A Second World War veteran and the son of a policmen, Edwin Alonzo Boyd seemed an unlikely condidate for the role of master criminal. But before his career as a bandit was ended in 1952, the glamorously handsome Boyd cut a swath through 11 Toronto-area banks, stealing thousands of dollars and igniting two manhunts of unprecedented scope. When he and his confederates escaped not once but twice from Toronto's Don Jail, the Boyd Gang created headlines across North America and became an enduring Canadian legend. Eventually recaptured and sentenced to life imprisonment, Edwin Alonzo Boyd was paroled in 1966. Since then he has lived under as assumed identity, but he willingly shared his memories with best selling author Brian Vallee, resulting in this gripping account of Boyd's dubious career. Numerous others--including Boyd's former wife and various police officers involved with the Boyd Gang--also spoke candidly to the author. Edwin Alonzo Boyd: The Story of the Notorious Boyd Gang sheds light on a unique fragment of our history, rich with details of Depression-era and postwar Canada and alive with the insights and memories of those who lived this true-life cops-and-robbers drama.

Edwin Boyd woke up, rolled out of bed, and got ready to rob his first bank. He began his preparations by disguising himself. He shoved wads of cotton into his cheeks and nostrils, smeared black mascara on his eyebrows, and rubbed rouge on his cheeks. This book will be especially fascinating for all readers interested in: history, biography, true crime. Toronto's dashing "Gentleman Bank Robber" was a charismatic felon who masterminded a series of daring robberies with his legendary gang. The most famous bank robber Canada has ever produced was responsible for a three-year crime spree which caught the public's imagination and made him an instant celebrity.

Edwin Boyd woke up, rolled out of bed, and got ready to rob his first bank. He began his preparations by disguising himself. He shoved wads of cotton into his cheeks and nostrils, smeared black mascara on his eyebrows, and rubbed rouge on his cheeks. This book will be especially fascinating for all readers interested in: history, biography, true crime. Toronto's dashing "Gentleman Bank Robber" was a charismatic felon who masterminded a series of daring robberies with his legendary gang. The most famous bank robber Canada has ever produced was responsible for a three-year crime spree which caught the public's imagination and made him an instant celebrity.

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Toronto was a very different place when the Horseshoe Tavern opened seventy years ago, and the bar has changed along with the city. From country to rock, punk, alt/country, and back to roots, the Horseshoe has attracted the premier acts from all eras of music, and launched the careers of many of Canada’s best-known artists.