Young Offender

My Life from Armed Robber to Local Hero

By: Michael Maisey

Narrated by: Michael Maisey

Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Maisey was excited the day he was locked up in the notorious Feltham Young Offenders Institute. He was going to be a legend to all his mates. The 16 year old was in for attempted murder. He was innocent of this particular crime but amongst the violent and dangerous young men on his wing he was about to learn exactly how far he’d go to survive.

In Young Offender we see what turned a good kid into a wanted criminal. Abused by his uncle, bullied at school, at the age of 12 he found the safety he craved in the ranks of a local gang in West London. He graduated from shoplifting to armed robbery and for five years Michael was in and out of Feltham, on a downward spiral of crime and drug and alcohol addiction. At rock bottom, he began attending AA meetings. But the road to recovery would mean changing himself in the deepest possible ways. Could Michael finally learn what it meant to be a good man?

Honest and inspiring, this is a powerful story of redemption. Today Michael is a successful businessman and a loving father who spends time helping others find their way.

 

©2019 Michael Maisey (P)2019 Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic reviews

"Courageous and brutally honest." (Ollie Ollerton, ex-Special Forces soldier)

"A memoir to shine a light in the darkest of nights...a story of redemption." (Journalist Tony Parsons)

Thank you for your vulnerability and sharing your story, giving inspiration to my own path!!

Thank you for your vulnerability and sharing your story, giving inspiration to my own path!!

Simply powerful!

I’ve spent the last 8 hours reading this book both on the Kindle and on Audible. It is truly powerful and inspiring to absorb how a troubled young boy and teenager who went through unimaginable turmoil has pulled himself together and turned his life into a success story.

Most of all, I respect Michael’s honestly. This book is unlike the dozens of similar “zero to hero” books, many of which are righteous and self-promoting. This piece of work is as authentic as it gets and the Michael you get to know throughout the journey of his book is the same Michael in real life... honest and genuine.

Buy it for you and for friends and family!

There's a reason why this book has 5 star reviews

Michael gives an honest account of his life and struggles he faced before becoming a better person. I have never felt so frustrated when listening to how time and time again Michael would fall off the wagon, however, this book gives you insight as to why this happens, and demonstrates that a person not only has to be ready themselves but has to surrounded by people who will support them 100%.

A truly inspiring book and I urge everyone to read/listen to the book. It will give hope to addicts and it will open the eyes of judgemental people.

Highly Recommend

Even just as a listener I feel so proud of Michael, there are some similarities between our upbringings, so I can truly appreciate what an extraordinary man he is. Well written, well narrated. Great value for money, I highly recommend this audiobook.

Moving and Inspiring

What this man has been through - largely with the battles with his own demons - and still come out the other side is astonishing!

Anyone who has genuinely battled with patterns of self-sabotage will get some sense of how difficult it must’ve been for Michael to turn his life around.
Listening to his book makes me think ‘if he can do it from the circumstances he’s been in, I’m sure I must be able to!’

It’s truly wonderful to see people like Michael go beyond the darkness and have a positive impact upon others trying to do the same.
Thanks Brother! 🙌

Can’t put it down

Great read, had me gripped from the time it arrived. Truly inspiring story excellent read . 5stars

Hugely disappointing

it's clearly not reliable to follow other reviews. Honestly I am wading through the first chapters and it's just a non stop monotonous litany of child neglect, deprivation and child abuse. Definitely not to my liking at all.

Loved it.. could not stop listening.. what a man!

I really loved this book.. makes me think about my own life even though I have not taken the same path.. very thought provoking.. I'm so proud of Micheal ...

Inspiring and humbling

This is such an excellent book. It talks with such raw honesty about what life is like for this young boy and man. You can see how and why he got into crime and ended up in prison. You also see his courage to pull himself out of that; to go to AA meetings and eventually learn to lead a more honest life. If this had been fiction, I would’ve said there were at least 3 or 4 setbacks that made it unrealistic … this book is inspiring and humbling.

TRULY AMAZING MUST READ!!

I have listened to hundreds of audio books this is by far the best one yet. it's everything you want from a book well written and a amazing story from start to finish. Definitely give it go!!

Fascinating, had to finish in 1 go.

Came across Michael's book by accident. Maybe fate brought me to it, as i have my own struggle with alcohol. i highly recommend this book, honest heartbreaking account from boy to Man and in the end Michael conquered his past to turned his life around, i have reached out to him on Instagram and already the man has offered his help and advise. I have listened to hundreds of books now and would put this at the top of the tree.

Amazing

What an incredible book, honest, raw, emotional and very motivational! This book spoke
to me in so many ways huge congratulations to you brother. Excellently read I couldn’t stop listening.