Blue Thunder: How the Mafia Owned and Finally Murdered Cigarette Boat King Donald Aronow [Hardcover]

Thomas Burdick (Author), Charlene Mitchell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Millionaire Donald Aronow was a handsome speedboat designer and world champion racer who hobnobbed with the rich and lived in the fast lane. In 1987 he was gunned down in a hail of bullets. In this fast-paced narrative that involves the Mafia, drug traffickers, and the U.S. government, Burdick and Mitchell say Aronow was fingered by the Columbian drug lords angered that he built drug-interception boats. The authors allege a cover-up that protects the mob, drug smugglers, and government agencies. Despite the sensational nature of the story, this book is first-rate investigative journalism and is recommended for public libraries.
- Ron Chepesiuk, Win throp Coll., Rock Hill, S.C.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (November 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671663216
• ISBN-13: 978-0671663216
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #165,271 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interested in Offshore Racing? Meet your idol, Mr Don Aronow, July 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue Thunder: How the Mafia Owned and Finally Murdered Cigarette Boat King Donald Aronow (Hardcover)

If you have an interest in offshore racing, take the time and read this compelling book about the father of the the industry. Ever heard of Thunderboat row? Find out the impact he had on some of the largest manufacturers in the country, and their attempts to to keep him out of the boat building business. You will learn about the rise and murder of Don Aronow and how state law enforcement of Florida(at the time led by the infamous Janet Reno) either bungled the investigation, or for whatever reason, let his death go unsolved. You will learn of the allegation that Don Aronow had ties to the mob, South American drug smugglers, and to the DEA. At the end you can surmise what you will of what his life was about, but you can't take away what he meant to the sport of offshore racing. Read it and pay homage.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent . . . A Must for the boater and mob afficionado!!!, March 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue Thunder: How the Mafia Owned and Finally Murdered Cigarette Boat King Donald Aronow (Hardcover)

This book has to be the best summary of politics, drug running, the offshore powerboat industry, the Mafia, crime, corruption and intrigue that I have ever read!! Aronow was an old friend of my family's in New Jersey and when he got murdered we all waited for the book to come out, sure enough it did and was excellent. If you love the mob, fast boats, fast cars, fast horses and beautiful women, BLUE THUNDER is a MUST READ!! Enjoy . . . . .

H.L., Florida

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Blue Thunder: How the Mafia Owned and Finally Murdered Cigarette Boat King Donald Aronow, November 15, 2010

By 

Andrew Klein (HENRICO, VA, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blue Thunder: How the Mafia Owned and Finally Murdered Cigarette Boat King Donald Aronow (Hardcover)

Well written investigative reporting of an unsolved murder involving a who's-who list of characters including Don Aronow, Meyer Lansky, and George H.W. Bush. Fascinating true tale that finally solves the mystery, if the authorities wanted it to be solved.