Okay, this is one of those many books about gangsters and suchlike East End characters. As you would expect, it tells the story of a life, in this case that of Lenny McLean. If you've read a few, you won't be surprised that Lenny breaks the law frequently and about as frequently breaks jaws. As they all do he has his own set of values and sticks by them. If you're an okay bloke he'll maybe go easy on you, maybe just a broken jaw, except he's got to do you good if you're fighting him in the ring. If you're a "slag" (you live by a different set of values that Lenny doen't approve of) then you'll get a real pasting. He often carries on when his opponent is unconscious. In other words, like all the gangster memoirs I've read, he's trying to tell you that he's a good guy and justify his lifestyle and values. The need to do this, in my opinion tells me that he, himself is to many, a wrong 'un. But hey, if he was a window cleaner, warehouseman or actor, we wouldn't be so interested in him and read the book.
Having got that out of the way, there is a story of a life here. It is definitely interesting and is pretty well written. You get a feel for his invincibility in fist fights and the description of the violence at once puts you there and often rooting for him. He also lets you in on his family life and you see a softer underbelly. The descriptions of the beatings his step-father gave him are graphic and go quite some way towards explaining how he came to be as he was. He does at the same time project himself as having a fearsome image of someone who can't be beaten, who has the connections to open doors and get things done and who can do no wrong!
So, this is definitely a story by someone who is telling his tale as he wants it told, but for all that, it's another slice of reality in the criminal underworld of the late 20th century in London. It moves along at a good rate, you are told a few good stories along the way and it is most definitely interesting. In the end, a good read. So I can verify that in this enterprise, in my view, Lenny was in the right.
Got a mobile device?
You’ve got a Kindle.
You’ve got a Kindle.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Enter your mobile phone or email address
Send link
Processing your request...
By pressing ‘Send link’, you agree to Amazon's Conditions of Use.
You consent to receive an automated text message from or on behalf of Amazon about the Kindle App at your mobile number above. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Message and data rates may apply.
Flip to back
Flip to front
The Guv'nor: The Autobiography of Lenny McLean Paperback – 15 Jan. 2003
by
Lenny McLean
(Author)
|
Lenny McLean
(Author)
See search results for this author
|
|
Amazon Price
|
New from | Used from |
|
Kindle Edition
"Please retry"
|
— | — |
|
Audible Audiobooks, Unabridged
"Please retry"
|
£0.00
|
Free with your Audible trial | |
| Paperback, 15 Jan. 2003 |
£2.55
|
— | £0.01 |
Lenny McLean was one of the deadliest bare-knuckle fighters Britain has ever seen. He had dear, powerful friends, but he also had terrible enemies. So much so that he has two bullet wounds in his back - each from a different attack. He has also been stabbed repeatedly - always from behind. Lenny, however, is also a warm, grizzly bear of a man, whose main weakness is an overwhelming desire to put the welfare of his mates ahead of his own well-being. In this autobiography he tells of how the mafia flew him to New York to take on their greatest bare-knuckle boxer in a multi-million pound illicit challenge bout. The Mafia's man lasted less than three minutes. When the IRA fronted up a London gang in a money-laundering scam, Lenny was brought in to intimidate the terrorists. The IRA, not surprisingly, backed off. Lenny's most serious trial came when he was accused of murder. Fighting to prove his innocence against a minimum sentence of 25 years, Lenny never gave up, and went on to be found not guilty. After deciding to retire from the violent life, Len turned his hand to acting, debuting in the series "The Knock". He also had parts in "The Fifth Element" and "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels".
-
Print length226 pages
-
LanguageEnglish
-
PublisherJohn Blake Publishing Ltd
-
Publication date15 Jan. 2003
-
Dimensions12.95 x 1.78 x 19.3 cm
-
ISBN-101857825705
-
ISBN-13978-1857825701
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Product description
Review
'He was a man amongst men. His life was extraordinary.' Vinnie Jones
About the Author
Lenny McLean was born in Hoxton, East London. Viciously abused by his step father from the age of five, Lenny turned to street fighting, determined that no man would ever take such liberties again. After a bloody career as The Guv'nor, Lenny turned to acting appearing in acclaimed TV series and films including Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Lenny McLean died of cancer on Tuesday 28th July 1998 - one day before his book went to No 1 in the bestseller list. Peter Gerrard is a crime writer and biographer. He lives near Boston in rural Lincolnshire with his wife and son. Amongst others he has worked with Reggie Kray and is co-author of Ronnie Knight's best-sellng autobiography Memoirs and Confessions
Start reading The Guv'nor: The Autobiography of Lenny McLean on your Kindle in under a minute.
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Kindle Storyteller 2021
The Kindle Storyteller contest celebrates the best of independent publishing. The contest is open for entries between 1st May and 31st August 2021.
Discover the Kindle Storyteller 2021
Product details
- Publisher : John Blake Publishing Ltd; New edition (15 Jan. 2003)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 226 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1857825705
- ISBN-13 : 978-1857825701
- Dimensions : 12.95 x 1.78 x 19.3 cm
-
Best Sellers Rank:
207,825 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 197 in Boxer Biographies
- 261 in Boxing (Books)
- 2,563 in True Crime Biographies
- Customer reviews:
What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more
Read moreRead less
Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
837 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 December 2012
Report abuse
Verified Purchase
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 September 2020
Verified Purchase
I've always had an interest in the combat sports and All of the legends of yesteryear London. This little book is a great read from a truly iconic hard man who was also a funny fella. Money well spent!
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Verified Purchase
Gifted this to my friend. I am trying to get him to read more.
Will he read it? not sure. But the service was excellent and cost was great too.
Highly recommended.
Ive read this book. It is fun and interesting to hear about the life of Lenny. He sure was a hard man.
Will he read it? not sure. But the service was excellent and cost was great too.
Highly recommended.
Ive read this book. It is fun and interesting to hear about the life of Lenny. He sure was a hard man.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 July 2019
Verified Purchase
The Guv'nor makes up a load of stuff, loosely based on his life, that checked against other sources turns out to be rubbish. Thoroughly unpleasant individual, although parts of this are quite entertaining. Not many though.
2 people found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 January 2013
Verified Purchase
With many things I read, I didnt know what to expect. This book was jaw-droppingly interesting. Makes my (and everyone I know's) life seem boring by comparison. What a complex character and a man with some amazingly strong and laudable principles on one hand, yet some would say an unnecessarily violent thug on the other hand. I could've read another 50 chapters about Lenny McLean. I was sad when I got to the end of the book. I did so some other internet searches to find clips of his fights and other interviews. Shame he died so suddenly, I would love to have a conversation with him. I'm currently reading Roy Shaw's book, haven't got to the Lenny McLean chapter yet, but I know there's conflicting versions of events. Recommend this.
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 January 2021
Verified Purchase
Great read, although it has all the hallmarks of being either ghost written or heavily edited by the publisher. I am sure it was all from the guvnor's own mouth though. Great read, very entertaining.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 November 2020
Verified Purchase
Bought as a present for December as his character in the fantastic films and his appearances were loved by my partner so I decided he should read it from the horses mouth!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 November 2018
Verified Purchase
The book starts off well with lots of stories about Lennys childhood and early years. The second half focuses on the many hidings dished out by the Guv'nor. These should have been the highlight but I found the first half far more interesting and descriptive.
One person found this helpful
Report abuse






