Skinhead

<p>Sixteen-year-old Joe Hawkins is the anti-hero’s anti-hero. His life is ruled by clothes beer football and above all violence – violence against hippies authority racial minorities and anyone else unfortunate enough to get in his way.</p><p>Joe is a London skinhead – a member of a uniquely British subculture which arose rapidly in the late 1960’s. While other skins were driven mainly by music fashion and working-class pride Joe and his mob use their formidable street style as a badge of aggressive rage even while Joe dreams of making a better life for himself.</p><p>Lacerating in its depiction of violence and sex often shocking by today’s standards <em>Skinhead</em> is also a provocative cross-section of urban British society. It doesn’t spare the hypocrisy corruption or excessive permissiveness which the author believed allowed the extremist wing of skinhead culture to flourish.</p><p><em>Skinhead</em> first published in 1970 and a huge cult bestseller is now available for the first time in ebook form with a new introduction by Andrew Stevens. Nearly fifty years on it remains one of the most potent artefacts of British popular culture ever committed to print.</p><p>“I did happen to read the book when it came out and I was quite interested in the whole Richard Allen cult... suedeheads and skinheads and smoothies were very much part of daily life. There was a tremendous air of intensity... something interesting grabbed me about the whole thing.” <em>Morrissey</em></p><p>“(Richard Allen’s) work shouldn't require a theoretical summing up once enough of those to whom it appeals understand its attraction we will have superceded this society.” <em>Stewart Home</em></p>