A very truthful, gritty and heartbreaking story of Michael Peterson, who later became the infamous Charles Bronson.

I found the book very engaging and was interested to learn about their early lives and what actions led to their incarceration. That this man is still in prison after 58 years for a crime that came with a sentence of 7 years is astonishing. And whilst he has committed various crimes in prison, the way he has been treated or more so mistreated by the system, is terrible. I found it very interesting that the things that caused his backlashes against other inmates or indeed prison staff were generally from things happening in the outside world, which were out of his control. And generally, him having to look over his shoulder all the time, waiting to be attacked not just by other prisoners, but by prison staff who are meant to help protect him within the environment. He has literally been living in defence mode his whole life and has become a product of his environment. The book is written thruthfully with him never one did he excusing his behaviour or actions.

It does beg the question, how can a man be released back into society if he is kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day?!

The author Julie is obviously very passionate about the subject matter and shows compassion whilst writing. Giving both Charles and his ex-wife Irene a voice. Being trained in both Psychology and Criminology, her own professional summaries are also an interesting addition to the book.

I hope that Mick and Irene are reunited in this life or the next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A lot of credit must be given to Julie Shaw for the way she put the book together. Irrespective of the thoughts on Mick (can't control his emotions and therefore is dangerous), I feel she captured his essence. I felt sorry for Irene and unfortunately she fell for the wrong guy. That being said the style of writing (one chapter per person alternating) made it enjoyable to read. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to do so.

I am an avid true crime reader and was over the moon when I was approved for this title. I have read some other books about Charles Bronson, however this was quite different. The author really worked hard to ensure that the subject's voice was included and that the human face was shown rather than just the details of his crimes. It was also really interesting to hear from his ex-wife and this gave Bronson's life a richer description. The author also offered an analysis of the situations and the motivations and this thoughtful and professional. I would certainly recommend this to those interested in the subject, alongside some of the more sensational books.

This was a really good book. Until I read it I didnt know much about Charles Bronson apart from what I had seen on the TV now and again. It was a fantastic insight into prison life and how someone can still be incarcerated for a very long time without commiting murder. The one thing I found incredibly irritating was the "woe is me" that was a common thread throughout the book. He made the choices he did, he commited the crimes against other people. He tried to justify it by saying he only hurt people who did wrong.

I went on to watch a couple of documentaries about him because of this book so it certainly grabbed my interest.


Thank you for the advance copy.

Charles Bronson: Inside And Out - Julie Shaw

Irene

Irene Kelsey, 1952 - The Wirral.

Irene’s back story about her father and her childhood brought back memories of my own Dad. He called me Babbie, then I was “Girl” as I got older. (My Dad was a northerner too!) Some may even say he was a ‘Scally’ in his own right.
Irene put up with a lot of shit and not knowing what Mick was up to or where he was most of the time must have been so difficult not just for her but for her to have to explain to their little boy too.
He vanished, she roamed the streets with her young son and thought something might have happened to him… Weeks later she found out from her father-in-law he’d been locked up!

“I looked at the doc, the same doc that a few years previously Myra Hindley and Ian Brady had been standing in waiting to be sentenced. Why is my Mick in the same doc? They were bloody child killers! I thought. My Mick hasn’t killed or harmed anyone.”

“The danger these days is more toward him than from him, and he simply wants to live out whatever years he has left with dignity and in peace.”

Mick

Born Michael Gordon Peterson, 1952 - Luton.

“I tried my hardest to do well at school because that’s what my parents wanted for me, but you know what I couldn’t stand? Bullies! I hated them with a passion and I couldn’t stand it if I saw some unfortunate getting picked on or being battered by some bigger kid. I couldn’t help myself but charge in and sort the big bastards out.”

Michael Peterson was arrested and sentenced to 7 years in prison, which turned into 13 years of abuse and being moved from place to place, to the worst prisons imaginable. Released as Michael Peterson, worked as an unlicensed fighter and changed his name. He really wanted to propose to his on/off girlfriend so took a shotgun to a jewellers and stole the ring. Not only was he shocked when she rejected him, but to top it all he was arrested for the job within days. He was charged under his new name - Charles Bronson (“After the tough guy movie star.”) and sentenced to a further 7 years.
Years passed, many more prison moves and then Charles Bronson met a salt of the earth officer (Mr Mick O’Hagan) who changed his life - and his name. Charles Bronson became Charles Salvador (Salvador - someone who helps sinners and was a name for a man of peace) but to Irene, he was still Mick and she refuses to call him anything else.

53 years and counting for a robbery, that started out as a 7 year sentence, wtf? Guess luck hasn’t been on his side, same can’t be said for some who only do “my 7” makes me wonder how the fuck these sentences are worked out, seriously! Our legal system is broken, shot to shit.

This man should have been released decades ago!

It's a rather slow read. But very very interesting
Thankyou netgalley for the opportunity to read this book
3***

Having read other books by the man himself was not sure what to expect from this however it was really interesting and showed the perspective from his first wife Irene and in turn analysed by Julie Shaw.
The style of writing is very easy to get into and you get a real feel for the times and characters involved. You cannot help but question a system which allows someone to be kept inside for 53 years without a form of rehabilitation and which has probably contributed to the issues that Bronson now has to deal with.
A worthy read if you like real life gritty crime books.

I struggle to find anything positive to say about this book. It is amateurish - from the writing itself to the author analysis inserted between chapters. The perspectives of the two people, Mick and Irene, come across as completely self indulgent and with no thought for the impact their actions had on others. While I learned a great deal about 1970s fashion choices, I learned little about why a person would close their eyes to the criminal actions of their partner. It’s not a true crime book, as such, but I am sure some readers will come to this in hopes of insights into the criminal and his crimes. There are none.