The Barefoot Bandit: The True Tale of Colton Harris-Moore, New American Outlaw

Veteran travel writer Friel's story of Colton Harris-Moore, aka the Barefoot Bandit, reads like something out of the Wild West, complete with an old-fashioned nom de guerre, cross-country chases, and a harrowing shootout in the middle of the night. But the fruits of Harris-Moore's efforts mark his story as that of a distinctly modern outlaw. A neglected, precocious teen growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Harris-Moore looted houses for cash, computers, and junk food, sometimes doing his laundry in victims' homes. However, when a Cessna goes missing, authorities realize their local bandit has greater aspirations, and they have a much bigger problem on their hands. Friel's geographical proximity to the epicenter of Harris-Moore's crimes makes him a well-suited narrator for this compelling procedural. Interviews with locals, as well as Harris-Moore's mother and childhood friends, paint a picture of a shy outsider who spent much of his life fending for himself. Friel traces his criminal evolution with a journalistic eye for detail, covering every crime Harris-Moore committed during his lengthy spree. He would go on to cause thousands of dollars in damage before finally being apprehended on a boat in the Bahamas. Friel is a gifted writer, and though the narrative occasionally gets repetitive, patient readers will relish this cinematic tale of an inspired teenaged fugitive. Others might prefer to wait for the movie adaptation%E2%80%94the rights have been purchased. Photos. (Mar.)