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A noble and brave story
A sequence of family tragedies led to Keith Lawton spending his childhood with a series of foster parents and in a notorious care home. Unable to deal with the abuses and cruelty he suffered, Keith locked his memories away, but he is haunted by nightmares. Years later, having built a successful career in the construction industry, Keith decides to find out about his past. As he discovers his case files, and the often heart-breaking notes written about him all those years ago, his memories emerge, and he begins to piece together a past where a little boy, vulnerable and alone, was failed by the system, over and over again. This is Keith’s story, honest, raw and heartfelt. It is a story of discovery, of hurt, and ultimately of healing, as Keith recounts his own past in the hope that it may help others to come to terms with their own.
Early Reviews
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Keith Lawton is a victory. A victory over neglect. A victory over torment. A victory over a harrowing and painful past.
Born to an alcoholic father and a schizophrenic mother, Keith Lawton did not have a childhood - he had a ticking time bomb. His father's death and his mother's illness lit the fuse, and the shattered debris of his life has taken a lifetime for him to even attempt to repair after circumstances marooned him in the national scandal which is the British "Care" system.
"No Accountability" is the autobiography of someone who refused to stand mute witness to his own destruction at the cruel, abusive hands of others. It is a selfless true story of a secret past, endured in the darkness of silence brought out into the light with bravery, and humour.
“Despite its bleakness, No Accountability is a story of hope… it demonstrates the importance of moving on from traumatic experiences and putting the past behind you”
“No Accountability is a worthy successor to 'No Photographs' as well as a commendable read in its own right.”
“Stand beside Keith and all the other children and adults who face abuse every day because if there is one thing I have learned from this book it’s that if we don’t, vulnerable people will continue to hide in shame.”
"No Accountability" by Keith Lawton – Early Reviews – Pre-Publication
Keith Lawton's debut 'No Photographs' is a personal account of care system failings, and now, with his latest offering, “No Accountability”, Lawton continues to explore and expose the collective disgrace, which should be the subject of far-reaching enquiry and national soul-searching. "Care" is a euphemism in such a setting, a piece of irony because there is very little in way of actual care available, which “No Accountability” shows.
Lawton describes the systematic and wholesale destruction of innocence in everyday terms and does so with devastating effect, chronicling the long-term impact upon his subsequent life in harrowing detail, expressed in simple terms without excess and decoration. He is to be applauded for this, and his story is stronger because of it.
The aftermath of such scandalous treatment is, after all, not experienced, felt or lived in the language of dispassionate evaluations and judicial enquiry - the words of the survivor are raw, and understandably so. Lawton takes the rawness of his emotional reaction to his experiences and, rather than using his narrative to lament or wallow, instead uses it to describe, to guide and inspire those who have also lived it.
Throughout, the tone is one of someone who seeks to relay the unfolding of a nightmare to those fortunate enough to have never experienced it, in order to draw attention to the suffering and struggles of those who have.
Lawton's bravery is to be applauded. His words add a human face to the bald statistics and anonymous headlines surrounding what is, in no uncertain terms, a national scandal of horrific proportions. The reader is drawn into the trauma and its aftermath, and I dare anyone to read this book and not become a crusader for the accountability, which has so far been absent and denied by those responsible for inflicting such ordeals on the innocent.
This book is a worthy successor to 'No Photographs' as well as a commendable read in its own right.
D.A.
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No Accountability is a wonderful book, bringing us Keith’s own experiences, told in the way only he can. His brutal honesty and humour make this a “Must Read” for those looking for truth, hope and inspiration.
“No Accountability” follows on from “No Photographs” and we find out more about Keith and his life journey. I find Keith’s humour endearing and if it weren’t for this then I would have struggled to connect with the story, not for any other reason than that I have no personal experience of the care system. I believe the message of this book is firmly carved around bringing things out into the open. Hiding from the truth is tantamount to condoning the abuse that very clearly happens.
I am touched that Keith has had the courage to share his story with us. I cannot imagine having the strength he has and I am eternally grateful for my own childhood because “No Accountability” reveals that not everyone is so fortunate. There are tough lives that go on around us every day and many suffer in silence with no voice and no support.
So, stand beside Keith and all the other children and adults who face abuse every day because if there is one thing I have learned from this book it’s that if we don’t, vulnerable people will continue to hide in shame through no fault of their own whilst the perpetrators walk free to continue their lives completely without remorse.
L.M
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'No Accountability, the follow-up to Keith Lawton’s debut book, No Photographs, offers further insight into his gripping life story. Featuring both tragedy and humour.
Help others to help themselves:
Early Reviews - Pre-Release
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Keith Lawton is a victory. A victory over neglect. A victory over torment. A victory over a harrowing and painful past.
Born to an alcoholic father and a schizophrenic mother, Keith Lawton did not have a childhood - he had a ticking time bomb. His father's death and his mother's illness lit the fuse, and the shattered debris of his life has taken a lifetime for him to even attempt to repair after circumstances marooned him in the national scandal which is the British "Care" system.
"No Accountability" is the autobiography of someone who refused to stand mute witness to his own destruction at the cruel, abusive hands of others. It is a selfless true story of a secret past, endured in the darkness of silence brought out into the light with bravery, and humour.
"No Accountability" by Keith Lawton – Early Reviews – Pre-Publication
Keith Lawton's debut 'No Photographs' is a personal account of care system failings, and now, with his latest offering, “No Accountability”, Lawton continues to explore and expose the collective disgrace, which should be the subject of far-reaching enquiry and national soul-searching. "Care" is a euphemism in such a setting, a piece of irony because there is very little in way of actual care available, which “No Accountability” shows.
Lawton describes the systematic and wholesale destruction of innocence in everyday terms and does so with devastating effect, chronicling the long-term impact upon his subsequent life in harrowing detail, expressed in simple terms without excess and decoration. He is to be applauded for this, and his story is stronger because of it.
The aftermath of such scandalous treatment is, after all, not experienced, felt or lived in the language of dispassionate evaluations and judicial enquiry - the words of the survivor are raw, and understandably so. Lawton takes the rawness of his emotional reaction to his experiences and, rather than using his narrative to lament or wallow, instead uses it to describe, to guide and inspire those who have also lived it.
Throughout, the tone is one of someone who seeks to relay the unfolding of a nightmare to those fortunate enough to have never experienced it, in order to draw attention to the suffering and struggles of those who have.
Lawton's bravery is to be applauded. His words add a human face to the bald statistics and anonymous headlines surrounding what is, in no uncertain terms, a national scandal of horrific proportions. The reader is drawn into the trauma and its aftermath, and I dare anyone to read this book and not become a crusader for the accountability, which has so far been absent and denied by those responsible for inflicting such ordeals on the innocent.
This book is a worthy successor to 'No Photographs' as well as a commendable read in its own right.
D.A.
---
No Accountability is a wonderful book, bringing us Keith’s own experiences, told in the way only he can. His brutal honesty and humour make this a “Must Read” for those looking for truth, hope and inspiration.
“No Accountability” follows on from “No Photographs” and we find out more about Keith and his life journey. I find Keith’s humour endearing and if it weren’t for this then I would have struggled to connect with the story, not for any other reason than that I have no personal experience of the care system. I believe the message of this book is firmly carved around bringing things out into the open. Hiding from the truth is tantamount to condoning the abuse that very clearly happens.
I am touched that Keith has had the courage to share his story with us. I cannot imagine having the strength he has and I am eternally grateful for my own childhood because “No Accountability” reveals that not everyone is so fortunate. There are tough lives that go on around us every day and many suffer in silence with no voice and no support.
So, stand beside Keith and all the other children and adults who face abuse every day because if there is one thing I have learned from this book it’s that if we don’t, vulnerable people will continue to hide in shame through no fault of their own whilst the perpetrators walk free to continue their lives completely without remorse.
L.M
-------
'No Accountability, the follow-up to Keith Lawton’s debut book, No Photographs, offers further insight into his gripping life story.
-------------------- by me
Thankyou in advance for any feedback as it all helps to help others.
I do so hope you enjoy my life's journey, appreciate my humour, and honestly. This is an extremely difficult thing to do, but I hope others follow my lead
It's for .....
Those who give without taking, to stop those who keep making
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Ever Humbly Yours
Keith (Keefy)
A Brave & Inspiring True Story
5.0 out of 5 starsHeartwrenching and the survival of a cruel system
ByAmazon Customeron 12 May 2016
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
A wonderful and harrowing story of a young boys life turned upside down and his survival of numerous traumas from childhood up to adulthood and his search for answers and to make peace within. A more powerful story when read for the second time A brave man that survived the cruel road
5.0 out of 5 starsA boys story that turned him into an outstanding man
BySuperjulieon 15 May 2016
Format: Paperback
Keith's story "no photographs" is an excellent yet sad story, a story that has made him who he is today, his ordeals throughout his childhood are unforgivable, he was one of many that the "care" system failed miserably, Keith has penned his story in such a way that you travel with him, feel his pain, feel his loss and eventually feel his peace. A must read book.
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
“No Photographs” is due for release, through our Imaginarium imprint, in early May 2016, and we can’t wait!
We have enjoyed working with Keith and are happy to see him finally tell the story he has kept to himself up until now. Keith hopes that in sharing his own disadvantaged childhood within the care system, he will inspire and encourage others who have faced similar experiences. Keith has achieved success as an adult and firmly believes that others can do the same.
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I would like to than Keith for the opportunity to work with him. It has been an absolute pleasure and I wish Keith every success with the launch of his book.
No Photographs is a heart-warming story of survival and triumph in the face of adversity. If you read one book this year, make it this one. Open your heart and let a Keith lead you on a journey through his life. You won’t regret it.
Laura
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Blurb
The institutional abuse and neglect of children unlucky enough to enter the UK care system has been recently described as a “national disgrace” by a UK Government report
The statistics on their own make for heart-breaking reading, yet behind every one of them is an individual tale of abandonment, pain, horror, despair and exploitation which almost always goes unheard
Keith Lawton’s life story has been just one of these sad tales. His account of his time in care is harrowing, yet it is alive with hope, survival and triumph in the face of traumatic adversity
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“A disturbing, lucid, first-hand account of institutional failings in the UK care system, ‘No Photographs’ is a damning indictment of how that system – intended to help the most vulnerable in our society – instead destroyed countless lives. A must read.”
– Member of the Royal Historical Society
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5.0 out of 5 starsA STORY THAT NEEDED TO BE TOLD.
Bypeter matthewson 13 May 2016
Format: Paperback
It's a book that needs to be read with a story that needs to be told.These are children whom are born and bred within this country yet are invisible to all but a few in society,it's serious food for thought for all.
