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Review
'Shocking . . . Fascinating and slightly scary reading' (Sun )
'An extraordinary book' (Donal MacIntyre, BBC Radio 5 Live )
Praise for GANGS (: )
'Fascinating ... Thompson has a keen eye for the whimsical side of orchestrated illegality' (Observer )
'In the best tradition of the crime beat reporter, Thompson goes down the mean streets of the most insalubrious parts of Britain so we don't have to.' (Word magazine )
'Detailed and thoroughly riveting ... always grimly honest and provides an intensely readable and vivid first-hand account of criminals' lives and the impact of their activities on society' (Herald )
'An extraordinary book' (Donal MacIntyre, BBC Radio 5 Live )
Praise for GANGS (: )
'Fascinating ... Thompson has a keen eye for the whimsical side of orchestrated illegality' (Observer )
'In the best tradition of the crime beat reporter, Thompson goes down the mean streets of the most insalubrious parts of Britain so we don't have to.' (Word magazine )
'Detailed and thoroughly riveting ... always grimly honest and provides an intensely readable and vivid first-hand account of criminals' lives and the impact of their activities on society' (Herald )
Product Description
The landscape of British organised crime has changed beyond all recognition over the last five years. Youth violence, the drug trade and rising levels of gun crime are rarely out of the news. The country also continues to experience an influx of powerful foreign criminal syndicates who are establishing operations here in order to take advantage of Britain's global connections.
Beginning on the troubled streets of the inner cities, Gang Land takes its readers on a journey up through the underworld hierarchy until it finally reaches the very highest levels, occupied by elusive and shadowy 'Mr Big' characters.
Written using a mix of personal experiences, undercover work, primary research and cutting edge investigation, this fully updated paperback edition of Gang Land sheds new light onto this highly secretive, often terrifying and utterly fascinating world.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A brilliant read this will keep you hooked from the very beginning. It is a scary yet very real and very telling view on the 'gangster culture' that is taking over the streets and youth of today. A grueling read this novel will not be for the faint-hearted. It is testimony to a life that thankfully I do not lead but which is filtered through the media - television, newspapers etc on a daily basis. Drugs, gangs and brutal 'respect' killings this book tells it like it is.
For those out there that adopt this attitude towards life have a read. If you think killing someone because they looked at you 'wrong' is the means to gaining a gangster rep - think again. This book separates the boys from the men in that sense. Those that kill for business means and those that kill in order to gain status. The older 'gangster' generation and the new more ruthless youth of today.
It doesn't paint a nice picture but it paints a realisic one. The irony of the postcode wars. The general understanding that regardless of criminal acts or the wrong look, or something as stupid as stepping on a persons shoe is what is causing these pointless murders. The creation of 'clicks' and 'gangs' all this is nothing because when you scrape this away all you have are people.
For those out there that adopt this attitude towards life have a read. If you think killing someone because they looked at you 'wrong' is the means to gaining a gangster rep - think again. This book separates the boys from the men in that sense. Those that kill for business means and those that kill in order to gain status. The older 'gangster' generation and the new more ruthless youth of today.
It doesn't paint a nice picture but it paints a realisic one. The irony of the postcode wars. The general understanding that regardless of criminal acts or the wrong look, or something as stupid as stepping on a persons shoe is what is causing these pointless murders. The creation of 'clicks' and 'gangs' all this is nothing because when you scrape this away all you have are people.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Brilliant insight into so many different gang cultures. Will definitely be looking out for Tony Thompson books again. Worrying and useful!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I first read gangs by Tony Thornton about 5 years ago and I was absorbed by the detail and insight into the criminal world. There were very few shocks involved as everyone knew of the existence of the underworld, the markets, methods and players.
This is in effect an update on his earlier works and it is quite shocking how crime has evolved. The racial bariers are no longer an issue and at times it is crime for the sake of crime. Money, pride, ego and a desire for status still remain factors but the advances in technology and its impact on society are now also factors.
Tony Thompson really does get to the heart of the underworld and comes across as convincing and authentic. He has made some excellent contacts and through the years as a quality reporter has built up a degree of respect and trust in the underworld that allows him a unique insight that the reader gets to enjoy the benefit of.
I liked the structure starting with street hustlers peddling drugs for phenominal risk and little return and advancing upwards throughout the hierarchy to the Kingpins that evade capture for several years or even remain still at large.
The book is funny at times but also depressing, particularly when the streets of Croydon are featured and come accross as a very dangerous place with adolescents just entering their teens carrying swords and prepared to kill at random, just to be given a little more kudos from their peers.
In short an excellent book that proves that original is best. Tony Thompson was writing about gangs when Ross Kemp was in East Enders and it is not difficult to establish who is the master of this area and who is the young pretender.
This is in effect an update on his earlier works and it is quite shocking how crime has evolved. The racial bariers are no longer an issue and at times it is crime for the sake of crime. Money, pride, ego and a desire for status still remain factors but the advances in technology and its impact on society are now also factors.
Tony Thompson really does get to the heart of the underworld and comes across as convincing and authentic. He has made some excellent contacts and through the years as a quality reporter has built up a degree of respect and trust in the underworld that allows him a unique insight that the reader gets to enjoy the benefit of.
I liked the structure starting with street hustlers peddling drugs for phenominal risk and little return and advancing upwards throughout the hierarchy to the Kingpins that evade capture for several years or even remain still at large.
The book is funny at times but also depressing, particularly when the streets of Croydon are featured and come accross as a very dangerous place with adolescents just entering their teens carrying swords and prepared to kill at random, just to be given a little more kudos from their peers.
In short an excellent book that proves that original is best. Tony Thompson was writing about gangs when Ross Kemp was in East Enders and it is not difficult to establish who is the master of this area and who is the young pretender.
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