The Guv'nor In His Own Words - Conversations with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Legend

The Guv'nor In His Own Words - Conversations with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Legend
Author: Peter Gerrard
Publisher: Kings Road Publishing
Total Pages: 264
Release: 2017-07-27
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1786068249

Born in East London in 1949, Lenny McLean grew up in an area that had been ravaged by the Second World War. Although money was scarce and fighting was commonplace, a camaraderie and deep sense of honour and respect remained. A victim of violent abuse at the hands of his stepfather, Lenny spent much of his teenage life in borstal as he began to follow a life of crime. However, it was his ability as a fighter that was to turn his life around. Lenny McLean inspired fear in many, but respect from all, as he became a bare-knuckle fighting legend. His fame became even greater in later life, appearing in Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels just as his autobiography was reaching the top of the bestsellers chart. Lenny's untimely death from cancer in 1998 marked the beginning of the end of the old Cockney way of life and interest in his story has only increased since his passing, inspiring documentaries as well as a feature film, My Name is Lenny. In these unedited conversations between Lenny and his 'book man' Peter Gerrard, featuring many anecdotes that did not appear in The Guv'nor, we get to see the man behind the public image. As he looks back on his life, these transcripts reveal Lenny's humour and charm as well as the volatility that made him one of the most notorious figures ever to emerge from the East End.

Peaky Blinders: The Aftermath: The real story behind the next generation of British gangsters

Peaky Blinders: The Aftermath: The real story behind the next generation of British gangsters
Author: Carl Chinn
Publisher: John Blake
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2021-10-14
Genre: True Crime
ISBN: 1789464528

From the Sunday Times bestselling author, Carl Chinn As Britain emerges into the mid-twentieth century, change is afoot. Cities are beginning to shift from smog-filled industrial hubs to more efficient metropolitan centres of commerce and, despite the country once again being blighted by war, society is beginning to shift towards a more modern, forward-thinking era. But change is not only limited to regular men and women; under the shifting tides of development, the criminal underbelly, too, is evolving, anxious for new avenues of exploitation and expansion . . . And so, in the third instalment of his best-selling series, historian Carl Chinn examines this new era in the landscape of Britain's gangs. After the violent reign of the Peaky Blinders, the intimidation of the Birmingham gang and frequent gang wars up and down the country, from the wreckage new groups are emerging with new ways of making money and causing trouble, and, like those who came before them, they leave havoc and destruction in their wake. Peaky Blinders: The Aftermath will bring this new generation of criminals into focus. And up and down the length of the country, from the dog tracks to the pubs of the East End, it delves into the murky world of the country's most villainous criminals.

The Guv'nor

The Guv'nor
Author: Lenny McLean
Publisher: Kings Road Publishing
Total Pages: 264
Release: 2013-01-15
Genre: True Crime
ISBN: 1843586789

THIS IS THE CLASSIC BOOK THAT STARTED AN ENTIRE GENRE – THE STORY OF THE MOST ICONIC HARDMAN OF THEM ALL. Lenny McLean was one of the deadliest bareknuckle fighters Britain has ever seen. He had dear, powerful friends, but he also had terrible enemies. So much so that he had two bullet wounds in his back – each from a different attack. He was also stabbed repeatedly – always from behind. But Lenny was also a warm, big-hearted grizzly bear of a man, whose main weakness was an overwhelming desire to put the welfare of his mates ahead of his own well-being. In his extraordinary autobiography, he tells of how the mafia flew him to New York to take on their greatest bareknuckle boxer in a multi-million pound illicit bout. The Mafia’s man lasted less than three minutes. When the IRA fronted up a London gang in a money-laundering scam, Lenny was brought in to intimidate the terrorists. The IRA, not surprisingly, backed off. . . His most serious trial came when he was accused of murder. Fighting to prove his innocence against a minimum sentence of twenty-five years, Lenny never gave up – and went on to be found not guilty. This is a tale of one man’s triumph against almost insurmountable odds, in a battle that Len fought every day for himself, and to ‘put steam on the table’ for his wife and kids.

The Guv'nor and Me

The Guv'nor and Me
Author: John ‘The Neck’ Houchin
Publisher: Random House
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2021-01-07
Genre: True Crime
ISBN: 1473578825

Don't cross The Neck. As the right-hand man to 'The Guv’nor' himself, Lenny McLean, John 'The Neck' Houchin is a living legend and is now telling his story for the first time. John trained daily with Lenny in the gym to achieve his huge bulk and neck, all 23 inches of it, required to frighten the hell out of troublemakers. As the enforcers for the Krays and the Richardsons, they worked together regularly over many years 'sorting out' whatever needed sorting. These are the mean streets of London back when swift justice as well as fearless loyalty were the order of the day. A new insider take from one of the most notorious characters of the time, this book is full of chippy dialogue, gangster banter, the biggest brawls, old school honour codes and pithy reflection on the changing times – from the hard men to the high life.

My Dad, The Guv'nor - The True Story of My Life with the Legendary Hard Man, Lenny McLean

My Dad, The Guv'nor - The True Story of My Life with the Legendary Hard Man, Lenny McLean
Author: Kelly McLean
Publisher: Kings Road Publishing
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2018-07-12
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1789460417

'I am the Guv'nor's daughter - but what does that mean?' Lenny McLean, better known as The Guv'nor, was a legendary and sometimes terrifying figure: a bare-knuckle fighter, bouncer and, in later life, an actor. He was a formidable force in the East End and across London, but behind his towering demeanour was a loving father who provided a safe haven for his children. For his only daughter, Kelly, his status brought with it a reputation both to live up to, and sometimes escape. Kelly experienced the old East End way of life, often lived just outside the law, first-hand and equally the uncertainty that came with her father's mood swings and the 'black dog' that followed him around, despite their close bond. The connection between father and daughter became even more apparent as Kelly began to battle her own mental health issues that, as a mum to two young children, would threaten to destroy her life. In this incredibly frank and poignant memoir, Kelly McLean provides a unique insight into life growing up as the daughter of one of the last old-school fighters, featuring many previously untold stories. This is the story of East End life from a woman who has seen it, lived it, and sometimes been plagued by it.

