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The Krays' London (Paperback)

A History and Guide

P&S History > British History P&S History > True Crime World History > UK & Ireland > England > London

By Caroline Allen
Imprint: Pen & Sword History
Pages: 136
Illustrations: 80
ISBN: 9781526733818
Published: 7th October 2019

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There are many conflicting stories about who Ronnie and Reggie Kray were.

Films depicting their lives have made the public vilify them, adore them and even admire them. This guide book will dig a little deeper into the places they spent their time. Many of the places are renowned as the stomping grounds of the devious duo, but there are one or two exclusives that are not yet covered anywhere else, including the untold story of their lifelong hairdresser.

Chapter by chapter, a map of their lives will reveal itself, making this the perfect read for anybody around the world interested in London’s gangster scene.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Always love reading about the twins. This book is a walk through of the twins life, their hangouts and basically anywhere they left a mark. Well written and researched. I enjoyed it.

NetGalley, Amanda Jackson

The book therefore returns the whole atmosphere of a London that is partly lost "superficially" but which can be searched for thanks to the indications. The Kray story still manages to thrill because of the personality of the twins, their families and their associates and also about many of the mysteries that surround them (and about which you will learn more in the book).

Read the full review Italian here

Omne Ignotum Pro Magnifico

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Whether you're a fan of true crime, 60s pop culture, or an all around Anglophile, you'll dig this fresh take on the story of the notorious Kray's from Caroline Allen's virtual guided tour of East End London. as you settle in your seat in "The Kray's London." You get the feel of the homes, the church, restaurants, pubs, and the people as they were then and how they are now.

Allen does a spectacular job of providing the history of the neighborhood including the effects of wartime on the middle and lower classes sociologically, economically, and emotionally, even though depression wasn't a topic acknowledged as it is today. Her research is legit including interviews with people who knew gangsters Ronnie and Reggie, plus - bonus time! - her great grandfather cut their hair and shared stories and conversations.

While some writers tend to mock the Krays as wanna be Al Capones, the swath of terror and violence they created in their determination to rule was bloody and ruthless.

An excellent book from extraordinary writer!

NetGalley, Jennifer Perry

I remember going home from a cinema visit to London in the early 1960s with police sirens all over the place as we went through the East End. I remember the newspaper reports of the time, and wondering how the police could allow such people to control the East End to such an extent, and to apparently countenance the horrors this evil gang inflicted on their own and their enemies. It was a horrendous time to be alive in the East End of London, and Caroline's superb book brings it all back to life.

Books Monthly

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I love true crime books. It fascinates me knowing what has happened in Britain! Was a great read 5*****

NetGalley, Michelle Griffiths

The Krays London by Caroline Allen is a walk though guide of the areas where the notorious gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray were known to have vacated.It covers everything from where they went to school, the places they lived, the gym they boxed in while growing up, to all pubs they used and their favourite pie and eel shop

Each of the sections give the reader some of the background information and the history of each place and it's association with the Krays at the time of there ruin.The book also includes photos of these places and information on how to get there.

Overall the book has been well researched and is written well and is interesting read if you enjoy true crime it is one not to miss.

NetGalley, S Ballinger

Ronnie and Reggie Kray terrorised London in the 1950's. The book gives some background information to the areas where the crimes were committed. There is also some photographs of the places so this give the reader more of an insight. The book is well written and researched. Fans of true crime will love this book.

NetGalley, Louise Wilson

I found this book very interesting. It details lots that I didn’t know about their life.
It’s well written and worth a read.

NetGalley, Tracey Shults

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I only know little bits about the Krays so this book was a great introduction , lots of details, history and locations. Pictures that go with well together with the material, well researched and executed. I thought it was a great book and good introduction for someone like me who didn’t know lots about the Krays.

NetGalley, Tara Keating

The Krays London by Caroline Allen is a walk though London in the areas where the Notorious Kray Twins were located.

It gives some background with each place as to the history of the Krays at the time they were in the areas noted. There are photos of the places as well so this brings the book to life. The book has been well researched and is written well.

An interesting read and if you enjoy true crime it is one not to miss.

NetGalley, Hazel Thomson

This is a guide to all places Kray involved when it comes to London for anyone who is a fan or interested in them. It covers everything from where they went to school, the places they lived and the gym they boxed in growing up, to all of their favorite haunts, whether for pie and eel, or other delicacies and where they liked to go on a night out. They opened their first club at age 20, The Regal in 1954. Other clubs would follow. They used them as a place to hang out with their cronies and discuss their criminal dealings.

I found it quite interesting, the background and the anecdotes on the twins themselves that are weaved throughout. If you have an interest in the Krays or East End crime in this period, you might want to check this out then.

NetGalley, Valerie Shampine

Well written, liked the photos. All round good read.

NetGalley, Cennin Thomas

If you are interested in the Kray twins or crime in East London then this book is for you. If you are interested in this aspect of British or London history during the 1950s and 1960s it might also be of interest.

NetGalley, Vicki Parsons

I am a massive true crime fan and a book on the infamous Kray twin was always going to be right up my street!

I thought that this book was excellent and such a good way to use the different locations in the book as a way to tell their story. I liked that the author has given the locations should you want to visit them and also added in photos where possible too which helps bring it to life.

I thought that the length of the chapters was great too, there was plenty of relevant detail and it allowed me to find out more if I wanted to outside of the book, there are a lot of books out there on the Krays but this one I found to be unique in the author’s approach taken.

It is 4 stars from me for this one, I really enjoyed the layout and the length of the book was perfect for me! Highly recommended!!

NetGalley, Donna Maguire

I had never heard of these two before, so I was curious to learn about them. This book is really well done and research. You could tell that the author put a lot of thought in the topic.

NetGalley, Kay McLeer

I really enjoyed this book. The information was very informative. The pictures gave you a look at the past and how places of interest are now.
Would recommend this title to others

NetGalley, Sally Dainton

About Caroline Allen

Caroline Allen is an author and journalist. Her grandfather cut the hair of the Kray twins for ten years and was even picked up and taken to ‘secret locations’ whilst they were on the run. Caroline has spent her life researching and hearing stories about them and would like to share her knowledge to help people build a picture of the real Kray twins.

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