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Spanian: The Unfiltered Hood Life
By the time he was twelve, Spanian knew he would follow his family's footsteps to become a career criminal. What followed was a decade-long string of brazen crimes and brutal violence: stabbings, ram-raids, drug runs and a notorious high school siege. Throughout the Sydney social housing enclaves of Redfern, Waterloo and Woolloomooloo, Spanian earned a reputation as one of the city's most flagrant crooks; armed with a boxcutter in one hand, and a syringe in the other.
But it all came at a damning price: in the throes of heroin addiction and thirteen years wasted behind bars, Spanian became a longstanding resident of jails across New South Wales. There, he was embroiled in racial divisions, prison politics, and a vicious vortex of self-destruction, until music and books became an unlikely lifeline. Reading and rapping became new rituals, and a glistening light at the end of the tunnel. Released from Bathurst Correctional Centre in 2017 with newfound purpose, Spanian has since found viral fame and a sprawling, worldwide audience through hip-hop and his magnetic social media presence.
This is the powerful, unflinching and high-octane memoir of how a young inner-city kid became Spanian. It gives unapologetic insight into the gritty socio-economic underbelly of Sydney city, the criminal justice system, and the correctional system. The story of Spanian provides hope that even the most stubborn cycles can be broken, and new dreams made.
But it all came at a damning price: in the throes of heroin addiction and thirteen years wasted behind bars, Spanian became a longstanding resident of jails across New South Wales. There, he was embroiled in racial divisions, prison politics, and a vicious vortex of self-destruction, until music and books became an unlikely lifeline. Reading and rapping became new rituals, and a glistening light at the end of the tunnel. Released from Bathurst Correctional Centre in 2017 with newfound purpose, Spanian has since found viral fame and a sprawling, worldwide audience through hip-hop and his magnetic social media presence.
This is the powerful, unflinching and high-octane memoir of how a young inner-city kid became Spanian. It gives unapologetic insight into the gritty socio-economic underbelly of Sydney city, the criminal justice system, and the correctional system. The story of Spanian provides hope that even the most stubborn cycles can be broken, and new dreams made.
336 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2021
22 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 14, 2021
Absolutely amazing book that truthfully tells the life of an extremely intelligent man who was brought up into becoming a criminal but has now become a better person and has put it all behind him.
December 4, 2021
I never write reviews but this is the first book I was excited to read and bought on the first day it was released. I felt compelled to write this review!
This book is raw, unapologetic, honest and super entertaining. The book is written the way Spanian talks and lets you really feel what it was like in the mind of Spanian as he recounts his tales. Before buying the book, I was worried it would be written in formal and proper 'english' style and im glad it was not. It has that same unique charisma we all love in his youtube videos and at times I even burst out laughing because of his raw use of language and his honest reflection of his mentality. This book is Spanian through and through.
What also drew me to this book was the fascination of what the hood life was all about and what kind of life they lived. In the news you learn about some crazy crime that occured the previous night but never about what kind of life they lived that led them to that crime. Or in rap songs, where they glorify the criminal life and leave you wondering did they actually do those things? And if they did, how did they get there? Why did they get there? There is a whole mystery and fascination with that kind of criminal life for someone who has lived a comparatively very safe and stable life. So Spanian's life is a deep dive for me into that other life and there is so much there to be amazed at, their way of thinking, living, motivations, friends, and places they hang out are a complete 180 to mine. It felt like I learnt about a whole new side to Sydney!
I highly recommend this book. I havent read anything like this and only wish there were more pages!!
This book is raw, unapologetic, honest and super entertaining. The book is written the way Spanian talks and lets you really feel what it was like in the mind of Spanian as he recounts his tales. Before buying the book, I was worried it would be written in formal and proper 'english' style and im glad it was not. It has that same unique charisma we all love in his youtube videos and at times I even burst out laughing because of his raw use of language and his honest reflection of his mentality. This book is Spanian through and through.
What also drew me to this book was the fascination of what the hood life was all about and what kind of life they lived. In the news you learn about some crazy crime that occured the previous night but never about what kind of life they lived that led them to that crime. Or in rap songs, where they glorify the criminal life and leave you wondering did they actually do those things? And if they did, how did they get there? Why did they get there? There is a whole mystery and fascination with that kind of criminal life for someone who has lived a comparatively very safe and stable life. So Spanian's life is a deep dive for me into that other life and there is so much there to be amazed at, their way of thinking, living, motivations, friends, and places they hang out are a complete 180 to mine. It felt like I learnt about a whole new side to Sydney!
