Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was a place without hope, a prison of the mind. From 1934 to 1963, “The Rock” housed the prisoners the system deemed “high risk,” that required extra supervision. The incarcerated studied every square inch of the facility looking for any opportunity to escape what was considered the inescapable. While many may have plotted their escape, there were only fourteen documented escape attempts, as established in the well researched “Escaping Alcatraz.”
On June 11, 1962, Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers (John and Clarence) did escape Alcatraz, but the lingering question still remain, did they make it safely off the Island? Michael Essingler and David Widner (the nephew of John and Clarence Anglin) outline their criminal careers, and illustrates their previous successes escapes from the authorities. The authors detail their complex master plan, and divulge the conspirators. Their escape lead to a massive manhunt.
Not only do the authors shine a spotlight on the evidence we have, along with the latest developments, they discuss the many theories surrounding Morris and the Anglin’s disappearance. As explained in “Escaping Alcatraz,” the 1962 escape inspired the 1979 movie “Escape from Alcatraz,” which starred Clint Eastwood as Frank Morris. Whether they made it to safety, or were swept out to the sea, they did help secure the ultimate fate of Alcatraz, which was closed down the following year.
In addition to the unknown fates of Morris and the Anglin’s, inmates Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe jumped into the Bay waters on a foggy day in December 1937, and were never seen again. However, due the severe weather conditions and a strong current, the consensus is that they were unsuccessful making it to the mainland. This didn’t prevent numerous rumors to surface, and several “sightings” of the pair were reported.
“Doc” Barker, the son of Ma Barker, died on January 13, 1939, in his attempt to escape the island. At the infirmary, and on his death bed, Barker would utter that he was crazy, and shouldn’t have tried it. One attempt resulted in a guard being killed with a claw hammer, and an inmate dying from a gunshot. The Battle of Alcatraz lasted for two days, finally ending with three inmates being killed, and two other convicts being executed by the gas chamber for first degree murder of a federal employee.
“Escaping Alcatraz” is an phenomenal follow up to Esslinger’s “Alcatraz,” which is definitely the definitive history of “The Rock.” Additionally, I recommend picking up physical copies of Esslinger’s “Alcatraz” books, as they jammed packed with fascinating photos of the inmates, and the world’s famous Alcatraz Penitentiary.
By: Michael Esslinger, David Widner
Narrated by: Dave Clark
Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
Release date: 01-30-18
