HERO ON A STOLEN HORSE. The Highwayman and his Brothers-in-Arms -the Bandit and the Bushranger

Hardback. The Highwayman of 18th century England, the Australian Bushranger and the American train robber have all become heroes, presented to us as brave, noble and, of course, handsome men, worthy of our sympathy and admiration. The reality was somewhat different. They robbed and raped and murdered, they lied and cheated, betrayed and deceived. In many different parts of the world, at many different periods in history, certain criminals have been singled out for hero status - and in almost every case they have been men who made their livings as highway robbers preying on the innocent traveller, whether on foot or horseback, or even in a stagecoach or on a train. Why did these criminals become romantic heroes? This book sets out to find the answer to this enigma, and we learn of some of the more unattractive characteristics of the men who through their criminal activities, earned for themselves everlasting fame - men such as Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest, Jesse James of the American West, Ned Kelly of Australia, Tiburcio Vasquez of Mexico, Juro Janosik of Slovakia to name but a few. Illus., Index. 177pp. 4to. Illus. + pictorial eps and Index. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. Vg+ in vg+ dw.