MOB TOWN A History of Crime and Disorder in the East End

Hardback. SIGNED. A captivating history of a notorious neighbourhood and the first book to reveal why London’s East End became synonymous with lawlessness and crime. Even before Jack the Ripper haunted its streets for prey, London’s East End had earned a reputation for immorality, filth, and vice. The author, a writer and tour guide who has walked and researched the area for more than 30yrs, delves into four centuries of history to chronicle the crimes, their perpetrators, and the circumstances that made the East End an ideal breeding ground for illegal activity. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Britain’s industrial boom drew thousands of workers to the area, leading to overcrowding and squalor. But crime in the area flourished long past the Victorian period. Drawing on original archival history and featuring a fascinating cast of characters including the infamous Ripper, highwayman Dick Turpin, the Kray brothers, and a host of ordinary evildoers, this gripping and deliciously unsavoury book will fascinate Londonphiles and true crime lovers alike. Illus., Endnotes, Bibliog. and Index. 341pp. lge. 8vo. h/back. With tipped-in label SIGNED BY JOHN BENNETT. As New in dw. A fairly heavy book which may require additional postage if shipped overseas.