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Go Down Together
Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde | Jeff Guinn
From the moment they first cut a swathe of crime across 1930s America, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker have been glamorised in print, on screen and in legend. The reality of their brief and catastrophic lives is very different -- and far more fascinating. Combining exhaustive research with surprising, newly discovered material, author Jeff Guinn tells the real story of two youngsters from a filthy Dallas slum who fell in love and then willingly traded their lives for a brief interlude of excitement and, more important, fame. Thanks in great part to surviving relatives of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, who provided Guinn with access to never-before-published family documents and photographs, this book reveals the truth behind the myth, told with cinematic sweep and unprecedented insight by a master storyteller.
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review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Pickpick

In this book, author Jeff Guinn, looks at the truth behind the headlines & the folk-myths about the notorious couple. Bonnie & Clyde - as usual the reality fails to live up to the 'glamorous' hype. They were certainly not master criminals, nearly everything they tried was either bungled or foiled due to bad luck & timing. Alongside a jail break (that Clyde got the credit for but didn't actually plan) & several bank hold-ups, (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf most of their crimes were small-time robberies of stores & gas stations. Money hauls were usually small-time allowing them to live day to day, but no massive paydays.

The author does a good job of humanising the two without glamorising what they actually did. Lest we forget, the Barrow gang killed their fair share of people, but we can also see that Bonnie & Clyde did love each other & their families.
12mo
OutsmartYourShelf I found this an informative & interesting read, & the author obviously did a lot of research judging by the copious notes & bibliography. Overall, great research & well-written. 4🌟

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/822498592

Read: 21st - 31st March 2023

#MarchMadness @DieAReader @andrew65 @Ghabi4roses
12mo
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 12mo
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LibraryCin
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Pickpick

This was so well-researched. If it‘s not (it might already be), it should be the go-to book about the two of them. It was slow to read, but nonfiction often is. It was fascinating and I was interested all the way through. There were multiple confrontations and shootouts, so I did get a few confused toward the end, and some of the criminals who came and went from the “Barrow Gang” also got a bit confusing, but overall, this was really good.

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vivastory
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Pickpick

Jeff Guinn has been on my radar for awhile now due to his Jim Jones book. I was immediately intrigued when I heard about this Guinn & it's safe to say I've found a new favorite nonfiction author. Go Down Together is a much needed corrective for the Bonnie & Clyde myth. Guinn masterfully demonstrates that the real lives of the tattooed, poetry writing, fiercely loyal & incredibly (un)lucky criminal couple doesn't need embellishment. While reading👇

vivastory I learned that the Red Crown Tavern ambush occurred only a few minutes away from where I live. Morbid! Yet awesome! 5y
vivastory Thanks for pointing me to this book @britt_brooke ! 5y
merelybookish That's so cool! In Independence? 5y
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vivastory @merelybookish Platte City. Very close to KCI. 5y
Megabooks I didn‘t even think about how he wrote Jonestown that I enjoyed. I‘ll definitely have to read this! So cool that you live nearby!! 5y
britt_brooke I‘m so happy you loved this! Guinn makes nonfiction read like fiction. Such a talented storyteller. Great photo! 5y
MicheleinPhilly Have you read his Manson book? It‘s 👌🏼. 5y
vivastory @MicheleinPhilly Nope. It's on my list though 👍 5y
saresmoore Neat! I love it when real life and reading life collide. 5y
sprainedbrain Sounds like I need to check this author out. I‘m always looking for nonfiction that reads like fiction. And I love taking book field trips! 🙌🏻 5y
LeahBergen I‘ve been wanting to read his Manson book! 5y
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vivastory
This post contains spoilers
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vivastory
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1) Matthew Desmond's Evicted is an important book. In fact, I really think everyone should read it. But it's infuriating.
2) Arrested Development, Kids in the Hall, Community.
3) Probably a cereal bar.
4) Central.
5) Gray Together
@howjessreads #friyayintro

Leftcoastzen Arrested Development! Yay!Feel the same way about Evicted 5y
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vivastory
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I have a lot of respect for authors who account for the fates of a large cast of characters. Human or otherwise.

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vivastory
This post contains spoilers
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Ouch!

britt_brooke 😆 5y
britt_brooke PS. I love Jeff Guinn! 5y
vivastory @britt_brooke This is my first Guinn. I was meaning to read his Jonestown book but I was really intrigued by this one. I think I stacked it after your review. 5y
britt_brooke @vivastory This one is fantastic. Hope you‘re enjoying it! The Jonestown book was one of my favorites the year I read it. His Manson book is great also. Guinn‘s one hell of a NF writer. 5y
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Reviewsbylola
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#ifoughtthelaw #anglophileapril

I haven‘t read this but I bought it awhile ago—possibly because of @britt_brooke ‘s review. It sounds compelling and I always see great reviews for Guinn.

britt_brooke Yes! I loved this. Guinn is amazing. 5y
Cinfhen Sounds promising!! I love NF 5y
emilyhaldi I already have this stacked 😄 5y
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Mdargusch Great minds... I posted about them too. 5y
gradcat I see we thought alike on this one! 😂 5y
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SageIvy
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Things are never as glamorous as the TV and movies make it out to be. The real story is so much more gritty.

