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Confronting Demons
Harry Shaw is a man charging headlong down the path to his own destruction. From passing out with a bag of drugs money in the wrong hotel room, to assaulting a dangerous convict with a bucket of boiling water and a blade, Harry tells it like it was...Confronting Demons is the frank tale of just how low a man can sink. A tough, drug-obsessed criminal who will do almost anything to get what he needs. Harry Shaw cannot help but put a humorous and frequently moving spin on this otherwise raw, no-holds-barred story of life lived horribly wrong.This is the story of Harry and a bunch of individuals he meets on the RAPT rehabilitation wing at HMP Pentonville after spending many years away. The men he meets have each descended into their own hell of drugs and self loathing, but under the intense conditions of counselling and group therapy, they share with one another the uplifting experience of their redemption. The bonds Harry makes with these men remain long after his own extraordinary triumph over his inner demons."Written with incisive wit and sensitivity, this is the remarkable story of a man addicted to class A drugs, the people he met in prison and the uplifting experiences of their recovery - a most gripping and entertaining read."Howard Marks (Mr Nice)
- GenresNonfiction
380 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1900
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 19, 2012
Magnificently written and emotionally powerful memoir of a man who survived the most horrific of experiences- drug addiction and the outdated - almost Victorian Penal System. Harry Shaw is a most engaging writer- this is no ordinary "going through hell to become a better person" memoir- rather it is filled with humor, terror, angst, cutting wit and a whole of other superlative adjectives too lengthy to list. Suffice to say, once you stat reading Harry's unforgetable memoir- you will not be able to put it down. The writing is almost novelistic in nature- which invites the reader to become part of Harry's life- the good, the bad and the very bad- One of the truly finest and affecting memoirs I have read- a truly remarkable achievement.
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AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
June 28, 2012
Howard Marks (Mr Nice)
Harry Shaw has written a book I couldn't put down.
A story of a life addicted to A class drugs.The people he met whilst spending time in prison and the lifting experience of their recovery.
It opened my eyes.Read it.
Dave Courtney OBE.
Harry Shaw was and is a well known face,in and out of the prison system.He was known as a good earner and could hold his hands up.He didn't mind a roll about on the floor if he had to.Bit of the "Jack the lad" but everybody loved him.That was before he got on the shit and this book will explain better than I could, the battle he had with it, the opportunities, friends and relationships he lost whilst on it.
And the epic battle, which he finally won, which has earned him the respect that he now gets from everybody.
I for one salute you Mr Shaw
Noel"razor"Smith
After spending almost 33 years behind a locked door in the British penal system, most of it before the introduction of in-cell television, I think it is fair to say that I have read a lot of books. So when a friend of mine recommended a book called Confronting Demons I wasn’t in much of a hurry to reach for my reading glasses. I had been out of prison for almost a year and reading books was not high on my list of priorities, besides which I figured I had read most everything that was worth reading. But my friend persisted and even sent me a copy to make sure I complied. Eventually, on a train journey from Fareham to Birmingham I started to read the book. And once I had started I could not stop!
Confronting Demons is one of those rare books that hooks you in right from the start and keeps you reading till the end. Written by an ex criminal and drug user it is a visceral examination of the author’s own addiction to heroin and the ‘lifestyle’ that goes along with it. It perfectly illustrates how the misuse of hard drugs can drag an addict to the lowest depths of violence and depravity. This was a man who would not hesitate to do whatever he felt was necessary in order to feed his addiction – and what he considered ‘necessary’ would terrify the average person.
As well as being a fantastic read, Confronting Demons is an indictment of a prison system that is doing very little to eradicate the scourge of addiction in long term prisoners. The fact that Harry Shaw found his eventual redemption on a prison RAPT course was sheer chance, and he had to beg to be allowed on it. This is a must-read book for anyone involved in the criminal justice system of this country and for those who wish to understand the mindset of the addict.
Harry Shaw is a writer of exceptional talent and I look forward to his next book.
Highly recommended.
