Running with the Krays

by Freddie Foreman, Tom Hardy (Foreword)

For over 50 years, Freddie Foreman's name has commanded respect, and occasionally fear, from those who work to uphold the law3and those who operate just outside of it. With almost all of his compatriots—like the notorious Kray twins—now gone, Freddie is the last real gangster. A true entrepreneur and businessman, Freddie was one of the great personalities of the criminal underworld. A man of principle, protective of his family and unfailingly loyal to his friends, Freddie was someone who could be relied upon with complete confidence in all circumstances.  

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2015

Reviews

[FJY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the Krays are mentioned in the title of this book, it is, essentially, another Freddie Foreman biography. Most of the book is about him, so don't be fooled into thinking this is about the Krays. They are mentioned throughout the book, but there is only one chapter all about them.

The book claims to be "The final truth about the underworld" that the Krays and Freddie Foreman were part of, but I didn't learn anything scintillating from reading this book. I certainly did not learn any juicy new nuggets of information about him or the Krays. If you have any of Freddie's other books, then you don't really need to read this one. It does have lots of good photos in the book, though, and that is why I awarded it three stars.

Buy this book for the photos, not for the content. Three stars from me.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy to read book, with many tales about the London Gangs of years gone by.
Predominantly about Freddie Foreman, a lot of the tales related involve the three Kray brothers, Charlie, Reggie and Ronnie. Some new ways of viewing what happened in different times. People will remember the same events in slightly different ways. Freddie Foreman comes across as a, relatively, nice person, only doing what he did so his family could have the best things in life, No problem with that, but sometimes, the way he earned his money was a bit shady. He isn't afraid to speak his mind about some of the villains around, including the twins.
Not sure exactly how many of the escapades actually happened, probably most of them, but there were different bits of information that I haven't read in any books on the Krays. Still, I quite enjoyed the book. It was different from the one I'd just finished. I try to start a different genre of book, because I'll get confused otherwise.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping this would be a quick, guilty-pleasure kind of read but it wasn't really, apart from rare moments. The structure doesn't work very well – there aren't chapters, just three big parts, so it just meanders on and on without many clean breaks.

Although there are flashes of captivating action, a lot of it is quite unremarkable, administrative chat where the reader is being told who people in photographs are. You're having so many names thrown at you, there's no point even trying to keep up.

Despite the title, it's not even that much about the Krays. They drop in and out but the first third barely mentions them. I'm sure the subject matter has the potential to be very entertaining but it does not succeed in doing so here.

[James Tidd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freddie Foreman along with Frank and Noelle Kurylo takes the reader on another book, described as 'the final truth', about his time with the Kray twins.

The book comes in three parts. Part 1 is basically an autobiographical piece on Freddie Foreman by the said gentleman. Part 2 is the Legend of the Krays by the book's co-authors. Part 3 is the Last Gangster by Freddie Foreman. So 1/3 is about the Kray twins, 2/3 is autobiographical by the author.

Good book, but there could have been more on the Krays. I loaned the book, because I had read about the Krays, the Richardsons and Mad Frankie Fraser, Freddie was the only one I hadn't read about.

[Alana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is false advertisment at it's finest. If you're really interested in the Krays life then this isn't the book for you. The second part is the only part remotely about the Krays. Its interesting learning about crime life in London however I bought it to learn about the Krays and that isnt what I got.

[joan hendrickson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not up to much

Lots of words spelt wrong pictures don't tally with what you're reading. I have read other crime books, this is the worst.

[Zoe Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is not much about the Krays in this book. The focus is more on Freddie’s life. Not a bad read, but not what I was expecting.

[Matthew Harwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book doesn’t really follow the Krays as it is advertised it is still an interesting read if you are a fan of the British underworld.

[Kristopher Cyrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freddie now he was pure old school

[Mark waite · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read written by people who were actually there and some fantastic photos although the book is more about Freddie than the Krays

[joe steed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Real Gangster

Very interesting read Freddie takes you back before the Krays were about and was connected to every face in the London underworld even to the present day, what a geezer

[Jo Cleobury · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well after reading many books about the Krays, this has got to be the worst! They have obviously given it this title because they know that the name Kray sells well. The only positive thing about this book is the photo's of Ron and Reg. They slag the Krays off , but I am willing to bet that they wouldn't of done this if the Krays were still alive and free. Don't waste your money buying this book new, if you have to buy it, buy it second hand and cheap! I am thoroughly disappointed with this book. It is definitely my worst read of 2018.

[Shar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing - very little about the Krays - considering they are on the front cover and it's called 'Running with the KRAYS' I was rather expecting some interesting insights - but nothing unfortunately - missed potential!

[Haley Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a decent book. i had just finished reading Freddie Foreman's autobiography, unfortunately parts 1 and 3 of this book were very similar to his others. part 2 about the krays was fascinating as always. i was expecting this book to be more about them than Freddie considering the title..

[Danielle Aylmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Great read some funny but serious parts would highly recommended. Some parts are really surprising it's a true but honest book rather an eye opener

[Lisa-Jaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book packed full of photographs, anecdotes and snippets of interesting information.

[Sarah Litchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a real eye opener about what the Kray twins and their friends got up to back in their day. It was horrifying to read about how they died alone either in hospital or prison too.

[Stuart Pope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book better than a lot of the others of this style.

[R Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty much his life story again.. Not much new stuff