The Guv'nor - Through the Eyes of Others

The Guv'nor - Through the Eyes of Others
Author: Anthony Thomas
Publisher: Kings Road Publishing
Total Pages: 271
Release: 2007-09-03
Genre: True Crime
ISBN: 1786064146

Lenny McLean – fighter, actor, hard man, legend. One of the most notorious figures ever to emerge from the East End of London, he had a reputation that was held dear by his friends and associates and feared by his enemies. His life-story is now part of modern-day history, but for the millions of people wanting to know more about the great man, here, at last, is a compilation of stories and memories from those whose lives he touched. In this fantastic book, friends, family, colleagues and adversaries have all come together to share their memories of how they knew the great man and the part he played in their lives. Although a formidable fighter and a feared enemy, these first-hand accounts tell of a man who had a big heart, who was generous and who always had time for his friends. Anthony Thomas has spent years collating these original accounts of what it meant to be a friend and associate of the Guv’nor. The famous, the infamous, family and friends all have a chance to share their memories. Affectionate, Funny and incisive, this is a book that all Lenny fans will treasure, and which no Guv’nor aficionado should be without.

King of the Gypsies

King of the Gypsies
Author: Bartley Gorman with Peter Walsh
Publisher: Milo Books Ltd
Total Pages: 358
Release: 2016-04-06
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN:

The Guv'nor - A Tribute

The Guv'nor - A Tribute
Author: Peter Gerrard
Publisher: Kings Road Publishing
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2010-07-13
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1782191518

Lenny 'The Guv'nor' McLean has become a legend. A bare-knuckle fighter turned actor, he is a street hero whose legions of fans, since his death, have catapulted him to superstar status. His autobiography, The Guv'nor, has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in hardback, was in the top-ten for well over a year, and was the number one bestselling autobiography of 1998. Amazingly, it looks set to repeat this accolade for 1999. The Guv'nor: A Tribute is a beautifully-produced picture book celebrating the life and achievements of everybody's favourite hard man. Packed with rare, never-before-seen photographs, it is compiled by Lenny's old friend and co-writer, tracing the course of his life from his early days in the East End, through his unparalleled fighting career with the likes of Roy 'Pretty Boy' Shaw. It focuses on his wife and children, whom he loved more than life itself, and for whom he would stop at nothing to ensure their well-being. In the wake of the phenomenal success of The Guv'nor, The Guv'nor: A Tribute promises to be the biggest-selling title of the new millennium.

The Guvnor Tapes - Lenny McLean's Unpublished Stories, As Told By The Man Himself

The Guvnor Tapes - Lenny McLean's Unpublished Stories, As Told By The Man Himself
Author: Peter Gerrard
Publisher: Kings Road Publishing
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2007-02-28
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1784184454

"The Guv'nor" was a classic book that started an entire genre. It was the original and incredible true story of the world's greatest hard man, Lenny McLean. Ever since it was published, fans of Lenny have been clamouring to know more and more about this legendary figure. Now, at last, Lenny's co-author Peter Gerrard has gathered together the stories that Lenny told about his life that did not make it into the original book...Lenny McLean's life story is an inspirational one. A bare-knuckle fighter by profession, he was one of the most notorious figures ever to emerge from the East End of London. Whoever you were, if you did right by the Guv'nor, you'd have a friend for life; if you crossed him, it would be at your peril. His untimely death in 1998, following a battle against cancer, was a tragic loss for family and friends and left his legions of fans shocked and bereft.Now those fans have a unique opportunity to learn more about their hero. So packed with adventures, bouts, rucks and amazing stories was Lenny's life that it would have been impossible to fit his whole life into one book.Thanks to the conversations between Lenny and his 'book man' Peter Gerrard, the parts of his life that were not revealed before are now within these pages to be enjoyed and treasured by generations of his admirers.

Prizefighter - The Searing Autobiography of Britain's Bareknuckle Boxing Champion

Prizefighter - The Searing Autobiography of Britain's Bareknuckle Boxing Champion
Author: Decca Heggie
Publisher: Kings Road Publishing
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2017-06-08
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1786065479

'You can get a couple of years for beating the shit out of another bloke, or a couple of grand. I chose to do the latter'. Decca's story is that of a bullied boy with an impossible dream. Of solvent abuse, violence, drug addiction, depression, boxing and bareknuckle fighting but - ultimately - redemption. It begins on a council estate in Carlisle where, as the victim, of cruel bullies, a young Decanaesthetised himself from the pain and humiliation by sniffing solvents. In his mid-teens the fear fell away to be replaced by fury, as the bullies discovered to their cost. Memories of that frightened boy fuelled a rage that forged a fearsome street-fighter and future champion. Working on the doors attracted more trouble but further enhanced his growing reputation. At the age of nineteen, life was good until the love of his life left him. Depression set in and prevailed. For almost ten years, he fell prey to a rampant cocaine habit, which provoked his demons, making him unpredictable and dangerous to be around. Serious jail time seemed inevitable. Out of sheer desperation, his Dad arranged Decca's first unlicensed boxing match. He won and became instantly hooked. Having gotten fit, hungry, and off the drugs, he was lured into the bloody arena of bareknuckle fighting. Many brutal undefeated fights followed, as did two BKB heavyweight titles. A chance meeting with renowned boxing promoter Ricky English led to Decca's shot at the iconic 'Guv'nor' title. The rest, as they say, is history.