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Skinhead Diaries - 1980-1986
Brutally Honest, Honestly Brutal.
Skinhead Diaries is a record of 20th century social history when young people aligned themselves with youth cults. There were punks, rockabillies, rockers, teds, new romantics, mods, scooter boys, heavy metallers, hippies and goths. At the age of twelve Paul Burnley followed his older brother into the ranks of London skinheads. It was a path that lead to violence, under age drinking, police cells, family abandonment, hardcore music and far right fantatisism.
Written from the viewpoint and reckless attitude of the time, the author pulls no punches. Nothing is white washed, no excuses given, just a gripping and sometimes frightening account of living through the chaos of those heady days.
Skinhead Diaries is a record of 20th century social history when young people aligned themselves with youth cults. There were punks, rockabillies, rockers, teds, new romantics, mods, scooter boys, heavy metallers, hippies and goths. At the age of twelve Paul Burnley followed his older brother into the ranks of London skinheads. It was a path that lead to violence, under age drinking, police cells, family abandonment, hardcore music and far right fantatisism.
Written from the viewpoint and reckless attitude of the time, the author pulls no punches. Nothing is white washed, no excuses given, just a gripping and sometimes frightening account of living through the chaos of those heady days.
251 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 1, 2026
Excellent read. Great insight into Paul's early life and the skinhead scene of the 80s, which was before my time but I like a lot of the bands Paul mentions.
I look forward to reading part 2.
Along with Eddie Stamptons "The White Nationalist Skinhead Movement" this is essential reading for anyone interested in the skinhead/nationalist scene.
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2 Stars.
I look forward to reading part 2.
Along with Eddie Stamptons "The White Nationalist Skinhead Movement" this is essential reading for anyone interested in the skinhead/nationalist scene.
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2 Stars.
April 26, 2025
Legendary.
This was a great memoir!
Only when I finished it did I realize that it was just a first part! I was like, oh man why is it over so soon! (Admittedly I totally overlooked the year range along with the title, so I just wasn't paying attention) I hope the 2nd part comes out soon because I really would like to read the rest about No Remorse and onward. The level of detail was great. A must-read for fans.
This was a great memoir!
Only when I finished it did I realize that it was just a first part! I was like, oh man why is it over so soon! (Admittedly I totally overlooked the year range along with the title, so I just wasn't paying attention) I hope the 2nd part comes out soon because I really would like to read the rest about No Remorse and onward. The level of detail was great. A must-read for fans.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews