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One Chance: Surviving London's Gangs
“It’d be easy for me to go back to my old life, but I know where that old life leads you. You’re either behind prison bars or six feet underground.” Terroll Lewis has lived a crazy life. Growing up on Brixton’s Myatt’s Field estate, he was surrounded by gang culture, and like so many other young people, he found it hard to resist the lifestyle. By the time he was 15, he had already joined a gang, been stabbed, shot at, and was selling drugs. A chance to play professional football offered a way out, but the lure of an easier life — the promise of girls, money, and cars — led him back to South London and the notorious O.C., or Organised Crime, gang. Violence and drug dealing were the norm in O.C. and Terroll soon paid the price for his involvement with a stretch in prison. But while the association with O.C. endures through the ink on his skin, Terroll has long since turned his back on this world. These days Terroll’s giving something back; Block Workout, a street-gym he founded in his old neighbourhood, gives young men an opportunity to follow a different road to the one he took during his adolescence — and the chance to live a better life.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published April 7, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 2, 2021
Surviving being a gang member against all the odds.
I've spent days since I finished this memoir struggling with how to write my review. I want it to be perfect for encouraging others to buy this book and READ IT!
Terroll has written in Gangsta vernacular. However, a comprehensive summary of Gangsta slang is to be found at the beginning of the book. Words that I had one idea of the alternative meaning like "naked": in my vocabulary means undressed/no clothes – in Gangsta, it means without a weapon. Ends = finishes -in Gangsta: neighbourhood. Food my vocabulary something to eat – no! it means crack or heroin. Learning the words and their meaning before starting on the book or forgetting halfway through can suddenly change a sentence to mean something entirely different for what Terroll is trying to tell us.
The Headings for each chapter brought another lesson in Gangsta language. The Heart of Baghdad – No not that Bagdad, Terroll is talking about Myatts Field North Estate. The Olders doesn't mean people who are old in age, but how long they've been gang members. Pagans? No - not people who haven't been baptised but people from outside gangs.
Once I'd absorbed all the slang I could start learning about Terroll's life. And what a life he's had! Terroll was born into violence – his mother Jakki was thrown over a balcony when she was seven months pregnant. She wanted to bring charges against her attacker but was threatened with death if she did so. She appeared in court but refused to testify – meaning the man walked free. Jakki was lucky that the police didn't charge her for "wasting police time". The law of the estate and the law of the land were/are two vastly different things for people growing up or living on the estates.
Jakki was a drug addict (she managed to give up drugs when her second child was born and been clean ever since) and Terroll first became aware of drugs because of being sent out to purchase them for her. Terroll's only true homelife and security came thanks to his grandparents. They showered him with love and constructive parental care. Unfortunately, they didn't have sole guardianship of him – meaning that his mother and her cronies – fellow drug dealers were the norm in his life.
Terroll – not being brought up knowing society’s version of right from wrong got into fights at school. He was stabbed for the first time aged eleven. It was not going to be the last time a knife cut him. Once he got into the gang that ran the estate, it wouldn't just be knives he'd be attacked by but also guns. Not only was he attacked but was never without his own gun or knife to do damage to people in other gangs.
The fantastic thing about this memoir is that Terroll, thanks to Pastor Mimi's influence, turns his life around after a profoundly serious incident. I cried when I read his account of leaving drugs and gangs behind him. My tears were shed in gratitude that finally, someone had reached into his very dark soul and shone the light – of peace, love, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
The memoir had me so lost in it that I couldn't put it down. I was about halfway through when I thought I'd read just a few chapters before I fell asleep – no such chance! It was six o'clock in the morning – still dark and freezing cold when I finally read the last word.
This book is a must-read! In fact, reading it once will not be enough. There is so much to learn from Terroll about the gangs in London. Every day we read of a gang-related murder somewhere in the country. Thanks to reading this memoir, I've learnt so much about the cause and effect of drugs on society. I wish that there were an easy solution, but there isn't.
Terroll Lewis – thank you for sharing your remarkable life. May the work you’re doing now help change many children’s lives into happier and safer journeys.
Rony
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.
I've spent days since I finished this memoir struggling with how to write my review. I want it to be perfect for encouraging others to buy this book and READ IT!
Terroll has written in Gangsta vernacular. However, a comprehensive summary of Gangsta slang is to be found at the beginning of the book. Words that I had one idea of the alternative meaning like "naked": in my vocabulary means undressed/no clothes – in Gangsta, it means without a weapon. Ends = finishes -in Gangsta: neighbourhood. Food my vocabulary something to eat – no! it means crack or heroin. Learning the words and their meaning before starting on the book or forgetting halfway through can suddenly change a sentence to mean something entirely different for what Terroll is trying to tell us.
The Headings for each chapter brought another lesson in Gangsta language. The Heart of Baghdad – No not that Bagdad, Terroll is talking about Myatts Field North Estate. The Olders doesn't mean people who are old in age, but how long they've been gang members. Pagans? No - not people who haven't been baptised but people from outside gangs.