I highly recommend this book. I havent read anything like this and only wish there were more pages!!
May 30, 2023
It’s a no nonsense read it as you see it story.
May 8, 2022
Interesting glimpse into the life of someone who is apparently quite high profile on social media atm, sort of a modern day Chopper Read.
A relatively straight forward read, leaving the reader hoping that Spanian has finished with his fairly pointless life of crime and can at least contribute in some meaningful way now.
A relatively straight forward read, leaving the reader hoping that Spanian has finished with his fairly pointless life of crime and can at least contribute in some meaningful way now.
January 11, 2023
Entertaining
September 30, 2022
This book, much like it’s author, is just something you want to dislike. It is truly a work of contradictions (talks about how he’s quit the criminal life but ends the book saying he will probably sell pot when the social media fame dies down) ; But it has some sort of charm to it that forces you to admire the story of spanian’s life to date and keep turning the pages. It is one of the few written accounts of the Sydney searcher/pre-lad culture of Redfern/Woolomooloo in the 90s and 2000s, and for that reason alone it
Holds an important place in modern Sydney history.
The book reads as a sort of chronological monologue of his past thirty five years or so - with the odd jump forward and back in time through these digressions that make you feel like he’s just transcribed himself talking about his life.
While people obviously come for the hard hitting stories - the school siege, his stint in prison - some of the smaller, softer pieces - like his relationship with uncle tony and his experiences of sexual abuse - are really powerful and get you a little closer to understanding the man.
I felt that he could have spent more time talking about the transformations that apparently led him to quit drugs and leave his criminal life behind. Also he spends very little time talking about his rise to fame in the media; like it all just happened with a wizz and a bang.
It is 275 pages long but uses every trick in the book to pad it out, so a very quick read.
All in all any thirty something Sydney sider will feel a mixed sense of disgust (in the best sense) and nostalgia reading his tale.
Holds an important place in modern Sydney history.
The book reads as a sort of chronological monologue of his past thirty five years or so - with the odd jump forward and back in time through these digressions that make you feel like he’s just transcribed himself talking about his life.
While people obviously come for the hard hitting stories - the school siege, his stint in prison - some of the smaller, softer pieces - like his relationship with uncle tony and his experiences of sexual abuse - are really powerful and get you a little closer to understanding the man.
I felt that he could have spent more time talking about the transformations that apparently led him to quit drugs and leave his criminal life behind. Also he spends very little time talking about his rise to fame in the media; like it all just happened with a wizz and a bang.
It is 275 pages long but uses every trick in the book to pad it out, so a very quick read.
All in all any thirty something Sydney sider will feel a mixed sense of disgust (in the best sense) and nostalgia reading his tale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2025
The tales that Spanian shares in this ‘autobiography’ make even the most wildly unimaginable dreams seem mundane.
June 21, 2023
Summary
The book follows Spanian from his childhood all the way to present day. Spanian grew up surrounded by drug addiction, crime, and domestic violence - in the midst of this chaos, he was sexually abused and had undiagnosed psychopathy. He followed the path of those around him, threatening his entire school cohort while wielding a knife, stealing cars, and committing larceny. His journey through the correctional system is the same experience that many have - he became accustomed to jail because that was all he knew. Yet, he woke up to the fact that this wasn't the life he wanted to lead and had the strength to move away from drug addiction and eventually got released from jail. He's used his experiences to build a social media profile, aiming to steer others away from this path, stressing that it's just not worth it - that wasting away in jail is no life at all.
Personal views
I related to this book, because I know that I could have very easily been in Spanian's position if I didn't have the support systems in place throughout my life. This book has given me the strength to start telling my story and Goodreads is a safe place to start I suppose.
I was made a ward of the state when I was 6 years old - my biological parents were heroin addicts and I experienced every form of abuse while I was in their care. I was very fortunate to be taken in by my Aunt and Uncle, who sent me to good schools and supported me despite my angst. But I've done things in my life that I'm ashamed of, and there's always this part of my mind that thinks "What if I hadn't been removed from their care? Would I have ended up dead from a heroin overdose in the street?" Spanian helped me quiet that part of my brain, because I know I have an inner strength that will get me through and keep me on the right path.
Another part of my brain is constantly thinking, did I deserve this life? This success? But this quote all brought it home for me:
At the same time I can't say that I don't deserve what I have because who deserves anything that they have in life?... If actors, models and athletes deserve what they have because of what they do, then I deserve to be successful because I have a charismatic personality and I'm articulate
Similarly, I've worked hard to be where I am - I'm passionate, driven and I'm also articulate. I don't beat around the bush when I'm passionate about something (this review will attest to that).
He finishes off with saying:
It's not as simple as leaving jail and moving on with your life - it sticks with you. Even though I've been a free man for four years now, I spent so long in prison that it's become my entire persona and I can't get rid of it.
I know I can't leave my traumas behind - I can't forget them. But they have become an integral part of my persona, and I can draw on these experiences and remember "I am strong! I've been through hell and back, and look at the life I've built. If I can get through that, I can get through anything."
The book follows Spanian from his childhood all the way to present day. Spanian grew up surrounded by drug addiction, crime, and domestic violence - in the midst of this chaos, he was sexually abused and had undiagnosed psychopathy. He followed the path of those around him, threatening his entire school cohort while wielding a knife, stealing cars, and committing larceny. His journey through the correctional system is the same experience that many have - he became accustomed to jail because that was all he knew. Yet, he woke up to the fact that this wasn't the life he wanted to lead and had the strength to move away from drug addiction and eventually got released from jail. He's used his experiences to build a social media profile, aiming to steer others away from this path, stressing that it's just not worth it - that wasting away in jail is no life at all.
Personal views
I related to this book, because I know that I could have very easily been in Spanian's position if I didn't have the support systems in place throughout my life. This book has given me the strength to start telling my story and Goodreads is a safe place to start I suppose.
I was made a ward of the state when I was 6 years old - my biological parents were heroin addicts and I experienced every form of abuse while I was in their care. I was very fortunate to be taken in by my Aunt and Uncle, who sent me to good schools and supported me despite my angst. But I've done things in my life that I'm ashamed of, and there's always this part of my mind that thinks "What if I hadn't been removed from their care? Would I have ended up dead from a heroin overdose in the street?" Spanian helped me quiet that part of my brain, because I know I have an inner strength that will get me through and keep me on the right path.
Another part of my brain is constantly thinking, did I deserve this life? This success? But this quote all brought it home for me:
At the same time I can't say that I don't deserve what I have because who deserves anything that they have in life?... If actors, models and athletes deserve what they have because of what they do, then I deserve to be successful because I have a charismatic personality and I'm articulate
Similarly, I've worked hard to be where I am - I'm passionate, driven and I'm also articulate. I don't beat around the bush when I'm passionate about something (this review will attest to that).
He finishes off with saying:
It's not as simple as leaving jail and moving on with your life - it sticks with you. Even though I've been a free man for four years now, I spent so long in prison that it's become my entire persona and I can't get rid of it.
I know I can't leave my traumas behind - I can't forget them. But they have become an integral part of my persona, and I can draw on these experiences and remember "I am strong! I've been through hell and back, and look at the life I've built. If I can get through that, I can get through anything."
January 5, 2024
I listened to the audio version, and unfortunately, it's not read by Spanian. That is one thing I love about autobiographies in audio. They're usually spoken by that person. In the audio version, you do get snippets between the chapters of Spanian just chatting, and it's usually to do with that particular chapter.
He grew up a criminal because he wanted to become one. It's a rather sad story. But on the other hand, he's been diagnosed as a psychopath. I can see that from the book and having dealt with people who are undiagnosed as psychopaths. He has spent 13 years in jail, and he's now out as a freeman. But some of the crimes he committed and laughed about really make you wonder if I person can truly change (like he says he has)? He seemed to get joy from the crimes he committed.
After watching him on YT and reading this book, there seems to be some contradictions. He seems to have a true fear or heights, but in this book, he talks about scaling buildings to break into them meters high. The one thing I'll give him is his ability to have a yarn and keep you entertained. This book is now nearly impossible to find via physical or audio due to him spouting off about the LGBTQ community and a fashion house. It caused his publisher to drop him quick smart. So, if you want to read or listen to the audio you need to be a "searcher" and find it.
He grew up a criminal because he wanted to become one. It's a rather sad story. But on the other hand, he's been diagnosed as a psychopath. I can see that from the book and having dealt with people who are undiagnosed as psychopaths. He has spent 13 years in jail, and he's now out as a freeman. But some of the crimes he committed and laughed about really make you wonder if I person can truly change (like he says he has)? He seemed to get joy from the crimes he committed.
After watching him on YT and reading this book, there seems to be some contradictions. He seems to have a true fear or heights, but in this book, he talks about scaling buildings to break into them meters high. The one thing I'll give him is his ability to have a yarn and keep you entertained. This book is now nearly impossible to find via physical or audio due to him spouting off about the LGBTQ community and a fashion house. It caused his publisher to drop him quick smart. So, if you want to read or listen to the audio you need to be a "searcher" and find it.
