Sanford Clark and the True Story of the Wineville Murders by Anthony Flacco (2013-11-05)

An unbelievable and tragic story of a young boy forced to endure torture of emotional and physical nature from his own family, for lack of a better term. Sanford dealt with inhumane acts with dignity and tolerance that I can safely say most would not. Sanford is a true survivor in every sense of the word. I am privileged to have read this true account of An exceptional boy and the amazing man he became. Thank you. Leeann, avid reader and RN from ohio

I've read numerous true crime books. This book is not only well written, it is all consuming. It kept me under my book-light for hours. To say that I didn't want to put it down is an injustice. Flacco has captured the absolute horror in the crimes of Northcott and the simplistic beauty in the strength of Sanford Clark. If you like true crime, you will undoubtedly love this.

After seeing the Changeling, I had to know the boy's story. It needed to be read and heard. Frightening to know this kind of crime existed in the 30's. So much about fear and courage, strength and hope. I truly enjoyed it.

This book was so difficult to read. Not because it was not well written but because the story is probably the most Gruesome story I have ever read in my life. The book is about The "Wineville Murders in the 1920's. I would never have been able to finish reading this book because it is very grisly to say the least. This is about a man so sick and twisted you will know he could not possibly be what we call human.Gordon Stewart Northcott is who the story is about but also about Sanford Clark who was 13 years old and sent by his mother to live on the chicken farm with this despicable person. I do not want to give it away but It was nice that Anthony Flacco with Sanford Clark's Son Jerry Clark told the real truth about what happened to all those poor kids and to his father in that hell that he endured on that farm.It was unbelievable but inspiring after what happened there to him and what he saw that he was able to rise above it and be a father and husband. If you read this book you will never be able to forget it.

I became curious about Sanford Clark after seeing the movie Changeling. The book show truly how demonic Stewart Northcott was. I would like to see a movie about Sanford and how he overcame the unspeakable violence inflicted on him by his uncle, by living a life of love and service to others.

I have probably read thousands of true crime books, and this one is in the top 5! This story brought me to tears! I read it in one day. I couldn't put this book down or stop reading it from the minute I started . I wish I could teach out to Sanford Clark and his sons and give them a giant hug! Read this book! It will haunt you!

This book was a good read.The storyline never got bogged down with mundane details. The author did an excellent job of making me feel the pain of all the victims.It went through the storyline quickly which I liked,and it didn't go on and on with the details of the courtroom and trials like so many of the true crime books do.I would definitely recommend this book to a friend!

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Best Crime Book I every read. Nothing was left out. The movie done from this crime book (The changeling) was not very accurate but it was good. Angela Joline plays Walters mother. It's a miracle this young boy could could lead a normal life after what he went through at the ranch.

After viewing Clint Eastwood's Changeling, I decided I wanted to know the real story and read this book. Flacco the writer, did a great job in describing the victims thoughts and fears, to point where you can imagine yourself in his shoes. Very sad but inspiration, Sanford moved on with his life becoming a great person, but still haunted by his past.

Repulsive, yet compelling reading.
Sad and true.
This is a story worth reading. It is well researched with good follow through.
Truly amazing to imagine the number of lives that must have been shattered through one very evil person.

Repulsive, yet compelling reading.
Sad and true.
This is a story worth reading. It is well researched with good follow through.
Truly amazing to imagine the number of lives that must have been shattered through one very evil person.

The book is exceptionally and eloquently authored by Flacco. I've read many hundreds of true crime books and stories, but this one stands out as being particularly disturbing. The first hand accounts of the multiple rape and murder of children is not something goes down smooth. But in Flacco's hands it has just the resounding impact the author intended. If you enjoy true crime and/or survival stories, you're very safe with this book. But I recommend having some lighter reading fair alongside it for those nights when the world of the long gone chicken farm is just not something you're willing to face before bed.

The deranged, cruel mind of people is scary. This dear man deserved all the love and understanding anyone could receive. Bless his heart. Very well written, almost hard to read due to the details being so well relayed.

Everybody should be educated about what happens to some of our children. This is a good book to learn that it is not always a stranger who abuses your child. My heart hurts for Sanford Clark. I know he has found peace and rest in Jesus.

A masterful recreation of the people of the Northcott/Clark family, and the events surrounding the Wineville murders, this book was un-put-downable!

Anthony Flacco subtley and skilfully portrays how a child living in insane and deranged circumstances can come to believe that he is equally to blame for the crimes and savagery of others ~ including atrocities committed against himself ~ and dutifully, humbly expect to be punished for those crimes.

It was unnerving to read about this vile and distorted family, and their sick, twisted values, and yet find in there extraordinary good, wholesome, courageous young people ~ Jessie and Sanford ~ who were somehow in this family, of this blood, but in no measure recognisable as any kind of relation to them. Sanford and Jessie were as strong, and true, and decent as their family was conniving, cowardly, and debased!

A great work!

A tough read at some times, especially half way though, genuinely disturbing! Well worth the read in the end though. Salute to the boy who survived, was and became and even more honorable man in the course of his life! A book that should make all (or for sure most) of us be grateful of the opportunities we have.

As true crime goes, this was pretty decent. Story kept my attention most of the way through and was pretty engrossing. It was suspenseful and gave you a good guy to root for, and even while you were reading you were secure in the knowledge that eventually this monster would be found out. The reason I only have it three starts was the book really should have been wrapped up long before it actually was...it went on too long. Really, Sanford's life after leaving the US could have been summed up in a few pages. Instead, it went on for a long time and it lost my interest.

Well written account of a horrifying ordeal. Excellent character development. Put the reader right there as events unfolded. A terrifically terrifying story made all the more interesting in that it was real. A great read and a wonderful story of persevering to over come against a twisted evil mind.