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A way of life: Over 30 years of blood, sweat and tears
When we think of the Kray Legend, we think of Sixties London, an underground culture that has all but vanished. Reg Kray was the torchbearer of that era in British history. But despite ongoing press interest in the world of the Krays, few have an understanding of Reg the man - a man who spent half of his life in prison and who died of cancer in October 2000.
Sidgwick & Jackson published Reg and Ron's joint memoir, OUR STORY, in 1988, and Ron Kray's autobiography, MY STORY, in 1993. This is Reggie's story, a diary of the life he lived, with reflections on the past and the new role he found for himself 'on the inside'. It is a story of courage and remorse, revelation and friendship. For the first time he speaks of his marriage to Roberta, of his relationship with his brothers Ron, who died five years ago, and Charlie, who died April 2000, putting certain misconceptions straight. Updated with a new chapter by Roberta Kray, this is a valuable document for future generations and a fascinating insight into prison life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2000
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130 people want to read
About the author
Reggie Kray
9 books9 followersTwin brothers Ronald "Ronnie" Kray (24 October 1933 – 17 March 1995) and Reginald "Reggie" Kray (24 October 1933 – 1 October 2000) were English gangsters who were the foremost perpetrators of organised crime in the East End of London during the 1950s and 1960s. Ronald, commonly called Ron or Ronnie, most likely suffered from paranoid schizophrenia.[4]
With their gang, "The Firm", the Krays were involved in armed robberies, arson, protection rackets, assaults, and the murders of Jack "The Hat" McVitie and George Cornell.
As West End nightclub owners, they mixed with prominent entertainers including Diana Dors, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and with politicians. The Krays were much feared within their milieu, and in the 1960s became celebrities in their own right, even being photographed by David Bailey and interviewed on television.
They were arrested on 9 May 1968 and convicted in 1969 by the efforts of a squad of detectives led by Detective Superintendent Leonard "Nipper" Read, and were both sentenced to life imprisonment.
Ronnie remained in Broadmoor Hospital until his death on 17 March 1995, but Reggie was released from prison on compassionate grounds in August 2000, eight weeks before his death from cancer. (Wikipedia)
With their gang, "The Firm", the Krays were involved in armed robberies, arson, protection rackets, assaults, and the murders of Jack "The Hat" McVitie and George Cornell.
As West End nightclub owners, they mixed with prominent entertainers including Diana Dors, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and with politicians. The Krays were much feared within their milieu, and in the 1960s became celebrities in their own right, even being photographed by David Bailey and interviewed on television.
They were arrested on 9 May 1968 and convicted in 1969 by the efforts of a squad of detectives led by Detective Superintendent Leonard "Nipper" Read, and were both sentenced to life imprisonment.
Ronnie remained in Broadmoor Hospital until his death on 17 March 1995, but Reggie was released from prison on compassionate grounds in August 2000, eight weeks before his death from cancer. (Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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September 17, 2010I have a signed copy!!!!!!
February 13, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Reg Kray's version of events. He seems to have written as honestly as he felt he could about life inside some of Britain's prisons, like Wandsworth, Parkhurst and Wayland.
There are parts of Reg's story that are funnier than anything written by Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais for the tv series Porridge starring Ronnie Barker. However, Reg Kray states that real life inside prison is not like HMP Slade. There are the obvious brutal characters, the no-hopers and people similar to the Krays.
To me, Reg Kray comes across as an intelligent man, someone who has a strong belief in his own version of Christianity. He appears to have principles, too. Kray has no place for those who have committed rape or any type of sex crime. He also doesn't have a lot of time for paedophiles and feels that both types of offender shouldn't be given special favours. I found myself agreeing with him.
Reg Kray had a lot of respect for his family. To some people, this may seem strange coming from a nman who was a lifer and I can understand that sentiment. However, the Krays are from a different era. They're not always as unprincipled and uncaring as some of the modern day criminals appear to be. The Krays saw problems and dealt with them in the only way the knew. Yes they were incriminated in a couple of murders and committed various crimes that got them their life sentences. But to me, they sorted out the people they felt needed it, not just indiscriminately hurting those who were not involved in the situation. Yes they were criminals, the twins and their older brother Charlie, and were imprisoned for what they did. But perhaps a fairer review of Reg's case could have been taken.
I realise that anyone will only tell you their version of the truth, in order to make you believe them and to try and get what they want. In this way, Reg Kray was no more manipulative than the barristers who defend or prosecute criminals in court. They put the evidence across to persuade the jurors to decide either for or against whoever is on trial.
Reg Kray tells his side of events with a certain amount of humour, which had me laughing. Yet his account of his mother Violet's death and funeral and also the death of his twin Ron had me crying.
I would recommend this book to anyone, whether or not you believe the Krays should have been incarcerated for as long as they were.