April 16, 2024
Gritty, real, nostalgic (because I grew up in Sydney).
It's one thing to fall into a fiction, another to see through the eyes of a real villian (victim? survivor?).
Intentionally or otherwise this work does a wonderful job of kicking up the dirt with many hot topics like growing up under-privileged, lack of mental health treatment, drug abuse, prison conditions, etc.
Above all just the raw truth of it cuts through and makes it a powerful read.
It's one thing to fall into a fiction, another to see through the eyes of a real villian (victim? survivor?).
Intentionally or otherwise this work does a wonderful job of kicking up the dirt with many hot topics like growing up under-privileged, lack of mental health treatment, drug abuse, prison conditions, etc.
Above all just the raw truth of it cuts through and makes it a powerful read.
April 9, 2022
An interesting quick read. Anthony had a sad, difficult life as a juvenile delinquent, graduating to an adult criminal. Very sad, as it resulted in a life behind bars, with very short breaks "outside". I hope he stays on the right side of the law now and enjoys a long and good life with his family.
January 31, 2023
I found this quite a quick read. The stories are written pretty much how I'd imagine Spanian would recount them by the spoken word. He's led a wild kind of life, but seems to have renounced the criminal side. It is fast-paced, and seems honest without going into huge detail about his criminal or drug-related escapades. 3 stars.
July 31, 2024
It always feels weird to rate memoirs but I digress. I finished this book in one sitting, it was very engaging and easy to read. I’d heard of Spanian but didn’t know anything about him until a friend recommended his book. I’d give it a go if you enjoy memoirs and are intrigued by what it would be like to grow up surrounded by crime in NSW.
February 13, 2025
I’ve been watching Spanian for a while on YouTube, and love hearing his stories from growing up, but the book takes it to another level. Way more insight into what he dealt with from such a young age, and the way his mind works going into situations, gives such appreciation for what he’s achieved today.
I love that it’s written how Spanian would talk, it hasn’t been edited out or changed, you can literally imagine him talking and telling these stories.
Absolutely recommend to anyone who’s a fan, or anyone interested in crime.
5/5
I love that it’s written how Spanian would talk, it hasn’t been edited out or changed, you can literally imagine him talking and telling these stories.
Absolutely recommend to anyone who’s a fan, or anyone interested in crime.
5/5
July 2, 2022
This is a true crime autobiography, in the most true sense of the word.
Spanian accounts his life of crime and drugs, what he learnt along the way and his path to redemption and turning his life around.
Its a no nonsense no holds barred type of storytelling.
Spanian accounts his life of crime and drugs, what he learnt along the way and his path to redemption and turning his life around.
Its a no nonsense no holds barred type of storytelling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2023
I personally can not wait to get my Hands on this Book ,I continually watch his Episodes on You Tube 👍how Wicked it is to hear him speak his mind from True events in his life and nor does he care what others think
December 27, 2021
Easy read and a fascinating story. A glimpse into the real life criminal underworld.
January 4, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up - intensely entertaining and reflective. What a life!
January 23, 2022
I listened to the audiobook version of this and… wow, I was completely blown away. I highly recommend listening to this book, it was a short but a completely interesting read
January 29, 2022
interesting and easy read.
January 30, 2022
Interesting and engaging. Spanian has a way of storytelling that keeps your attention. Defs a good read for anyone over 18.
March 4, 2022
could stop listening
May 8, 2022
An interesting and insightful read. Well worth it if you're a Spanian fan, interested in poverty and/or crime in Sydney, or just after a good story.
August 10, 2022
The "Reflection" chapter was one of the most entertaining things I've ever read in my life! What an absolute character.
January 29, 2023
Read this on the recommendation of my teenage son - it was pretty funny and engaging, I enjoyed it.
April 3, 2023
An ok read about a career criminal and his exploits. So many years locked up.
At the end I thought what a waste of potential and genuinely felt sorry for him.
At the end I thought what a waste of potential and genuinely felt sorry for him.
September 27, 2023
Loved this so much! So interesting and raw.
If you already love Spanian, you'll love him even more after reading this!
If you already love Spanian, you'll love him even more after reading this!
October 15, 2024
It was eetswa eshay
August 10, 2024
so UNIRONICALLY awesome.
the fact that he is news the book with “i promise i wont stab anyone” really encapsulates the whole vibe quite well
the fact that he is news the book with “i promise i wont stab anyone” really encapsulates the whole vibe quite well
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews