Overview

For those who equate graffiti tagging with the cosy quirkiness of Banksy or the colourful artistry of wasteground murals - this book will be a real eye-opener. 'The Lost Boyz documents Justin's road to change and redemption. This is the story of almost feral youth, spraying their mark on the urban chaos of pre-millenium London. A story of what it's like to grow up as a confused and mentally unstable child of mixed race in a predominantly white area. A story of mental torture, racism and extreme violence. The Lost Boyz takes the reader through the dirty back streets and dark alleys of south London where vicious gangs of graffiti taggers fought an all-out turf war that left many victims and casualties in its wake. The Lost Boyz squandered their youth in a nihilistic rush towards oblivion. And some did not survive the journey. Justin Rollins was one of the lucky ones...He spent years in prison before managing to wrest back some control over his life. Now in his mid 20s Justin is a changed man, hardly recognisable (both physically and mentally) to the youth I first met. He now has a young daughter of his own and is reconciled with the family he once felt so distant from. He no longer drinks or takes drugs, and nor does he see himself as separate from the rest of society. In writing this book, which was a long and painful journey for him, Justin hopes to lay his ghosts of the past to rest. And if it serves as a warning to even one kid who may be starting out on the same road, then it is a job well done': Noel 'Razor' Smith, crime writer (from the Foreword) .

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9781904380672

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Reviews

'This is simply 100% raw talent being unleashed right from the start... This book is a must-read for the prison population, academics and politicians': Inside Time. 'An unforgettable story of a violent and disturbed young man, who, despite spiraling out of control, is anchored by his friendships and the power of his gang community. Group work readers will likely identify this as a particularly significant aspect of the narrative': Social Work With Groups. 'Reading this book is a little like living a nightmare, but you can always close the book, Justin Rollins actually lived this life; what a nightmarish time': Graphotism. 'This book confirms that the effects of childhood trauma can take their toll on some individuals, depending on how they're dealt with - and it also confirms that the age-old effect of peer pressure can really make young people do some crazy stuff... but there are some real dark moments in there so be prepared': Keep the Faith. 'In writing this book, which was a long and painful journey for him, Justin hopes to lay his ghosts of the past to rest. And if it serves as a warning to even one kid who may be starting out on the same road, then it is a job well done': Noel 'Razor' Smith, crime writer (from the Foreword).

'In writing this book, which was a long and painful journey for him, Justin hopes to lay his ghosts of the past to rest. And if it serves as a warning to even one kid who may be starting out on the same road, then it is a job well done': Noel 'Razor' Smith, crime writer (from the Foreword) .

'This book confirms that the effects of childhood trauma can take their toll on some individuals, depending on how they're dealt with - and it also confirms that the age-old effect of peer pressure can really make young people do some crazy stuff. It's definitely worth a read ... but there are some real dark moments in there so be prepared': Keep the Faith. 'In writing this book, which was a long and painful journey for him, Justin hopes to lay his ghosts of the past to rest. And if it serves as a warning to even one kid who may be starting out on the same road, then it is a job well done': Noel 'Razor' Smith, crime writer (from the Foreword) .

Author Information

Justin Rollins grew-up on the streets of south-London. He is now a professional graffiti artist and works to steer young people away from a life of crime. Noel 'Razor' Smith is the best-selling author of A Few Kind Words and a Loaded Gun and works for the prison newspaper Inside Time

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