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The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins
Format: Trade Paperback
Pub. Date: 2015 (this edition) 1972, 1973, 1984, 1995
Type: Non-Fiction, True Crime, Biography ~ Library Book
Pages: 336
Read: 3/31/2015
Rating: Liked it ♥♡
This book is a biography. It tells the life story of the Kray Twins (hereafter know as Twins). It is also true crime because the Twins were criminals.
Reggie and Ronnie Kray ruled London’s 1960s gangland with a ruthlessness and viciousness that shocks, even today.
In the Introduction, John Pearson writes about meeting the Twins. They wanted him to write the true story of the Kray Twins.
‘So much rubbish gets written about our sort of people that me an’ Ron both think it’s time the truth was told for once.’
Before Pearson was done doing his research it was obvious that the book the Twins wanted written, with their version of the truth, was not possible. Things actually got dangerous for Pearson before the Twins were arrested. Then the wall came down. People, friends and acquaintances of the Twins, who previously told what they were supposed to say now began to open up with the truth, the real truth.
The result is a compelling account of two men who “ruled London” in the 60’s. And how famous were the Kray Twins? I live in NYC, it’s now 2016, every bartender (from the across the pond) that saw me reading this book knew who they were. In fact, I had to rush to finish it before one of them filled my head with ‘stories’ about the Krays.
Part biography and part true crime, this book satisfies on both points. It is well researched, factual and interesting. I recommend this book.
city girl drinking craft beer 