DarcysMom Welcome to Litsy! 🤗 5y
KrystleTheBookSlayer Welcome to Listy! ❤📚❤📚 That also looks like a very interesting read! 5y
Mitch Welcome to the wonderful world of Litsy! 5y
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Libby1 Welcome to Litsy! ❤️📚❤️ 5y
RaimeyGallant I'm so curious now. And welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. Or if you prefer how-to videos, @chelleo put some together at the link in her bio. @LitsyWelcomeWagon 5y
Lel2403 Welcome to Litsy 📖 5y
SageIvy Thank you everyone for the welcome 5y
CoffeeNBooks Welcome to Litsy! 📚 5y
Lynnsoprano Welcome to our Litsy family! 5y
Kaye Welcome 🌸 5y
Librarybelle Welcome to Litsy! 5y
TheLibrarian Welcome to Litsy!! 5y
BookwormAHN Welcome to Litsy 😺 5y
DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy! 🎉📚🎉Hope you enjoy it here! 5y
AnimalRiotPress Welcome to Litsy! 📚🐇 5y
Lel2403 Welcome to Litsy 📖 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!! 5y
Slajaunie Welcome!📖📚💚 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 📖📖 5y
CarolynM Welcome to Litsy 🌼 5y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🤗📚 5y
AlwaysForeverReading Sounds like a good read... Welcome to Litsy!!!💙💜❤️ 5y
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review
Califlamingo
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Pickpick

This was a fascinating story. The author's research is so thorough and detailed, yet it kept my attention. I liked how he dove into their personal lives and how they became criminals. Their fierce loyalty to each other and their families (and some of their partners) is admirable. I found myself almost liking them.

Suet624 Guinn does a wonderful job with his books. 6y
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Califlamingo

Sound motherly advice: "It might be a good idea to stop falling in love with felons."

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britt_brooke
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Pickpick

What a wild and gripping ride! Jeff Guinn is SO good at presenting minute details while keeping you utterly and completely rapt. The Barrow Gang was a truly awful rotating group of criminals, and yet, you almost find yourself pulling for them. It‘s an odd sensation. I knew only the obvious points going in. This was a fascinating read.

I highly recommend the audio; superb narration.

bibliobliss Ooh looks interesting! 6y
britt_brooke @Readage It‘s so good! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I first read this author last year when he published a book about Jim Jones. It‘s amazing, too. 6y
bibliobliss @britt_brooke Both are on the ol‘ TBR 😉 6y
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Mdargusch Looks so interesting! 6y
britt_brooke @Readage 😁👏🏻 6y
emilyhaldi This looks good!! 6y
britt_brooke @Mdargusch @emilyhaldi It‘s so good - I think you all will like it! 6y
Suet624 Now you‘ve doubly done it. I had it stacked already but you‘ve really pushed me to get to it soon. He‘s so good at pulling you along in his books. 6y
britt_brooke @Suet624 😁👏🏻🙌🏻 He really is! I‘m planning on getting his Manson book soon. So, be ready, lol! 6y
Califlamingo Just got this on audio. Narrator is a tad monotone but the story is good so far. It makes my hour long commute tolerable. 6y
britt_brooke @Califlamingo Hope you enjoy! I liked the narration, but I can see what you mean. 6y
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britt_brooke
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Suet624 That‘s wild. 6y
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britt_brooke
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Thanks for the tag @Jess7 ❣️
#HumpDayPost

1. favorite mug 🧡
2. hubby and I rarely watch tv; there‘s nothing wrong with watching, but shows that aren‘t kid-appropriate just don‘t fit into our lifestyle right now (we make time for GoT when it‘s in season, though)
3. a fascinating look at Bonnie & Clyde #tagged #stackit
4. cold and windy
5. just pierced ears, but I haven‘t been able to wear earrings for years because everything irritates them

Jess7 🤗🤗 6y
readordierachel Cool mug! I have the same problem with earrings. 6y
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britt_brooke @ReadOrDieRachel Thanks! 💚 It used to be only nickel posts that bothered me but now I can‘t even wear sterling silver or 10k gold posts. Kinda weird! 6y
Leftcoastzen Love your mug ! 6y
alisiakae I have the same problem with earrings. It started after pregnancy, a nickel allergy. 6y
britt_brooke @4thhouseontheleft Interesting! I‘ve always had the nickel allergy, but I can‘t pinpoint when the aversion to sterling silver and lesser karat gold started. I bet it was after my first pregnancy. It does such strange things to your body! 6y
kspenmoll Mug is great! 6y
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britt_brooke
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After listening to, and being insanely impressed by, The Road to Jonestown, I‘ve been wanting to try another of Guinn‘s books. So far, so good.

