Moehringer is a former nieman fellow at harvard university. I have had a paperback copy for a year or so, but finally got around to listening to it a download from the local library, while im here in minneapolis taking care of my parents who are in their 80s. Discover book depositorys huge selection of j r moehringer books online. R moehringer book 45 editions published between 2012 and 2016 in 7 languages and held by 2,306 worldcat member libraries worldwide.
Willie sutton, one of the most famous bank robbers of his time, was almost forgotten until j. Moehringer at elliott bay book company in seattle, wa. Moehringer s biographical novel sutton hyperion, a harrowing, haunting tale of the late criminals life. Moehringer on the art of the steal interview magazine. In 2000 he won the pulitzer prize for newspaper feature writing. Willie sutton was born in the squalid irish slums of brooklyn, in the first year of the twentieth century, and came of age at a time when banks were out of control over three decades, from prohibition through the great depression, from the age of al capone until the reign of murder inc. Willie sutton was born in the irish slums of brooklyn in 1901, and he came of age at a time when banks were out of control. In all suttons crimes and confinements, his first love and first accomplice was never far from. Tansley united church book club book discussion questions.
Blending vast research with vivid imagination, pulitzer prize winner j. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. He was the winner of the pulitzer prize for feature writing in 2000, and a pulitzer finalist for feature writing in 1998 for his magazine piece resurrecting the champ, an article which was recently adapted for a film starring samuel l. When willie sutton walked from attica prison on christmas, 1969, the irish, brooklynborn bank robber reemerged as a. Second edition see here for the first edition mit press. So began the career of americas most successful bank robber. While my experience growing up is different from yours, i understand how. Moehringer tells sutton s story in flashbacks, beginning on christmas eve, 1969, as a gubernatorial pardon by the banker nelson rockefeller releases sutton from attica, where he was serving. Booklist starredwillie sutton was born in the irish slums of brooklyn in 1901, and he came of age at a time when banks were out of control. In all of suttons crimes and confinements, his first love and first accomplice was never far from his thoughts. Blending vast research with vivid imagination, pulitzer prizewinner j.
Moehringer does for bank robber willie sutton in this fascinating biographical. Moehringer, author of sutton americas 1920s, bankrobbing robin hood in his first novel, j. In moehringers retelling, it was more than poverty or rage at society that drove sutton. Moehringer inventories sutton s obsessive, if mainly doomed, breakouts. Moehringer does for bank robber willie sutton in this fascinating biographical novel of americas most successful bank robber newsday. Sutton saw only one way out and only one way to win the girl of his dreams. Find 1 listings related to sutton tours schedule in youngstown on. Sutton was selected by amazon books editors as one of our best books of the month for september. In moehringers retelling, it was more than need or rage at society that drove sutton.
Moehringer has said in interviews that he was motivated to write sutton after the 20082009 crash brought on by the housing bubble and reckless decisions by bankers. If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel that the. After reading this delightful, insightful, sad, funny, and at times disturbing book i now understand sutton was much more that just a bank robber. The story opens on christmas eve, 1969, with suttons release from attica at age 68.
Willie sutton, the notorious depressionera bank robber who was on the fbis first ever most wanted list, is released from prison on christmas eve and takes a newspaper reporter and photographer on a trip down. Moehringer brings willie sutton blazing back to life. Moehringer born december 7, 1964 is an american novelist and journalist. Moehringers novel cracks vault on robber willie sutton. In his retelling, it was more than need or rage at society that drove sutton. Slowly, surely, one will lead you to another, which will lead you to the best. In my mind, it deserves to win a big literary prize, be it a pulitzer, national book award, booker, or whatever. Moehringer has gifted us with a fine, fine, fine piece of storytelling. Moehringer historical fiction released september, 2012 386 pages bottom line. Sutton, a historical novel based on extensive research, is a comic, moving, gritty imagining of that mysterious christmas, and the remarkable life that preceeded it, a life defined by thrills. Moehringer is a work of fiction but the protagonist, willie sutton actually existed. And when sutton finally walked free a surprise pardon on christmas eve, 1969 he.
During a lifelong criminal career, sutton stole more than two million dollars and cashed in on the urban legend that he robbed banks because, thats where. A biographical novel of the notorious bank robber willie sutton. Willie sutton was born in the squalid irish slums of brooklyn, in the fir. He graduated from saguaro high school in scottsdale in 1982.
Moehringer weaves his tale around sutton, newly released from prison, traveling around new york city on christmas day 1969 with a captive audience pun intended of 2 newspaper men. Moehringers bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. Moehringer, thank you for writing your book the tender bar. Moehringer tells suttons story in flashbacks, beginning on christmas eve, 1969, as a gubernatorial pardon by the banker nelson rockefeller releases sutton from attica, where he was serving. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. A fictionalized account of willie sutton, one of the most notorious criminals in american history, traces his life, his doomed romance with his first love, and his surprise pardon on christmas eve in 1969. Moehringers writing that makes you feel you arent stepping into a book so much as. Moehringer was born in new york city and was raised by a single mother in manhasset, new york and, later, in scottsdale, arizona. Born in 1901 in the irish slums of brooklyn, sutton grew up in an age when banks were out of control with greed. This is a book that sucks you into the story almost right from the start. How is willie sutton an atypical criminal, unlike those more commonly found in gangster movies and noir novels.
Journalist and author of the tender bar 2005 and sutton 2012. Moehringer wrote a memoir about growing up in a bar. Moehringer s vision or wish for him as he states in the forward of the life and times of willie sutton as we follow him on the nickel tour of his life. During three decades sutton became so good at breaking into banks, the fbi put him on its first. Moehringer writes from the point of view of willie sutton, whom he calls the. When willie sutton walked from attica prison on christmas, 1969, the irish. In all suttons crimes and confinements, his first love and first accomplice was never far.
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