an amazing story.
Friel does a very good job telling Colton Harris-Moore's story from his rough, impoverished, abusive childhood to his transition into the Barefoot Bandit. Friel not only lays out all the facts with no bias against anyone involed, but he was also there on Orcas island when Colton was on the lam, camping in the backwoods, and constantly running from the cops. He had a personal connection to the main character and really felt for him despite Colton's wrong-doings.
Some of the stunts that Colton pulled were mindblowing to think about. He was only 17! Breaking into literally any kind of house or business to steal identities, food, electronics, money or to just lay low and have a shower and a sleep. And then he graduated to stealing airplanes! Just an amazing story.
April 17, 2020
Honestly I can not believe that this book does not have more ratings on Goodreads. The story telling is as addictive as the antics of Colton Harris-Moore terrorising homes and businesses of the Pacific-Northwest circa 2008. I wish that I had a memory of this news story when it was happening, because as I read, I continually found myself in awe by an 18 year old staying two steps ahead of the police yet I have endless sympathy for the communities he was tearing apart at the seams with his petty crime. I'm only hoping that 20th Century Fox produces a film on the movie rights they bought from the author Bob Friel. Aside from news that his mother passed away in 2016, there wasn't much else to be found online about Colton these days, but given his past, I am pretty sure that is a good thing.
June 2, 2020
4.5 stars. LOVED the co tent and surprised by the excellent and humorous writing.
July 14, 2019
I am so glad this book is over!!!! It made me so angry throughout almost the entire thing.
The first word that comes to mind when thinking about Colt's story is "inept" - as in, the numerous law enforcement agencies, child protective services, schools, adults, and pretty much every other person or group that could have (and should have) done better so that this bizarre event never had to take place, or take place for so long. I have never read of such a profound level of ineptitude in my life. It's pathetic and alarming that it existed on so many levels across so many locations.
The second word that comes to mind is "entitled" - this kid is a real piece of work. I mean, wow. Cocky, arrogant, and one lucky SOB. Over and over and over. Unbelievable.
In a nutshell, this book is about a super trashy mom that had a super trashy kid who (for some reason) thought he was above and better than everyone else. And due to the aforementioned failures of pretty much everyone in his life, he was reinforced in that belief for a really long time. I feel for the residents of the islands that he terrorized for so long with impunity. It is shameful. Colt brazenly burgled his way across almost the entire country, thumbing his nose at the law the entire way. It took him landing in the Bahamas for a law enforcement agency to finally do its job. Unbelievable. If he were a young armed black man, vandalizing, stealing, and threatening his way across the US, how far do you think he would have gotten? I'm guessing not all that far. Man, this book made me angry. I'm still hot, just thinking about it.
In a way, I guess Bob Friel was the perfect person to tell this story because he comes off just as smug as Colt. His cutesy little phrases "and thus the Hobbit was smote" and "peckish poltergeist" (just two of the many annoying writings) really aggravated me throughout this book. He also presented a somewhat empathetic reaction to Colt, which I found annoying. I'm sorry, yes the kid had a crappy mother and was dealt a bad hand in life. But guess what.....so are MANY other kids. He was also very fortunate to be an intelligent kid. He clearly has some pretty phenomenal capabilities and for him to choose this path - I have no empathy for him. None. He was smart enough to know what he was doing was wrong, and he wasn't doing it to survive. He was doing it because he could, and that demonstrates how twisted he is.
Ironically, Colt was recently released from prison after serving less than six years. Six years. For over 30 crimes. And in my opinion, he's still just as entitled as he was before - he was just in the news a couple of months ago asking for early release from parole so he could move on with his life. Thankfully, someone finally stood up to this piece of trash and said NO. Maybe if someone had done that sooner, he wouldn't have traumatized and endangered so many people.
The first word that comes to mind when thinking about Colt's story is "inept" - as in, the numerous law enforcement agencies, child protective services, schools, adults, and pretty much every other person or group that could have (and should have) done better so that this bizarre event never had to take place, or take place for so long. I have never read of such a profound level of ineptitude in my life. It's pathetic and alarming that it existed on so many levels across so many locations.
The second word that comes to mind is "entitled" - this kid is a real piece of work. I mean, wow. Cocky, arrogant, and one lucky SOB. Over and over and over. Unbelievable.
