True Red cover art

True Red

The Life of an Ex-Mongrel Mob Gang Leader

 Preview
Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

True Red

By: Tuhoe 'Bruno' Isaac
Narrated by: Tuhoe Isaac
Try Standard free

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $22.99

Buy Now for $22.99

About this listen

Wearing the colour red, living by the 'law of lawlessness' and having the patch with the emblem of the mighty bulldog on your back was what ex-Mongrel Mob leader Tuhoe 'Bruno' Isaac called being True Red. "Because all levels of society hated us we created a new society of hatred symbolised by the bulldog. Its ferocious habits were engraved on our hearts", Tuhoe says, "If you weren't a mobster you weren't worth knowing." He lived this way for 17 years.

However, constantly living for the bash, beer, prison and the possibility of dying in a pool of blood eventually saw Tuhoe search for another way of doing life. Leaving the Mob was hard. Not only did he face the rejection of his own and the fierce judgemental prejudices of mainstream society, but with the awakening of his conscience came the realisation of a past filled with inflicting pain on others besides himself, and of a life devoid of any sense of love or hope. This led him down a path of confession, forgiveness and reconciliation.

True Red is the essential biography of one man's fascinating journey from the realm of darkness into the world of light.

©2009 Tuhoe Isaac (P)2019 Tuhoe Isaac Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Christian Living Christianity True Crime
All stars
Most relevant
Story of so many Māori. I could relate as a Mana wāhine, abuse by those considered whānau. And how it has shaped myself and many of those around me. Demons within, is an ongoing battle and to have met you matua selling your books in Tāhuna gives me great pride and hearing your hikoi. Thank you for sharing. Has give me hope for our tangata. Bless xxx

Mana Māori

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An intimate insight into the heart of gangs, and the heart of God. This book has opened my eyes with compassion to a side of life I don’t know - it’s stripped any fear, taken the blinkers off, and encouraged me to see relationship and humanity in those I know nothing about, instead of separation.

Every Kiwi should read this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Tuhoe narrating his own life story gives more authenticity to the story. Tuhoe is truly inspirational about turning one's life around, and the lives if others. Ka mau te weher brother

Honest and brutal upbringing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I found this book very hard to read. Tuhoe shares stories about abuse he experienced as a child growing up, and abuse he inflicted on others as a mobster - these stories are heartbreaking & horrifying.

This book highlights the impact of substance abuse, sexual abuse, violence & oppression. While it’s sad, it exposes ugly truths that shouldn’t be ignored.

I’m glad he’s found god - and I truly hope this book helps anyone who needs to know there is ‘a way out’. The content in this book is not for everyone.

I wish Tuhoe the best as he transforms his life & helps others, and I look forward to the day when all children are safe and protected from abusers, & sexual predators.

Shocking & confronting - a sad but honest memoir

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I cannot praise this book highly enough.
Tuhoe, in sharing his story is beyond brave & thank you for everything you do to inspire others to find & better themselves.
Just WOW 😍

Wow 🤩

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.