The Cocaine Kids: The Inside Story Of A Teenage Drug Ring (Paperback)

~ Terry Tempest Williams (Author) "Max was fourteen and already considered a "comer" in the cocaine business when I met him..." (more)
Key Phrases: crazy dollars, cocaine culture, cocaine business, New York, Washington Heights, Dominican Republic (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A teenage-populated cocaine distribution ring in New York City's Spanish Harlem is probed by the author, a sociologist, who for almost five years observed its routines. "Williams proffers no quick solution to the drug crisis, but rather an illumination, in their own words, of damaged urban youth," remarked PW , calling this "a sobering picture of the dangerous, lucrative trade."
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

From 1982 to 1986, sociologist Williams followed the activities of a teenage cocaine ring in New York's Spanish Harlem. He tells their story in their own street language (and conveniently provides a glossary). The "kids" tell how cocaine is adulterated, packaged, and sold; how the chain of distribution works; and even detail the etiquette of drug selling and usage. They also give the stories of their lives, and Williams follows up with what has happened to them since 1986. Williams is very nonjudgmental, which is the book's main fault; by showing the drug trade primarily as a way for teenagers to attain status and money, and soft-pedaling the violence and harm involved, he makes the activities of the "kids" seem as normal as those of any teenagers with part - time jobs. For larger crime and sociology collections.
- Sally G. Waters, Stetson Law Lib., St. Petersburg, Fla.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (January 21, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201570033
• ISBN-13: 978-0201570038
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,463 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Coca-Cola, January 20, 2006

By	Seedless "http://www.junkylife.com/seedless" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Pretty good book...

A story concerning the lifes of 8 kids deeply involved in cocaine trade in NYC during the 1980's. It is told from the point of view of an outsider looking in, which I would have rather seen it documented from the 'kids' view but what can you do? Bricks of coke, cut, re-rocked, packaged, street level retail, and all the nitty-gritty details involved with the process. If your looking for a book that tells the tale of the route of cocaine from the source, into the nose/arm of a user, and the people that make it happen. This book is for you, I am a sucker for this type of literature [drug-porn] so take my review with that in mind.

http://www.junkylife.com/seedless

1.0 out of 5 stars Irrelevant and unscientific ethnography, March 24, 2009

By	C. F. Denig - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are looking for more of a journalistic description and a short, amusing read, then this book is for you. He includes irrelevant details. It is more an ethnography of urban relationships in the context of the drug trade than of the drug trade proper.

If you are after a scientific ethnography of drug-selling, then I'd recommend Phillipe Bourgois' In Search of Respect. Avoid this book - it is not worthwhile if you are a sociologist or anthropologist.

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING READ!!!!!!!, June 14, 2007

By	judge jules "tolkien stalker" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cocaine Kids: The Inside Story of a Teenage Drug Ring (Hardcover)

great fun read. you can sit down and read it in a day really. the story follows some dominican kids who sell the kilos of coke. it is written like a documentary but has a TON of feeling in it. POOR CHILLE!!!!