Freddie Foreman: The Godfather of British Crime

by Freddie Foreman

To Britain's criminal underworld, Freddie Foreman is the Godfather. Held responsible for the gangland killings of Ginger Marks and Frank 'The Mad Axeman' Mitchell, he was the punisher to those who broke the underworld's strict code of conduct.Foreman's dramatic kidnap and arrest for Britain's biggest cash robbery made headlines around the world, yet this daring raid was just the peak of a safe-blowing, bank-robbing career that spanned decades. His story is a fascinating, yet chilling account of life as a freelance enforcer for the Kray twins, and as London's most feared gangster.Bloodshed aside, Freddie's often humorous stories reveal a caring man who believes that violence is a last resort and who always treated people with respect. Revealed in these pages are the amazing details of the heists, the double crossings, the shoot-outs and the betrayals that accompanied life as a career criminal when the streets were controlled by fear. Exposed are the audacious plans behind the century's most famous crimes, the damning evidence of police corruption and the eye-opening events that gave Freddie this most revered reputation.'The most blood-curdling gangster memoir you'll ever read' - The News of the World

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

All very exciting and amusing, but.....what a massive cunt.

These gangster authors always maintain that their moral code, here in the form of being one of 'the chaps', is some kind of higher calling to a life of superior ethical conviction, when in fact they're just primary school bullies trapped in the bodies of grown men.

Seen more self-awareness in a slug.

[David Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

You're never going to get the full story with the police poring over every sentence to try and solve previously unsolved crimes but it's a fascinating insight into a world that few of us will ever know. Freddie knew everyone : The Krays, the Richardsons, Buster Edwards, Mad Frankie Fraser, John McVicar, Charles Bronson and many many more. Didn't get on with all of them but he knew them. Reading between the lines, it was a lot more violent than Freddie makes out with oblique references to "taking liberties" and "straighteners". Gets a bit confusing at times especially with such a huge number of villains - I kept forgetting who was who. What does seem beyond doubt is that Freddie was either respected or feared by all other gangsters around at the time. And boy, were there a lot of gangsters!! An enjoyable romp through the world of chaps, grasses and wrong 'uns.

[Jack Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, going over the fascinating life of Freddie Foreman, from Fred himself it goes over his childhood and his criminal life, while others may see this as a horrible book and argue that we shouldn’t give criminals attention I say there are many horrible things in history such as the world wars, just because something isn’t good doesn’t mean it isn’t interesting or in this case extremely interesting.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read that was hard to put down, an honest and down to earth book taking you into his world.

[Dave B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Attempts to glorify and justify being a murderer and thief. One or two interesting parts, but book dragged.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting insight but a bit too much name dropping and bugging himself up...hope he's not on Goodreads...