In a nutshell, this book is about a super trashy mom that had a super trashy kid who (for some reason) thought he was above and better than everyone else. And due to the aforementioned failures of pretty much everyone in his life, he was reinforced in that belief for a really long time. I feel for the residents of the islands that he terrorized for so long with impunity. It is shameful. Colt brazenly burgled his way across almost the entire country, thumbing his nose at the law the entire way. It took him landing in the Bahamas for a law enforcement agency to finally do its job. Unbelievable. If he were a young armed black man, vandalizing, stealing, and threatening his way across the US, how far do you think he would have gotten? I'm guessing not all that far. Man, this book made me angry. I'm still hot, just thinking about it.
In a way, I guess Bob Friel was the perfect person to tell this story because he comes off just as smug as Colt. His cutesy little phrases "and thus the Hobbit was smote" and "peckish poltergeist" (just two of the many annoying writings) really aggravated me throughout this book. He also presented a somewhat empathetic reaction to Colt, which I found annoying. I'm sorry, yes the kid had a crappy mother and was dealt a bad hand in life. But guess what.....so are MANY other kids. He was also very fortunate to be an intelligent kid. He clearly has some pretty phenomenal capabilities and for him to choose this path - I have no empathy for him. None. He was smart enough to know what he was doing was wrong, and he wasn't doing it to survive. He was doing it because he could, and that demonstrates how twisted he is.
Ironically, Colt was recently released from prison after serving less than six years. Six years. For over 30 crimes. And in my opinion, he's still just as entitled as he was before - he was just in the news a couple of months ago asking for early release from parole so he could move on with his life. Thankfully, someone finally stood up to this piece of trash and said NO. Maybe if someone had done that sooner, he wouldn't have traumatized and endangered so many people.
June 3, 2023
The research put into this book coupled with his personal experiences with Colton Harris Moore made this book truly unique. Loved the pacing and thoroughness of Bob's story.
January 23, 2016
My first takeaway from this book was: that poor, poor little boy...with his crap-tastic mother, he didn't have a chance. Now that I've finished, I think he's got a better than average chance...IF he can put his incredible intelligence to good use. I'm definitely pulling for him and would enjoy seeing what he may have to write about his misspent youth someday. Speaking of writing, Friel did a great job documenting Colt's escapades this book. With his connection to both the San Juan islands and the Bahamas, he was well placed to write this story and he did so with an investigative reporter's zeal that really comes thru in his writing. I'll be on the lookout for his writing in the future.
May 15, 2013
Good read. Very entertaining and interesting. My only complaint is that Friel gives an in-depth background of almost everyone the Bandit encounters. This gets a little tedious. Otherwise I found the book an easy read and quite fascinating.
December 10, 2023
A great compelling story, absolutely ruined by the author.
What shouldve been a fun read about a teenager out of control in the best way possible is turned into the worst kind of book by it's egocentric, small-minded author: Friel spends HUNDREDS OF PAGES whinging about the terrible inconvenience he and his neighbours experienced from Colton stealing tins of tuna out of their supply cupboards. He mentions the terrible calamity of having to lock one's front door when one was used to not doing that probably a hundred times.
Which is the main gripe with this book: The author cannot resist spending hundreds of pages on HIMSELF. His neighbours also get chapter after chapter of life-story, completely utterly stupidly irrelevant to the story.
I read this sorry excuse for a book to the end, but only because I couldnt stop marveling at the utter egocentricity of it's author. So self-absorbed he really thinks dedicating half the book to his own backstory because he happened to live on the island this kid spent some time.
Please dont buy this sad excuse for a book.
What shouldve been a fun read about a teenager out of control in the best way possible is turned into the worst kind of book by it's egocentric, small-minded author: Friel spends HUNDREDS OF PAGES whinging about the terrible inconvenience he and his neighbours experienced from Colton stealing tins of tuna out of their supply cupboards. He mentions the terrible calamity of having to lock one's front door when one was used to not doing that probably a hundred times.
Which is the main gripe with this book: The author cannot resist spending hundreds of pages on HIMSELF. His neighbours also get chapter after chapter of life-story, completely utterly stupidly irrelevant to the story.
I read this sorry excuse for a book to the end, but only because I couldnt stop marveling at the utter egocentricity of it's author. So self-absorbed he really thinks dedicating half the book to his own backstory because he happened to live on the island this kid spent some time.
Please dont buy this sad excuse for a book.
June 28, 2018
3.5 stars. An interesting story about a young criminal who liked to steal planes and boats and miraculously didn't die trying to do it.