#currentlyreading #currentlylistening #audio #audible

LeahBergen I‘ve heard his Manson bio is really good. 👍🏻 6y
MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen His Manson book is GREAT. 6y
britt_brooke @LeahBergen @MicheleinPhilly I had a hard time deciding between that and this one. It‘s definitely in the TBR! 6y
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Reviewsbylola Ooooh I‘ve got this!!! 6y
britt_brooke @Reviewsbylola 🙌🏻 It‘s good so far. 6y
Suet624 For some reason I never thought to check out his other books. Really liked Jonestown. Stacked. 6y
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review
jlondon1963
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Pickpick

A true accounting of the life of Bonnie and Clyde. The author dispels several myths created by newspapers and Hollywood and fleshes out the real people and the crimes they actually committed. I have always been fascinated with this era‘s gangsters.

Zelma Bonnie and Clyde, and Jeff Guinn? Added! 6y
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NatalieR
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Pickpick

Excellent book on the historic lives of Bonnie and Clyde. Jeff Guinn does a superb job researching the story to reveal the most accurate account possible. #Nonfiction2018 #LitsyReadingChallenge

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Librarybelle
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American outlaws who tormented law officials but captured the hearts of the populace, their legend has grown since their demise in 1934. Part of the charm...a couple who robbed and stole and killed.

A few years ago, several books came out about the couple. This one received positive press. Love them or loathe them, they certainly garner attention 80 years later. #kisskissbangbang #TuneIntoNovember

Robothugs Nicely done! 6y
Cinfhen Nice! I'm calling this 🥇 6y
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Oblomov26
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Pickpick

Picked this up cheap on Audible. An eye opening history of Bonnie and Clyde, who were not the glamorous criminals of the movie, but two opportunistic criminals from poor backgrounds who gained a level of notoriety almost despite themselves. This book shows them wart and all, small, rather plain, yet vain; rather immature, robbers and murderers, but also a couple who loved each other and who were fiercely loyal to family and associates to the end.

Marchpane Great review 👏 7y
JazzFeathers Didn'tvread this particular book, but another where Bonnie and Clyde where duscyssed in much the same terms. Odd as the media always had the power ti change reality 7y
Samary I‘m in the middle of this. I‘m enjoying learning about them! 7y
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Aseleener
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Pickpick

This was the Audible deal of the day a while back and I was excited bc I had heard of it and wanted to read it. It was my #nonfiction pick for June. It was a bit longer than it needed to be; it's incredibly detailed. It dragged a bit in the middle. But as a history buff, I did enjoy learning about Bonnie and Clyde. I really didn't know more than the basics before. It was quite interesting. The narrator was 👍. #history #truecrime⭐⭐⭐⭐

MrBook Nice review! 7y
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Aseleener
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Needed a couple things from the grocery so I got my cardio done today by walking to the store. It's a bit chilly for me (60s? Come on, it's summer!), but the sky was so beautiful. Great day for a walk. I'm on hour 12 of 16 learning all about Bonnie & Clyde. Audiobooks always make my walks more enjoyable. #nofilter #summerinwisconsin

Bookzombie That sky is so beautiful! 7y
LauraBrook It's such a nice day! I've been watching the clouds off and on, they're really pretty today. Good for you, walking to the store! 7y
Laura317 That sky goes forever!! 💙💙💙 7y
Dragon Great photo! Love those clouds! 😀 7y
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Aseleener
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It's finally hot enough for a beach day! I brought my Kindle, but ended up listening to this on audio for 3 hours while soaking up the sun. That was perfect bc I could enjoy the beautiful view (and people-watching!) and "read" at the same time. #lakemichigan

NatalieR Great view! I love lighthouses. 🏖 7y
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EvieBee
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This finally arrived this morning! After watching American Experience: Bonnie and Clyde a few weeks ago, I was obsessed. Ordered a $1.50 used copy on Amazon, though from the looks of it it's brand new! Recognize the author? He just published THE ROAD TO JONESTOWN. #bookmail #bookhaul

EvieBee @rubyslippersreads Wow! I hadn't! Thank you for sharing. ❤️ 7y
JanuarieTimewalker13 That clock!!! Gorgeous! 7y
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EvieBee @JanuarieTimewalker13 Thank you so much! ☺️ 7y
rabbitprincess I loved this! Hope you like it too. 😄 7y
JazzFeathers I'm not particularly into Bonnie and Clyde, but this cover is making me consider 😉 7y
EvieBee @rabbitprincess Oh! So glad to hear that! Can wait to read it. 7y
EvieBee @JazzFeathers The picture on the back, stunning! I was never really interested in them until the documentary! I mean, very well done. So maybe you can check out American Experience to whet your appetite. 7y
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