Gone Shopping: The Story of Shirley Pitts - Queen of Thieves

by Lorraine Gamman

Overview

Voted one of The Guardian's top 10 best crime books of all time and one of the best true crime books ever written according to Stylist

Shirley Pitts, the eldest of six children was born upside down on 24 November 1934. Her 'career' began by thieving bread off doorsteps and coal from coal carts. Her father's bungled attempts at black marketeering and her dipsomaniac mother's inadequacies made Shirley resolve not only to be a first-class thief but also the best mother her six children could wish for.

Before she died Shirley told her story to Lorraine - the story of a generous, brave and beautiful woman with a huge sense of fun and a love of life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781448209712
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	07/31/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	205
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Lorraine Gamman is Professor of Design, at Central Saint Martins (CSM) College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London (UAL), where she has taught design and contextual studies since 1989. She is also currently a Visiting Professor and Research Associate at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) Australia. Gamman has published widely on visual culture and design, including co-authored academic books, articles and critical reviews. She now lives in Stoke Newington with her partner and daughter.
Lorraine Gamman is Professor of Design, at Central Saint Martins (CSM) College of Arts and Design, University of the Arts London (UAL), where she has taught design and contextual studies since 1989. She is also currently a Visiting Professor and Research Associate at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) Australia. Gamman has published widely on visual culture and design, including co-authored academic books, articles and critical reviews. She now lives in Stoke Newington with her partner and daughter.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements/Dedication
Preface
Introduction

1. Shirley's Beginnings
2. Life Without Harry
3. Back to London
4. Harry's Back in Town
5. Meeting the Forty Thieves
6. Reform School
7. The Great Escape and Learning to 'Roll'
8. Learning the Hard Way
9. Let the Good Times Roll
10. Life at Margate and Meeting Chrissie H.
11. Touch Me … and That's It!
12. The Wine Gang
13. Adgie's Spiel
14. Leaving Chrissie
15. Life at Brighton
16. When Wally Met Nelly
17. The Wedding and the 'Lovely' Couple
18. Finishing Wally Off and Voodoo Spells
19. The Escort Business
20. Iranian Nights
21. The Death of Nelly
22. Secrets of the Trade
23. The Costa del Crime
24. The Final Chapter

Afterword
Glossary of Slang Terms
List of Illustrations
Bibliography (and Recommended Further Reading)
Endnotes
A Note on the Author

Editorial Reviews

"For a true-life tale of a woman it’s hard to dislike then this is your book." - Stylist

From the Publisher