'The most famous biography of criminal life to have been published in Britain' - Time Out
The Profession of Violence pulls back the curtain on the rise and eventual fall of Ronnie and Reggie Kray, London's most infamous gangsters. Charting their transformation from East End boys to the ruling figures of London's criminal underworld during the 1960s, John Pearson's vivid account shows how they ran an empire of organised crime the likes of which London had never seen. Built on lies, extortion, and extreme violence and murder, Pearson also shows the brotherly relationship that kept them bound in blood until their eventual downfall and imprisonment.
Part true-crime story, part psychological study, The Profession of Violence is a compelling portrait of loyalty, fear, and the seductive pull of power in a world where violence becomes a way of life.
The Profession of Violence was adapted for the screen in 2015 as Legend, starring Tom Hardy.
John Pearson (1930-2021) was a British journalist and biographer known for his meticulous research and narrative flair. Over his long career he chronicled the lives of influential—and often controversial—figures, crafting works that blended investigative depth with rich, engaging storytelling.
