Odd Man Out: The Last Straw - The Controversial Autobiography of the Great Train Robber
Odd Man Out: The Last Straw - The Official Autobiography of Ronnie Biggs
If you are looking for a thrilling and captivating story of one of the most notorious criminals in history, you might want to check out Odd Man Out: The Last Straw, the official autobiography of Ronnie Biggs. In this book, Biggs tells his own version of his life, from his involvement in the Great Train Robbery, to his escape from prison, to his decades on the run, to his return and release in Britain. This article will give you an overview of who Ronnie Biggs is, what his book is about, and how you can download it as an ebook.
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Who is Ronnie Biggs?
Ronnie Biggs was born in London in 1929. He had a troubled childhood and started his criminal career at a young age. He joined the Royal Air Force during World War II, but was dishonorably discharged for desertion. He then became involved in various petty crimes and robberies, until he met Bruce Reynolds, the mastermind behind the Great Train Robbery.
The Great Train Robbery
The Great Train Robbery was one of the most famous heists in history. It took place on August 8, 1963, when a gang of 15 men stopped a mail train carrying 2.6 million (equivalent to about 55 million today) from Glasgow to London. They used false signals to trick the driver into stopping at a remote location, where they overpowered him and his crew. They then transferred the money bags to a waiting truck and drove away. The whole operation took less than 30 minutes.
Ronnie Biggs was not one of the main planners or executors of the robbery. His role was to find a replacement train driver who could move the train after it was stopped. However, the driver he hired was unable to operate the locomotive, and Biggs had to help him manually uncouple the carriages. This caused a delay that allowed some of the train staff to alert the authorities.
The police soon launched a massive manhunt for the robbers. They found their hideout at Leatherslade Farm, where they left behind fingerprints, clothes, and other evidence. They also traced some of the money that was spent or deposited by the gang members. Within a few months, most of them were arrested and put on trial.
Ronnie Biggs was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his part in the robbery. He was sent to Wandsworth Prison in London, where he spent 15 months before making a daring escape.
The Escape and the Chase
On July 8, 1965, Ronnie Biggs escaped from Wandsworth Prison with the help of three other men who scaled the wall with a ladder and cut through the bars of his cell window. They then drove away in a furniture van that was waiting outside. Biggs later revealed that he paid 40,000 (about 800,000 today) for his escape plan.
Biggs then went into hiding and changed his appearance with plastic surgery. He first fled to Paris, where he obtained a fake passport and met his wife Charmian and their two sons. He then moved to Australia, where he lived under the name of Terry King. He worked as a carpenter and a set builder for a TV station. He also had another son with Charmian.
However, in 1969, Biggs was recognized by a journalist who tipped off the police. Biggs managed to evade capture and fled to Panama, where he boarded a flight to Brazil. He left behind his family, who later returned to Britain.
The Life in Brazil
Brazil became Ronnie Biggs' home for the next 31 years. He lived in Rio de Janeiro, where he enjoyed the sun, the beach, and the carnival. He also became involved with a local dancer named Raimunda de Castro, with whom he had a son named Michael.
Brazil did not have an extradition treaty with Britain at the time, so Biggs was safe from being sent back to prison. However, he was not free from trouble. In 1974, he was discovered and arrested by a British detective named Jack Slipper, who flew to Rio to bring him back. But Biggs appealed to the Brazilian authorities, who refused to extradite him because he had a Brazilian son.
In 1981, Biggs was kidnapped by a group of mercenaries who planned to smuggle him to Barbados, where he could be extradited. They drugged him and put him on a yacht, but the plot was foiled when the boat was intercepted by the Barbadian coast guard. Biggs was released and returned to Brazil.
Biggs became a celebrity in Brazil and around the world. He gave interviews, wrote books, recorded songs, and appeared in movies and TV shows. He also received many visitors, including some of his former accomplices and his family members. He even met with Jack Slipper again in 1994, and they posed for a friendly photo together.
The Return and the Release
In 1997, Brazil and Britain signed a new extradition treaty that could have affected Biggs' status. However, Biggs decided to stay in Brazil and fight any attempts to deport him. He said he preferred to die in Brazil than in prison.
But in 2001, Biggs changed his mind and decided to return to Britain voluntarily. He said he was homesick and wanted to see his family and friends again. He also said he was ill and needed medical care. He flew back to London on May 7, 2001, where he was arrested on arrival and sent back to prison.
Biggs spent the next eight years in various prisons and hospitals. He suffered several strokes that left him partially paralyzed and unable to speak. He also contracted pneumonia and MRSA infections. He applied for parole several times, but was denied by the authorities who deemed him still a threat to society.
In 2009, Biggs was finally granted a "compassionate release" by the justice secretary Jack Straw, who said that Biggs was not expected to recover and posed no risk to the public. Biggs was freed on August 6, 2009, one day before his 80th birthday.
Biggs spent his last years in a nursing home in London, where he received visits from his family and friends. He died on December 18, 2013, at the age of 84.
What is Odd Man Out: The Last Straw?
Odd Man Out: The Last Straw is the official autobiography of Ronnie Biggs, which he completed in November 2011 with the help of his friend and ghostwriter Christopher Pickard. It is the sequel to his previous book Odd Man Out: The Last of the Great Train Robbers (1994), which covered his life until his return to Britain in 2001.
The Content and the Style
Odd Man Out: The Last Straw covers Biggs' entire life story from his birth to his release from prison in 2009. It includes details of his involvement in the Great Train Robbery, his escape from prison, his life on the run in various countries, his return and imprisonment in Britain, and his final years as a free man.
The book is written in a conversational style as if Biggs is talking directly to the reader. It uses an informal tone, personal pronouns, simple language, rhetorical questions, analogies, and metaphors. It also includes photos, documents, letters, newspaper clippings, and song lyrics that illustrate Biggs' life.
Part Three: Back in Britain (2001-2009), and Part Four: The Final Years (2009-2011). Each part has several chapters that cover different aspects of Biggs' life. The Reviews and the Reception
Odd Man Out: The Last Straw was published in November 2011 by M Press Media. It received mixed reviews from critics and readers. Some praised it as a fascinating and honest account of a remarkable life, while others criticized it as a self-serving and glorifying attempt to justify a criminal career.
The book also sparked controversy and debate over Biggs' role in the Great Train Robbery, his escape from prison, his extradition status, his treatment by the authorities, and his release on compassionate grounds. Some people regarded Biggs as a modern-day folk hero who outwitted the system and lived an adventurous life, while others condemned him as a ruthless and selfish villain who caused harm and suffering to many people.
The Controversy and the Criticism
One of the main sources of controversy and criticism for Odd Man Out: The Last Straw was Biggs' attitude towards the Great Train Robbery and its consequences. Biggs expressed no remorse or regret for his involvement in the robbery, which he described as "a bit of fun". He also showed no sympathy or apology for the train driver Jack Mills, who was hit on the head by one of the robbers and suffered lasting injuries. Biggs claimed that he did not know who attacked Mills and that he was not responsible for his actions.
Another source of controversy and criticism was Biggs' portrayal of himself as a victim of injustice and persecution by the British authorities and media. Biggs complained that he was unfairly sentenced to 30 years in prison for a crime that did not involve violence or weapons. He also claimed that he was mistreated and neglected by the prison system, which denied him proper medical care and parole opportunities. He accused the justice secretary Jack Straw of being biased and vindictive against him.
A third source of controversy and criticism was Biggs' exploitation of his fame and celebrity status for financial gain and publicity. Biggs admitted that he made money from selling his story and image to various media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, books, films, TV shows, and music records. He also acknowledged that he enjoyed the attention and admiration he received from the public, especially in Brazil. He said that he had no regrets about living a life of "fun, freedom, and adventure".
How to Download Odd Man Out: The Last Straw Ebook?
If you are interested in reading Odd Man Out: The Last Straw by Ronnie Biggs, you can download it as an ebook from various online platforms. Here are some of the options you have:
The Kindle Edition
The Kindle edition of Odd Man Out: The Last Straw is available on Amazon.co.uk for 4.99. You can read it on any device with the free Kindle app, such as your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. You can also read it on your Kindle device if you have one. To download the ebook, you need to have an Amazon account and a valid payment method. You can follow these steps:
Go to this link to access the ebook page on Amazon.co.uk.
Click on the "Buy now with 1-Click" button on the right side of the page.
Sign in to your Amazon account or create one if you don't have one.
Select your preferred payment method or add a new one if you need to.
Confirm your purchase and wait for the ebook to be delivered to your device.
Open your Kindle app or device and enjoy reading Odd Man Out: The Last Straw.
The Hardcover Edition
If you prefer to have a physical copy of Odd Man Out: The Last Straw, you can also order the hardcover edition from Amazon.co.uk for 7.00. You can choose from various delivery options depending on your location and preference. You can follow these steps:
Go to this link to access the hardcover page on Amazon.co.uk.
Click on the "Add to Basket" button on the right side of the page.
Click on the "Proceed to Checkout" button on the top right corner of the page.
Sign in to your Amazon account or create one if you don't have one.
Select your delivery address or add a new one if you need to.
Select your delivery option and confirm the delivery date and cost.
Select your payment method or add a new one if you need to.
Review your order and click on the "Place your order" button at the bottom of the page.
Wait for your hardcover book to be delivered to your address.
Open your package and enjoy reading Odd Man Out: The Last Straw.
The Other Options
Besides Amazon.co.uk, you can also find Odd Man Out: The Last Straw ebook on other online platforms, such as Google Play Books, Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. You can compare the prices and features of each platform and choose the one that suits you best. You can also check if your local library has a copy of the ebook that you can borrow for free. To download the ebook from any of these platforms, you need to have an account and a valid payment method. You also need to have a compatible device and app to read the ebook. You can follow the instructions on each platform's website to download the ebook.
Conclusion
Odd Man Out: The Last Straw is the official autobiography of Ronnie Biggs, one of the most notorious criminals in history. It tells his own version of his life, from his involvement in the Great Train Robbery, to his escape from prison, to his decades on the run, to his return and release in Britain. It is a controversial and captivating book that has received mixed reviews and reactions from critics and readers. If you want to read it, you can download it as an ebook from various online platforms, such as Amazon.co.uk, Google Play Books, Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. You can also order a hardcover edition from Amazon.co.uk or check if your local library has a copy. Whether you admire or despise Ronnie Biggs, you will find his book an interesting and entertaining read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Odd Man Out: The Last Straw by Ronnie Biggs:
Q: Is Odd Man Out: The Last Straw a true story?
A: Odd Man Out: The Last Straw is based on Ronnie Biggs' own memories and experiences. However, some of the details and events may be inaccurate or exaggerated due to Biggs' faulty memory, biased perspective, or artistic license. Therefore, it is not a reliable source of historical or factual information. It is best to read it as a personal account rather than a definitive biography.
Q: How long is Odd Man Out: The Last Straw?
A: Odd Man Out: The Last Straw is 464 pages long in the hardcover edition and 1099 KB in the Kindle edition. It takes about 10 hours and 30 minutes to read it at an average speed of 250 words per minute.
Q: Who wrote Odd Man Out: The Last Straw?
A: Odd Man Out: The Last Straw was written by Ronnie Biggs with the help of his friend and ghostwriter Christopher Pickard. Pickard is a journalist and author who has written several books about crime and adventure. He met Biggs in Brazil in 1981 and became his close friend and confidant. He helped Biggs write his previous book Odd Man Out: The Last of the Great Train Robbers (1994) and completed Odd Man Out: The Last Straw after Biggs' death in 2013.
Q: Where can I find more information about Ronnie Biggs and the Great Train Robbery?
A: If you want to learn more about Ronnie Biggs and the Great Train Robbery, you can check out some of these sources:
The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton (1975) - A novel based on the true story of the robbery, told from the perspective of both the robbers and the police.
Buster (1988) - A film starring Phil Collins as Buster Edwards, one of Biggs' accomplices who fled to Mexico with his wife after the robbery.
of a mysterious figure named Ulsterman, who allegedly masterminded the robbery and escaped with most of the money.
The Great Train Robbery (2013) - A two-part drama by BBC One that dramatizes the events of the robbery and its aftermath, focusing on Bruce Reynolds and Jack Slipper.
A Tale of Two Thieves (2014) - A documentary by Netflix that features interviews with Gordon Goody and Douglas Gordon, two of the robbers who reveal new details and secrets about the robbery.
Q: What are some other books similar to Odd Man Out: The Last Straw?
A: If you enjoyed reading Odd Man Out: The Last Straw, you might also like some of these books:
Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale (1980) - The autobiography of a notorious con artist who impersonated various professions and escaped from prison several times.
Papillon by Henri Charrière (1969) - The memoir of a French convict who escaped from a penal colony in French Guiana and had many adventures in South America.
Mr Nice by Howard Marks (1996) - The autobiography of a Welsh drug smuggler who became one of the most wanted men in the world and had connections with various intelligence agencies and criminal organizations.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley (1965) - The life story of a prominent African American activist who went from being a criminal to a leader of the civil rights movement.
The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort (2007) - The memoir of a former stockbroker who made millions through fraud and corruption and lived a lavish lifestyle of drugs, sex, and crime.
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