Elephant Boys: Tales of London and Los Angeles Underworlds

by Brian Mc Donald (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2000

  $14.39

  This volume recalls the turbulent and often brutal life of south London's infamous McDonald family, taking the reader on a journey from the Elephant and Castle in the early 1920s to the crime-riddled Los Angeles of the mid-1960s. This account aims to bring to life the personal history of Charles Wag McDonald's involvement in the Epsom Riot and in the racecourse gang warfare which led to his hasty departure for America. Wag's diary is used to bring to life the story of the experiences that followed: travelling in Alaska where he guarded salmon traps against pirates; as a bodyguard to Charlie Chaplin; and operating at the heart of the Los Angeles underworld and underbelly of Tinseltown. The author has uncovered information on the McDonald and Sabini families and provides insights into some of the most notorious criminals, like Billy Kimber, Mad Frankie Fraser and the Richardson brothers. The author, who was himself involved in the struggle for control of London's underworld, has first-hand knowledge of many villains - past and present - and relates the stories with help from the family archives.

• Used

  Paperback
  2001

  $11.79

  Elephant Boys recalls the turbulent life of south London's McDonald family, taking us on a journey from the Elephant and Castle in the early 1920s, through crime-riddled Los Angeles to London's violent 1950s and mid-1960s. This account brings to life the personal history of Charles Wag McDonald's involvement in the Epsom Riot and in the racecourse gang warfare which led to his hasty departure for America. Incredible experiences followed: travelling to Alaska, working as a bodyguard to Charlie Chaplin and operating at the heart of the Los Angeles underworld and underbelly of Tinseltown. There are shocking insights into some of the most notorious criminals, like Billy Kimber, Mad Frankie Fraser and the Richardson Brothers. The author, who was himself involved in the struggle for control of London's underworld, has first-hand knowledge of many villains - past and present - and relates the stories with help from the family archives.