KID GLOVE CHARLIE A Ballad of Charlie Peace (1832-1879)

Hardback. A novel based on facts, legends and half-truths, and probably more of the latter, which were told about Charles Peace; more than any other English criminal since Robin Hood. Charles Peace was self-educated, incredibly ugly and exceptionally strong - and a great boaster. He was also able to charm the ladies, especially large ones, and, up to a point, confuse the police. He liked to rob the rich; he also liked to write bad poetry. Among his poetic attempts was a verse he'd written on a card about his father. "In Peace he lived. In Peace he died. Life was our desire. But God denied." Charlie, in spite of his name, didn't live in peace most of the time nor did he die in peace, though he wrote a card to note his going - rather a comic one, all things considered. And he went to his death cheerfully enough, with almost his last thoughts for his children and his wife. The author has succeeded in capturing the essence of a rogue, and the motley Victorian world in which he operated. With Glossary. 280pp. 8vo. h/back. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. Lightly browned pp. with a small 'nick' to fore-edge of last few pp. o/w Vg+ in Vg+ dw. (designed by Howard Asche) which has v. faint water stain along lower edge of back cover.