Dry Guillotine chronicles Belbenoit's childhood, the commission of two non-violent and relatively minor thefts from employers, his subsequent capture, conviction, and transportation to French Guiana. Belbenoit actually wrote the manuscript for Dry Guillotine while in prison and carried the work wrapped in oilskins to protect it from the elements. Protected in this manner, the manuscript survived countless rainstorms and unexpected dunkings in the ocean and rivers between Cayenne and California where Belbenoit finally managed to reach the United States and freedom in 1937. While a prisoner at Cayenne, Belbenoit was introduced to the American author Blair Niles who bought several works from Belbenoit for use in her book titled Condemned to Devil's Island. Mrs. Niles paid Belbenoit handsomely for his work and it was this money which financed the next two escape attempts Belbenoit made. Dry Guillotine, Fifteen years among the Living Dead was first published in 1938, copyright E. F. Dutton & Co and was so popularly received that 14 further printings were made in the first year of publication. Additional printings were made by Blue Ribbon Books in 1940 and the book remained incredibly popular for many years