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Carl Williams
Barwon Prison's maximum security unit, 19 April 2010: Carl Williams is beaten to death with the stem of an exercise bike by a fellow inmate. And so, the last moments of this convicted contract killer and key figure in the Melbourne underworld echoed the rest of his life: violent, chilling, brutal.
Bestselling author Adam Shand takes us into the world of Carl Williams, dealing with the family background that created Carl and his brother Shane. This book recreates the earlier generation when the path of the Williams family was set. It deals with the class system that operated in the underworld which regarded Carl, George and Shane as nobodies. It delves into how the big money in drugs destroyed the hierarchy and 'democratised' the criminal underworld, allowing the rise and rise of Carl Williams.
From Williams' early forays into the drug trade, the gunshot wound to the stomach that sparked a bloody gangland war, through to the car-crash fascination of his relationship with Roberta, Shand shows us the man behind the sly grin, and examines how and why he met his grisly end.
Bestselling author Adam Shand takes us into the world of Carl Williams, dealing with the family background that created Carl and his brother Shane. This book recreates the earlier generation when the path of the Williams family was set. It deals with the class system that operated in the underworld which regarded Carl, George and Shane as nobodies. It delves into how the big money in drugs destroyed the hierarchy and 'democratised' the criminal underworld, allowing the rise and rise of Carl Williams.
From Williams' early forays into the drug trade, the gunshot wound to the stomach that sparked a bloody gangland war, through to the car-crash fascination of his relationship with Roberta, Shand shows us the man behind the sly grin, and examines how and why he met his grisly end.
- GenresTrue Crime
253 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 2, 2012
Having read an earlier book by this author on Carl Williams, I did wonder what extra insights might be offered in this latest offering, entitled simply CARL WILLIAMS. But, for this reader, there was something very interesting about the premise of this book. I've never been able to work out how or why Williams came to such a position of prominence and influence in Melbourne criminal circles. There's something that sort of makes sense about the Morans and other members of long-term criminal families or gangs, continuing, so to speak, the family trade. Williams, on the other hand, seemed to come from nowhere and I was hoping that this book could cast some light on how it is that a person like him can go from obscurity to such money, such influence in such a short time. And then disappear in a blaze of notoriety not long after.
I do agree with the position of Justice King and others who have been involved in the pursuit, charging, trial and sentencing of many of the members of the recent Melbourne gang-wars (known colloquially as the Underbelly wars). There's nothing glamorous about any of these people, or the lives they lead, and there's certainly nothing in their behaviour that suggests anything more than a modicum of rat cunning, and a profound sense of self-interest. But, in the main, we're not talking rocket-scientists here. Maybe some of the people that Williams and his ilk surrounded themselves with weren't completely stupid, but these people are not the brightest bulbs in the box. Mostly it seemed they got lucky or were completely and utterly ruthlessly self-interested. Which is what begs the question, how on earth did a lazy sort of a kid from a slightly deprived and petty criminal background, come to be a major player in the gang-wars and the mythology of Melbourne criminals?
CARL WILLIAMS, the book, will give the readers some insights into the life of Carl and his family. Interestingly, it gives some clues as to the background of both Carl and his father George, but it doesn't really give them any excuses. George's childhood, and that of his wife Barbara, were difficult, no doubt about that. As were the lives of a hell of a lot of people who grew up in the same time and the same place. Not everyone of them went onto be petty criminals, not everyone casually opted for the easy way to garner a bit of cash, nor do they all automatically turn a blind-eye to their own son's dodgy behaviour. Of course, it's easy to look to the parents for reasons, but you do have to wonder if, with a little less doting, and a little more direction, somebody with Carl's personality wouldn't have headed in a different direction. It was particularly interesting to see the glimpses of Carl under the influence of his mother, and Carl under the influence of his wife Roberta.
The observations throughout the book are really very informative, and despite some previous contact between the author, and the main subject, the book appears to be reasoned and very fair. There are also no particular conclusions drawn, that's very much left up to the reader. And at the end of the book, it seemed to this reader that there's a rather sobering outcome. Whilst there can be no doubt that the stopping of the ongoing Underbelly war was a good thing, nature does abhor a vacuum. Without the Morans, with a substantially lessened Carlton Crew, and without Williams and his cronies, all of whom were, after all, relatively high profile even before the Underbelly circus hit town, who is running the underworld now? At least with the previous lot, even allowing for many inappropriate relationships between the Police and the criminals, it seems that the Underworld wasn't so undercover. Nowadays, you have to wonder who is wielding the money and the power, who is controlling the drug markets and how far under the radar are they operating?
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
I do agree with the position of Justice King and others who have been involved in the pursuit, charging, trial and sentencing of many of the members of the recent Melbourne gang-wars (known colloquially as the Underbelly wars). There's nothing glamorous about any of these people, or the lives they lead, and there's certainly nothing in their behaviour that suggests anything more than a modicum of rat cunning, and a profound sense of self-interest. But, in the main, we're not talking rocket-scientists here. Maybe some of the people that Williams and his ilk surrounded themselves with weren't completely stupid, but these people are not the brightest bulbs in the box. Mostly it seemed they got lucky or were completely and utterly ruthlessly self-interested. Which is what begs the question, how on earth did a lazy sort of a kid from a slightly deprived and petty criminal background, come to be a major player in the gang-wars and the mythology of Melbourne criminals?
CARL WILLIAMS, the book, will give the readers some insights into the life of Carl and his family. Interestingly, it gives some clues as to the background of both Carl and his father George, but it doesn't really give them any excuses. George's childhood, and that of his wife Barbara, were difficult, no doubt about that. As were the lives of a hell of a lot of people who grew up in the same time and the same place. Not everyone of them went onto be petty criminals, not everyone casually opted for the easy way to garner a bit of cash, nor do they all automatically turn a blind-eye to their own son's dodgy behaviour. Of course, it's easy to look to the parents for reasons, but you do have to wonder if, with a little less doting, and a little more direction, somebody with Carl's personality wouldn't have headed in a different direction. It was particularly interesting to see the glimpses of Carl under the influence of his mother, and Carl under the influence of his wife Roberta.
The observations throughout the book are really very informative, and despite some previous contact between the author, and the main subject, the book appears to be reasoned and very fair. There are also no particular conclusions drawn, that's very much left up to the reader. And at the end of the book, it seemed to this reader that there's a rather sobering outcome. Whilst there can be no doubt that the stopping of the ongoing Underbelly war was a good thing, nature does abhor a vacuum. Without the Morans, with a substantially lessened Carlton Crew, and without Williams and his cronies, all of whom were, after all, relatively high profile even before the Underbelly circus hit town, who is running the underworld now? At least with the previous lot, even allowing for many inappropriate relationships between the Police and the criminals, it seems that the Underworld wasn't so undercover. Nowadays, you have to wonder who is wielding the money and the power, who is controlling the drug markets and how far under the radar are they operating?
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
December 20, 2012
When they say 'fact is stranger than fiction' surely Carl Williams' life is a great example. Melbourne was a city of vicious criminals that werein league with the most corrupt police force. This is the story of that time with Carl being the central figure. A great read and a definite argument for the decriminalisation of drugs.
May 11, 2025
a fairly well constructed account of who carl williams was and what he did, although one where the author is desperate to get in the way of the story. shand is a bit too enamoured of his own writing and occasionally indulges in some genuinely terrible prose that i think is meant to come across as exciting and edgy but instead seems bizarrely editorial and sophomoric. he also commits the true crime cardinal sin of making himself a character in his own book despite having almost nothing to do with what happened.
outside of these issues though, it's quite well put together. everything has the necessary context, everything flows nicely and even the occasionally purple prose doesn't slow things down too badly. i'm sure there are far worse ways to learn about what happened here.
outside of these issues though, it's quite well put together. everything has the necessary context, everything flows nicely and even the occasionally purple prose doesn't slow things down too badly. i'm sure there are far worse ways to learn about what happened here.
November 5, 2024
A great read, really enjoyed it.
June 30, 2014
As always Adam Shand delivers a 5 star book. You cannot expect less from a man who has lived and breathed the ganglands stories for so long.
This book answers some long held questions of who did what to whom and why, finally it feels like in death the answers have been revealed and Adam who had an friendship if you could call it that with some of the key players makes it more believable as he shares correspondence from the man himself from his jail cell and conversations and meetings in the "good" and bad times.
always well written, top research Adam adds that human touch to a rough and tumble war that saw so many fall, but I doubt this will be Adam's last book, the next generation will be up and running sooner than later.
This book answers some long held questions of who did what to whom and why, finally it feels like in death the answers have been revealed and Adam who had an friendship if you could call it that with some of the key players makes it more believable as he shares correspondence from the man himself from his jail cell and conversations and meetings in the "good" and bad times.
always well written, top research Adam adds that human touch to a rough and tumble war that saw so many fall, but I doubt this will be Adam's last book, the next generation will be up and running sooner than later.
Read
January 24, 2014Was a likeable character with too much ego and acted like a child so it seems... Until the reality of his life clicked into place and his mind told him its a bigger game that he thought... I think throughout the book Adam Shand has given a true to life account of what williams was like, the association with authorities and the "friends" of Carl had been fruitful in proving this nd portraying his character. The character he seem himself to be, the world seen him to be and the one he was. A great read.
July 23, 2014
Great book
April 8, 2017
I bought and read this book before the Mark Read one and found it equally intriguing. Shand has gone into Carl Williams' life and emerged with the story of a complicated character. Unlike some, I don't see him as being a particularly heroic character, he was a nasty piece of work. As biographies go it's pretty much complete.
Shand has once again taken an objective view of Carl Williams and his associates, while not making light of his crimes, he's shown some sympathy for his upbringing. However he's shone a spotlight on the crimes of Carl Williams as well. Williams was as much a victim as those he affected.
Car Williams is now dead, so we'll never have his rebuttal or response to the biography and while some may criticise Shand for this, he at least has written a decent biography of one of Melbourne's more notorious criminals.
Shand has once again taken an objective view of Carl Williams and his associates, while not making light of his crimes, he's shown some sympathy for his upbringing. However he's shone a spotlight on the crimes of Carl Williams as well. Williams was as much a victim as those he affected.
Car Williams is now dead, so we'll never have his rebuttal or response to the biography and while some may criticise Shand for this, he at least has written a decent biography of one of Melbourne's more notorious criminals.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews