Reggie Kray's East End Stories: The lost memoirs of the gangland legend

by Reggie Kray

The name Reggie Kray remains synonymous with London's East End to this day, and yet although much is known about Reg and his brother Ronnie's life of crime in the '50s and '60s, to date precious little has been revealed about their formative years. Reggie wrote his EAST END STORIES in the early 1990s, but they haven't seen the light of day until now. In the book, he recalls the close-knit East End community in which he and his brother grew up, the characters in his family and neighbourhood, and of course, the many villains he worked with. Filled with anecdotes about the area's most outlandish personalities and notorious criminals, and offering a fascinating journey around the Krays' 'manor' including their favourite haunts and business enterprises, the book paints a vivid portrait of a London that has long since disappeared.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2010

About the author

Twin 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)

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little autobiography by the one and only Ronnie Kray. First off, don't go in expecting a neat, unbiased account, because this is thoroughly one-sided (as you'd expect). According to the book, Kray never meted out any violence to anyone didn't deserve it, and was more a victim of circumstance than anything else. I think some may disagree, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of the book.

This is a 20th century history of London's East End working class, focusing on the violence and crime that has blighted the area for as long as anyone can remember. The characters are larger than life and the book is rather humorous despite the sometimes grim nature of the material. Most notably of all, Kray comes across as a decent, articulate and intelligent chap, not at all the chain-wielding gangster that you'd expect from press reports. Not a taxing book then, but a very enjoyable one for true crime fans.

[Joanne Eglon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

Another insightful book about The Krays.

A quick read at 236 pages.

Quite one sided and found myself losing interest slightly.

Fans of The Krays will probably enjoy this read.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading Reggie Kray's memoirs. Some of the stories were obviously the same as I've read in other books on the twins, but with a slightly different viewpoint.
The way Reggie relates his memories had me laughing. Others had me almost admiring the twins and their associates.
I still feel that perhaps the twins were treated harshly, but they were gangland men and had to be punished for what they had done.
Love them or loathe them, the Kray Twins will forever be associated with London's East End and with perhaps more wrong doing than they could have had time to be involved in.

[Daniel Towey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting enough read. Although it’s very one sided and at times it’s very much like wading through someone’s random thoughts squashed into a book.
I enjoyed the insight into life in London in the mid 1900s and didn’t know much about the Krays before hand so feel like this was a good insight albeit very biased.
I won’t be reading anything else on the Krays and wouldn’t actively recommend this book.

[Mikayla lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight to the dark “underworld” of the Krays.

Written by a “virginal” and child like hand.

Does not portray the twins half as bad as the Media did.

A great trip down many roads/areas of my childhood.

Does this book portray the Krays in a true light?

I doubt that very much.

Played down to avoid the true extent of their true crime?

Nether the less, an interesting read.

[FJY · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't heard of this book before I happened to see it in a local bookshop. I decided to buy it, as I usually enjoy books about the Krays. I am so glad that I did, because I enjoyed it. Although it was written by Reg Kray, it is very different from his other books, in that it focuses predominantly on his childhood, when he and his brother Ron were growing up in London's East End. It therefore doesn't mention the crimes that he and Ron later became infamous for, so it is not a typical true crime memoir. I didn't know much about his formative years, so reading this book was a breath of fresh air for me and I enjoyed it very much. I probably wouldn't want to read it again, though, which is why I am only giving it three stars. As a one-off, though, it is a good read.

Not an essential purchase, but I would recommend it to Krays completists. As I said, it is not what you would usually expect from a Krays book.

[Frank Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting tale of a colorful personage formed by a hard upbringing in the East End of London during the Blitz Years. Reggie and his twin brother Ronnie were the most outstanding gangsters in London in the 1960’s. Their story in Reggie’s own words will keep you turning pages into the wee hours of the morning.

[Sarah Litchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best things I have ever read. It really opens you up to the type of person Reggie Kray was. It was also sad to read that he was feeling remorse and admitting he didn't need to commit the crimes he did. It's a fantastic read from the man himself.

[Mrs Sarah Susewitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, bit difficult to get into at first but soon draws you in

[Natasha Squirrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very gripping. Stories of the Krays childhood and how it shaped them to become the men they did. Very interesting. Worth a read.

[Andreas_P · Rating 5 out of 5]

An invaluable account of life in an East End of which only the faintest traces, if that, can be found today.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read. Lots of tales of times gone by, but a good read and a good insight into the East end of London

[Kimberley Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read.

[Jamie Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad of a book but felt as if it was continuous small tales rather than a depiction of Reggie’s life

[Martin Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting anecdotes and memories. He doesn't dwell on the murders which are well covered elsewhere.
Despite other books and films, he represents his relationship with Frances as one of love. Who should we believe.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting reading and I felt some sympathy for him after reading the book. not a page turner though. took me a while to read. .6.5 out of 10