"Dramatic and disturbing . . . his evidence, used judiciously and presented without comment but with an undertone of urgency, is a damning indictment." - Anita Brookner, Observer

Friday, 12th February, 1993. Two outwardly unremarkable ten-year-old boys began the day by playing truant and ended it running an errand for the local video shop. In between they abducted and killed a two-year-old boy, James Bulger. In search of an explanation, award-winning journalist David James Smith looks behind the misinformation, misunderstanding, and sensational reporting to an exact account of the events of that day. A sensitive and definitive account, The Sleep of Reason achieves a unique understanding of the James Bulger case, and comes as close as may ever be possible to explaining how two ten-year-olds could kill.

Originally published in 1994, this new edition features a new preface which considers the release and rearrest of one of the convicted.