Customer Reviews

The Black Hand: The Story of Rene "Boxer" Enriquez and His Life in the Mexican Mafia

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

I had started to read this book, but it belong to my daugther so i decided i would look for my own book.Friend told to look for it in Amazon.com so i did. I started to read it agin and i read it during my lunch hr. .I got learn that this person is a very smart man and he is just not another gang banger. Just the way acted and the way he caried himself .The things he did are not right but i got to like him after he left the mafia.I cant say relate to him there is always room change in our lives.

WOW! WHAT AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE GANG LIFE AND HOW IT GOES ON IN OUR BACKYARDS. I LIVE IN PASADENA AND DID NOT IMAGINE ALL THAT THIS BOOK HAS TO TELL ABOUT GANGS AROUND MY AREA.

This book is the story about Rene "Boxer" Enriquez and his involvement in the Mexican Mafia in Southern California. This book is very candid and descriptive about his involvment in various crimes. I remember reading it and the lasting impression it had on my mind.

Rene Enriquez career as a criminal in the Mexican Mafia may have taken away his freedom but he has found a newfound peace in prison unlike in his previous life. He states about his life and the events that led to the joining of the gang. One doesn't just join a gang, a member is groomed much like a cult member. The initiation process into gangs are often vicious, vindictive, violent, and inhumane in order to prove their worthiness to the gang. Gang members don't leave once in unless they are dead.

There are many reasons not to join a gang nor join a cult. In many instances, some of the members come from vulnerable backgrounds and see the gang as their surrogate family. There will always be gangs but law enforcement and the community must address the issues of gangs in the community as more than just avoiding them. They have to be dealt rather than ignored. As they say, ignorance is bliss.

This book should help deter gang members or help those in similar situations. Much like a cult, gangs can be difficult to leave as well and have a normal life. The gangs know too much and the ex-member knows too much. They don't just go after gang members but they're family and friends after they've left the group.

The book is an excellent investigation of the notorious prison gang the Mexican Mafia. The details of life in prison and the connections to drug and violence trade on the streets are so astounding and accurate that the reader is intrigue on how from prison one can run a drug organization. It reminds me of the God Father and the Italian Mafia of the early 1900's. This is a good reading to understand the Mexican Cartels.

this is a great book, i could not stop reading it. i will for sure read it a second time. the book takes you deep into how the mexican mafia operates and how its structured. this is not just the story of boxers life as a criminal but also the story of his death and his rebirth. i will definitly let my friends borrow this book.

The story of a mexican mafioso and his story of survival in one of the most dificult social environment: prison. True crime book, excellent as a human message of pain, endurance and mental strenght.

This is by far one of the most detailed stories about the Mexican Mafia. Growing up in southern California the EME was as legendary as La Cosa Nostra. Until now I never thought the inner workings of La EME were so complex. Politics within members in La EME rival those of major corporations (without the deadly consequences) or small governments. Rene and I grew up in very similar circumstances. Although we share business mentalities, I however do not have the balls to kill. Ending up in the Los Angeles County Jail for 4 days was enough for me. I was scared straight. This book reemphasizes that experience. I would consider it a must read for anyone in criminology or law profession of any kind. Read this book for entertainment, if you like reality in its purest form. I wish Rene the best and am thankful for his story being made public.