King of the Gypsies and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Colour:
Image not available

 
Start reading King of the Gypsies on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

King of the Gypsies [Paperback]

Bartley Gorman , Peter Walsh
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
Price: £5.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £2.00 (25%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Only 1 left in stock (more on the way).
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon. Gift-wrap available.
Want delivery by Saturday, 25 May? Choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition £1.99  
Hardcover --  
Paperback £5.99  
Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more.

Book Description

8 Jan 2003
Bartley Gorman was the greatest bareknuckle fighter of modern times. He reigned as King of the Gypsies for twenty years, beating all comers in illegal contests at fairs and racetracks, down mineshafts and in quarries, on campsites and in car parks.

In this hard-hitting autobiography he lays bare the secret world of illicit prize-fighting and recalls his violent clashes with pro-boxers, martial artists, streetfighters and the lawless `Suicide Fighters' who seek out the top champions of the day. He describes great fighters of the past like the infamous Uriah `Big Just' Burton, the challenges he threw out to London hardmen Lennie McLean and Roy Shaw, and the brutal mob attack that almost cost him his life.

His extraordinary memoir also contains many rare photographs and unveils the formidable new breed of fighting travellers.


Frequently Bought Together

King of the Gypsies + The Guv'nor + Pretty Boy
Price For All Three: £17.97

Buy the selected items together
  • The Guv'nor £5.99
  • Pretty Boy £5.99


Product details

  • Paperback: 281 pages
  • Publisher: Milo Books; New edition edition (8 Jan 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1903854164
  • ISBN-13: 978-1903854167
  • Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 1.8 x 19.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 20,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Product Description

Review

'A rare glimpse into a secret world.' (The Independent on Sunday) -- THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

'Every page shines - a tremendous book.' (Traveller Magazine)
-- TRAVELLER MAGAZINE

'Well-written and interesting.' (Boxing News) -- BOXING NEWS

Review

'Well-written and interesting.' (Boxing News)

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Blood has been shed. History has been made... 12 Mar 2002
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Bartley Gorman; a ledgend, a pioneer, my cousin. This book was highly anticipated by everyone who loved him and loathed him. In my family we grew up hearing stories of the exploits of our cousins Bartley and Sam Gorman. The stories were so elaborate and exciting, they filled us with nothing but admiration for these men. The book gives the reader an amazing in-depth look into one side of the lives of these legendary men, brutal as it may seem, bare-knuckle and illegal boxing was (and still is) a huge part of the gypsy life. To the outsider this book may seem far-fetched, over-exaggerated and even glamourous. To those belonging to our fraternity the book is an historical landmark. Not only does the book teach us about the great men of the past but clarifies misunderstandings about certain events of Bartley's life. I would have no trouble recommending this book to anyone. It is the first book ever written by a thoroughbred gypsy and is definitely an essential acquistion in anybody's library.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Remarkable Story of a Legend 22 April 2002
By "dav99"
Format:Hardcover
The image of gypsies in ones mind is of trailers, travelling and bare knuckle fighting. To be classed as a good fighter in such company is a genuine compliment, to be classed as the best is an honour. No one will dispute that Bartley Gorman WAS 'King of the Gypsies', and it is a title he earned the hard way - by taking on (and beating) allcomers. This book tells the story of the brutal battles that Bartley fought to reach the top and the violent struggle he had to remain there, as it is a title that, once claimed, can not be forfeited. Yet for all the violence he remained a humble, gentle family man at heart. Sometimes funny, often sad, this book gives the best insight into the Gypsy way of life yet published. After reading of this hardest of lives, it is little wonder that none of the travelling community wishes to lay claim to the title 'King of the Gypsies'.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars this book is a decent read 15 July 2008
Format:Paperback
i enjoyed reading this book. some of the things mentioned in the book are romantisised and some are exagerrated. i am sure that bartley gorman was a very good fighter and i am sure (having never met him) that he was no saint. a lot of the book recounts battles after drinking alcohol and i doubt that he would really have had the necessary discipline to have become a championship boxer. he seems a fair size and would have had size advantages over most of the men he fought. i have come across gypsy fighters before and they are mainly bullies, (fair play means they've got more to back them up). i spoke to bob gaskin and he told me that the doncaster races episode was very exagerated (bartley says a metal bar was forced down his throat and his voice box was damaged). also i cannot see any man missing a man with a punch and knocking down a wall. i am sure that he was well regarded in his community (and hero worshipped) and am sure that his skill at fighting and his reputation made him plenty of money and got him out of many unpleasant duties. all in all it is a good book but don't believe it all.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?   Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars king of the gypsies
I love reading this book I cant put it down its got every think you would expect from the title brilliant book
Published 9 days ago by paul sherwood
5.0 out of 5 stars King of the gypsies
Top story about the life of a bare knuckle fighter who shows that it's not all glory with the title of king of the Gypsies!!
Published 11 days ago by darren law
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book
I'm not a boxing fan, but I love books about real lives and this one I just couldn't put down.
Published 23 days ago by susan mcmullen
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book
Having been in Ireland & England & having come across some of these characters I just wanted to read this mans book.
Published 24 days ago by Sean
5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant
missed out the first bit about old boxers but then an amazing read very truth full with names dates places all right well worth a read 5 stars
Published 2 months ago by scott richard hill
5.0 out of 5 stars A king amongst men
I read all the books of London hardmen and this gent just absorbed me into his world and his ethos. He is now a hero of mine.
Published 2 months ago by edward macleod
4.0 out of 5 stars good
im sure this chap was a hard man but i dont understand how he could a left his brother at the free for all in doncaster any travelers i know would die for there family and would... Read more
Published 2 months ago by geoff
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greats
Great read about a very proud and brave man. You dont get the title king of the gypsies for nothing.
Published 3 months ago by Alex Henderson
5.0 out of 5 stars Best of its kind
Great read already had the book but downloaded for kindle fire bit disappointed not seeing the photographs but still a great read highly recommended for other readers at a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ron1888
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
This book was a,very honest account of most possibly non professional fighter. Shows all aspects of the great life he lead
Published 3 months ago by Mark Evans
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Feedback


Amazon.co.uk Privacy Statement Amazon.co.uk Delivery Information Amazon.co.uk Returns & Exchanges