Fly, Colton, Fly: The True Story of the Barefoot Bandit [Paperback]

Jackson Holtz (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 5, 2011

Colton Harris-Moore. A teenage outlaw wanted in nine states for more than eighty crimes. For two years he outran authorities—often times barefoot. And every step of the way, a frenzied public cheered him on…

"The Barefoot Bandit" looked like a typical American teenage boy. But Colton Harris-Moore was something else: a disturbing neighborhood nuisance at the age of ten, a troubled felon at twelve, wanted at fifteen, and the subject of a cross-country and international fugitive manhunt by the time he could register to vote. He stole boats, luxury cars, laptops, credit cards, and planes, despite no formal flight training, then embarked on an astonishing two-year crime spree that crossed international borders, fueled a titillated media, and eluded law enforcement. A twenty-first century Billy the Kid, Harris-Moore hid in the woods and lived on candy bars, snack food, and at least one stolen organic blueberry pie. As his crime spree continued and his notoriety grew, he was celebrated online, on t-shirts, and on Web sites and a Facebook Fan Club. Only one thing was increasingly clear. Harris-Moore wasn’t going to give himself up easily. His fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

This is the Barefoot Bandit’s life story—his youth, his crimes, and his capture—the incredible true account of a digital-age wild child who may have run out of getaways, but found something much more valuable: a peculiar and very American brand of fame.

INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fly, Colton, Fly is commendable for its scope-- (it) has more twists, backstories, and seething, snarled-tooth side players than, well, The Odyssey--and for its details, thanks to a reporter who's been on the case since the beginning. --SeattleMet

"Holtz has written a well-measured and -researched account of the young man's life, and it seems the author understands the collective impulse behind rooting for the outsider." Good Men Project --Good Men Project

“Fly, Colton, Fly reveals much about the Jesse James of the Facebook age—and our fascination with imaginative crooks eluding maladroit cops. Indispensable for anyone interested in the Barefoot Bandit.” —Rinker Buck, author of Flight of Passage

“Every now and then, a criminal comes along who flouts the law with such daring and dash that he is elevated to the ranks of rebel folk hero. Colton Harris-Moore is the latest figure to enter the ranks of these legendary lawbreakers. In this fleet and propulsive account, Jackson Holtz tells the story of this latter-day Jesse James in a style best suited to its subject—with enormous panache.”—Harold Schechter, author of Killer Colt: Murder, Disgrace, and the Making of An American Legend

About the Author

Jackson Holtz is an award-winning reporter at the Herald of Everett in Washington State. He lives in Seattle with his cat, Emily, and his partner of more than sixteen years, Jeremy Moser. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (April 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451235088
• ISBN-13: 978-0451235084
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.6 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,128,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jackson Holtz is an award winning reporter at The Herald of Everett, Washington. He lives in Seattle. Read more about him at http://www.jacksonholtz.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Truly Unblelievable Tale of a Modern Folk-Hero June 28, 2011

By the Non-Fiction guy

Format:Paperback

The story of Colton Harris-Moore and his truly outlandish exploits is unbelievable for so many reasons, and I feel that no other account of that story is more complete than this one. I actually followed Colton's story online as it was happening, and to think that someone in our age could inspire such widespread awe (and disapproval); really becoming the internet's first "folk-hero" is truly unbelievable to me. While other reviews on this site seem to disapprove of the direct and objective tone the way this book tells his story, I would have it no other way. Colton's exploits themselves are more imaginative than most fiction, and anyone who wants a "sentimental" view of the story would not be receiving the complete version. There are as many people who revile the kid for what he did as were entertained by it. For anyone who is simply interested by this story (we all should be) and looking to formulate opinions on the topic for themselves (as we all should on any topic) does not need to look any further than this book. The book is far beyond newspaper-type reportings in its style and prose, and having read alot of other material on the case, this book is the most extensive and completely researched version I have come across. I enjoyed the approach that Holtz took to this material, and I didn't mind at all the insights he provides as some other reviewers seem to have. With the actual perpetrator of the crimes not talking, there were obviously some holes in the story that had to be filled by the author. That said, this book is exhaustively researched, taking into account all sides of the story (cops, victims, supporters, etc.), and is assembled in a way that provides a huge amount of suspense. I found out a ton of new information from the book. This book is certainly a page turner, fitting well in the traditions of many other non-fiction works, and would draw a comparison (at least in my mind) to authors like Jon Krakauer. This book is fascinating and well-written, and I would highly reccomend it to non-fiction fans, as well as to anyone who enjoys a completely original,unbelievable, 100% true story that has been documented and compiled by someone who clearly knows what they are doing, both as a reporter and as a writer of a book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Barefoot Bandit an Important and Timely Book July 28, 2011

By Nancy Drew

Format:Paperback

I worked with that population of kids, like Colton. The first night I worked group care one of our kids stole the van and went all the way north to the Canadian border and back again, finally being chased cross country in farm fields of Eastern Washington until the gas and oil gave out in the van. At least it wasn't my key he stole.

Kids don't end up like Colton for no reason. The reason lies within the family, the community, mental health systems, the schools and DSHS. Not an excuse but to unravel how each child comes to be. I'm hoping Frank Abganale from "Catch Me if You Can" might contact Colton and be a mentor/parent figure to Colton like the F.B.I. Hanratty was to him.

I enjoyed the book because I lived in San Juan Island area in high school and knowing so many of those type of kids I have a warm spot in my heart for them. I know what kind of abuse happened to them as little children and all of them had severe abuse.

In island life the forests, lakes and mountains was where we teenagers hung out for entertainment and being with our friends so the story was very captivating to me.

I felt the richness of the Pacific Northwest was brought alive in this journalistic account and I am glad some book is out there giving a more precise picture of Colton's life. I think he should be able to tell his story, if the telling helps other kids understand why he ran; and acted out, how it might help other kids keep out of trouble and then use the money to pay off the damages that resulted from his being on the run.

Like "Catch Me if You Can" this book helps us understand the why.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars The Very True Story Of The Barefoot Bandit May 3, 2011

By athroughme

Format:Paperback

This was a decent book following very strictly, the facts concerning Colton's story. What this book isn't is a book of nostalgia, which for me, was a little disappointing. It's the facts and really only the facts. It's dead on objective. However,once in awhile the book takes a conservative shot at specific character's moral sensibilities. It's really a book leveled in reality. You will not find any myth writing here. Equally, the part of me that is disappointed, is challenged by the sane part of me, which feels bad for the victims. This is a story where everybody loses. Make no mistake, the truth is in this book.