SPOILERS
The whole book was a chase scene of all the crazy and numerous things he did and I would love to have learned more about what happened to Colt after he was finally caught. After reading about the endless break-ins of small shops and houses, Colt stole his last plane and flew it to the Bahamas. Here is where I knew he'd get caught.. it's kinda hard to escape an island. The story of his capture was.. captivating.. and loved how the Colt recognized the author at his hearing in the Bahamas. Again, more story about what happened after would have been great. Still a good read if you like a billion stories of breaking and entering and evading cops.
SPOILERS
The whole book was a chase scene of all the crazy and numerous things he did and I would love to have learned more about what happened to Colt after he was finally caught. After reading about the endless break-ins of small shops and houses, Colt stole his last plane and flew it to the Bahamas. Here is where I knew he'd get caught.. it's kinda hard to escape an island. The story of his capture was.. captivating.. and loved how the Colt recognized the author at his hearing in the Bahamas. Again, more story about what happened after would have been great. Still a good read if you like a billion stories of breaking and entering and evading cops.
September 6, 2021
The story of the Barefoot Bandit and teenager in the San Juan Islands who commits breaking and entering crimes living in peoples house, stealing their boats, and plane is intriguing but sad. He was raised by a drunk abusive mother and an absent father and turned to crime as literally a way to get food and safe shelter. It’s intriguing in that its all true and he clearly is an intelligent person but just so sad that he had no loving guidance as he was growing up and now after 7+ years in jail is still wrestling with how to live a productive life
April 8, 2025
I don't know what I was expecting, but I wanted more here. Spent most of my time just skimming through this book. The story of Colton is pretty tragic, but it also feels like it was repetitive with people making the same mistakes over and over, ignoring signs of his obvious neglect and mental illness over and over, and while there is something intriguing about such a young kid committing so much theft with a strange morality attached to it sometimes, I don't feel like we ever saw Colton through Colton's eyes. We never really explored why he said he does everything he does.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2018
I lived in Seattle when Colton Harris-Moore was running amok in the San Juan Islands, fled cross-country, and was eventually caught in the Bahamas. I was interested in finding out more, and in reading this book that I was only aware of part of his one-man crime wave. Not to glorify him, but it's amazing he was able to do so much, for so long, without being caught.
This book is very well-written and documented and makes for a very engaging read.
This book is very well-written and documented and makes for a very engaging read.
January 14, 2021
Starts a little, but really picks up after about the first 50 pages. Absolutely comprehensive background knowledge in Colton, along with interesting details from every person he'd interacted with. Really interesting. I was forced to read this, not my choice, and really ended up loving the details and 'story telling'of the author. Recommend to anyone who finds this guy remotely interesting, you'll be surprised.
July 18, 2017
Colton Harris-Moore's story is intriguing and bewildering. It's a ripped-from-the-headlines mystery that most people never heard about. From his dysfunctional childhood through the unraveling of his life as a delinquent teen, the odds we're stacked against Colton. The details of his life on the run are fascinating, but the details of each escapade become tedious at times to the reader.
June 26, 2023
I wanted to read this book because the Barefoot Bandit had made a stop in my current city just a month before I moved here and I had a small connection to the people affected. Than I saw the book was over 400 pages and was ready for a slog. Boy, was I wrong. The author did a wonderful job of telling the story and highlighting the resiliency, smarts and style of this kid.
April 23, 2022
Really good, well-told story of a kid running from the law across the country, and the many, many law enforcement officers trying to catch him. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoyed movies like "Catch Me If You Can".
June 29, 2022
I read this book it is perfect in every aspect but I felt their were some times where we spent too much time on the little things that later on had no influence, which gave me a little boredom but for the most part the book was action packed.
June 2, 2017
Great story - comprehensive, and well-paced.
June 26, 2017
Interesting. Quick reading and while not written in a maudlin way, the story itself is sad in many ways.
May 19, 2018
A wild, fascinating truth-is-stranger-than-fiction story.
February 24, 2021
Really enjoyed reading this. Amazingly smart Young man.
Yes he did wrong things. Had a troublesome young life, but has turned his life around, from what I have read, after getting caught
Yes he did wrong things. Had a troublesome young life, but has turned his life around, from what I have read, after getting caught
June 7, 2021
never again!!
June 20, 2024
Such an amazing read. He overcame an abusive childhood and I wonder if he's living his Dreams now
April 27, 2025
another great jim suggestion
i can’t wait to visit orcas again now that i have the context of local lore
i can’t wait to visit orcas again now that i have the context of local lore
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews