A Rusty Gun - Softcover

Smith, Noel Razor

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0141019522 ISBN 13: 9780141019529

Publisher: Viking, 2011

Synopsis

As a gun-wielding bank robber, Noel 'Razor' Smith was top of the criminal tree, enjoying the excitement and benefits of a dangerous and adrenalin-filled career. But he'd also spent the greater part of his adult life in prison, an environment where respect and basic survival were guaranteed only to those prepared to use the most brutal violence. In his new book, Smith takes the story on from his highly acclaimed memoir A Few Kind Words and a Loaded Gun, and describes how he came to realize that the game wasn't worth the candle. In his mid-forties he applied to enter Grendon, then the only prison in Britain offering intense therapeutic treatment to hardened criminals. He went from a brutal high-security prison, HMP Whitemoor, to an institution where he was encouraged to investigate just why his life had been given over to violence and crime. Smith paints an unforgettable portrait of the hardened and severely damaged inmates of Grendon, many of them guilty of famous crimes, and their attempts to turn round their lives. And in particular his own arduous five-year journey to re-enter society as a straight citizen.

About this title

About the Author:

Noel Smith was born in London in 1960. He has 58 criminal convictions and has spent the greater portion of his adult life in prison. Whilst in prison he taught himself to read and write, gained an Honours Diploma from the London School of Journalism and an A-Level in Law. Author of four books, he has been awarded a number of Koestler awards for his writing and has written for numerous major publications. He is now out of prison and Editor at Inside Time magazine.

Review:

A unique insight into how someone goes about changing the vile and destructive habits of a lifetime. A gripping read -- Will Self * The Times * Provocative, funny and thoughtful * Observer * It's saddening, angering and informative stuff * Metro * I can't put it down. Smith's accounts of life beyond the windowless walls [of prison] ... are chilling beyond belief -- Mark Ellen * Word *

About this edition

• Publisher: Viking
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0141019522
• ISBN 13: 9780141019529
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400