Pretty Boy

by Roy Shaw

Roy Shaw is the ultimate hardman. He has cult status and commands a respect that few, even in the violent world he moves in, can equal. To him, violence is simply an accepted part of his profession. He doesn't exaggerate it, he can't excuse it and he refuses to apologize for it. His name may mean nothing to you—he's no actor, no showman, no wannabe celebrity. He does, however, live by a merciless code, and though he may not have cloven hooves and a tail, if he goes after someone, all hell comes with him.

Genres: Crime, Biography, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Andrew Culyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this and his opponent's book one after the other...

Roy 'Pretty Boy' Shaw vs Lenny McLean - I've read both and they seem to be in disagreement about what happened between them... anyway, I guess that will happen.

Overall, a great insight into a world I have never and never will know...

..it is truly is amazing what some people get up to.

[Gaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a bit unsure at first as I thought it was going to be another hard man book, but got into it very quick and found it hard to put down. This was some bloke you didn't want to mess with. Good read highly recommend if you like this sort of thing.

[A D · Rating 1 out of 5]

The kind of guy who would have fought his own shadow if he thought it had looked at him the wrong way.

[Derek Rutherford · Rating 1 out of 5]

An autobiography (ghost written by Kate Kray) of hardman Roy Shaw. The book is an easy and very fast read, but provides very little detail or atmosphere about any of the events within: prison life, underworld life, unlicensed boxing, etc. It's a shame as a real deep dive into these would have been very interesting indeed. Instead we get Roy telling us he's the the toughest man going and he recounts knocking out one fellow after another for two hundred pages. It doesn't take much surfing on the web to start finding contradictions in what Roy has said, or what he's omitted, and the moment that happens you start to wonder just how much of Pretty Boy is actually true. That, along with the very poor writing, makes it worth just one star to me.

[Eddie Oakwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real life story Roy Pretty Boy Shaw that has some slight difference of opinions to people that share some of the events like the third bout with the young heavier McLean that he later speaks of outside of the book. I would recommend reading as it is a no holds barred never dull thoroughly interesting read, full of other people that you can’t help but have heard of and one you a man you won’t forget in a hurry.

[Georgia Lamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Joseph H · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08HXF3RY1

[Kristopher Cyrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 1st ever book I read in 2006

[Jackpotbaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally gripping. At times I really felt sorry for Roy and then at other times I really didn't like him.
This is one of the best books I have read.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and found it difficult to put down.

[Tez · Rating 4 out of 5]

up there with the govner a decent bio a real hard nut if ever there was

[J.H Gaines · Rating 5 out of 5]

The was a fantastic read!
Roy Shaw has led a very brutal and fascinating life, I read this book in just a couple of days and it is still on my book shelf.

[Che Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it, absolutely brilliant!!!

[Marian O'callaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

very well written. you feel like you know him good and bad. it shows the full range of human emotion.

[R Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good decent read..kind of old school hard man story.. Some crazy stories.. Although some of these are disputed but hey ho it's worth a read

[BarkingUpTrees.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

My full review can be found at http://www.barkinguptrees.com/2016/10...

[Harry Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book no matter what your opinion of him he has a great story

[Emlyn Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to Bronsons power and violent power but with less manotony. 4.1 stars