Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber by Dane Batty
 Buy on Amazon | Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber: The True Story of Leslie Ibsen Rogge, One of the FBI’s Most Elusive CriminalsBy: Dane Batty Published by: Nish Publishing Company ISBN: 0615268455 Genre: True Crime, Non-Fiction Author’s Website: Author’s Twitter: Recommendable for people who: |
Synopsis (from Amazon):
What do you think of when you hear about someone on the FBI’s Most Wanted List? Hardened criminals, without morals or any sense of right and wrong, ready to solve a dispute with a gun, right? But what if things weren’t that cut and dried? What if the nice guy you hired to hook up your cable was Number Seven on the FBI’s list? Les Rogge looks and acts just like your next-door neighbor. Yet in twenty years he may have robbed more banks than Jesse James and Bonnie and Clyde put together–without firing a shot. Caught and put in jail twice, he escaped–and went sailing around the Caribbean with his wife and dog! In Wanted: Gentleman Bank Robber: The True Story of Leslie Ibsen Rogge, One of the FBI’s Most Elusive Criminals, Les details his adventures from Alaska to Antigua, the Chesapeake to Cancn, in everything from a converted shrimp boat at an abandoned marina to an R.V. at a Mayan ruin–and hundreds of vehicles and venues in between. But it all came to a halt when a fourteen-year-old in Guatemala forced him to turn himself in. Few felons have been as forthcoming about their successes, failures, robbery techniques, passion for sailing vessels… and love for his wife.
- Winner Biography Pinnacle Book Awards
- Finalist in Reader Views Book of the Year Awards
- Finalist in Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2011
- Finalist in True Crime Book Reviews Book of the Year
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book. It’s hard to write a review of a non-fiction book, because it feels like you’re reviewing someone’s life. 🙁
For me, I really have to be in the “mood” for a non-fiction book, which is why it took me so long to actually get through this one. I had started reading it a back before Christmas and with the stress of the holiday season, I just couldn’t get into a non-fiction book. Since the holiday dash is over, I was finally able to sit down and enjoy learning about this man’s life adventure.
It’s really interesting to me how he remained free for so long, and how he managed to rob SO MANY banks without ever pulling a gun or physically hurting anyone. It almost doesn’t seem possible. I also had to “lol” when he was elated to find a Burger King. I don’t know why that stuck me so funny – but I said in my reading updates that “It’s nice to know even millionaires still enjoy the BK” haha…
Anyway, this book is the true story of a man who robbed banks for a living (and nearly got away with it). Its an interesting read, with good writing, and photos. I say pick it up if you’re into TRUE CRIME, NON-FICTION, or BIOGRAPHIES.
FUN TIDBIT:
I hear this book has just sold the movie rights. So coming to a screen near you…