I grew up just north of the main Bethnal Green Road in Norah Street. The Kray twins grew up just south of the main Bethnal Green road in Vallence Road. Did I know them personally - no my parents were law abiding citizens, although I believe my late aunt Lil did know Vi, who was their mother.

The Krays: A Violent Business: The Definitive Inside Story of

Much more cerebral and wise- when compared with his twin brother, for he is otherwise a mobster- Reggie is the preferred partner. The police, including Scotland Yard, were totally taken off guard by the rise of The Krays. Crime was always a presence in London, but it never really got out of hand. Sure, criminal elements were breaking the law, but people were not getting hurt at least not physically. In many ways they were very different from each although they shared many similarities. The strange co dependent dynamic between the two was fascinating for me to read about and I believe it is largely down to this that they forged the legend they became. Like one person with two faces constantly pulling and pushing each other to higher levels of strength, power and noteriety.I struggled with the first half, which is a who's who of who were involved in the Krays lives. It is difficult to read from one name to another without getting a bit lost. He was a paranoid schizophrenic. In fact as they assembled their gang of criminals Ronnie insisted that everyone call him Colonel. He wasn’t quite to the point of thinking of himself as Napoleon. Many paranoid schizophrenic assume the personas of someone like Napoleon, Teddy Roosevelt, or Winston Churchill because the lives of these people are the only lives big enough to explain their own grand vision of themselves.

The Krays – 15 Fascinating Things I Learned Secrets Of The Krays – 15 Fascinating Things I Learned

The definitive account of the Krays’ world, their criminal activities, and two lives spent running the Firm. Until now books on the Krays have been subjective and incomplete—memoirs by police officers and witnesses, or whitewashing accounts and affectionate recollections by friends and family. This will be the first wholly objective look at how the twins came to power, fell, and, at least in the public eye, rose again. The book will draw together the many often conflicting versions of events—at least five reasons have been offered for the death of George Cornell—and separate fact from fiction. It will include many stories never previously disclosed, such as:The Krays’ bribing and intimidation of witnesses and their use of solicitors and the clergy to set up potential defences against police action. Of course they would. And they might echo the words spoken by their hero, the gangster Legs Diamond, in Harvey Fierstein’s 1988 musical of that name: “I’m in showbusiness, only a critic can kill me.”

The Krays: The Prison Years: David, Blyth, Kate Beal Meikle The Krays: The Prison Years: David, Blyth, Kate Beal Meikle

A fascinating look into the organised crime world that was the East End in the 1960's. A History of Violence takes a look at Ronnie and Reggie Kray who terrorised and murdered their way to build their criminal empire and wage war against the Richardson's, their competitors. I actually found myself feeling sorry for both twins multiple times. I know that everyone says they were villains, but being a twin myself I couldn't imagine being without my twin. Ronnie was the younger of the two; he always got his way because it was natural for Reggie to protect Ronnie. One particular fight is very violent and both Krays take part. Fighting shoulder to shoulder with about ten enemies. This book, I feel, will not be the last book ever written on the Krays. I don't regard it as "the" book about them, or even one of the best ones. All I felt after reading it was disappointment and resentment at having wasted my time and my money on it. As others have said, there are much better books on the Krays than this. I wouldn't even put this one in my Top Ten.

Although Ronnie's condition improved while at Long Grove, he soon realised his stay at the institution did not count towards his jail time. So he and Reggie came up with an ingenious plan to break him out! The twins organised to wear identical suits during a visit, and on the day Reggie gave his brother his coat, which allowed Ronnie to slip out of the hospital undetected. Once he had had enough time to flee, Reggie revealed who he really was and left after a brief period of questioning. I really appreciate the straight forward linear manor with which John pearson writes his books. What I also thoroughly enjoy is how carefully he decides on his subjects, preferring quality over quantity in his list of titles. I believe this enables him to put real effort into his subject matter and create great levels of depth, knowledge and perhaps a strong sense of integrity his writing.