A story of courage, perseverance and a refusal to give in. Three Wise Monkeys is the autobiography of a man who endured a terrible,violent and abusive start in life which led to a string of criminal convictions and misery. His middle years were beset by continuing problems including gang rape and a complete lack of support from his dysfunctional family. Alcoholism and illness also play their part but you sense through it all the sheer will and determination to fight against the odds. His reckless, compulsive behaviour sees him spending time in young offenders' institutions and sometimes prison. It is a harsh lesson, but he learns to take the brickbats and the beatings before giving them back in return. He has a running battle with the media to clear his name of unfounded, personal allegations and almost daily harassment from family, so-called friends and neighbours. Many would have cracked under the pressure but the author persists, come what may. Sometimes he reaches his lowest ebb when things conspire against him. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but it takes him 23 years to shake off the shackles thanks largely to his wife, his 'diamond'. He emerges a better individual although not fully at p