Charles Bronson is known as UKs most dangerous prisoner (yes he was named after the actor). In 1974 he was sent to jail for armed robbery (net haul: £28) and apart from a few brief months has never left. His sentence is repeatedly extended for his extreme violence and hostage taking, in fact he hasn't mixed with any prisoners since 1999.

Ok I do not usually read true crime novels so I have nothing to compare this to, and I only picked it up because of the recent film. The film is much better, highly stylised but extremely impressive so I only recommend this book to provide context for the film, I am really not sure how the book stands by itself. Bronson writes in a very fast paced, short sentenced matter of fact way. His story is repetitive, tragically so and whilst for me this just adds to the horror of it all but it might irritate some. It is funny, shocking, deeply sad and most importantly of all for me thought provoking, just how should we handle someone as violent as Bronson? Just a warning the story is of course one sided, facts are omitted & reasons glossed over, it is not for anyone who requires a well rounded story. Mind you it is worth having a look just for his cartoons. ( )

Good insight into a very disturbed mind. The book does race from one thing to another, but I imagine Bronson's mind does that too! ( )