Peaky Blinders
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The Peaky Blinders Compendium: The Official A-Z Guide to the World of Peaky Blinders (Mobius) by BBC One should be your go-to guide to all things Peaky. This alphabetical guide tells you everything you need to know about the Shelby family and the enterprise that made them who they are, from their infamous hidden razor caps to their gypsy history and traditions.
Peaky Blinders is a period gangster drama set in Birmingham that follows the dealings of the Shelby family and their crime gang in the aftermath of World War I. This series is loosely based on a real gang of the same name, but I’m willing to bet none of them had as much swagger as Thomas Shelby. Thomas “Tommy” Shelby is the Peaky Blinders cunning and ambitious (almost to a fault) boss flanked by his ride or die brothers, Arthur and John. And let’s not forget our badass woman in the wings, Aunt Polly Grey.
HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?
After the Shelby brothers return home from serving in the British Army, they set out to make a name for themselves as bookmakers, businessmen and gangsters. Typically, Arthur, the eldest brother, would be leading the charge as the head of the family, but Tommy has the ambition, the drive and the strategist brains needed to carve out his empire beyond the streets of Birmingham. Throughout the series, you see just how far Tommy is willing to go in order to make it to the top, and through it all, one thing is certain: he will go through Hell to ensure his family remains by his side.
Sorted alphabetically for your convenience, this book pretty much covers everything the show has ever mentioned: the betting shop (B) that serves as the catalyst for all the Shelby dealings, described as “the heart of the Shelbys’ thriving business interest;” the gang’s cap (C), which is part of their uniform and specifically distinguishes the peaky boys from the rest; and, of course, whiskey (W), present at every family meeting. Speaking of which, have you ever wondered about the difference between Irish and Scotch whiskey? Well, as this guide explains, it’s all in the distilling process. Scotch is distilled twice, and Irish whiskey is distilled three times; maybe that’s why the Shelby brothers prefer Irish.
ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU COULD ASK FOR
So, whether you are new to this gripping drama or are seeking a refresher course while anxiously waiting for the next season to drop, The Peaky Blinders Compendium is just what you need. It provides cultural and historical insights on a variety of topics: communism, the Russian Revolution, the 1926 General Strike, Winston Churchill, King George V and even fashion and style choices of the age (complete with bowtie tying instructions). Filled with anything and everything to do with the Shelby family and their dealings, this guide definitely makes you feel like part of the gang.
Personally, I plan on baking a loaf of 1920s bread that would make our favorite Jewish gangster Alfie Solomons proud and wash that down with backroom gin. Luckily for me, The Peaky Blinders Compendium has recipes for both!
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