"The book is a rollicking read and even more quirky than the film version
of the Newtons' story."—Texas Monthly
"Some of the richest Western history in existence has come from the
books of State House Press . . . I'd like to add The Newton Boys to that
long and splendid list."—Brock Sledge, The Book World
". . . this book would make a nice addition to public and academic
libraries and to collections focusing on oral history, sociology, and
criminology."—Review of Texas Books
". . . history and autobiography in a compelling format."—Midwest Book
Review
". . . lively narrative enhanced by photos . . . solid oral history."—Texas
Books in Review
"A good book. More than that. A fine book."—Neshoba Democrat
"Compelling, sometimes hilarious, reading."—Books of the Southwest
"Oral history at its best."—The Dallas Morning News
". . . fascinating social history . . . the publisher deserves praise for
allowing "social outcasts" to recount their lives and perceptions in their
own words."—Southwestern Historical Quarterly
"Roaring '20s-era bank robbers Willis and Joe Newton were the subject
of a 1976 documentary film by Stanush and Middleton; this oral
history—based, they say, on the same interviews—offers an unusual
portrait of Texas and the Southwest, especially because of the
brothers' belief in the essential corruption of business and government
institutions. The book, dominated by older brother Willis, is unwieldly,
but should interest Texas history buffs. 'We wasn't thugs like Bonnie
and Clyde . . . we was just quiet businessmen,' declares Willis of the
four-brother gang; he goes on to explain how his initial false
imprisonment on a theft charge led him to disregard the law. Joe, on
the other hand, 'was kind of following the leader.' In 1924, after many
successes, the gang's $3 million Illinois train robbery led to their
capture. Amid the book's wealth of detail about their movements and
tactics emerges some homespun wisdom; Willis declares that prisons
are more schools for crime than for reform. Willis died in 1979 at 90,
and Joe died in 1989 at 88."—Publishers Weekly
". . . a fascinating look into the minds of two early 20th century
outlaws . . . an entertaining read and compelling social document."—This
text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.—Austin
American Statesman
Other Outlaw Titles
