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76th out of 283 books
—
92 voters
BLOW: How a Small-Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellin Cocaine Cartel And Lost It All
by
Bruce Porter
BLOW is the unlikely story of George Jung's roller coaster ride from middle-class high school football hero to the heart of Pable Escobar's Medellin cartel-- the largest importer of the United States cocaine supply in the 1980s. Jung's early business of flying marijuana into the United States from the mountains of Mexico took a dramatic turn when he met Carlos Lehder, a yo...more
Paperback, 311 pages
Published
March 21st 2001
by St. Martin's Griffin
(first published January 1st 2001)
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There was a movie based on this book, which was written about the life of a marijuana and cocaine smuggler. George Jung married into what was eventually known as the Medellìn Cartel, made hundreds of millions of dollars, and supposedly lost it all.
The book provides a lot of interesting information and accounts of drug production, smuggling, and dealing since the 1960s. It occasionally attempts to romaticize the lifestyle of George Jung, but the realities of his life–addiction, a daughter he hard...more
The book provides a lot of interesting information and accounts of drug production, smuggling, and dealing since the 1960s. It occasionally attempts to romaticize the lifestyle of George Jung, but the realities of his life–addiction, a daughter he hard...more
Jul 20, 2009
Pardis Parto
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
no one
Recommended to Pardis by:
Pargol Inalu
A boy named George Jung grows up in a struggling family in the 1950's. His mother nags at her husband as he is trying to make a living for the family. It is finally revealed that George's father cannot make a living and the family goes bankrupt. George does not want the same thing to happen to him, and his friend Tuna, in the 1960's, suggests that he deal marijuana. He is a big hit in California in the 1960's, yet he goes to jail, where he finds out about the wonders of cocaine. As a result, whe...more
Who hasn't seen the blockbuster movie of a true story of George Jung, the man who, if you snorted blow in the late 1970's to early 1980's, there was an 85% chance it came from him and his partner? But how many of the fans know Jung's real story. While the movie is sexier and more Hollywood for viewers, the book delivers an unflinching true account of Jung's wild life. And while the movie makes him look like a good person with the occasional lapse in judgement- sometimes moral, sometimes strategi...more
Jan 03, 2010
Bstew320
added it
Whoa. Haven't seen the movie, but this is an amazing (true) story about the American small-town boy who was involved in importing tons of cocaine from Columbia. Made a hundred million or so and ended up penniless. Lots of questions, like how can anyone develop a criminal mindset so strong that even with million of dollars stashed away, you keep on bringing the dope in? I thought the details of the actual smuggling were fascinating. i read this in two days. Not for the faint of heart.
Well written. Intriguing look into the early days of the cocaine industry. The main character, though he has a charming appeal to so many of his contacts, demonstrates self-centeredness in the extreme. His selfishness has helped ruin scores of lives and relationships among cocaine users. The victims of the cocaine trade, including the poor farmers growing the stuff for the cartels, are of little consequence to him when eclipsed by his enormous greed and pursuit of the best deal.
Some books give you a glimpse of a world that is happening right around you but you’re not really aware of. This book, as the name suggests, is a factual account of George------, a dope smuggler. George started with weed, flying it up from Mexico in the 60’s and eventually became an integral part of the Columbian Medein cartels’ transit infrastructure. Illuminating in its’ detail and fascinating in it’s larger than life main character I enjoyed the read. I especially liked the way the author set...more
When I first started to read this book I thought that it was a little bit slow and I didn't know how I was going to like it; but as I started to get deeper and deeper into the main story line, it all of a sudden took off into a very fast paced drug dealing biography that toward the end I could not put down. I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the drug trafficking and the drug cartels from the Americas and through out the world.
An awesome book. There was a lot of action and a lot of suspense. You get to learn a lot about political corruption through the United States and Mexico. A fun read that is hard to put down after the first 20 or so pages.
Loved it! (Loved the flick too). Gives you an inside look of the rise and fall of a drug dealer. Some of the things I read blew (pardon the pun) my mind. A definite walk on the wild side...
Very different style than I've ever experienced. Whenever a new character was introduced, there was just enough information on them relating to their importance/role in the story.
I think this was a really fun and entertaining book to read. It was like watching the movie again for me in my head. it was especially fun for me to read during class (yesterday). I think this is a great book to read for home work or class. But other then that I would not be reading this book. By the way it is really sad at the end so prepare your self.
2 1/2 stars. Not written all that well (I usually read fiction), but interesting. Got a little monotonous after a while...
couldnt put it down. the punk was getting money got busted 100. boston goerge biggest trick in the world
Saw the movie then read the book...great and captivating story...you will find it hard to put down
Saw the film....4 stars just for Depp (superficial I know, but hey!). Should read the book.
This book inspired the amazing film starring Johnny Depp. I thoroughly enjoyed them both.
way more in depth than the movie.....explains a lot!
One of my favorite movies, and the book was even better.
Just returned from an 8 day trip to Medellin with my church on a mission trip and am now fascinated having seen where the Medellin cocaine cartel originated to discover the back story. Only on Chapter 4 but a little slow. I know George Jung is the main character but it needs to pick up a little bit. Didn't really pick up but I was fascinated by the amount of money that was made on a daily basis. And well George let's be real. You put your money in a Panamanian bank expect they're going to steal...more
This is a fast read that I enjoyed immensely. The author did a great job of giving us the facts in a way that didn't slow the story down at all. Also, it's incredible how he managed to paint a picture of George Jung through his eyes and those of people who knew him. I hate to admit it, but I think I kind of like the guy.
Aug 26, 2009
Keith
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
well told true crime readers
The straightforward story telling style still manages to bring to life these characters and place them in the world. The pace is fitting for the details given. Growing up near the main character's home town added interest for me as well. I'm all geared up to see the movie again.
A great book, i would recommend for any one who likes crime stories. A lot better than the movie but obviously the movie has major differences for different reasons. But still a great read I would recommend for anyone.
Feb 13, 2011
Jean
added it
This book is just boring me right now, dont get me wrong it is interesting its the way it is written. It sounds like a report and I just cannot get into it. Maybe ill try it another time
This book is much better then the movie it spawned. Its a classic story of going from the bottom of the barrel to the top and then back again.
I found the book to be really interesting. It kind of gave you an insight into the Medellin cartel, both the good and the bad.
I saw the movie many years ago. The book is much more interesting.
A true story of an American drug lord. Very enlightening and frightening.
I'll admit, I just skimmed this one. Too many words in tiny print.
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“He was standing back in the living room, and he just had this look. He had on a tan suit, with these hazel eyes, shaggy blond hair. Very good-looking. Very well dressed. He could do this thing with his eyes. All of a sudden they were like stars - this twinkle there, this spark. I still remember that look. 'What is this?' I said to myself. 'What is this?”
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1 person liked it
“What I liked most was that George had class, the way he walked and talked, reading Shakespeare and all those books. He knew about van Gogh and Picasso, he gave me a book about Dali. And just the way he conducted himself, you could see it. He was very elegant in his manners.”
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Apr 08, 2013 11:46am