Noel ‘Razor’ Smith – Commissioning Editor of Inside Time (The national prisoners newspaper) and
Author of ‘A Few Kind Words and a Loaded Gun’ (Penguin), ‘Raiders’ (Penguin), ‘Warrior Kings’ (Apex) and ‘A Rusty Gun’ (Penguin)
Harry Shaw has written a book I couldn't put down.
A story of a life addicted to A class drugs.The people he met whilst spending time in prison and the lifting experience of their recovery.
It opened my eyes.Read it.
Dave Courtney OBE.
Harry Shaw was and is a well known face,in and out of the prison system.He was known as a good earner and could hold his hands up.He didn't mind a roll about on the floor if he had to.Bit of the "Jack the lad" but everybody loved him.That was before he got on the shit and this book will explain better than I could, the battle he had with it, the opportunities, friends and relationships he lost whilst on it.
And the epic battle, which he finally won, which has earned him the respect that he now gets from everybody.
I for one salute you Mr Shaw
Noel"razor"Smith
After spending almost 33 years behind a locked door in the British penal system, most of it before the introduction of in-cell television, I think it is fair to say that I have read a lot of books. So when a friend of mine recommended a book called Confronting Demons I wasn’t in much of a hurry to reach for my reading glasses. I had been out of prison for almost a year and reading books was not high on my list of priorities, besides which I figured I had read most everything that was worth reading. But my friend persisted and even sent me a copy to make sure I complied. Eventually, on a train journey from Fareham to Birmingham I started to read the book. And once I had started I could not stop!
Confronting Demons is one of those rare books that hooks you in right from the start and keeps you reading till the end. Written by an ex criminal and drug user it is a visceral examination of the author’s own addiction to heroin and the ‘lifestyle’ that goes along with it. It perfectly illustrates how the misuse of hard drugs can drag an addict to the lowest depths of violence and depravity. This was a man who would not hesitate to do whatever he felt was necessary in order to feed his addiction – and what he considered ‘necessary’ would terrify the average person.
As well as being a fantastic read, Confronting Demons is an indictment of a prison system that is doing very little to eradicate the scourge of addiction in long term prisoners. The fact that Harry Shaw found his eventual redemption on a prison RAPT course was sheer chance, and he had to beg to be allowed on it. This is a must-read book for anyone involved in the criminal justice system of this country and for those who wish to understand the mindset of the addict.
Harry Shaw is a writer of exceptional talent and I look forward to his next book.
Highly recommended.
Noel ‘Razor’ Smith – Commissioning Editor of Inside Time (The national prisoners newspaper) and
Author of ‘A Few Kind Words and a Loaded Gun’ (Penguin), ‘Raiders’ (Penguin), ‘Warrior Kings’ (Apex) and ‘A Rusty Gun’ (Penguin)
July 23, 2012
Having come out of a long stretch in Britain’s most vile penal establishments, Harry Shaw is one hell of a bloke – no thanks to the outdated Victorian punishment meted out to the interesting yet socially excluded characters in this cleverly laid-out memoir. It’s due to the belief invested in them by the former participants, staff and, eventually, the prisoners themselves making up the RAPt – the Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust – program.
This book blew me away from the first page. I wasn’t sure what was on the cards and what I got I never could have expected. Following a brief introduction to prison life that reads like the TV series ‘Porridge’ before playing out like a scene from the film ‘Scum’ the book begins with a series of hilarious yet depraved anecdotes of crime committed by a host of colourful criminals, the likes of whom, if you haven’t come across similar types in person, you’ll relate to from numerous British gangster films, both serious and farce.
There is Roland and Mackey – the ‘Clever’ Brothers – a couple of heroin-dependent scammers whose comical attempts to fund their habit show you how not to commit crime. And Terry, a middle-aged pot-bellied comedian and wideboy, who after his daily intake of twelve pints, half a bottle of cognac, a Ruby Murray, ten pills and a good few lines of Charlie, regresses back to the belief he can still jiggle it on the dance floor and impress the women. The list goes on, and as I said – with a sad undercurrent and some distressing societal truths – it’s both corrupt and comical. You might find yourself thinking, ‘Why are we being introduced to these artful dodgers?’ And I won’t spoil it for you. However, I can say that as the story flicks back inside the manky walls of HMP and these busted individuals start to appear in Harry’s wonderfully descriptive narrative as it heads towards some serious soul-searching, you start to appreciate what a well thought out, astutely written and balanced book this is.
