The Black Hand: The Story of Rene "Boxer" Enriquez and His Life in the Mexican Mafia [Mass Market Paperback]

Chris Blatchford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 2009

Rene "Boxer" Enriquez grew up in East L.A., where gang fights and drive-by shootings were everyday occurrences fueled by rage, drugs, and alcohol. Sent to prison at nineteen, he was recruited by La Eme, the near-mythic Mexican Mafia, arguably the most well-armed and dangerous gang in American history. A young man without fear who would kill without hesitation, Enriquez's loyalty and iron will drove him quickly up the ranks, from mob enforcer to the upper echelons, where he would help rule for nearly two decades. Seeking respect, he devoted his life to a bloody cause, only to find betrayal and disillusionment.

Award-winning journalist Chris Blatchford's The Black Hand is an astonishing look deep inside a closed, secret, and deadly criminal society—an intense and unprecedented tale of depravity, violence, and redemption.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A fascinating look at the world of the Mexican Mafia, more ruthless than the LCN. A must read for law enforcement and a tribute to the courage of ‘dropout’ Rene ‘Boxer’ Enriquez.” (Joe Pistone, aka Donnie Brasco )

“Chris Blatchford has hit a grand slam. The Black Hand is an important page turning book that will take you into a frightening dark world that shouldn’t exist… but it does. It’s riveting, and when you finish the book, you’ll get up and lock your doors. Highly recommended.” (William "Billy" Queen, retired special agent ATF and bestselling author of Under and Alone )

“A gripping, powerful, chilling inside look at a criminal organization that is changing the organized crime landscape. This is a mob classic.” (Dominick Dunne )

“A courageous and well-written exposé on one of the most ruthless and powerful gangs of all, the Mexican Mafia. Chris Blatchford reaffirms his position as being among Americans greatest investigative reporters.” (Vincent Bugliosi, author of Helter Skelter )

“Blatchford is well-suited to tell this story . . . he captures the nuances and nihilism of the prison world . . . The narrative is interspersed with fascinating prison arcana.” (Los Angeles Times )

“A fascinating, vivid and unforgettable insider’s look at the bloody, secret and deadly Mexican Mafia. Chris Blatchford’s compulsively readable wake-up call spares no one and names everyone, including the politicians who aid and abet this dangerous criminal organization, through corruption, maddening naiveté, or political correctness.” (Joseph Wambaugh )

About the Author

Chris Blatchford is an investigative reporter and author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller Three Dog Nightmare. He has won numerous commendations and awards for his reports, including nine Emmy Awards and a Peabody for his investigation into Italian Mafia infiltration of MCA/Universal's music and home video divisions. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Harper (September 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061257303
• ISBN-13: 978-0061257308
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Specific Groups > Criminals
  • #20 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Crime & Criminals  > Gangs
  • #46 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > True Accounts > True Crime

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5, really..., April 21, 2010

By 

Eddie Wannabee (Western Hemisphere) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The Black Hand: The Story of Rene "Boxer" Enriquez and His Life in the Mexican Mafia (Mass Market Paperback)

After a while of reading this book one starts realizing that the murder rate and violence is an never ending cycle. Too easy at times that it almost makes the whole reading experience surreal. On the other hand it seems that if all this information took place just as described then some of these characters are above the law that tries to reign them in. More like a battlefield, to be sure, and not one isolated incident taking place once in a while. The first part of the book this guy Rene, while describing his affairs, almost sound proud and defiant with not a trace of regret. Later when he turns against his "brothers" he starts showing sign of remorse, but one can not help to wonder: Isn't it a little too late? Kind of convenient? It seems to be the pattern that once they done all the harm and harm is about to be done to them some convicts turn to the light instead of the darkness in which they have been residing. Like the church lady would have said: "how convenient!". This book is a never ending cycle of violence and more hits than I seen on the billboard's chart. Some of the faces on the photos shown looked hard, like they never had a chance in this life to be other than what they become. Either way, is an ugly life filled with greed, blood and betrayal. A little too much of it, page after page, but if it is on the record as moments that actually took place then there is more excitement and action than in the 3 Rambo movies combined. I wouldn't want to mingle or cross paths without a proper gun. One thing I noticed these groups all have in common (italian mafia, colombians and mexican drug lords, russian, etc etc) they have no regard for human life. With a code of blood in, blood out no one escapes unharmed in the end and those that do escape physically they certainly are scarred in other areas. 3.5 for sheer action but after a life such as this it is going to take much more than publishing a book to make peace with the world.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must read for crime book fans, February 3, 2010

By 

R. Angeles "Robert" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Black Hand: The Story of Rene "Boxer" Enriquez and His Life in the Mexican Mafia (Mass Market Paperback)

Awesome book. Fascinating yet sad. Criminals have figured out the system and politicians are aiding them with their ignorance. Its sad that individuals live among us that have no conscience and have no business in our communities living around us. Great book if crime is a favorite subject of yours

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME BOOK!, December 3, 2009

By 

Cynthia I. Cordova "Cynnn67" (Artesia, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Black Hand: The Story of Rene "Boxer" Enriquez and His Life in the Mexican Mafia (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a great book and gets into a lot of detail about his life... One of my family members is mentioned in this book, I grew up and still live in Artesia...

Boxer does lie a lot in here about certain incidents... well lets just say he leaves A LOT of it out... and some of it he flips around a little to not look like such a monster... even though the book does show how bad of a guy he was... its NOTHING to what he really was! But, I am really glad he wrote this book to show young gangsters out there that it isn't worth it at all... and how they just use you until you're worthless... it's opened up eyes in some of my loved ones lives. i hope its an eye opening experience to others after they read this book! mad props.