Peaky Blinders is one of the best series to come out of the UK in recent years, with fans treated to six seasons of Cillian Murphy in one of his most iconic roles. The main series has ended, but there’s a feature-length film on the way on Netflix to conclude the story of the Birmingham gangsters.
For readers who are interested in getting to know the real figures who inspired Steven Knight’s award-winning show, there are various books that detail different parts of their history.
Three Key Books Detail the Different Stages of the Peaky Blinders
Carl Chinn has written three books that are perfect for anyone who wants to discover more about the people who inspired one of the most legendary television series in recent years, all of which are available to buy as paperbacks or audiobooks.
Chinn began with Peaky Blinders: The Real Story in 2019 and followed it up with Peaky Blinders: The Legacy in 2020 and Peaky Blinders: The Aftermath in 2021. It’s best to read these in order, with The Real Story considered the essential starting point for anyone serious about learning more about the gangsters. The book explains exactly who they were and how they operated and corrects a few misconceptions that were overdramatized in the series.
If you like Chinn’s first book, it’s well worth reading the full trilogy. But they’re not the only titles that teach about the era. There’s also The Gangs of Birmingham by Philip Gooderson, which has a strong rating on Goodreads and gives a broader view of the various organizations that operated in the UK city.
New Film Could Expand the Peaky Blinders Universe Further
For people who love Peaky Blinders, the books are an excellent way to add some factual depth to Knight’s series. Reading about the real-world gangs even offers a different perspective and can give you a reason to rewatch the seasons to see if there are any historical details that you may have missed on the first time of viewing.
Due to the popularity of Peaky Blinders, there are other ways that the universe of the series has expanded to attract more viewers. For example, there’s Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, a VR adventure that lets you play as Tommy Shelby, and a puzzle game called Peaky Blinders: Mastermind. There’s also the Peaky Blinders 2 slot, which is a follow-up to the first popular casino game. Players can spin the reels on it with the Hollywood Casino bonus for today, which involves free spins and credits.
The upcoming film, The Immortal Man, is set to expand the Peaky Blinders universe further and bring closure to various characters’ story arcs from the main series. It will also introduce a few new faces, however, and these could potentially inspire future spinoffs. With a show as big as Peaky Blinders, it would make a lot of sense to explore this route.
For television viewers who can’t get enough of Peaky Blinders, it’s the perfect time to read some books about the gang. Doing this can immerse you in the world of the series and give you a greater understanding of the characters’ motives.

Peyman Khosravani is a seasoned expert in blockchain, digital transformation, and emerging technologies, with a strong focus on innovation in finance, business, and marketing. With a robust background in blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi), Peyman has successfully guided global organizations in refining digital strategies and optimizing data-driven decision-making. His work emphasizes leveraging technology for societal impact, focusing on fairness, justice, and transparency. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of digital tools, Peyman’s expertise spans across helping startups and established businesses navigate digital landscapes, drive growth, and stay ahead of industry trends. His insights into analytics and communication empower companies to effectively connect with customers and harness data to fuel their success in an ever-evolving digital world.
