{"title":"Carl Chinn","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"peaky-blinders-the-legacy-carl-chinn-true-crime-paperback","title":"Peaky Blinders: The Legacy by Carl Chinn - Notorious 1920s Gangland Britain - True Crime - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCondition: BRAND NEW\u003cbr\u003e\nFormat: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\nISBN: 9781789462937\u003cbr\u003e\nPublisher: John Blake Publishing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Legacy is Carl Chinn's gripping follow-up to his Sunday Times bestseller, Peaky Blinders: The Real Story. Moving beyond the origins of Birmingham's most infamous street gang, this book traces what happened next: fractured empires, bitter rivalries and criminal networks spreading across Britain in the 1920s and 30s. Meticulously researched and vividly told, it's essential reading for anyone gripped by the hit BBC drama and hungry for the real history behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nIn this compelling follow-up, renowned social historian Carl Chinn revisits the world of Billy Kimber's Peaky Blinders to explore the legacy they left behind in Birmingham and far beyond. Having already revealed the true story of the gang in his acclaimed first book, Chinn now turns to what became of them and their gangland rivals as the decade wore on. Readers are taken deep into the street wars that erupted across the country, the seismic impact of the Home Secretary's declaration of a \"War on Gangs\" following the notorious Racecourse War of 1921, and the shifting criminal landscape as old-style extortion of racecourse bookmakers gave way to bold new opportunities. Colourful and dangerous figures emerge throughout, including Darby Sabini and Alfie Solomon, alongside a fresh cast of gangland faces jostling for control of Britain's underworld. Drawing on decades of original research, family history and rare archival sources, Chinn brings to life the true, often brutal reality behind the glamorised television version of events. This is a book for readers who want the unvarnished history: real people, real crimes, and a real Birmingham shaped by poverty, violence and ambition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWritten by Carl Chinn, the leading authority on the real Peaky Blinders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFollow-up to the Sunday Times bestseller Peaky Blinders: The Real Story\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReveals the true fate of the gang and their rivals through the 1920s and 30s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePacked with meticulous historical research and rare archive detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect for fans of the hit BBC television series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMakes a brilliant gift for true crime and British history enthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nProfessor Carl Chinn MBE PhD is a social historian with a national profile, broadcaster, writer, public speaker and teacher. An off-course bookmaker himself until 1984, he is the son and grandson of illegal bookmakers in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, and the great-grandson of a genuine peaky blinder. His mother's family were factory workers in Aston. Chinn's writing is deeply shaped by his working-class Birmingham roots, and he believes history belongs to everyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You'll Love This True Crime History\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAuthoritative, atmospheric and packed with real gangland detail, this is the true story behind the drama - essential for anyone hooked on Peaky Blinders and craving the facts behind the fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note: Cover shown is the UK edition; ISBN and edition are as stated above.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Carl Chinn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42810793689325,"sku":"SNG10616","price":4.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/4549\/8093\/products\/peaky-blinders-the-legacy-carl-chinn-paperback.jpg?v=1784316186"},{"product_id":"peaky-blinders-real-story-carl-chinn-true-crime-paperback","title":"Peaky Blinders: The Real Story of Birmingham's Most Notorious Gangs by Carl Chinn - True Crime - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCondition: Brand New\u003cbr\u003e\nFormat: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\nISBN: 9781789461725\u003cbr\u003e\nPublisher: John Blake Publishing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Real Story of Birmingham's Most Notorious Gangs is Carl Chinn's meticulously researched account of the true history behind the hit television drama. Drawing on decades of original research, family interviews, and rare archive photographs, Chinn separates fact from fiction, revealing the working-class Birmingham communities that gave rise to the razor gangs of legend. A must-read for fans of the show and true crime enthusiasts alike, this paperback offers a compelling, authoritative alternative to the screen version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nLong before the Shelby family captured television audiences worldwide, real Peaky Blinders roamed the back streets of Birmingham. Social historian Carl Chinn, whose own great-grandfather was among their number, has spent decades tracking down the truth behind the myth. This gripping social history shines a light on the rarely reported struggles of Birmingham's working class before the First World War, exploring the poverty, opportunity, and desperation that fuelled the city's underworld. The narrative continues into the postwar years, as some of the original Peaky Blinders evolved into the infamous Birmingham Gang, led by the real Billy Kimber. Chinn documents their fierce and often violent rivalry with London gangsters Darby Sabini and Alfie Solomon over lucrative protection rackets extorting bookmakers on Britain's booming racecourses. Blending rigorous archival research with rarely seen photographs and interviews with gangsters' descendants, this book adds real depth to a story most readers only know through drama and legend. It is both serious social history and a page-turning true crime narrative. Fans of the TV series will find the factual foundations fascinating, while newcomers will discover an overlooked chapter of British urban history brought vividly to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWritten by Carl Chinn, a respected historian with personal family ties to the real Peaky Blinders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDraws on original archive sources and interviews with descendants of 1920s gangsters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes rarely seen historical images of the real Peaky Blinders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTraces the story from prewar Birmingham through to the postwar Birmingham Gang era\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Sunday Times bestseller, perfect for fans of the Peaky Blinders TV series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn ideal gift for true crime, history, and British social history enthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nProfessor Carl Chinn MBE PhD is a social historian, broadcaster, writer, and public speaker with a national profile in the UK. An off-course bookmaker himself until 1984, he is the son and grandson of illegal bookmakers from Sparkbrook, and the great-grandson of a genuine Peaky Blinder. His writing is deeply informed by his own working-class Birmingham heritage, and he is a passionate advocate for democratising history so that ordinary people's stories are properly told and remembered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You'll Love This Book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFor anyone hooked on the Peaky Blinders TV drama, this book delivers the real history behind the legend, told with authority, warmth, and genuine family connection. It's a fascinating, fact-packed read that brings Birmingham's true underworld story vividly to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note: Cover image shown is of the UK edition; ISBN and edition are as stated above.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Carl Chinn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42810797555949,"sku":"SNG10615","price":4.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/4549\/8093\/products\/peaky-blinders-real-story-carl-chinn-paperback-true-crime.jpg?v=1784316263"},{"product_id":"peaky-blinders-real-story-legacy-carl-chinn-2-books-true-crime-paperback","title":"Peaky Blinders The Real Story \u0026 The Legacy by Carl Chinn - 2 Books Collection Set - True Crime - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitles in This Set\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaky Blinders: The Real Story\u003cbr\u003ePeaky Blinders: The Legacy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCondition: Brand New\u003cbr\u003e\nFormat: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\nISBN (Set): 9789124063498\u003cbr\u003e\nPublisher: John Blake\u003cbr\u003e\nAge Range: Adult\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFans of the smash-hit BBC drama will love this gripping two-book true-crime collection from acclaimed Birmingham social historian Carl Chinn. Peaky Blinders: The Real Story and Peaky Blinders: The Legacy strip away the myth to reveal the genuine gangs, feuds and characters who inspired the Shelby family, tracing their rise from Victorian Birmingham streets through the racecourse wars of the 1920s and 30s. Meticulously researched and vividly told, this set is essential reading for anyone hooked on the show who wants the real history behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Books\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Real Story asks the question every fan wants answered - did the Peaky Blinders really exist? Carl Chinn, whose own great-grandfather was a peaky blinder, draws on decades of original research, rare photographs and interviews with descendants to uncover the true story of Birmingham's most notorious street gang, and how their world of razor blades, flat caps and gang warfare gave rise to the legend later dramatised on screen. The book explores the poverty, violence and desperation of working-class Birmingham before the First World War, and how real conflict with authority - including a Home Secretary determined to stamp them out - shaped the era.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Legacy picks up the story into the 1920s and 30s, following the real Billy Kimber's gang as their influence spread across Britain's booming racecourse circuit. It charts the infamous Racecourse War of 1921, the government's declared War on Gangs, and the shift from bookmaker intimidation to bolder criminal enterprise, bringing in rival figures such as Darby Sabini and Alfie Solomon who battled for control of the underworld. Together, the two books offer a complete, factual companion to the fictional saga, revealing just how much of the drama was rooted in real Birmingham history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWritten by leading Birmingham social historian Carl Chinn, a descendant of a real peaky blinder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReveals the true history behind the hit BBC series, from gang origins to legacy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePacked with rare photographs and first-hand family interviews\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo full-length paperbacks in one great-value collection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect gift for true crime and social history fans\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSunday Times bestselling author\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nProfessor Carl Chinn MBE Ph.D. is a social historian with a national profile, writer, public speaker, and teacher. An off-course bookmaker himself until 1984, he is the son and grandson of illegal bookmakers in Sparkbrook, and the great-grandson of a real peaky blinder, whilst his mother's family were factory workers in Aston. His writing is deeply shaped by his working-class Birmingham background, and he believes passionately that history belongs to everyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You'll Love This Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nIf you've devoured the TV series, this set delivers the real history behind it - authentic, well-researched and full of Birmingham grit. A brilliant, giftable true crime pairing for any Peaky Blinders fan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note: Cover shown is the UK edition; ISBN reflects the UK set barcode as supplied.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Carl Chinn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43023005516013,"sku":"PLD7748","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/4549\/8093\/products\/peaky-blinders-real-story-legacy-carl-chinn-paperback-set.jpg?v=1784321613"},{"product_id":"peaky-blinders-3-book-collection-set-carl-chinn-true-crime-paperback","title":"Peaky Blinders 3 Books Collection Set by Carl Chinn - True Crime \u0026 History - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitles in This Set\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Real Story\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Legacy\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Aftermath\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCondition: Brand New\u003cbr\u003e\nFormat: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\nPublisher: John Blake\u003cbr\u003e\nAge Range: Adult (18+)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis three-book paperback collection from historian Carl Chinn takes readers behind the drama of the hit television series to uncover the true story of Birmingham's Peaky Blinders. Across The Real Story, The Legacy and The Aftermath, Chinn draws on decades of research into the city's back streets, gangs and social conditions to separate fact from fiction. Ideal for fans of the show, true-crime readers and anyone fascinated by working-class Birmingham history, this set is a brand-new gift-ready addition for any bookshelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Books\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Real Story strips away the glamour of the screen to examine the genuine gangs who terrorised Birmingham's streets in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, exploring the poverty and violence that shaped their world and how closely the Shelby family mirrors fact. Chinn, who grew up among the same streets his ancestors walked, brings insider authority to the history behind the legend.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Legacy traces how the gang's fearsome reputation passed down through generations, reshaped by folklore, and reborn as a global cultural phenomenon through the BBC drama, looking at how Birmingham itself has responded to newfound fame.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Aftermath completes the trilogy by charting what happened to organised crime in Birmingham as the century progressed, following the networks and rivalries that emerged after the era depicted on screen. Together, the three books offer a rounded, researched account moving from origins to legacy to consequence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrusted expertise:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written by Carl Chinn, Birmingham's leading social historian and a consultant on the Peaky Blinders phenomenon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete trilogy:\u003c\/strong\u003e Three paperbacks covering the real history, cultural legacy and later developments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand new paperback:\u003c\/strong\u003e Durable, lightweight editions perfect for reading or gifting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreat gift idea:\u003c\/strong\u003e A natural present for fans of the show, true-crime readers and history lovers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthoritative research:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grounded in archives, oral history and Chinn's own family connections to the area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCarl Chinn MBE is a historian, author and broadcaster renowned for his work on the social history of Birmingham and the Black Country. A professor at the University of Birmingham and a long-serving BBC radio presenter, he has written extensively on working-class communities, street gangs and local heritage. Descended from Birmingham families who lived through the era he writes about, Chinn brings rare authenticity and depth to his exploration of the real Peaky Blinders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You'll Love This Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFor anyone gripped by the television series, this trilogy delivers the real history behind the myth. Authoritative, atmospheric and richly detailed, it's essential reading for true-crime fans, history buffs and Peaky Blinders devotees alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note: Cover design may vary slightly from the image shown; this is the current UK paperback edition.