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Broadmoor - My Journey Into Hell
THE CLOSEST PLACE ON EARTH THAT YOU WILL GET TO HELL - Charlie Bronson My Journey Into Hell documents the story of long-term prisoner Charlie Bronson and his five-year stay at Britain's most notorious mental hospital, Broadmoor. His journey has, until now, never been told.In the winter of 1979, aged just twenty-seven, the inmate who would come to be known as 'Charlie Bronson' was considered uncontrollable by the prison system. Certified insane, he was transferred from Parkhurst Prison to the most infamous high-security psychiatric hospital in England, Broadmoor Asylum for the Criminally Insane. There he embarked on a one-man campaign to retain his sanity, and to fight against the brutality of a largely hidden regime that relied on enforced drug control.This outstandingly honest account takes the reader back to those dark days. It is a journey filled with sadness, and yet it is one that includes much laughter and pathos, as well as detailing the camaraderie among fellow patients, who included Ronnie Kray and Frankie Fraser. How Charlie Bronson survived Broadmoor, what he endured and the things he witnessed are, for the very first time, documented in this sad, often chilling, sometimes funny and often moving account of one man's journey into madness and his methods for surviving the UK's most feared and notorious psychiatric hospital. Capturing Bronson's unique voice, it is a roller-coaster ride of madness, pain, laughter and tears. It is also a testament to one man's triumph over adversity.
- GenresTrue CrimeBiography
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2015
27 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 13, 2018
I find Charles Bronson a really fascinating guy, and have read several of his previous biographies, so I thought it quite likely that I’d also enjoy this one. As someone who works in mental health, the topic of Broadmoor is one that really interests me, so I thought it’d be really insightful to read Bronson’s account. Unfortunately, what I read was the account of an extremely self-entitled individual who thinks the world owes him everything and doesn’t seem to take any responsibility for his actions. Three protests on the roof costing the tax-payers hundreds of thousands of dollars, and then having the audacity to complain about being secluded, when the nurses have to respond to him like prison guards as opposed to softly-spoken nicey-nice nurses. He caused no end of problems, damage, and conflict during those three incidents, but feels he is within his rights to moan about staffs’ treatment of him. You can’t have it both ways buddy, respect is a mutual thing.
Bronson repeatedly refers to the nurses as ‘nurses’ in speech marks, saying that they are actually nothing more than prison guards. I think what he seems to forget is that the nurses are dealing with convicted criminals that are extremely dangerous and high-risk, and that warrants a degree of control and ‘guarding’ as well as the usual therapeutic nursing. Had Bronson not decided to do half the things he has done whilst in Broadmoor, such as his rooftop protests, he would have been treated very differently.
I have always found Bronson to be a fairly likeable character for someone in his position (i.e. in prison following a number of offences), but this book showed his true colours, and the obnoxious individual that he really is.
Bronson repeatedly refers to the nurses as ‘nurses’ in speech marks, saying that they are actually nothing more than prison guards. I think what he seems to forget is that the nurses are dealing with convicted criminals that are extremely dangerous and high-risk, and that warrants a degree of control and ‘guarding’ as well as the usual therapeutic nursing. Had Bronson not decided to do half the things he has done whilst in Broadmoor, such as his rooftop protests, he would have been treated very differently.
I have always found Bronson to be a fairly likeable character for someone in his position (i.e. in prison following a number of offences), but this book showed his true colours, and the obnoxious individual that he really is.
August 13, 2023
Great read. I couldn't rip myself away.
5 stars
5 stars
January 27, 2021
I've been fascinated by Charlie ever since seeing his roof protests on the news when I was small. I get that he has issue with violent behaviour but it seems utterly unfair to me that instead of rehabilitation he just gets moved from one prison to the next. It very much seems like his behaviour is a direct product of his treatment within correctional institutions and given that his original crime was sp petty it beggars belief he is still inside when rapists and murders serve less time and walk free
August 28, 2022
This was a really quick read. It is hard to put down. I gives an insight into what it's like in Broadmoor.
Whilst it is hard to put down, it's not due to the greatest writing. However I can't help but admire the way it is written. Despite all his wrongs, Charles Bronson applies an honest approach to writing, you can almost imagine him speaking.
It is interesting to hear about some events at Broadmoor and the poor treatment of inmates. It definitely sparked a curiosity to explore more into the topic of asylums.
Whilst it is hard to put down, it's not due to the greatest writing. However I can't help but admire the way it is written. Despite all his wrongs, Charles Bronson applies an honest approach to writing, you can almost imagine him speaking.
It is interesting to hear about some events at Broadmoor and the poor treatment of inmates. It definitely sparked a curiosity to explore more into the topic of asylums.
February 2, 2022
I mean I took a lot of this with a pinch of salt but at the same time he has more than a little evidence to back his word. What a legend, I’d definitely be able to sit down with him for a cup of tea or two and while away a couple of hours listening him spin a tale or two.
October 11, 2023
I listened to the Audible version
Oh dear!
This guy is exactly where he needs to be…this book is just about bringing the system down in any way he can. He name drops the usual suspects in the criminal fraternity but doesn’t talk about his own crimes and the grief hes caused like holding folk against their will. Doesn’t like a patient snoring so they get a sore face, demolishes a roof causes it’s fun, and the names he gives his fellow inmates…he’s just a thug….it’s all about him…DNF….sorry I bought it…
Oh dear!
This guy is exactly where he needs to be…this book is just about bringing the system down in any way he can. He name drops the usual suspects in the criminal fraternity but doesn’t talk about his own crimes and the grief hes caused like holding folk against their will. Doesn’t like a patient snoring so they get a sore face, demolishes a roof causes it’s fun, and the names he gives his fellow inmates…he’s just a thug….it’s all about him…DNF….sorry I bought it…
January 27, 2023
Raw,and honest ( at least from his perspective) Also I must admit having seen his art work I don't agree with the art teacher he abused/tortured I think it is very good.
Not sure Charlie would consider himself a tortured artist as it indicates that this word is often associated with artists who have mental health issues
Not sure Charlie would consider himself a tortured artist as it indicates that this word is often associated with artists who have mental health issues
March 29, 2020
Extremely entertaining albeit very disturbing
Once I started I couldn't put it down. Unbelievable to think that places like Broadmoor still exist. Includes an interesting section on other famous inmates.
Once I started I couldn't put it down. Unbelievable to think that places like Broadmoor still exist. Includes an interesting section on other famous inmates.
March 13, 2025
Unsure what to say about this, it does give a unique perspective from Charlie's viewpoint and the generally mad things that he saw and got up to. Not the most cheery of reads but it does have its funny parts.
January 13, 2019
Surprised the writer has so much wit and humour after being banged up for so long. Seems there is no justice. A glimpse of life ( if that’s what you can call it) in a barbaric institution.
March 30, 2019
Great read
No matter what he's done you can't help but admire how he made a stand for the mentally ill. Would recommend!
No matter what he's done you can't help but admire how he made a stand for the mentally ill. Would recommend!
June 12, 2019
Fab read
Fab read, so funny and also a real eye opener into the treatment of patients in broadmoor. Quite harrowing at times
Fab read, so funny and also a real eye opener into the treatment of patients in broadmoor. Quite harrowing at times
April 13, 2020
Interesting insight to the UK’s most notorious prisoner
October 26, 2022
Very short and easy to read. Found it hilarious.
March 24, 2023
I'm weird in the sense I love books like this, another one I couldn't put down
July 5, 2023
3*. An interesting book. I do think he has an over inflated opinion of himself. But it does sound aughful.
January 31, 2024
Well I never thought I would get meditation tips from Charlie Bronson!!
This book is an interesting look into Broadmoor prison from one of Britain’s Notorious Prisoner’s, while you take it with a pinch of salt you can believe a lot of the things he talks about did really happen. Mental asylums have never been the best places for the patients and clearly Broadmoor is no different.
Over all a really interesting read and deep dive into Charles Bronson as a man entering a mental asylum.
This book is an interesting look into Broadmoor prison from one of Britain’s Notorious Prisoner’s, while you take it with a pinch of salt you can believe a lot of the things he talks about did really happen. Mental asylums have never been the best places for the patients and clearly Broadmoor is no different.
Over all a really interesting read and deep dive into Charles Bronson as a man entering a mental asylum.
March 6, 2017
A fascinating insight
This is a fascinating insight not only into Charles Bronson/Salvador but also into Broadmoor. I truly hope that the treatment of mental illness within the prison system has evolved and that the terrible things that happened within those walls die with the original hospital when it is finally moved. Let's just say that I won't be staying at the new hotel if that is what becomes of the old site.
This is a fascinating insight not only into Charles Bronson/Salvador but also into Broadmoor. I truly hope that the treatment of mental illness within the prison system has evolved and that the terrible things that happened within those walls die with the original hospital when it is finally moved. Let's just say that I won't be staying at the new hotel if that is what becomes of the old site.
February 15, 2017
Interesting read
March 9, 2023
As usual I always find it difficult to put star ratings on true accounts as these are events that have actually happened to someone or in their life.
However this was a really interesting and insightful read. It’s so sad that Charles Bronson has spent so long in prisons/hospitals even though he has never killed anybody or committed any kind of sexual offences and can definitely understand his frustration with the system that has released people who have committed such crimes and they have gone on to commit further and in some circumstances worse crimes.
It was really sad how many of the prisoners/patients were treated and probably continue to be treated. If you have an 8n Teresa in mental illness or prisons or Charles Bronson then I can highly recommend.
However this was a really interesting and insightful read. It’s so sad that Charles Bronson has spent so long in prisons/hospitals even though he has never killed anybody or committed any kind of sexual offences and can definitely understand his frustration with the system that has released people who have committed such crimes and they have gone on to commit further and in some circumstances worse crimes.
It was really sad how many of the prisoners/patients were treated and probably continue to be treated. If you have an 8n Teresa in mental illness or prisons or Charles Bronson then I can highly recommend.
February 6, 2016
How anyone can spend time in Broadmoor and receive the treatment Charles did and still come out with a scrap of sense is beyond me. It is the epitome insanity, the icon of the asylums that horror writers base their books on. This book is truly disturbing and I'm just glad Charles was released from the pisshole.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews