Claude Stanush, David Middleton

Claude Stanush and David Middleton collaborated to write "The Newton Boys," a work about the notorious Newton Gang bank robbers who operated in the early 20th century. The book documents the criminal exploits of Willis, Joe, Jess, and Dock Newton, four brothers from Texas who became prolific bank and train robbers during the 1920s. The Newton Gang robbed an estimated 200 banks and six trains between 1919 and 1924, making them among the most successful bank robbers in American history. Their criminal career ended when they were captured after attempting to rob a mail train in Illinois. Stanush and Middleton's collaboration resulted in a historical account that chronicles the brothers' rise and fall. The book serves as a record of Depression-era crime and the law enforcement efforts to stop the gang's string of robberies across multiple states.

Readers appreciate the factual approach Stanush and Middleton take in documenting the Newton Gang's criminal history. Many reviewers note the book provides detailed accounts of the robberies and the methods the brothers used to evade capture for several years. Several readers praise the authors' research into historical records and newspaper accounts from the period. They find the chronological presentation of events helpful in understanding how the gang operated across different states and territories. Some readers express disappointment with the writing style, describing it as dry or lacking narrative flow. A few reviewers mention they expected more character development and insight into the brothers' motivations beyond the basic facts of their crimes. Others note the book feels incomplete, suggesting the authors could have provided more context about the social and economic conditions that led to the brothers' criminal activities during the post-World War I era.