Book excerpt: A genius? A scientist? A sociopath? Known to millions as the "Birdman" of Alcatraz, was he the earnest, warm-hearted "bird doctor" and writer of two books, as portrayed by Burt Lancaster in the 1962 film? Or was he a far more flamboyant and diabolical double-murderer, whose event-filled, tragicomic life converted a 12-year conviction into a 54-year death sentence? Meticulously researched, with never-before-published prison reports and Stroud's own writings, with quotes from prisoners, officers, psychologists and avian pathologists, Birdman explodes the myths surrounding Robert Stroud.--From publisher description.