Customer Reviews

Mr. Untouchable

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I actually grew up in NYC during the time of the events in this book. I also come from people who ran in the same circles as Barnes. I remember him as a Harlem legend, so it's interesting to read this book and get from the horse's mouth, as it were, the behind the scenes story of his rise and ignomious fall.

This book has a raw style, and apparently very little editing. This is evident in the fact that nobody seemed to tell Barnes that some of the things he admits paint him in EXTREMELY unflattering lights. This is, for me, a large part of the appeal. Much like the African American Experience in the latter decades, it is what it is...and very little is done to hide the facts. Things are kept real.

A VERY interesting read indeed.

Nicky was no sucker, and his life story as told here (he is currently in his 70s) shows that he never looked back on his life in regret. Unlike some criminals who write books full of self-loathing and pleas for forgiveness, Nicky's book reads like a mix between a gangsta novel and a criminal operations manual. Indeed, this will likely become one of the most widely read books among anyone interested in intricacies of thug life, and will be right at home on the shelf next to your Scarface DVD. On the other hand, smart law enforcement agents and scholars should also grab a copy as it is more insightful and certainly more interesting than most books out there on organized crime logistics. Controversial, entertaining, and yet highly educational- does it get any better than that?

IN MY YOUNGER YEARS OF VISITING HARLEM [1980-85]FOR "WHATEVER", I HEARD OF THE LEGEND OF NICKY BARNES IN THE STREETS. I HAD NOT HEARD OF MR LUCAS.THIS IS NOT TO MINIMIZE ANYONE. CLEARLY THOUGH, NICKY BARNES LEFT A BIGGER IMPRESSION IN STREET FOLKLORE.I HAVE NOT FINISHED HIS BOOK YET BUT I AM SURPRISED TO READ THAT HE WAS A SUCH A THINKER AND ORGANIZER.IN THE STREETS HIS NAME CONJURED UP ONLY FEAR. SOONER OR LATER WE ALL HAVE TO RENDER ACCOUNT TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY. MAYBE I AM DREAMING BUT I HOPE MR BARNES LACK OF REMORSE IN HIS BOOK IS TO SELL COPY AND DOES NOT REFLECT THE QUIET MOMENTS IN ALL OF OUR LIVES WHEN WE HAVE TO REFLECT ON WHAT WE HAVE CONTRIBUTED IN A POSITIVE WAY TO SOCIETY AND TO OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. GETTING HIS STORY IN HIS WORDS AS EVENTS HAPPENED IS FAR MORE INTERESTING THAN SOME OF THE OTHER POETIC AND ROMANTIZED GANGSTER BOOKS FROM PROFESSIONAL RESEARCHERS AND WRITERS.

Nicky Barnes' "Mr. Untouchable: My Crimes and Punishment" is one of the most riveting books I've ever read. As CEO of Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute, I'm responsible for keeping abreast of the latest books on business. And yes, the drug trade is a business. Growing up around New York City during the 1970's, Nicky Barnes was a legend. Obviously, I'm not condoning the drug trade and Barnes' account is startling candid as he takes you through his rise, fall and redemption.

Not only couldn't I put it down, it took precedence over all my other readings.You literally fall in love with the character despite his foibles. Some days after completing the book, I missed him. He was literally a compilation of the father, uncles and the street men who influenced my manhood. Yes, Barnes was a drug kingpin, but in the end, you see his humanity. It goes to show that even the most ruthless people in the world can be lovable.

Edward S. Brown
Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute, Inc.

This is a great book tells how the drug trade was done when Heroin was King of New York before crack cocaine. Nicky Barnes could have been the Ceo of a Fortune 500 company with his business sense. but he went down the wrong road and it cost him 30 years of his life and Betrayal from his Women and his crew. i would highly recommend this book

I picked up this book the last week of May and I finished it in 3 days!! This book was well written and a definite page turner. Not often found in most memoirs or biographies.

I'm not one to read many biographies or memoirs, or at least until recently. I was surprised at how intriguing and interesting this book was. The narrative voice drew me in.