There are parts of Reg's story that are funnier than anything written by Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais for the tv series Porridge starring Ronnie Barker. However, Reg Kray states that real life inside prison is not like HMP Slade. There are the obvious brutal characters, the no-hopers and people similar to the Krays.
To me, Reg Kray comes across as an intelligent man, someone who has a strong belief in his own version of Christianity. He appears to have principles, too. Kray has no place for those who have committed rape or any type of sex crime. He also doesn't have a lot of time for paedophiles and feels that both types of offender shouldn't be given special favours. I found myself agreeing with him.
Reg Kray had a lot of respect for his family. To some people, this may seem strange coming from a nman who was a lifer and I can understand that sentiment. However, the Krays are from a different era. They're not always as unprincipled and uncaring as some of the modern day criminals appear to be. The Krays saw problems and dealt with them in the only way the knew. Yes they were incriminated in a couple of murders and committed various crimes that got them their life sentences. But to me, they sorted out the people they felt needed it, not just indiscriminately hurting those who were not involved in the situation. Yes they were criminals, the twins and their older brother Charlie, and were imprisoned for what they did. But perhaps a fairer review of Reg's case could have been taken.
I realise that anyone will only tell you their version of the truth, in order to make you believe them and to try and get what they want. In this way, Reg Kray was no more manipulative than the barristers who defend or prosecute criminals in court. They put the evidence across to persuade the jurors to decide either for or against whoever is on trial.
Reg Kray tells his side of events with a certain amount of humour, which had me laughing. Yet his account of his mother Violet's death and funeral and also the death of his twin Ron had me crying.
I would recommend this book to anyone, whether or not you believe the Krays should have been incarcerated for as long as they were.
August 10, 2019
This is a real insight into a life sentence served in prison.
I have read several books on the Kray twins the psychology of their story intrigues me and I always find Reggies story particularly sad.
This account of prison life is particularly haunting and not only is their story part of social history it’s also a warning against being pulled into a life of crime.
I’d definitely recommend this book.
I have read several books on the Kray twins the psychology of their story intrigues me and I always find Reggies story particularly sad.
This account of prison life is particularly haunting and not only is their story part of social history it’s also a warning against being pulled into a life of crime.
I’d definitely recommend this book.
September 10, 2018
If you enjoy listening to strange old drunks recounting the names of everyone they've ever met, this is the book for you.
Very sparsely, punctuated by the occasional interesting anecdote or coherent paragraph. Sparsely.
While I have no doubt there are some interesting stories to had been gotten out of him, this is *not* it.
The main takeaway was being able to sort of see the thought process of someone delusion about their mental prowess (not to mention "magical healing powers"), and who couldn't understand why they were repeatedly in mental care incarceration. The same pity he often wrote of feeling for those who shared residence around him is the closest, but also fleeting, thing to any sort of emotional attachment with this 280+ pages of pure rambling.
Very sparsely, punctuated by the occasional interesting anecdote or coherent paragraph. Sparsely.
While I have no doubt there are some interesting stories to had been gotten out of him, this is *not* it.
The main takeaway was being able to sort of see the thought process of someone delusion about their mental prowess (not to mention "magical healing powers"), and who couldn't understand why they were repeatedly in mental care incarceration. The same pity he often wrote of feeling for those who shared residence around him is the closest, but also fleeting, thing to any sort of emotional attachment with this 280+ pages of pure rambling.
April 16, 2023
Most books ON the Krays attempt to put their sad lives in the context of the poverty they came from, the opportunities for "entrepreneurs" after WW2, their faux glamour a la Julie Garland etc, the flirting with the mafia, mental illness and the lovely cockney geezers who "only ever hurt their own kind". Certainly Reg never expresses any regret for what he had done, or asks for any pity for his long years in the UKs most savage prisons. The style is also somewhat monotonous: everyone seems to be either a good friend or a sworn enemy. In normal life you have a range of relationships, from childhood, school, work, college, neighbours, shared interests but the Krays wanted everyone to love AND fear them...
December 3, 2017
This book chronicles Reggie's time in prison.
It's more of a diary of what prisons he was in and when, and the people he met there.
Enjoyed it, is a good, easy read.
It's more of a diary of what prisons he was in and when, and the people he met there.
Enjoyed it, is a good, easy read.
July 14, 2018
Brilliant
If you like reading about the krays as I do then this book is a brilliant read.
Written by reg very heartfelt
If you like reading about the krays as I do then this book is a brilliant read.
Written by reg very heartfelt
August 4, 2018
Read for personal research. I found this work of immense interest. A great addition to, and a more detailed prison life account than found in 'Our Story'.
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring.
Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.
December 12, 2018
The best Kray book that I have read so far. I sobbed whilst reading the last chapter. RIP Reg, a decent bloke, a legend. Xx
May 9, 2015
A great book which gives you a different perspective of the criminal life. It was nice to read the story from the words of Reg Kray himself. Anyone who want to get an impression of the negativity of the criminal life should read this book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews