Customer Reviews

Inside the Cocaine Cartel: The Riveting Eyewitness Account of Life Inside the Colombian Cartel

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

 

 

This is one of those relatively rare true-life dramas that reads a lot like fiction without any loss to the quality of the storyline. If you have the stomach to learn the "down-and-dirty" of the chaotic and bloody underworld of narcotics, you will probably find this book one of the very best reads at your disposal.

This story is definitely not the Godfather. There is no attempt to glorify the characters - just a straightforward description of characters as the author experienced them. The cast is mostly a ragtag (but filthy rich) bunch of ever-changing drug smugglers (both Colombian and American) whose methods and personalities could be called comic at times, brutal at others, but always real.

The book jacket describes it all, and the book delivers. This is the first book in a long time that's kept me up late at night reading.

Max Mermelstein approaches this story as though he's a kid who managed to sneak into an R-rated movie, and now he has to tell all the other kids about it. This book was worth the money, although at times it's rather blandly eloquated and leaves you wishing he had a better way with words. The magnitude of what he was involved with more than makes up for that, though. It's a great read even for those not interested in the drug trade, especially if you have a mind for business. It's such a different perspective on money-making schemes compared to something you'd read in a business mag, but is definitely enlightening for that very reason. That morality inversely equates with revenue is a common theme throughout the book.

"WoW" This book was an instant addiction!! Mr Mermelstein where ever you are...God Bless You!! I wish I could write you.
Why this is not a movie, I'll never guess, maybe it's being worked on... I would only pray... Much better than blow...
Inside the Cocaine Cartel is an amazing true story of man and an empire, that he helped build. A colombian cartel expose written by a jewish man from brooklyn...

After Barry Seal was Murdered by the Cartel, Max became the most important C.I. in the history of Law Enforcment. To this day he is called upon to help brake codes and assist Law Enforcment all over this country. This book is just a small insight of life in the Carlte. Bravo Max....A must read

The best review could not express the importance and truth about what this book documents.

Simply put Max Mermelstein was the highest ranking NON South American cartel member in the history of the cartel.

George Jung was a minor player a blip on the map but because of Hollywood's revisionist history, the public was led to believe George was our Pablo: not true !

This book highlights, demonstrates, and supports how Max Mermelstein became the biggest-baddest American cocaine smuggler of alltime. . .

You can go with the "Hollywood" version, "Blow", or you can read the FACTS ! Max was an American original. . .

EXCELLENT READ. THE STORY IS VERY WELL TOLD AND GRIPS THE READER FROM START TO FINISH . WELL WORTH THE INVESTMENT...

The book grabs you. To give you an example, there are 2 murders in the first three pages. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because thru the whole book he crys how he was scared of Rafa(you will find out who he is), and that is while he stayed in the business.