THE UNDERWORLD

Softcover. From the racetrack gangs and safe-crackers of the 1930s to the hitmen and drug smugglers of today; a book telling the remarkable story of modern British crime. The author tells of infamous and feared gangsters, unarmed 'gentleman' criminals, the growth in the use of firearms and the role of prisons and Borstals in providing the underworld with heroes. He illustrates the background to such notorious cases as the Great Train Robber and the murder of Jack 'The Hat' McVitie, and gives accounts of the major players in gun fights, drug rings and clubland carve-ups, and charts the transformation of the snitch into the super-grass. Also features 'Mad' Frankie Fraser and the Krays. Published to accompany the BBC tv series entitled 'The Underworld' which was first broadcast in 1994. Illus., Bibliog. and Index. 272pp. trade size softcover. F. with no creasing to covers.