Once I'd absorbed all the slang I could start learning about Terroll's life. And what a life he's had! Terroll was born into violence – his mother Jakki was thrown over a balcony when she was seven months pregnant. She wanted to bring charges against her attacker but was threatened with death if she did so. She appeared in court but refused to testify – meaning the man walked free. Jakki was lucky that the police didn't charge her for "wasting police time". The law of the estate and the law of the land were/are two vastly different things for people growing up or living on the estates.
Jakki was a drug addict (she managed to give up drugs when her second child was born and been clean ever since) and Terroll first became aware of drugs because of being sent out to purchase them for her. Terroll's only true homelife and security came thanks to his grandparents. They showered him with love and constructive parental care. Unfortunately, they didn't have sole guardianship of him – meaning that his mother and her cronies – fellow drug dealers were the norm in his life.
Terroll – not being brought up knowing society’s version of right from wrong got into fights at school. He was stabbed for the first time aged eleven. It was not going to be the last time a knife cut him. Once he got into the gang that ran the estate, it wouldn't just be knives he'd be attacked by but also guns. Not only was he attacked but was never without his own gun or knife to do damage to people in other gangs.
The fantastic thing about this memoir is that Terroll, thanks to Pastor Mimi's influence, turns his life around after a profoundly serious incident. I cried when I read his account of leaving drugs and gangs behind him. My tears were shed in gratitude that finally, someone had reached into his very dark soul and shone the light – of peace, love, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
The memoir had me so lost in it that I couldn't put it down. I was about halfway through when I thought I'd read just a few chapters before I fell asleep – no such chance! It was six o'clock in the morning – still dark and freezing cold when I finally read the last word.
This book is a must-read! In fact, reading it once will not be enough. There is so much to learn from Terroll about the gangs in London. Every day we read of a gang-related murder somewhere in the country. Thanks to reading this memoir, I've learnt so much about the cause and effect of drugs on society. I wish that there were an easy solution, but there isn't.
Terroll Lewis – thank you for sharing your remarkable life. May the work you’re doing now help change many children’s lives into happier and safer journeys.
Rony
Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.
March 12, 2023
wow this was eye opening and inspirational. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to do deep self-reflection the way he has and realise to do a huge 180 in your life is the better option and to stick to that as best you can. Fair play to him. This was a fantastic read, and I just know that people who are in a similar situation to the author will be able to find a message within the story and take it with them to better improve their life. I felt myself getting a little teary at times especially when it came to the grandparents, who seem amazing and have served as a great support to the author. The story is real and raw, without filters. What a rollercoaster, but in the best way possible. Massive respect to the author! Keep it up!
January 23, 2021
Well, this was a tough read but at the same time a rewarding one too. Lewis was, as you can guess from the title, pretty deep in London's Gangland culture but after time in prison accused of murder (not guilty) he decided to turn his life around and this is his story.
The gang sections are not pleasant reads, but they aren't supposed to be. What they do achieve is a kind of understanding of why so many young men follow that lifestyle whether through choice or chance.
After his time inside Terroll sets up the Brixton Street Gym and The Block Workout Foundation, helping people from all walks of life improve their fitness and well being. The difference between the two aspects of Terroll Lewis makes for an interesting read although not always a comfortable one. It's worth a read though as this young man's inspirational journey of hope is a story that needs to be heard.
The gang sections are not pleasant reads, but they aren't supposed to be. What they do achieve is a kind of understanding of why so many young men follow that lifestyle whether through choice or chance.
After his time inside Terroll sets up the Brixton Street Gym and The Block Workout Foundation, helping people from all walks of life improve their fitness and well being. The difference between the two aspects of Terroll Lewis makes for an interesting read although not always a comfortable one. It's worth a read though as this young man's inspirational journey of hope is a story that needs to be heard.
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March 3, 2022Inspirational
Great book couldn't out it down .
Loved the way how you shared
your inner most feelings . Your baby girl has a truly amazing dad . Good job man
Great book couldn't out it down .
Loved the way how you shared
your inner most feelings . Your baby girl has a truly amazing dad . Good job man
August 19, 2025
Brilliant read , would recommend
January 17, 2021
I've followed Terroll Lewis on social media for years now, I knew some of his story but this book completed it for me.
This man is so inspirational, from what he went through to where he is now is admirable.
I was hooked from the get-go! Completed in 3 days. Highly recommend if you really want to know the truth about London gangs from a personal perspective.
I'm not going to lie, some of it is a tear jerker so prepare yourself.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, he does deserve a lot more for turning his life around but trying go echo that into his community!
This man is so inspirational, from what he went through to where he is now is admirable.
I was hooked from the get-go! Completed in 3 days. Highly recommend if you really want to know the truth about London gangs from a personal perspective.
I'm not going to lie, some of it is a tear jerker so prepare yourself.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, he does deserve a lot more for turning his life around but trying go echo that into his community!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews