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The Krays and Me
Two names reigned supreme in London's underworld in the 1960s—Ronnie and Reggie Kray, also known as the Kray twins—and it wasn't until 1969 that they were apprehended for murder. Charlie Bronson met the Kray twins in prison and eventually became a trusted friend. Here he tells the inside story of the infamous duo and sets the record straight once and for all.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2004
13 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Charles Bronson
42 books84 followersEnglish criminal and former bare knuckle boxer.
Bronson is often referred to in the British press as the "most violent prisoner in Britain".Bronson wasa petty criminal before being sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 1974.
While in prison, he began making a name for himself as a loose cannon, often fighting convicts and prison officers. He also embarked on one-man rooftop protests. He was released on 30 October 1988, but spent merely sixty-nine days as a free man before he was arrested again.
Upon his release, he began a bare-knuckle boxing career in the East End of London. His promoter was unhappy with his name and suggested he change it to Charles Bronson. He was returned to prison for planning another robbery and continued to be a difficult inmate, instigating numerous hostage situations.
While in jail in 2001, he married his second wife, Fatema Saira Rehman, a Bangladeshi-born divorcée who inspired him to convert to Islam and take the name of Charles Ali Ahmed.
This second marriage lasted four years before he divorced Rehman and renounced Islam.
Bronson is often referred to in the British press as the "most violent prisoner in Britain".Bronson wasa petty criminal before being sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 1974.
While in prison, he began making a name for himself as a loose cannon, often fighting convicts and prison officers. He also embarked on one-man rooftop protests. He was released on 30 October 1988, but spent merely sixty-nine days as a free man before he was arrested again.
Upon his release, he began a bare-knuckle boxing career in the East End of London. His promoter was unhappy with his name and suggested he change it to Charles Bronson. He was returned to prison for planning another robbery and continued to be a difficult inmate, instigating numerous hostage situations.
While in jail in 2001, he married his second wife, Fatema Saira Rehman, a Bangladeshi-born divorcée who inspired him to convert to Islam and take the name of Charles Ali Ahmed.
This second marriage lasted four years before he divorced Rehman and renounced Islam.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 29, 2019
Although I found Charles’ writing quite entertaining and easy to get into, there are two things really bugged me. First and foremost - how he wrote about Ron’s sexuality. It a) shouldn’t be such a big deal, b) should be treated with respect and c) shouldn’t be fucking lied about. Or at least if you don’t know better, shut it?
Then, there there were some plain lies (or again, maybe he just didn’t know any better) which you probably wouldn’t catch if you didn’t read any of Reggie & Ron‘s own books. They weren’t major but as I said, if you’re not sure about something then why write about it at all?
I did enjoy the poems he added, as well as the art pieces & quotes at the end, they gave the book a great personal touch.
Then, there there were some plain lies (or again, maybe he just didn’t know any better) which you probably wouldn’t catch if you didn’t read any of Reggie & Ron‘s own books. They weren’t major but as I said, if you’re not sure about something then why write about it at all?
I did enjoy the poems he added, as well as the art pieces & quotes at the end, they gave the book a great personal touch.
October 11, 2019
Love the book,love charlie and Reggie and Ronnie,love and respect.
March 17, 2019
This book started out as a very interesting account of the Krays time in prison from someone who was on the same prison wings as them. However the account rapidly becomes disjointed so it is impossible to get a handle on the chronology. There is constant name dropping of criminals that mean little or nothing to many of the general public and the account repeats itself frequently. The chapter analysing Reg Kray’s poetry was a bizarre addition and the final factfile chapter felt like bodying something together before the deadline to deliver a set number of pages.
December 4, 2020
I was excited to read this book as I haven't read any of Charles Bronson's work before and it's always interesting to learn more about the Krays. However as entertaining Charles is, I found this book rather boring. The majority of the book mainly focuses on Charles views on the different prisons and how he felt while being on the inside. There is a glimpse of the Krays and I did find out things I didn't know. I do very much believe the Kray brothers would have been very happy to have read this book as you can tell Charles had the highest respect for them and was a great friend of there's.
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June 22, 2021I think this book was brilliant it taught me how everything worked back then and how they got caught it also taught me about how the firm worked. I would highly recommend this book to many people and the film legend is just as good.
November 4, 2018
This book has made me want to read more about the Krays. I love Charlie Salvador xx
February 3, 2022
Cart beat reading the krays books
January 11, 2016
I think this was, as expected, a brutally honest account of Charlie's time spent with the twins. It actually did dispel some of the rumours and discredits a lot of the books written about the Kray twins based on the fact that Charles Bronson knew the twins longer than some other authors, and he never 'grassed' on them, therefore remaining a life long friend.
Charlie's books are very candid, written with humour and are, at times, very heartfelt. The brutal honesty in Charles Bronson's book is the thing I was struck with. He, much like the Kray twins, makes no apology for his actions but takes no less responsibility for the good, the bad and the ugly actions of a criminal mind.
I do feel the Home Secretary mistreated the twins, especially Reggie during the early days of his illness.
I enjoyed every page of this book, the only thing that I skimmed over and didn't really devour was the name dropping.
Charlie's books are very candid, written with humour and are, at times, very heartfelt. The brutal honesty in Charles Bronson's book is the thing I was struck with. He, much like the Kray twins, makes no apology for his actions but takes no less responsibility for the good, the bad and the ugly actions of a criminal mind.
I do feel the Home Secretary mistreated the twins, especially Reggie during the early days of his illness.
I enjoyed every page of this book, the only thing that I skimmed over and didn't really devour was the name dropping.
August 26, 2014
Bronson's upbeat, quirky style of writing (although it's so personal and fascinating that it's nearly like being in a cell, having a cuppa and discussing old stories) keeps everything moving quickly and was loads of fun to read. Tales of criminals from another criminal! Bronson's personal insight to the Twins is an OUTSTANDING ONE. Albeit, there are some loyalties to his friends, but not so much that it becomes too faulty a source. This book is absolutely with fascinating facts, stories, opinions, quotes, poems - you name it. Definitely recommended. A must for anyone interested in the legendary twins.
June 27, 2011
There are many books out about the Krays and I have read a few but this was my favourite, I will elaborate a little later.
June 17, 2014
A good read. So much rubbish about dead London gangsters these days.
October 2, 2015
A great read, you know it's the truth if Charles Bronson wrote it.
April 5, 2016
Very interesting book
Really enjoyed this book, good to find out the truth about the krays from someone who's not just trying to cash in on their name.
Really enjoyed this book, good to find out the truth about the krays from someone who's not just trying to cash in on their name.
April 11, 2017
Very good
I to think it tells the truth the way it reads its like they might of been criminals but they did a lot of good ad well certainly opened my eyes as Bronson says respect to them I think I would agree yo that after reading this astonishing book
I to think it tells the truth the way it reads its like they might of been criminals but they did a lot of good ad well certainly opened my eyes as Bronson says respect to them I think I would agree yo that after reading this astonishing book
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews