The Devil: Britain's Most Feared Underworld Taxman

by Graham Johnson

Drug dealers beware. The Devil is coming to get you. Gangster Stephen French invented the perfect robbing drug barons of their huge fortunes. In SAS-style swoops, French raided their fortified mansions and tortured them with horrifying violence until they paid up. Through "taxing" the richest and most powerful crimelords in the UK, he netted over 20 million. French was no ordinary criminal. He was a world-champion fighter, he studied psychology at university to master mind-control techniques, and he used the teachings of Machiavelli and samurai warriors to outwit his enemies. The Devil also reveals French's complex relationship with Curtis Warren, the wealthiest criminal in British history. The two were childhood pals, then partners, and finally bitter enemies. Now a legitimate businessman, French built up a multimillion-pound empire. Having eventually turned his back on his former life, he is now seeking to set the record straight.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Crime, Biography

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2007

About the author

There is more than one author in the database with this name. Not all books on this profile belong to the same person.

For the British musicologist, see Graham Johnson, listed on Goodreads as Graham^^Johnson.

Reviews

[Trevor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read all Graham's books and liked them all apart from the one that was fiction.

This is written in the words of The Devil, AKA Stephen French.

I remember the name from the TV many times, although it's clear he really loves himself I'm not sure how true a lot of this is. There's quite a bit of it that's really far fetched, any the quotes before attacking someone is all very Pulp Fictionesque.

No doubt, French was a massive wrong un, and I've read similar anecdotes in other books but I'm not sure all of it is true.

[michael bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best true crime book's I have read

good book, could not put it down easily.
living on the Wirral (across the river Mersey from Liverpool) is one of the reasons I bought this book, and a lot of the things in the book and Stephen french's thoughts I can relate to.
definitely recommend this book.

[Tom mosedale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Good read, saw this guys interview with Danny dyer which is what made me want to get the book, good read.

[p.jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't want to even meet this man.

He tells a gripping story through.
I couldn't put it down.
I have seen Stephen on YouTube and he is one scary guy.

[Kelly Alexander · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great

It wasn’t the best read to be honest . Very cloak and dagger and not much to hold onto!!!!!! X

[Danny Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right up my street really good read!
Starts off a bit slow then gets to the goods!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read highly enjoyable recommended reading

[mark feenan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of a Liverpool gangster. Not a great read for me.

[MR DANIEL FOREMAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable

[Jim affleck · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Devil?

Sorry, don't do drugs, never have done drugs and most certainly won't ever even try drugs. Therefore, could not relate to any sentence, page or part of this book. Usually when I read a novel, I say "Hey! I've just learned something new and interesting". Best advise I can give to any person, reader or not, is simply, just say NO TO DRUGS.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not every incident written here is believable. There are many exaggerations. The criminal himself is a narcissist and I don't believe Graham Johnson cross checked the information being given to him.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read biographies or memoirs, however this one caught my eye. Not strictly either of the above it's a fully acknowleged ghost written account of Stephen French's life in Liverpool 8, his relationship with criminals and the criminal underworld, his struggle to escape that world, and the happenings in the Black Community over this period.
The reason why this book caught my eye was that i have previously read "Chopper" by Mark Brandon Read as well as enjoying the excellent movie starring Eric Bana. Stephen 'The Devil' French strikes me as having quite a similar story, though he appears to be a lot Saner than Chopper, with more focus and purpose. They are both Warrior men, Street Fighters with a Code of Honour, they both Preyed on the extremely rich Drug dealing Criminals whom they ruthlessly terrified and robbed. They both have quite a sense of humour though 'The Devil' is more serious. They both found The Perfect Crime.
What drew me to this book was Mr French's clear intelligence and self-integrity (he has since successfully gone legit and does much work in the Liverpool community to battle the gun culture in gangs) He's an Olympic Fighting Champion and studied Psychology at University (and with typical street logic used the psychological tricks he had learnt to intimidate the lecturer into telling him which questions were on the exam). He is clearly by no means a perfect man or model citizen, but he is a man who fought against the difficulties of his own life including his inner demons. He has won through hard work, self-discipline, and unshakeable self-confidence. He is a man who i at least cannot help but respect and admire. I'd shit myself if i ever met the man but at the same time to meet a man of such personal intelligence, self-control and power would be an amazing experience.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutal, Truthful, Dynamic and Humorous, Recommended.

[J.C. Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, and provided a real insight into the underworld of Liverpool and beyond.