The Reading Warehouse

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are possibly the most famous and most romanticized criminals in American history. When the police found photos of them posing with guns and goofing around, they became media darlings. However, their fame was short-lived, and their lives would end in a violent police ambush.

Because the reality was very different. During their 1930s crime spree, the two young Texans and the rest of their gang lived a vicious life filled with narrow escapes, bungled robberies, injuries, and murders. And they weren't the only gangsters operating at the time. Criminals like Al Capone, Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd, and "Ma" Barker grabbed their own share of headlines, but in the end it was Bonnie and Clyde who really captured the public's imagination. A lot of that was because of Bonnie herself. The cute, blonde criminal was unique at the time.

There is no question that their story continues to fascinate writers, musicians, visual artists, and filmmakers. But is that fascination justified? Or are we confusing the movie images with reality and ignoring the ugly truth of their story?