Chris Thrall is the author of: ‘Eating Smoke: One Man’s Descent into Drug Psychosis in Hong Kong’s Triad Heartland’ – a memoir.
This book blew me away from the first page. I wasn’t sure what was on the cards and what I got I never could have expected. Following a brief introduction to prison life that reads like the TV series ‘Porridge’ before playing out like a scene from the film ‘Scum’ the book begins with a series of hilarious yet depraved anecdotes of crime committed by a host of colourful criminals, the likes of whom, if you haven’t come across similar types in person, you’ll relate to from numerous British gangster films, both serious and farce.
There is Roland and Mackey – the ‘Clever’ Brothers – a couple of heroin-dependent scammers whose comical attempts to fund their habit show you how not to commit crime. And Terry, a middle-aged pot-bellied comedian and wideboy, who after his daily intake of twelve pints, half a bottle of cognac, a Ruby Murray, ten pills and a good few lines of Charlie, regresses back to the belief he can still jiggle it on the dance floor and impress the women. The list goes on, and as I said – with a sad undercurrent and some distressing societal truths – it’s both corrupt and comical. You might find yourself thinking, ‘Why are we being introduced to these artful dodgers?’ And I won’t spoil it for you. However, I can say that as the story flicks back inside the manky walls of HMP and these busted individuals start to appear in Harry’s wonderfully descriptive narrative as it heads towards some serious soul-searching, you start to appreciate what a well thought out, astutely written and balanced book this is.
Chris Thrall is the author of: ‘Eating Smoke: One Man’s Descent into Drug Psychosis in Hong Kong’s Triad Heartland’ – a memoir.
February 10, 2012
Confronting Demons by Harry Shaw
LOVED IT LOVED IT!!
We all have our own demons,this book tells how a few men dealt with theirs,drug addiction.
Don't be put off by the subject of the book,its able to reach you and grabs at a whole range of emotions within the reader. It had me laughing,crying, feeling anger,sympathy and wanting more!!
Harry Shaw makes his characters,all known to him,feel as if you know them personally too. Infact i'm sure 1 was my neighbour at some point.
Also i was brought up that drug users were dangerous people and there whole reason in life was to get everyone addicted,i have since grown up, wised up and realised what a load of Bull this idea is.You will love the characters in this book and even have a favourite,mine is Roland.
I can't express how enthralling this book is.I hope that Harry Shaw continues to write as i was totally engrossed and could not put it down but didn't want it to come to an end either.
This is a true book,and Harry Shaw is a character but you need to read the book to find out about him.
GIVE it a go,i'm positive you'll enjoy this true, gritty,entertaining book as i did.
Whens the next one Harry?
LOVED IT LOVED IT!!
We all have our own demons,this book tells how a few men dealt with theirs,drug addiction.
Don't be put off by the subject of the book,its able to reach you and grabs at a whole range of emotions within the reader. It had me laughing,crying, feeling anger,sympathy and wanting more!!
Harry Shaw makes his characters,all known to him,feel as if you know them personally too. Infact i'm sure 1 was my neighbour at some point.
Also i was brought up that drug users were dangerous people and there whole reason in life was to get everyone addicted,i have since grown up, wised up and realised what a load of Bull this idea is.You will love the characters in this book and even have a favourite,mine is Roland.
I can't express how enthralling this book is.I hope that Harry Shaw continues to write as i was totally engrossed and could not put it down but didn't want it to come to an end either.
This is a true book,and Harry Shaw is a character but you need to read the book to find out about him.
GIVE it a go,i'm positive you'll enjoy this true, gritty,entertaining book as i did.
