My Manor

by Charlie Richardson

In the 1960s Charlie Richardson's "manor" was a profitable empire stretching from South London scrapyards and West End drinking clubs to mining in South Africa.
Then, on the brink of the most lucrative deal of his career, Richardson was arrested.
After a trial where the press labelled him the "torture gang boss", he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. This autobiography begins with his humble childhood and start in crime - stealing, escape form reform school, discharge from the army, his brushes with the Mafia and the Kray Twins and about the years when he was known as the hardest man in London.

Genres: True Crime

247 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Paul John Blair · Rating 1 out of 5]

Garbage. Sensational nonsense by a lying criminal. I would give it 0 stars if I could.

[Roger Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been facinated by the 1960's London gangster era. Characters such as mad Frankie frazier, The Kray twins, The Richardsons, The great train robbers etc. Seeing as half my family were from South london and half from North london, there was always a heated discussion as too who were the most feared Gang, The Krays (north of the river Thames)or the Richardsons (South of the River Thames). Obviously the north branch of my family would vote for the Krays, and the south branch argued for the Richardsons. having already read a couple of books about the krays, I thought it only fair to read about the Richardsons to balance things out. My Manor is Charlie Richardson's own account of what actually went on in his outfit and what really went down on the day they met the Krays for a straightener. I loved the book, and realised pretty soon that
the Richardsons were the real deal when it came to backing up promises and threats. With Charlie's no nonesense way of doing business and keeping other crooks in check, it's clear to see that The Richardsons were a much more serious out fit than the Krays who by my estimation only sought Notoriety and fame and had nothing like the raw business brain that Charlie did. My Manor covers all of the stories banded about in the press/media over the decades, and tells it how it was. If like me you too want to put to bed the row about which one of the two gangs were the real deal, Read this book!!!

[Neo Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book.. I grew up near Camberwell and Peckham in south london and always heard Stories and rumours from the old school wanna be gangsters talking about the Richardsons and the krays like they knew them personally. After reading My Manor in Charlie Richardsons own words, everything was put into perspective. very good book. Have also watched the film "Charlie" played by Luke Goss, and the film is word for word straight out of the book. Highly recomend this book to anyone who likes this genre and want's to put rumours aside and hear the truth from the Horses mouth.

[glyn jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable life story ,a little unexpected because I thought it would contain nothing but violence

[John Cowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently done. This book had me gripped. This has to be one of the best autobiographys I have read.

[Mart · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Nathen Fitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether it's the whole truth or not, this is an entertaining insight into 1960's London underworld. Richardson has a way with words which is almost poetic at times. Highly recommended.

[R Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this.. Was a while ago now but great life story.. Made a change from the Krays