The Last Outlaws - by Tom Clavin (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The definitive account of the Dalton Gang and the most brazen bank heist in history, by the multiple New York Times bestselling author.

The Last Outlaws is the thrilling true story of the last of one of the greatest outlaw gangs. The dreaded Dalton Gang consisted of three brothers and their rotating cast of colorful accomplices who saw themselves as descended from the legendary James brothers. They soon became legends themselves, beginning their career as common horse thieves before graduating to robbing banks and trains.

On October 5, 1892, the Dalton Gang attempted their boldest and bloodiest raid yet: robbing two banks in broad daylight in Coffeyville, Kansas, simultaneously. As Grat, Bob, and Emmett Dalton and Bill Power and Dick Broadwell crossed the plaza to enter the two buildings, the outlaws were recognized by townspeople, who raised the alarm. Citizens armed themselves with shotguns and six-shooters from nearby hardware stores and were locked and loaded when the thieves emerged from the banks. The ensuing gun battle was a lead-filled firefight of epic proportions. As the smoke cleared, eight men lay dead--including four of the five members of the doomed Dalton Gang.

For the first time ever, the full story of the Dalton Gang's life of crime, culminating in one of the Wild West's most violent events, are chronicled in detail--a last gruesome gasp of the age of gunfights.

Review Quotes

Praise for Tom Clavin:

"American West expert Clavin delivers a solid and definitive recapitulation of one of history's most notorious outlaw gangs ... Readers will ... enjoy this Old West crime caper." --Booklist on The Last Outlaws

"Clavin, who's been writing about the Wild West for years, does a good job of portraying the attendant mayhem, with all its gore...[and] ably stitches the yarn together. [He] does well to bookend his story with the sole surviving Dalton, who, after serving time, tried to make it in Hollywood." --Kirkus Reviews on The Last Outlaws

"[T]he exciting climax entertains ... Wild West history buffs will be rewarded." --Publishers Weekly on The Last Outlaws

"A rollicking tale of a Texas lawman and the iron-jawed contingent that rode with him...Fans of the Wild West and its pistol-packin' miscreants will enjoy Clavin's latest." --Kirkus Reviews on Follow Me to Hell

"Lightning Down has an overarching positivity and celebration of resilience." --Associated Press

"Absorbing...Fun and revealing." --The Wall Street Journal on Dodge City

"Clavin tacks up the truth like wanted posters in every chapter." --The New York Times Book Review on Wild Bill

"Breezy narrative style...fascinating lore." --NPR on Tombstone

About the Author

TOM CLAVIN is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and has worked as a newspaper editor, magazine writer, TV and radio commentator, and a reporter for The New York Times. He has received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and National Newspaper Association. His books include the bestselling Frontier Lawmen trilogy--Wild Bill, Dodge City, and Tombstone--and Blood and Treasure with Bob Drury. He lives in Sag Harbor, NY.