Whens the next one Harry?
November 8, 2011
Harry Shaw has written a book I could not put down. I have spent time in prison myself and know that what he writes is true. Howard Marks ( Mr Nice ) did a forward to the book and I doubt he would put his name to something that was not good. The people Harry describes come alive along with his surroundings. He says that he changed names to protect the innocent and the guilty and believe me there are lots of guilty people in there lol. The madness that goes on has a flavour of Irvin Welshes Trainspotting in places but without the Scottish accents and with a point to it because they all end up in rehab with some getting clean and alot of the drug use was behind prison walls. Roland and Mackey are my favourite characters and the little scottish man that stood up in group therapy to tell everyone he had been abused by his uncle made me want to cry. Harry was moved around from prison to prison from Cardiff and Belmarsh to The Mount and Pentonville and what a journey. It will show the kids of today what prison is really like and hopefully deter them from ever going in there. Fantastic read well done.
November 6, 2011
This book made me laugh out loud and was very moving at times. It is written like a novel but is a true story which I couldn't put down. Harry writes about the individual characters he met on the rehabilitation wing in Pentonville Prison whilst they are free commiting the crimes and using drugs before getting arrested whilst Harry himself is behind bars. They all meet up once inside on the Rapt wing where they are all trying to help eachother stay clean. This is where Harry started to write this book and what a read. It is honest with no holds barred and brutal at times but is also written with compassion. I loved this book.It shows how drugs are available inside and all of the problems that go with this like getting into debt and then having fights ect with the dealers and Harrys girlfriend even gets arrested whilst bringing drugs into HMP Belmarsh. It is a story of redemption and the hell that goes on in our prisons all over the country. Loved it. When is the next book Harry ? I can't wait.
July 31, 2011
This is about a guy who got his recovery through RAPt in Pentonville, although RAPt no longer have a unit there. It's hard to read at times but gives a flavour of what they do, and why. If you're interested in prisons and prisoners it may be an eye-opener. From my perspective, what it won't allow is for you to hold that well-honed prejudice that all addicts are the scum of the earth . . . Brave enough to give it a go or is that prejudice too ingrained?
November 6, 2011
a must read, had me gripped from start to finish, a well written book, describes surroundings and characters really well, and the pain and suffering that comes with addiction. Even if your not an addict, or had any involement in drugs or crime. This book will interest you, this guy has danced with the devil on more than one occassion and lived to tell the tale to write this book....
edwards-n@hotmail.co.uk
edwards-n@hotmail.co.uk
June 28, 2012
Howard Marks (Mr Nice)
Harry Shaw has written a book I couldn't put down.
A story of a life addicted to A class drugs.The people he met whilst spending time in prison and the lifting experience of their recovery.
It opened my eyes.Read it.
Dave Courtney OBE.
Harry Shaw was and is a well known face,in and out of the prison system.He was known as a good earner and could hold his hands up.He didn't mind a roll about on the floor if he had to.Bit of the "Jack the lad" but everybody loved him.That was before he got on the shit and this book will explain better than I could, the battle he had with it, the opportunities, friends and relationships he lost whilst on it.
And the epic battle, which he finally won, which has earned him the respect that he now gets from everybody.
I for one salute you Mr Shaw
Noel"razor"Smith
After spending almost 33 years behind a locked door in the British penal system, most of it before the introduction of in-cell television, I think it is fair to say that I have read a lot of books. So when a friend of mine recommended a book called Confronting Demons I wasn’t in much of a hurry to reach for my reading glasses. I had been out of prison for almost a year and reading books was not high on my list of priorities, besides which I figured I had read most everything that was worth reading. But my friend persisted and even sent me a copy to make sure I complied. Eventually, on a train journey from Fareham to Birmingham I started to read the book. And once I had started I could not stop!