If you don't know much about Nicky Barnes, the basics will do: He's a notorious drug-addict turned drug-kingpin from one of New York's most fam...more I picked up this book the last week of May and I finished it in 3 days!! This book was well written and a definite page turner. Not often found in most memoirs or biographies.

I'm not one to read many biographies or memoirs, or at least until recently. I was surprised at how intriguing and interesting this book was. The narrative voice drew me in.

If you don't know much about Nicky Barnes, the basics will do: He's a notorious drug-addict turned drug-kingpin from one of New York's most famous neighborhoods, Harlem. After 10 years in the life of narcotics, Barnes, deemed "Mr. Untouchable" by the cops because of the legal system's inability to convict him. It all came to an end after Barnes posed for the famous cover of the NYT Magazine. President Carter sent the Feds after him and Barnes was incarcerated for life without parole.

Barnes' story didn't end there, however. He went on to set up and entrap hundreds of fellow colleagues including members of his version of the Black Mafia, called "The Council," and two of his main women.

Barnes takes readers on a wild ride journey. One that he begins at the height of his career before the big fall. He segues from prison into the earliest days of his life in Harlem, his years as a junkie, several prison terms and finally his beginnings as a drug kingpin. The final act of the book (one of three acts), focuses on his last years in prison and the downfall of his organization, and his decision to snitch and how he went about it.

The details of the novel were quite enjoyable. Barnes doesn't hold back when it comes to the material goods he enjoyed during his days at the top. His Maserati-Citroen, the various penthouse apartments across the city and tri-state area, the fine liquor and drugs he inhaled and the designer duds he and his women wore.

What was most charming about Barnes' story was the incredibly charming narration. Barnes was witty and funny, qualities one would not expect from one of the top heroin sellers of his day. For those of us not born during his generation, it's hard to imagine that this is the same man that had helped destroy a whole community of families. But one in which we must not forget.

Lastly, one of my complaints about the memoir was that I felt that Barnes conveniently gives the reader anecdotes and history about his fellow Council members that portray them as inadequate and often goofy compared to himself. It helps to create this pile of infractions that would inevitably lead Barnes to set up and take out his "brothers" in the Council. Barnes portrays himself as really not having a choice in his final decisions. To be honest, I'm just not that convinced.

Overall, I give this book 4 of 5 stars. There was a lot unsaid in this memoir, but it was a good read and I recommend it.

You can tell that Nicky wrote this and thats the beauty of this book, or he employed a very good ghost writer. Because his voice steamrolls thru everything. I would have hoped that he would have gotten the electric chair at the end because he deserves that. this book may have benefitted from some photos.

This book is amazing. I was hooked as soon as I got into it, and it was a clear and direct read. The format and layout of the whole story was told so well. I would read this book over and over again if I had some more time to kill. Leroy Barnes is one ruthless but intelligent businessman.

I really enjoyed this book, it takes you right in to 'Their world', anyone who is thinking of getting involved in that business should read it, it doesn't matter what level you get to the people around will turn and send you to jail just to save their own life.
Greed takes over and ruin's everything.
A very good book, highly recommended.

Nicky Barnes is a very bad man. First he built a drug empire that spanned the globe. That was his crime and it made him millions. Then after 5 years in prison, he snitched on his underlings because they ran that operation into the ground. That was his punishment to his crew for breaking their covenant. Nicky Barnes is super bad and he tells you all about it in this book.

The book's cover shot is from the cover of the New York Times Magazine in the 70's. The biggest heroin dealer on the cover of the NYT magazine. And he was a free man when that was printed. Nicky Barnes is one bad dude.

As a read it reminds me of the legendary "Pimp". Some war stories, some how we did it, some braggadocio. And then it goes into his rise from boyhood and subsequent fall. Also like "Pimp", its one of those books that many people just wonder why you would want to read. It's raw and its real. Edgy.

But back in his day, this man owned the streets of NYC. I had no idea. He made the mold. People wrote songs, made movies, and lots more.

Its all inside this easy to read page turner. And in the end you'll know why: Nicky Barnes is a very bad man.