John Herbert Dillinger (June 22, 1903aJuly 22, 1934) was an American bank robber, considered by some to be a dangerous criminal, while others idealized him as a Robin Hood. His exploits, along with Bonnie & Clyde, aBaby Facea Nelson, aMachine Guna Kelley, Barker Gang and others, dominated the attention of American newspapers, radio and law enforcement. John Dillinger served 9A1/2 years in the Indiana penal system before the majority of Americans ever heard of him. Most of the residents living in his hometown signed and presented a petition requesting his early release from prison. Little did they know, during the next 14 months after his release, he would become more famous than the President of the United States during that era. Inmate #13225 John Herbert Dillinger reveals dates, times and events that ultimately cost the lives of 11 law enforcement personnel and several innocent people. In addition, Dillinger was instrumental in one of the most daring prison escapes in penal history.

John Dillinger was one of the most famous and flamboyant celebrity outlaws, and this book illuminates the significnace of his tremendous fame and the endurance of his legacy of crime and violence, and the transformation of America during the Great Depression.

A deeply researched account of Depression-era criminals who roamed the Midwest by the Pulitzer Prize–winning, New York Times–bestselling author. John Dillinger and his compatriots’ crime spree lasted a little over a year in the 1930s and left a trail of bodies in its wake. Dillinger’s bank robberies—and his ability to elude both a half-dozen state police forces and the FBI—kept Americans riveted during this bleak economic period. In this book, the author of the classic The Rising Sun chronicles Dillinger’s short criminal career and the exploits of other outlaws of the time . The eminent twentieth-century historian conducted hundreds of interviews and visited banks, jail cells, and other relevant sites in thirty-four states. Leading up to Dillinger’s violent death outside a Chicago movie house, this true-crime story is told with great depth and vivid detail. “This is the famed Dillinger’s story, a compendium as well of the murderous doings of compatriots like Ma Barker, Pretty Boy Floyd, Bonnie Parker, the Barrow Brothers, and a host of other hip-shooting, car-stealing bank robbers who made underworld American history in the Depression. . . [A] brutal yet colorful book.” —Kirkus Reviews

The inside story of one of America's most notorious criminals

Former Prussian soldier Herman "Baron" Lamm (1890-1930) adapted his military training to a much less noble occupation after moving to America, developing a reputation as one of history's most brilliant and efficient bank robbers. Lamm's time fell between Butch Cassidy and John Dillinger's notorious careers, and Lamm never received the attention of the two famous gunslingers. This first full-length biography promotes Lamm from his supporting role, tracing his criminal exploits and his pioneering use of concepts like "casing" a bank and planning escape routes. Analysis of arrest records finds Lamm's genius as a criminal mastermind much overrated, and a detailed examination of the trial transcript of fellow gang members Walter Detrich and James Clark brings to life Lamm's spectacular downfall.