How to Be a Successful Criminal: The Real Deal on Crime, Drugs and Easy Money [Paperback]

Ron Glodoski (Author), Allen Fahden (Author), Judy Grant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998

Inspirational, Motivational Self help book for kids at risk, or anyone who has ever doubted themselves or felt less than enough.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"...expertly strips away the romanticized media image of the cool, glamorous life-style of gang members, and dope dealers...reveals the "real deal about life on the street...shows kids how the dope business is an "easy money" scam filled with suckers who end up dead or in prison. Although written for kids at risk, this inspirational, informative story holds universal truths for anyone who has ever doubted themselves or felt less than enough. The easy conversational style draws the reader into Ron's message, as he uses real life anecdotes to illustrate the principles of positive decisioni making and freedom of choice he sets forth.

About the Author

Ron Glodoski is a dynamic businessman who survived an abusive childhood by escaping to the street. At age 12, he was a gang member. By the time he was 15, he was a gang leader with a felony record. In his twenties he became one of the most successful drug dealers in Milwaukee, commanding an extensive criminal network.

After 20 years as a criminal, Ron hit rock bottom and finally work up. He had lost his family, and most of his friends were eigher dead or doing time. He wanted out of the gangster life.

His decision to change his life led him on a path to self-discovery. He stopped dealing and using drugs, and began successfully applying his skills to a series of legitimate businesses--including The Spinoza Teddy Bear Company, which markets a therapeutic, relaxation tool in the form of a talking bear. He grew this company from a home-based business to a multimillion dollar company employing 35 people. Last year he resigned as president of this company to dev! ote all his energy to working with kids.

Today he is an author and motivational speaker; leads workshops and support groups on gang life, violence prevention, and drug and alcohol abuse; is a voluteer couselor for social service agencies; and a popular speaker in schools, prisons, and detention centers.

As someone who has been there and made it through, Ron reaches out to kids with respect, and teaches them how to take back their right to choose a better way of life. He shows them how to use street smarts to impove themselves.

Product Details

• Paperback: 259 pages
• Publisher: Turn Around Publishing (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966653009
• ISBN-13: 978-0966653007
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #508,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Law & Crime

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading for anyone tired of living outside the law., September 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Be a Successful Criminal: The Real Deal on Crime, Drugs and Easy Money (Paperback)

I was a friend of Ron and Linda (his future wife) back in his high school and gang days, but I never knew just how bad Ron had it at home. It was really sad to read about how it was for him and his brothers, but it helped me to really understand how kids living in that kind of environment struggle to make it in the world. Amazing, too, that Ron could not only have survived the drug-dealing & drug-addicted life, but emerge to help others find a way out of that life. I recommend this book to anyone who needs to find their way out. And anyone else who just wants to read an interesting and gripping story. And, I commend and congragulate Ron for all he's managed to accomplish.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It helps you coop with your own problems in life., June 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Be a Successful Criminal: The Real Deal on Crime, Drugs and Easy Money (Paperback)

Ron came to my school and we had a discustion with about 30 kids after the presentation and half of us started crying after we told him how our lives were. Every presentation he picks a couple of kids that he feels inspired him. I think it was great to have someone to talk to that comes from the same thing that is happening to many of us kids in America. Drugs and gangs are very tough to coop with these days. Ron is a great writer and speaker.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth your time!, May 29, 2011

By 

pahasapa (citizen of the world) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Be a Successful Criminal: The Real Deal on Crime, Drugs and Easy Money (Paperback)

I don't understand all the fawning over this book and author. I found the book pointless and frankly after reading the other one star review I finally put this into perspective. This book is the author's attempt to be cool and make other adults look bad. I agree don't waste your money or your time.

I entered into this conversation just to make a comment and to have a voice. Sadly, I see that this book also promotes a good deal of anger from its supporters. The right fighting and the sarcasm along with the need to silence others voices is just plain wrong. I hope the author doesn't sanction this kind of behavior.