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The Unknown Citizen
'Charlie Smith is only one of many similar men who are at this moment living unhappily among us, or are confined in prison now but must sooner or later be released.'
The Unknown Citizen (1963) was Tony Parker's second study of a criminal recidivist.
'Mr Parker's very moving book tells what happened the day Charlie left prison and in his first year of freedom. Charlie himself contributes a pitiful attempt at a self-portrait. We have the author's conversations with the magistrate who sentenced him, with his sorely tried elder sister and with others who have come into his life in the last 18 months... The final chapter is masterly... This is literature, not just another book on crime.' D.L. Howard, Telegraph
The Unknown Citizen (1963) was Tony Parker's second study of a criminal recidivist.
'Mr Parker's very moving book tells what happened the day Charlie left prison and in his first year of freedom. Charlie himself contributes a pitiful attempt at a self-portrait. We have the author's conversations with the magistrate who sentenced him, with his sorely tried elder sister and with others who have come into his life in the last 18 months... The final chapter is masterly... This is literature, not just another book on crime.' D.L. Howard, Telegraph
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2013
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About the author
Tony Parker
177 books32 followersTony Parker (25 June 1923 – 3 October 1996) was an oral historian whose work was dedicated to giving a voice to British and American society's most marginalised figures, from single mothers to lighthouse keepers to criminals, including murderers.
Born in Stockport, Cheshire, Parker was a conscientious objector during World War II, and directed to work in a coal mine. He moved to London and worked as a publisher's representative at Odhams Press. He campaigned against capital punishment and became very interested in prisons and their occupants, eventually focussing on the experiences of prisoners after release.
Tony Parker died in Westleton, Suffolk, having just completed his study of his American counterpart Studs Terkel.
Born in Stockport, Cheshire, Parker was a conscientious objector during World War II, and directed to work in a coal mine. He moved to London and worked as a publisher's representative at Odhams Press. He campaigned against capital punishment and became very interested in prisons and their occupants, eventually focussing on the experiences of prisoners after release.
Tony Parker died in Westleton, Suffolk, having just completed his study of his American counterpart Studs Terkel.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 2, 2025
Wow! what a book! It's well written, tells a compelling story and is unique in its style. I bought this book solely on the mention of it by Gyles Brandreth in his memoirs. I sort of assumed it would be somewhat dry and would cite lots of statistics using lots of tables. Instead, it reads like a novel and a great one at that.
April 16, 2025
Still wholly relevant to the prison and justice system today.
Chapter 6 is a beautifully written and powerful piece, even if someone doesn’t read the whole book, I highly recommend they at least read that.
Chapter 6 is a beautifully written and powerful piece, even if someone doesn’t read the whole book, I highly recommend they at least read that.
April 1, 2018
This is heart breaking. I wish more people knew about it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews