History of a Drowning Boy

Discover the chilling and profound 'History of a Drowning Boy,' a gripping autobiography by Dennis Nilsen, one of Britain's most notorious serial killers. This paperback, published by Red Door Press, spans 336 pages and delves deep into Nilsen's mind, offering readers a never-before-seen perspective on his life, motives, and the horrific events that led to the murders of 12 men. Written over 18 years, Nilsen's introspective writings reveal not only his disturbing thoughts but also provide invaluable insights into his childhood and the psychological factors that contributed to his actions. Explore the maximum-security prison environment where he spent 35 years, experiencing his daily life, interactions with authorities, and relationships with other infamous inmates. This book also challenges the many myths propagated by the media, revealing the true story behind Nilsen's life and crimes. With a compelling foreword by criminologist Dr. Mark Pettigrew, this autobiography is part memoir, part psychological exploration, providing essential context to Nilsen's complex character. 'History of a Drowning Boy' is more than a chilling account; it’s a deep dive into the human psyche that is both disturbing and thought-provoking, perfect for true crime enthusiasts and readers fascinated by the darker aspects of human nature.

Author: Dennis Nilsen Publisher: Red Door Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 138 x 216 mm
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 25-02-2021

Dennis Nilsen was one of Britain's most notorious serial killers, jailed for life in 1983 after the murders of 12 men and the attempted murders of many more. Seven years after his conviction, Nilsen began to write his autobiography and over a period of 18 years he typed 6,000 pages of introspection, reflection, comment and explanation. History of a Drowning Boy - taken exclusively from these astonishing writings - uncovers, for the first time, the motives behind the murders, and delivers a clear understanding of how such horrific events could have happened, tracing the origins back to early childhood. In another first, it provides an insight into his 35 years inside the maximum-security prison system including his everyday life on the wings; his interactions with the authorities and other notorious prisoners; and his artistic endeavours of music, writing and drama. It also reveals the truth behind many of the myths surrounding Dennis Nilsen, as reported in the media. Nilsen was determined to have his memoir published but to his frustration, the Home Office blocked publication during his lifetime. He died in 2018, entrusting the manuscript to his closest friend and it is now being published with the latter's permission. Any autobiography presents the writer's story from just one perspective - his own, and as such this record should be treated with some caution. An excellent foreword by criminologist Dr Mark Pettigrew offers some context to Nilsen's words, and this important work provides an extraordinary journey through the life of a remarkable and inadequate man.