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A Slippery Slope
In The Last Desperado, a miner reflects on his years spent as part of an infamous gang and the regrets he has after decades of criminal activity. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
I was inspired to write my story by the real life of my Grandfather, AM Brand. The fictional Al Bullock’s life was shaped by my Grandfather. My Grandfather was born into poverty in Cumby, Texas in 1906. The Barrow and Parker families grew up in the West Dallas slums near Cumby during the same period. Although they never knew each other, all three families shared in their struggles and suffered from the Great Depression.
AM’s family moved to Webb City, Missouri, in 1920 to work in the lead mines in Missouri and Oklahoma. He and his brother Charles had to quit school in 8th grade to work with their father, John, in the toxic lead mines. His father and brother died from silicosis, and my Grandfather lost half of his right lung.
The Barrow Gang chose a life of crime instead of backbreaking work like AM. The exploits of the gang depicted in my book are mostly true. The April 13, 1933, shootout in Joplin, Missouri gave them national recognition. During their two-year crime spree, fact and fiction was a slippery slope. I combined myth and reality seamlessly to create the fictional Al Bullock’s role as an unknown Barrow Gang member.
Like Al Bullock transforming his life from poverty to great wealth, my Grandfather’s life followed a similar trajectory. After suffering for 20 years as a lead and copper miner, he quit in 1945 at 39.
He moved to Oregon and started a roadside enterprise in a small town on the Columbia River that included a café, gas station, motel, and a small zoo. He acquired a sea lion a few years later and, without any experience, trained the seal he named Sparky.
In 1954, he sold his roadside enterprise and started on the road in a converted ambulance with a small pool for the seal. He toured the country, hitting sports shows and County fairs, and started playing his seal act at the Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1956. In his Sparky the Seal act, he was the consummate entertainer appearing on national TV on the Ed Sullivan Show.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most crucial factor for you to get right in your characters?
I framed the actions and dialog of the story characters to fit into this unique time in history with the world on the brink of an economic apocalypse. These desperate times brought out the best and worst in people. I wanted to show how ordinary people react to the challenges of the times. Although my book is fictional, the Bullock family characters and timeline are based in fact. Al Bullock was modeled after my Grandfather. His wife Judy and son Michael were molded after my grandmother and my father.
The Barrow Gang members were based on numerous historical accounts. They were complex people who could shoot and kill someone without hesitation. They could also be compassionate. The fictitious Snyder Gang was modeled after the violent and ruthless criminal gangs during prohibition.
What is one pivotal moment in the story that you think best defines Al?
There were two defining moments in the story. The first was the Barrow brothers inviting Al Bullock to join their gang. The Great Depression crushed Al’s dreams for a better life. At this vulnerable time in his life, the Barrow brothers offered excitement, easy money, and an opportunity to strike back at the wealthy overseers from the banks and big business.
The second crucial moment in the story is Al Bullock’s decision to do a solo break-in at the bootlegger’s warehouse. He was surprised by the gangster guard and engaged in a desperate struggle with the big man that ended with him unintentionally killing the man. He is devasted by his actions and instinctively knew he has crossed a line of morality, descending from a good, law-abiding man to a thief and killer. Even with his spectacular success, he is haunted by his actions for the rest of his life.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I started writing late in life at 72. Over the last three years, I have written three fiction books. Each book I wrote was based upon a story I imagined. My favorite genre is historical fiction and I plan to write another book this year that would be completed by the end of the year.
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The Last Desperado
Lee Brand’s The Last Desperado tells the gripping story of Al Bullock, a lead miner turned accidental outlaw, as he reflects on his tumultuous past tied to the infamous Barrow Gang during the 1930s. Spanning decades, the novel intertwines the Great Depression’s grit and hardship with the adrenaline-fueled chaos of crime, weaving a rich tapestry of Al’s regrets, redemption, and the weight of choices that defined his life.
Brand’s descriptions of the era, the desperation of the Great Depression, the stark inequities of wealth, and the tension of small-town life are vividly painted. I could almost feel the dust storms, hear the roaring engines of getaway cars, and sense the weight of poverty on Al’s shoulders. One particular standout moment was when Al hitched a ride with Clyde and Buck Barrow. The unease was palpable as their “friendly” chatter gave way to a more sinister tone. The buildup to their gas station heist was so tense I found myself gripping the book tighter. Brand has a knack for cinematic pacing.
The book’s exploration of morality is both fascinating and frustrating. Al is a deeply flawed but sympathetic character. His inner conflict struggling to provide for his family while being drawn into the thrill of crime is written with raw honesty. Yet, at times, his passivity annoyed me. For instance, when he realizes who Clyde and Buck truly are, his hesitance to escape or act feels too drawn out. That said, the complexity of his choices is the novel’s strongest suit. It asks readers tough questions: What would you do in his shoes? How far would you go for survival?
Brand’s writing shines brightest in action scenes. The big shootout in Joplin, for instance, was chaotic, gritty, and cinematic. Sometimes, the dialogue crackles with authenticity, like when Clyde intimidatingly explains their “Robin Hood” philosophy. Other times, it veers into over-explanation, pulling me out of the narrative. Al’s reflections on love and loss, particularly about his wife Judy, added depth but occasionally felt melodramatic. His musings were poignant, though, when he revisited his life-altering choices, like the gut-wrenching confession to his grandson, Jason.
The Last Desperado is a gripping tale with a lot of heart. It’s a raw, emotional, and action-packed novel that captures the chaos of desperate times and the weight of human choices. If you’re into historical fiction with a touch of crime drama, this one’s for you. It’s a story that lingers long after the last page.
LITERARY TITAN 