Description

‘Lays down a transformative path to peace’ David Lammy MP

‘A devastating and beautifully-drawn tribute to the young boys that the media turns into statistics of knife crime’ Candice Carty-Williams

‘I came away from this book enraged, enlightened and with a sense of urgency to do something’ Annie Mac
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Demetri wants to study criminology at university to understand why people around him carry knives.

Jhemar is determined to advocate for his community following the murder of a loved one.

Carl’s exclusion leaves him vulnerable to the sinister school-to-prison pipeline, but he is resolute to defy expectations.

Tony, the tireless manager of a community centre, is fighting not only for the lives of local young people, but to keep the centre’s doors open.

Drawing on the latest research and interviews with experts, this refreshingly nuanced and beautifully written book interweaves the stories of a cast of characters at the sharp end of Britain’s serious youth violence epidemic, with chapters on subjects such as social media, gentrification and criminal justice.

Showing how we are all connected to this tragedy, Cut Short is a gripping, urgent, sympathetic and often painful portrait of a society fracturing along lines of race, class and postcode. It is a blueprint for positive change, and a book we desperately need.
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‘Compelling’ The Sunday Times; ‘Assured’ Observer; ‘Brilliantly written’ Nikesh Shukla

‘Makes you stop and think’ Nick Robinson, BBC R4’s Today programme

‘This book strongly gives a voice to the voiceless . . . essential reading’ Kenny Allstar

‘Angry, impassioned, informed, accurate – the story behind the cutting short of public health and young lives’ Danny Dorling

‘Ciaran’s work is informed by lived experience at the frontline of social change. It takes a sensitive and respectful look at the truths less often told’ George the Poet

Publisher Review

Honest, authentic and raw, this book confronts our deepest assumptions about violence, and lays down a transformative path to peace -- David Lammy MP, author of Tribes A devastating and beautifully drawn tribute to the young boys that the media turns into statistics of knife crime. In telling their stories, Ciaran Thapar brings to the page their dreams, their imaginations and their hearts -- Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie An incredibly important look at the plight of Britain's youth, delivered with clarity, honesty and an open heart -- Nikesh Shukla, editor of The Good Immigrant Ciaran's work is informed by lived experience at the frontline of social change. It takes a sensitive and respectful look at the truths less often told -- George the Poet Angry, impassioned, informed, accurate - the story behind the cutting short of public health and young lives -- Danny Dorling, author of Inequality and the 1% Ciaran is the rarest thing: a writer of heart and clarity, who has spent thousands of hours absorbing the rules, codes and heartbreaks of life in some of London's most vulnerable communities . . . I read everything that Ciaran writes because it feels necessary to understand the city that I live in -- Sam Knight, New Yorker staff writer Gripping and dramatic yet also poignant and reflective, Cut Short is essential for our times -- Dan Hancox, author of Inner City Pressure No bullshit, no filter, just facts from the trenches of the most neglected in society, and the power of music, mentorship and education to change lives. Everyone must read this -- Toddla T, DJ In a potent mix of personal anecdote, social history and politics, he interweaves the stories of people caught up in the violence, to show how society is fracturing along lines of race, class and postcodes. The result is a trenchant, page-turning and sometimes challenging reading, but also a blueprint for positive change -- Caroline Sanderson * Bookseller, Editor's Choice * A crucial contribution and a compelling read. Thapar combines captivating narratives with a sophisticated understanding of the policy landscape - a must-read book for anyone interested in, or working to improve, the safety and well-being of children and young people -- Keir Irwin-Rogers, Lecturer in Criminology, The Open University; lead criminologist to the Youth Violence Commission Cut Short is at once a compelling memoir, a biting critique of Britain's hideous inequality, and a beautiful tribute to the remarkable strength and spark of London's youth - and those who work with them. Weaving together reflective autobiography, expert interviews and the stories of young people he works with, Ciaran Thapar paints a portrait of London's greatest assets and deepest injustices. Everyone - from teenagers to government ministers - can learn a lot about contemporary Britain from Cut Short -- Luke Billingham, youth & community worker, co-author of the Youth Violence Commission Final Report Big up Ciaran x10 on the new book. Ciaran was basically there from where we really started to take off and it's good to see him doing big things and always tryna encourage and give back to the youth 'cause they need that -- Skengdo, rapper Shout out Ciaran on the new book, everyone go cop that and take in the gems - real life issues being addressed. It's important to know that even though the book's called Cut Short your life don't have to be cut short, as long as you're breathing you got opportunities if you just focus and stay consistent -- AM, rapper This book strongly gives a voice to the voiceless . . . essential reading -- Kenny Allstar, DJ