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Nefarious: A Life in Crime
From his abusive childhood, his inevitable journey into crime and his role in the dangerous underworld of south London’s gangland through to his eventful spells in many of Britain’s most secure jails, Ronnie Field is ready to recount his incredible story for the very first time. It’s a new take on the criminal fraternity of the 1970s and 80s from one of the last men standing.
A raw, honest and sometimes humorous portrayal of a life in the fast lane of organised crime, Nefarious is a reflection on a bygone era from which there are few regrets. Though some things are best laid to rest…
A raw, honest and sometimes humorous portrayal of a life in the fast lane of organised crime, Nefarious is a reflection on a bygone era from which there are few regrets. Though some things are best laid to rest…
320 pages, Hardcover
Published July 30, 2024
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22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 25, 2025
[22 Aug 2024] This ghost written book by Ronnie Field, one-time armed robber, gangster and associate of some truly repugnant characters, including the Krays is an easy read. To be fair it is a well written, light-touch, well set out biography or more truthfully the edited highlights of the anti-social behaviour of the man Ronnie Field. It contains sanitised descriptions of his crimes and reminisces of his time doing 'porridge' (Time in prison, often maximum security facilities). He is one of the London characters that have contributed to the myth of a London gangland in the 1960s-1970s.
The book contains all the usual cliches and 'excuses.' The abusive childhood, the criminal neglectful father, the lack of educational attainment, the association with bad people, the quest for money and respect, the them and us mentality. He does what most serious criminals do in later years when they write their books. He looks back with selective vision. He describes himself almost as 'a gentleman crook.' Never hurt the innocent he says, except of course, those he terrorised with guns to their heads, those who witnessed his horrific violence, those who lost loved ones, people who in someway loved him but had to live without him for years while he grew older in prison. He tries hard to describe Police corruption and brutality, but frankly doesn't elicit much support with what is blatant double-standards. He makes one perfunctory apology at the end for any innocent person he may have hurt, but then immediately tells us 'if he hurt them then they were, in his mind not innocent. There is absolutely no remorse, regret or for that matter reflection on what paths he could have chosen. It is interesting, but tells you little about the man, so as a biography fails. As a true-crime book it is interesting and worth reading, particularly as it demands little from you in return. Ultimately it leaves you feeling sad for a life that could have been experienced in a very different way.
The book contains all the usual cliches and 'excuses.' The abusive childhood, the criminal neglectful father, the lack of educational attainment, the association with bad people, the quest for money and respect, the them and us mentality. He does what most serious criminals do in later years when they write their books. He looks back with selective vision. He describes himself almost as 'a gentleman crook.' Never hurt the innocent he says, except of course, those he terrorised with guns to their heads, those who witnessed his horrific violence, those who lost loved ones, people who in someway loved him but had to live without him for years while he grew older in prison. He tries hard to describe Police corruption and brutality, but frankly doesn't elicit much support with what is blatant double-standards. He makes one perfunctory apology at the end for any innocent person he may have hurt, but then immediately tells us 'if he hurt them then they were, in his mind not innocent. There is absolutely no remorse, regret or for that matter reflection on what paths he could have chosen. It is interesting, but tells you little about the man, so as a biography fails. As a true-crime book it is interesting and worth reading, particularly as it demands little from you in return. Ultimately it leaves you feeling sad for a life that could have been experienced in a very different way.
August 16, 2024
These are wearing a bit thin. All cops are crooks, we are honourable. Yeah right.
July 12, 2024
This was a fascinating read of the compelling life story of a truly interesting, charismatic and loyal career criminal, Ronnie Field.
Tracing Ronnie’s journey, from his horrifying upbringing, through his early forays into criminality in the South London area, to becoming a respected associate and friend of the criminal elite, this book provides an honest and often hilarious account of many of the most significant crimes, criminals and faces of the last half century.
Through many daring armed robberies, police stings, acts of violence and, ultimately, incarcerations, Ronnie and co-author Martin Knight, illustrate the nearly forgotten underworld, governed by the Krays, the Richardsons, and Joey Pyle.
Not just a crime book, this memoir is an account of a life lived according to old school rules, where crime wasn’t a dirty business, it was a necessary business that should be conducted with honour.
The pages are packed full with intriguing characters that played a part in Ronnie’s life, from the Krays, Lenny McLean, Dave Courtney, and Charles Bronson, to famous musicians, boxers, IRA volunteers and gypsy kings. Not forgetting his friend and mentor, the lesser known (though not lesser feared and respected) than the Krays, London crime boss, Joey Pyle.
Ronnie tells his story with warmth and humour, with his commentary on the society he inhabited, the governments who made the laws he broke, the justice system who judged and confined him, and the criminals he called friends and was unquestionably loyal to, make this book an exceptional account of a Britain that’s fading into the past.
Highly recommended.
Tracing Ronnie’s journey, from his horrifying upbringing, through his early forays into criminality in the South London area, to becoming a respected associate and friend of the criminal elite, this book provides an honest and often hilarious account of many of the most significant crimes, criminals and faces of the last half century.
Through many daring armed robberies, police stings, acts of violence and, ultimately, incarcerations, Ronnie and co-author Martin Knight, illustrate the nearly forgotten underworld, governed by the Krays, the Richardsons, and Joey Pyle.
Not just a crime book, this memoir is an account of a life lived according to old school rules, where crime wasn’t a dirty business, it was a necessary business that should be conducted with honour.
The pages are packed full with intriguing characters that played a part in Ronnie’s life, from the Krays, Lenny McLean, Dave Courtney, and Charles Bronson, to famous musicians, boxers, IRA volunteers and gypsy kings. Not forgetting his friend and mentor, the lesser known (though not lesser feared and respected) than the Krays, London crime boss, Joey Pyle.
Ronnie tells his story with warmth and humour, with his commentary on the society he inhabited, the governments who made the laws he broke, the justice system who judged and confined him, and the criminals he called friends and was unquestionably loyal to, make this book an exceptional account of a Britain that’s fading into the past.
Highly recommended.
June 7, 2024
Good read . Interesting life , story well told.
June 11, 2024
Great book, interesting and a fan story base
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews