Outlaw (Banditry pt 3 of 3)

06 Sep 2022 72 mins

‘John Brown’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave …’

1. Intro 2. Myth & Psychopathy 3. Ancient & Classical 4. Merry England 5. Wild West 6. Bounty Hunters p.s. Biker Gangs

Whether myth or reality, Robin Hood or Jesse James, the truth behind Outlaws is often darker and more bleak than we suppose. There was a great deal of bloodshed beyond the songs and fictional gun smoke. John Brown was not averse to killing people in cold blood. The bushranger, Ned Kelly, was little more than a robber and a murderer. As for Jesse James, he was a Confederate guerrilla and known participant in the massacre of unarmed Union soldiers. Later still, Bonnie and Clyde died in a hail of gunfire down in Louisiana, having had an infamous career of brutal robberies and car jackings. Free spirits they might have been, but often it was a tale of trial and woe, betrayal and slaughter. They were not nice people.

Like pirates and highwaymen, they join our trio of episodes on Banditry through the centuries. They created hell and were certainly no angels.

So it goes,

Tom Assheton and James Jackson

All episodes available on Amazon Podcast

Reading: The Trial of John Brown from Flashman and the Angel of the Lord by George MacDonald Fraser

Clips: John Brown's Body and The Outlaw Josey Wales - The Malpaso Company

Reference: Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy