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  • The Guv'nor

  • The Autobiography of Lenny McLean
  • By: Lenny McLean
  • Narrated by: Karl Jenkinson
  • Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (3,116 ratings)
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The Guv'nor cover art

The Guv'nor

By: Lenny McLean
Narrated by: Karl Jenkinson
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Summary

This is the classic book that started an entire genre - the story of the most iconic hardman of them all.

Lenny McLean was one of the deadliest bareknuckle fighters Britain has ever seen. He had dear, powerful friends, but he also had terrible enemies. So much so that he had two bullet wounds in his back - each from a different attack.

He was also stabbed repeatedly - always from behind. But Lenny was also a warm, big-hearted grizzly bear of a man, whose main weakness was an overwhelming desire to put the welfare of his mates ahead of his own wellbeing.

In his extraordinary autobiography, he tells of how the Mafia flew him to New York to take on their greatest bareknuckle boxer in a multimillion pound illicit bout.

The Mafia's man lasted less than three minutes. When the IRA fronted up a London gang in a money-laundering scam, Lenny was brought in to intimidate the terrorists. The IRA, not surprisingly, backed off.

His most serious trial came when he was accused of murder. Fighting to prove his innocence against a minimum sentence of 25 years, Lenny never gave up - and went on to be found not guilty.

This is a tale of one man's triumph against almost insurmountable odds, in a battle that Len fought every day for himself, and to 'put steam on the table' for his wife and kids.

©2020 Lenny McLean (P)2020 Bonnier Books Ltd

What listeners say about The Guv'nor

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The Guv’nor

Met Lenny a few times in the early 90’s when I was doing the doors, the book sums him up exactly, very fair, heart of gold & total animal when upset! RIP Lenny.

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25 people found this helpful

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"a diabolical liberty" this is not

Lenny's life is an amazing listen and the performance is top notch. if you are any way interested in the krays era or the older gangsters of England then I highly recommend this book. in fact even if it's just a passing fancy you will still enjoy this. Lenny is very honest and goes into an exceptional amount of detail on his past crimes and fights. genuinely enjoyable and I would recommend this audio book.

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12 people found this helpful

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absolutely brilliant

loved every min of this book ,great story there wont be another like lenny RIP THE GUVNOR

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Gripping book

brilliant book, you warm to Lenny so much, he made the best out of his life and was taken too soon.

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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my 1st book

This was my 1st audio book and I really enjoyed it. never thought I would like it so much thank you.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Hooked (?)

Spellbinding from start to finish. Wish he was still around. A fantastic story. Not many like him. A one in a million. True old school.

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8 people found this helpful

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fantastic book

Great book loved every minute of it, one of the best I have downloaded to date

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7 people found this helpful

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Great listen

loved it the old East end days and what life was like for people who lived ther on the edge

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6 people found this helpful

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Amazing

Insight into a world so far removed from the average man... a one of the kind... the Guv’nor!

Gripping stuff!

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5 people found this helpful

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Brilliant

loved it best audible book so far could not wait to tune in for more

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5 people found this helpful