In Plain Sight by Dan Davies
I read In Plain Sight by Dan Davies which is all about Jimmy Savile. It's actually a really interesting book + so much more than just a quick cash-in. The author had interviewed JS a number of times over the years + has done a lot of research into his life. He doesn't really go into a lot of detail about the crimes JS has been accused of (and he doesn't touch on the rumours of necrophilia that were mentioned in a recent report on the case).
I still think there's a lot more that could come out about this case. Quite a few people who were associated with JS have ended up being accused of/charged with sexual offences + personally I wouldn't be surprised if he was acting as some kind of pimp/procurer for other paedophiles. I also think there needs to be a much more thorough investigation into why the various police forces didn't follow up on allegations against him + why so many people in authority/the Establishment (including Margaret Thatcher + members of the Royal family) were so keen to be associated with him despite his dubious reputation. And I suspect that there was a lot of other dodgy dealings going on which explains how JS ended up so wealthy.
The detail in the book is really good from JS's early life through his years as a top celebrity to his twilight years all the time keeping one step ahead of his various accusers + never confirming or really denying anything. I think ultimately it's a book that leaves you asking more questions but it's nonetheless a fascinating insight into one of the biggest scandals of recent times.
For those that don't know/non UK people - Jimmy Savile was a DJ/TV personality who got his start running dancehalls then moved on to work for Radio 1/BBC TV (best known for Jim'll Fix It - a programme where people wrote in to have their wishes granted). He also raised millions of pounds for charities + was on a special committee at Broadmoor (the best known secure mental hospital in the UK housing the likes of the Yorkshire Ripper).
There were always rumours about him + shortly after his death these rumours started to become more public. The end result was several hundred people came forward alleging JS had raped/sexually molested them - his victims included children + adults, male + female but his main targets were teenage girls. His behaviour over the years is now the subject of several enquiries (he was famously allowed to work as a porter at several hospitals + used this access to abuse patients) and the authorities have said that he was probably the most prolific sex offender this country has ever seen.
"I am the man what knows everything but says nothing. I get things done but I work deep cover."
"Why tell the truth when you can get away with a lie."
"I don't have to do anything. I just have to be. I'm like a piece of soap in the bath; you can see it but when you try to get hold of it it's gone."
Quotes from Jimmy Savile.
Seriously, it's not an easy book to read but if you can stomach it, it's a really interesting read.
I still think there's a lot more that could come out about this case. Quite a few people who were associated with JS have ended up being accused of/charged with sexual offences + personally I wouldn't be surprised if he was acting as some kind of pimp/procurer for other paedophiles. I also think there needs to be a much more thorough investigation into why the various police forces didn't follow up on allegations against him + why so many people in authority/the Establishment (including Margaret Thatcher + members of the Royal family) were so keen to be associated with him despite his dubious reputation. And I suspect that there was a lot of other dodgy dealings going on which explains how JS ended up so wealthy.
The detail in the book is really good from JS's early life through his years as a top celebrity to his twilight years all the time keeping one step ahead of his various accusers + never confirming or really denying anything. I think ultimately it's a book that leaves you asking more questions but it's nonetheless a fascinating insight into one of the biggest scandals of recent times.
For those that don't know/non UK people - Jimmy Savile was a DJ/TV personality who got his start running dancehalls then moved on to work for Radio 1/BBC TV (best known for Jim'll Fix It - a programme where people wrote in to have their wishes granted). He also raised millions of pounds for charities + was on a special committee at Broadmoor (the best known secure mental hospital in the UK housing the likes of the Yorkshire Ripper).
There were always rumours about him + shortly after his death these rumours started to become more public. The end result was several hundred people came forward alleging JS had raped/sexually molested them - his victims included children + adults, male + female but his main targets were teenage girls. His behaviour over the years is now the subject of several enquiries (he was famously allowed to work as a porter at several hospitals + used this access to abuse patients) and the authorities have said that he was probably the most prolific sex offender this country has ever seen.
"I am the man what knows everything but says nothing. I get things done but I work deep cover."
"Why tell the truth when you can get away with a lie."
"I don't have to do anything. I just have to be. I'm like a piece of soap in the bath; you can see it but when you try to get hold of it it's gone."
Quotes from Jimmy Savile.
Seriously, it's not an easy book to read but if you can stomach it, it's a really interesting read.