Pablo Escobar: Beyond Narcos (War on Drugs)

Downloaded this book onto my kindle application as I've always been interested in Pablo Escobar and many similar criminals of his ilk.One of the questions most professional criminology students can never seem to agree on has always been if these individuals are either incredibly mad or just simply plain evil.Shaun Attwood addresses this conundrum with facts gleaned from deep research into Escobar from his young life onwards and the environment he emerged from and challenges the reader to make their own judgment of how they'd cope in similar circumstances.When life is cheap and everyone is on the make, only the dollar in your pocket or the gun in your hand can save you and your family from torture and/or excruciating death.This book tackles these issues head on and I'm sure it will encapsulate the reader as it did for me.Loved reading this book and I highly recommend it as a cracking read.Steve Abbott

Shaun returns with yet another powerful read, a real page turner that is almost impossible to put down.I frequently found myself having to read just one more chapter to see what would be lurking round the next corner.The book follows the interesting life of the infamous Colombian drug lord and trafficker Pablo Emilio Escobar someone who after reading other books and viewing documentaries I though I knew quite a lot about but after finishing this the first in a new trilogy of books from Attwood I was surprised to find new tales and facts from the fascinating times of Escobar. A solid 5* book that I would highly recommend that you pick up for yourself and dive headfirst into the world of the Medellín Cartel

This is the mind-blowing story of the 'King of Cocaine', Pablo Escobar - the wealthiest criminal in history and, at the height of his success, one of the 10 richest men in the world. Meticulously researched and using a wealth of original data taken from transcripts, letters, interviews and radio, Shaun Attwood's latest expose sets the life of the Colombian drug lord and trafficker within the wider context of the rise of the drug culture in the United States. He is not afraid to point a finger at the involvement of the US president, G W Bush and the CIA in the supply of both drugs and firearms. At the same time, Attwood portrays the other, softer side of Escobar - the family man, the 'Robin Hood' character, the hero of the poor, who sponsored sports events, supported housing projects, schools and hospitals and used his colossal wealth for countless good causes. It is not a whitewash; the massacres and corruption of the cartels are also described in vivid detail.This is gripping and very readable book: it contains a lot of information but it is written in an immediate, lively style that grabs the attention and keeps you reading right to the dramatic ending. Not only that, but it makes you think: who is ultimately responsible for America's drug culture? Attwood makes a convincing case for legalisation, but ultimately he leaves his readers to make up their own minds. A challenging, informative and eye-opening addition to the genre.

Once again a page-turning, mind-twisting, riveting read that sucks you in and hurtles you along at break-neck pace. Standard Attwood, basically.As for the content I can't believe it's taken me this long to get to know this iconic figure! An extraordinary true-life crime story I refuse to 'spoil' for anyone who hasn't been watching the Netflix series. Definitely NOT a bedtime story for the kids!!