Gang War

by Peter Walsh
Gang War cover
Good Books rating 4.2
True Crime
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 2875
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781903854150
  • Published: 2003-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In the mid-1980s, Manchester became the unlikely stage for a Chicago-style gang war that continues to this day. Investigative author Peter Walsh delves into the inner workings of the city's criminal underworld, revealing how gangsters armed with automatic weapons terrorized the streets, seizing control of the drug trade and nightclub security. This bloody conflict has left over three dozen dead and reshaped the city's criminal landscape. Walsh's investigation uncovers the rise of a new gang culture unlike anything previously seen in the UK. With unprecedented access and detailed research, he exposes the power struggles, betrayals, and violence that define this era of organized crime. The book also includes 16 pages of photographs, offering a visual narrative of the events that have shaped Manchester's criminal history.

Reviews
Reddit - Manchester · [deleted] · 2023-08-07
good 4.00

This book is highly recommended for its comprehensive coverage of Manchester's gang history. It is considered a good read that captures the essence of the city's criminal underworld.

The book has garnered significant praise from readers who appreciate its thorough exploration of Manchester's gang history. It is often recommended as a must-read for those interested in the subject. The detailed accounts and the book's ability to provide a comprehensive overview of the gang culture make it a valuable resource. Readers have also noted that it needs a sequel to cover more recent events, indicating its lasting impact and relevance.

Quick quotes

    It's an old one but Gang War by Peter Walsh is a good read.

    That book is sooo good, needs a sequel for the last 20+ years.

    Good luck but Gang War by Peter Walsh pretty much covered it.

Goodreads · 2005-02-01
disturbing 4.10

This book provides a gripping and unflinching look at the rise of gang culture in Manchester. It is praised for its detailed and disturbing account of a unique crime phenomenon.

Readers have found this book to be a powerful and eye-opening exploration of Manchester's gang culture. The detailed accounts and investigative depth make it a standout in the genre. While some may find the content disturbing, it is widely regarded as an essential read for understanding the complexities of urban crime. The book's ability to capture the raw and brutal nature of gang life is particularly noted, making it a compelling and important work.

Quick quotes

    A powerful, disturbing account of an extraordinary crime phenomenon.

    The most detailed account of Manchester's gangs ever published.

    The definitive account of the crime mobs' feuding.

Milo Books · 2005-02-01
compelling 4.50

This book reveals the evolution of a US-style gang culture in Manchester, unlike anything seen before in the UK. It is praised for its unique perspective and detailed narrative.

The book is celebrated for its unique perspective on the evolution of gang culture in Manchester. It provides a detailed narrative that sets it apart from other works in the genre. Readers appreciate the book's ability to shed light on a phenomenon that was previously unexplored in the UK. The detailed accounts and the book's investigative depth make it a compelling read for those interested in urban crime and its impact on society.

Quick quotes

    Gang War reveals how a new, US-style gang culture evolved in Manchester, unlike anything seen before in the UK.

    The most detailed account of Manchester's gangs ever published.

    The definitive account of the crime mobs' feuding.

Appears in Lists