Confronting Demons is one of those rare books that hooks you in right from the start and keeps you reading till the end. Written by an ex criminal and drug user it is a visceral examination of the author’s own addiction to heroin and the ‘lifestyle’ that goes along with it. It perfectly illustrates how the misuse of hard drugs can drag an addict to the lowest depths of violence and depravity. This was a man who would not hesitate to do whatever he felt was necessary in order to feed his addiction – and what he considered ‘necessary’ would terrify the average person.
As well as being a fantastic read, Confronting Demons is an indictment of a prison system that is doing very little to eradicate the scourge of addiction in long term prisoners. The fact that Harry Shaw found his eventual redemption on a prison RAPT course was sheer chance, and he had to beg to be allowed on it. This is a must-read book for anyone involved in the criminal justice system of this country and for those who wish to understand the mindset of the addict.
Harry Shaw is a writer of exceptional talent and I look forward to his next book.
Highly recommended.
Harry Shaw has written a book I couldn't put down.
A story of a life addicted to A class drugs.The people he met whilst spending time in prison and the lifting experience of their recovery.
It opened my eyes.Read it.
Dave Courtney OBE.
Harry Shaw was and is a well known face,in and out of the prison system.He was known as a good earner and could hold his hands up.He didn't mind a roll about on the floor if he had to.Bit of the "Jack the lad" but everybody loved him.That was before he got on the shit and this book will explain better than I could, the battle he had with it, the opportunities, friends and relationships he lost whilst on it.
And the epic battle, which he finally won, which has earned him the respect that he now gets from everybody.
I for one salute you Mr Shaw
Noel"razor"Smith
After spending almost 33 years behind a locked door in the British penal system, most of it before the introduction of in-cell television, I think it is fair to say that I have read a lot of books. So when a friend of mine recommended a book called Confronting Demons I wasn’t in much of a hurry to reach for my reading glasses. I had been out of prison for almost a year and reading books was not high on my list of priorities, besides which I figured I had read most everything that was worth reading. But my friend persisted and even sent me a copy to make sure I complied. Eventually, on a train journey from Fareham to Birmingham I started to read the book. And once I had started I could not stop!
Confronting Demons is one of those rare books that hooks you in right from the start and keeps you reading till the end. Written by an ex criminal and drug user it is a visceral examination of the author’s own addiction to heroin and the ‘lifestyle’ that goes along with it. It perfectly illustrates how the misuse of hard drugs can drag an addict to the lowest depths of violence and depravity. This was a man who would not hesitate to do whatever he felt was necessary in order to feed his addiction – and what he considered ‘necessary’ would terrify the average person.
As well as being a fantastic read, Confronting Demons is an indictment of a prison system that is doing very little to eradicate the scourge of addiction in long term prisoners. The fact that Harry Shaw found his eventual redemption on a prison RAPT course was sheer chance, and he had to beg to be allowed on it. This is a must-read book for anyone involved in the criminal justice system of this country and for those who wish to understand the mindset of the addict.
Harry Shaw is a writer of exceptional talent and I look forward to his next book.
Highly recommended.
March 10, 2014
I certainly thought twice before buying this book as I was under the impression that it would be a truly depressing read. That is not the case at all. It starts off with back stories of crimes (all with comic twists) from prisoners in the RAPt program in Pentonville prison that Harry Shaw is participating. A lot of dramatic license has been inserted to the back stories and this book was on the way to 3 stars at best but then it moves to the author and his story. This is when you get sucked into his life around various prisons like Belmarsh, Bristol, Cardiff, Hemel Hempstead and Pentonville. You just see what a life Harry leads as a heroin addict (he doe not inject - he tells us) and the things he does to satisfy the addiction. He can think of nothing else but the next fix and how he is going to get it. This sometimes can lead to extreme violence plus comical stories. Then in the 'Ville he meets a counsellor that gets him into the RAPt (Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust) program and follow the author through this including the prisoners whose crimes were detailed at the beginning of the book. You go through all the different emotions with Harry and I was certainly rooting for him to get through it. How much can you trust the author though is a different matter. I just took it at face value and it paid off.
June 20, 2013
Harry Shaw tells the story of his addiction and recovery with humor and compassion. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews