Shop Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Buy used:
$7.69
FREE delivery January 6 - 9. Details
Or fastest delivery January 3 - 7. Details
Used: Good | Details
Sold by ThriftBooks-Phoenix
Condition: Used: Good
Comment: Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

James Mills
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Underground Empire: Where Crime and Governments Embrace Mass Market Paperback – July 1, 1987

by James Mills (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 105 ratings
See all formats and editions
Reports on a firsthand investigation into three international criminal networks trafficking in drugs, profiles their leaders, and examines the elite law enforcement agency charged with bringing them to justice
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    1201 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dell
  4. Publication date
    July 1, 1987
  5. ISBN-10
    0440192064
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0440192060
  7. See all details
Next slide of product details
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous set of slides
Next set of slides

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dell (July 1, 1987)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 1201 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0440192064
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0440192060
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.02 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 105 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
James Mills

James Mills

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
105 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and informative. They appreciate the gripping narrative style and unique characters. The book arrived in good condition, as advertised.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityEnlightenedEnjoymentNarrative styleSturdiness
13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and interesting. They say it's a good novel about Dundee, Illinois, and Chicago locals.

"...Having said that, it's a great read, and James Mills did an amazingly thorough reporting job, perhaps the best I have ever seen on such a complex..." Read more

"...For the price you get plenty of reading material, and even though it might be a little outdated it still offers a very good story. 4 Stars." Read more

"...He's making this stuff up as he goes along. It's good stuff for a novel, but this is mostly fiction, folks." Read more

"Great book, great condition." Read more

12 customers mention "Enlightened"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating and informative about drug trafficking. They appreciate the detailed account of major drug lords and the true reporting. The story is described as great, entertaining, and shocking.

"I purchased this to do research for film. Love the world it reveals." Read more

"At the very least there are many degrees of true reporting on this book. I found the story fascinating when I first read it in the early 80's?..." Read more

"...But overall this is an eye-opening examination of the international drug rackets and their close association with governments...." Read more

"For the conspiracy theorists out there this book provides an in depth look at the way government and crime merge...." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They say it's fun to read and has material for movies.

"This book is great fun to read. Material for a thousand movies here. These guys are the real life James Bonds and Jason Bournes...." Read more

"...that in later years has been recognized, there is much to enjoy in this book...." Read more

"Very entertaining and enlightening. I was shocked and amazed at all that I learned from this book. I think it should be read by everyone." Read more

3 customers mention "Narrative style"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the narrative style of the book. They say it's written in a novelistic format, reads like fiction, and is gripping and fast-paced. The characters are unique.

"Like Terry Reed's "Compromised," The Underground Empire is written in a novelistic format...." Read more

"...James Mills writing is gripping and fast moving. His attention to detail is incredible...." Read more

"Non-fiction that reads like fiction. All unique characters, unfortunately, criminals." Read more

3 customers mention "Sturdiness"3 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the book's sturdiness. They say it arrived on time and in good condition as advertised.

"Arrived on time and in wonderful condition as advertised. Thank you again! I couldn't find this book anywhere for almost 18 years." Read more

"Great book, great condition." Read more

"Arrived Quickly - In Near Pristine Condition..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • S. Koller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, fascinating
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The book arrived on great shape, appeared unread. -spkoller
    Helpful
     Report
  • Roger Angle
    5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING ADVENTURE STORIES
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book is great fun to read. Material for a thousand movies here. These guys are the real life James Bonds and Jason Bournes. I have only read about 130 pages so far, and it's hard to put down. My only reservation is that a lot of these war stories could be slightly tall tales. As an old reporter myself, sometimes you interview people whose stories may be a little too good, and you cannot verify all the facts. Having said that, it's a great read, and James Mills did an amazingly thorough reporting job, perhaps the best I have ever seen on such a complex topic. My hat is off to him. I love this book and recommend it highly.
    10 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Michael G Kehoe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read! Informative
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this to do research for film. Love the world it reveals.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Eddie Wannabee
    4.0 out of 5 stars Plenty to read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    At the very least there are many degrees of true reporting on this book. I found the story fascinating when I first read it in the early 80's? A very large book, with lots of pages, and already with mention of Centac, an organization that in later years has been recognized, there is much to enjoy in this book. For those that have read The Power of the Dog, this book is a lot more serious than that. For the price you get plenty of reading material, and even though it might be a little outdated it still offers a very good story. 4 Stars.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Mary Knoll
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    One of the major players was a close friend and neighbor of my family in Crystal Lake, IL. Nice guy who happened to be a smuggler. Very sweet on my married sister...
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • "carchi_boy"
    3.0 out of 5 stars Sensationalistic, but useful in certain respects
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2000
    During a recent interview with the retired Colombian Colonel who headed the Bloque de Busqueda (Search Bloc) that was instrumental in dismantling the so-called Cali 'cartel', he stated that he had read Mill's book a number of years ago in an attempt to learn more about Colombian trafficking organizations at a time when Colombian police and military intelligence was rather thin on the subject (This situation has since changed dramatically).
    Like other journalistic accounts of the drug trade, Mill's book is somewhat sensationalistic. Moreover, the idea of an 'underground empire' or international 'octopus' (see Claire Sterling) of crime controlled by a few individuals or organizations is factually incorrect. The reality is much more diffuse and complex: Thousands of independent organizations of varying size and complexity operating in different countries and markets.
    However, there is no denying Mill's skill as a writer, and his book does contain some useful information regarding the criminal activities of a number of marijuana and cocaine trafficking organizations, as evidenced in the Colonel's observation.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • TLR
    5.0 out of 5 stars Disturbing and engrossing
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Like Terry Reed's "Compromised," The Underground Empire is written in a novelistic format. I don't quite understand how a non-fiction book can recreate conversations in such detail (was a tape recorder running 24 hours a day?), and there is sometimes a bit too much personal information. But overall this is an eye-opening examination of the international drug rackets and their close association with governments.

    Arthur Sloane, an old friend of Jimmy Hoffa, once said that "The mobsters have always been wedded to the political system. That's how they survive. Without that wedding, they'd be terrorists - and we'd get rid of them."

    Centac, the drug-busting agency profiled here, no longer exists, and it's not hard to imagine why.
    9 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Wendy W.
    5.0 out of 5 stars I picked up a copy of this book in a ...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I picked up a copy of this book in a used book store before going on vacation one year. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I had seen parts of this unfold, specifically the one about the guy from Mexico. ( had lived along the border from 1990-2009.) I remember when the Sheriff was arrested and the news about the corruption along the border. I had seen the businesses that were covers for them.

    For those who think this didn't happen or that Mills exaggerated various things...just remember, the truth is always stranger than fiction.
    18 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Book in good condition.
    Report
  • Ann Marie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    All about the early days of American drugs, gives you lots to think about. A good read. I have wanted this book for ages and couldn't get it until now. One to lend out but must come back!!
    Report
  • Artur Cerejo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    ok
    Report