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Carl Chinn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44432871686381,"sku":"PLD15389","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/4549\/8093\/files\/peaky-blinders-3-book-collection-carl-chinn-paperback-1.jpg?v=1784332694"},{"product_id":"peaky-blinders-the-aftermath-carl-chinn-non-fiction-paperback","title":"Peaky Blinders: The Aftermath by Carl Chinn - British Gangsters True Crime - Non Fiction - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCondition: BRAND NEW\u003cbr\u003e\nFormat: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\nISBN: 9781789464511\u003cbr\u003e\nPublisher: John Blake Publishing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nPeaky Blinders: The Aftermath is the third instalment in Carl Chinn's Sunday Times bestselling true crime history series, following The Real Story and The Legacy. As Britain shakes off wartime austerity and edges into a modernising mid-century era, historian Carl Chinn traces how new criminal networks rose from the ashes of the original Birmingham gang. Blending rigorous archival research with a gripping narrative style, this paperback is essential reading for anyone fascinated by the true story behind the hit BBC drama and Britain's real gangland history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Book:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCities are shifting from smog-choked industrial hubs into more efficient metropolitan centres of commerce, and although the country is again blighted by war, society is edging toward a modern, forward-thinking era. Change is not confined to ordinary men and women: the criminal underworld is evolving too, hungry for fresh avenues of exploitation. In this third instalment of his acclaimed series, Carl Chinn examines this new chapter in the landscape of Britain's gangs. After the violent reign of the original Peaky Blinders and the frequent gang wars fought up and down the country, new groups emerge from the wreckage with fresh methods of making money and causing havoc, leaving disruption in their wake just like their forebears. Chinn's research draws on police records, newspaper archives and first-hand testimony to reconstruct how loyalty, fear and community ties continued shaping the underworld as Britain modernised. From dockside rackets to city-centre protection schemes, The Aftermath charts the shifting balance of power in Britain's gangland long after the razor-blade-capped Peaky Blinders of legend had faded from the headlines. It's a compelling companion to the hit television series, bringing the real story of Britain's post-war underworld vividly to life for true crime and history enthusiasts alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Benefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThird book in Carl Chinn's Sunday Times bestselling true crime series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReveals the real history behind the hit BBC show Peaky Blinders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeticulously researched using archival and police records\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngaging, accessible narrative for history and true crime fans\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect gift for fans of British social and gangland history\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCarl Chinn is a renowned British historian, author and broadcaster whose work has reshaped popular understanding of Birmingham and its social history. A lifelong advocate for accessible local history, Chinn draws on decades of archival research, interviews and municipal records to bring his subjects to life. His Peaky Blinders books have helped move the popular story from television drama into serious historical conversation about class, crime and community in early to mid-twentieth century Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You'll Love This Book:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA gripping, well-researched account of Britain's real gangland history that goes far beyond the TV screen. Perfect for history buffs, true crime fans and anyone hooked on the Peaky Blinders phenomenon, this paperback makes a brilliant gift or addition to any bookshelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note: Book may show a different retailer cover to the one pictured. This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed above.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Carl Chinn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56739731276158,"sku":"SNG10451","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/4549\/8093\/files\/peaky-blinders-the-aftermath-carl-chinn-paperback-cover.webp?v=1784423743"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.letsbuybooks.com\/collections\/carl-chinn.oembed","provider":"Lets Buy Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}