The autobiography of an ex-offender and twice-times inmate of
Barlinnie Prison, now a social work team-leader in his native
Scotland. As a local hard case, author Allan Weaver took no
prisoners. Neither does he in this compelling work in which he
tells of a life of violent episodes and his chaotic early life.
Teachers, social workers and 'authority figures' never tried 'to
get to know him' to unearth the clues and triggers and discover
what his offending was all about. A natural rebel and a radical, it
is hardly surprising that by ignoring the real Allan Weaver this
led to an escalation of his violent activities, tensions between
family and friends and dubious associates. So You Think You Know
Me? is packed with contradictions: the Allan Weaver involved in
mayhem and aggression is not the one telling the story from inside
his own head: an often vulnerable, sensitive, articulate,
unquestionably loyal and even-handed individual; mistaken,
misguided and foolish perhaps but largely trapped by an increasing
need to live up to his 'tough guy' reputation. That there can be
any tidy ending to this graphic true-life account of approved
school, assessment centres, care homes, borstal and Glasgow's
notorious Barlinnie Prison is quite remarkable yet Allan Weaver
survived to obtain a degree from Strathclyde University and to work
on the inside of the Criminal Justice System with young people who,
like he was, are in trouble with the law. The punches that he now
throws are directed towards the shortcomings of a system which he
believes is failing to do all that it could to turn them away from
crime and anti-social behaviour as he explains in this heartfelt
autobiography. Essential reading for anyone involved with serious
young offenders, especially those of a violent disposition. Audio
from the book launch Launched at Glasgow School of Social Work, for
audio from the launch click here (external link to Institute for
Research and Innovation in Social Services website. Although we
have tested this site and found there to be no problems, Waterside
Press is not responsible for content of external links). Reviews
'Despite all the tribulations he faced in his early life Weaver
conveys his experiences with humour and affection. I thoroughly
recommend this book to anyone who wants to be reminded of why they
embarked on a career in the probation service' Probation Journal
'When Mr Weaver talks about the importance of tackling the causes
of crime, he does so from an unusual position of authority and
experience' The Scotsman 'There will be few who can match the range
and depth of his understanding... Weaver tells his story with
unflinching frankness. He does not glory in the life he lived, but
takes the reader into a world where it could seem to be just a part
of normality. Long-term prisoners are wont to speak of their lives
as a journey. One puts down this book reminded of how very long
that journey can be, of the distant, half-known country where it
can have begun, of the price it can exact and the importance of
nourishing hope' Independent Monitor 'A book that makes painful
reading at times, painful to read of the damage that Allan Weaver
caused to himself and others and their property, but also painful
to read how structures often combined, some would say colluded, to
take him further away from the person he could have been. But it is
a book that helps us better understand Allan Weaver, and those like
him, who, given a chance, can get away from their past and help
build a better future' Internet Law Book Reviews
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