Product Description

Kray gang boss Tony Lambrianou, who served a life sentence for the brutal murder of Jack ?the Hat? McVitie, has threatened to kill Bernard O?Mahoney ?by smashing a hammer through his head?. ?Dodgy? Dave Courtney, who claims to have murdered two gangland rivals, tried ?to put him out of his misery? and ?the most dangerous man in the country?, John ?Gaffer? Rollinson, has vowed to kill him when he finds him. But O?Mahoney, one-time friend of the notorious Kray brothers and former key member of the Essex Boys gang, isn?t concerned about any of these threats, because he knows the truth about the wannabe gangsters who have built their ?reputations? on fantasy gleaned from Hollywood movies and ?true? crime books written by their heroes. Wannabe in my Gang? spans two decades and involves the most infamous names and crimes in British history. It gives a unique insight into the Kray brothers? firm, revealing that its public image was a far cry from the truth. Also uncovered is what happened to the remaining members of the Essex Boys firm following the death of Ecstasy victim Leah Betts and the murder of three of its leaders, who were found dead in their blood-spattered Range Rover one winter?s evening. For the first time ever, O?Mahoney will expose the gangland myths that have made legends of those who claim to be responsible for mayhem and murder. He reveals the sordid secret of one of Britain?s most infamous gangsters and tells the truth about the impostors who make a living selling stories and writing books about events that have never even happened. Wannabe in my Gang? is the book that many in the underworld never wanted the public to read. A crime expose of the highest order, it is shocking, revelatory and gripping from beginning to end.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16437 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From the Publisher
Kray gang boss Tony Lambrianou, who served a life sentence for the brutal murder of Jack 'the Hat' McVitie, has threatened to kill Bernard O'Mahoney 'by smashing a hammer through his head'. 'Dodgy' Dave Courtney, who claims to have murdered two gangland rivals, tried 'to put him out of his misery' and 'the most dangerous man in the country', John 'Gaffer' Rollinson, has vowed to kill him 'when he finds him'.

About the Author
Bernard O'Mahoney is a former Essex Boys gang member and is the author of the bestselling Essex Boys: A Terrifying Expose of the British Drugs Scene and The Dream Solution, which reveals who murdered 21 year old Alison Shaughnessy.

Customer Reviews

WANNABE IN MY GANG
This is a fascinating book that looks at some of the best known names and faces of the criminal fraternity in the uk underworld of the past 30 years. This book will appeal to the avid follower or the kind of person that only has a passing interest in criminal activities and the men that inhabit this world.
The author Bernard O Mahoney writes a frank and at time downright sordid book which includes tales of sexual depravity, double dealing, violence, and sheer make believe from some of the so-called most powerful men in the british crime scene.
Many scandulous accusations are banded towards some of the participants of this tale, but not one accusation isnt backed up with concrete evidence and even quotes from the participants themselves.
I was transfixed by the text and the way the author delivered his bombshells of information in an almost deadpan but at times highly amusing manner.Bernard never seemed to avoid any subject no matter how awkward or embarassing even to his own detrement at times, something that i find very commendable.
This was a rollercoaster of a ride from start to finish it isnt glamourous at all, it doesnt advercate crime in fact it makes you wonder why these men do the things they do or associate with the people the associate with. Most importantly it shows that some of the people involved are very cunning and at times very deluded sad individuals who should be pitied and not revered.
In conclusion i would class this a very good book that doesnt pull punches and doesnt powder coat around quite serious issues,but has a certain humour attached that would be absolutely hilarious if the people involved hadnt really been involved or actually been quoted as saying the things they do.
I would recommend this book very highly indeed as i would bernard,s previous book Essex Boyz. Worth every penny.

Eye opening stuff
Mr O'Mahoney is no diamond geezer. In fact, it's hard to say what he is. He is very much his own man and this comes across in spades. He's not afraid to say what he thinks and he is clearly a very tough man. He cleverly pulls apart the myth wrapped around a number of infamous underworld figures. He does it in a way that must have left a lot of them fuming with anger but he doesn't seem to care. You are left with the feeling the author is clearly an intelligent man who survived in the world he lived as much through wit as brawn but he knows how to deploy both while less cunning associates now lie dead or banged up. An intriguing man indeed. One of the better 'true crime/hardman' books.

a great read
i bought this book with one thing in mind,and that was to see what the author had to say for himself.with that in mind i found the book a very good informative read.i recommend this book for anyone wanting to know that little bit more of what goes on in the so called underworld.