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Pressure: A Memoir
Pressure is the unbelievable true story of Eric Canori, who buried $10 million worth of gold bars in the woods—and later used them to buy himself out of prison.
Eric Canori was one of the largest high-end marijuana dealers on the East Coast of the United States—before it became legal in any state—smuggling weed out of Canada via eighteen-wheelers, helicopters, and boats. He was a mastermind, doing well over $300 million of business by age twenty-nine—without a gun or the government knowing.
The memoir begins in Canori’s childhood, locked in his bedroom looking at posters of athletes and rock stars, dreaming of all the things he wants to do and become in life. The story ends with him in a prison cell, staring at barren walls, with nothing to see except a reflection of himself in a tiny, scratched-up mirror. In between these scenes, he takes the reader on a joyride from the bottom to the top. At the bottom, he scrubs toilets while the other kids are making friends, and at the top, he shares penthouse suites with women from all over the globe, as he evades the DEA for close to fifteen years while leading a lifestyle that most people consider unattainable. Canori was a rock star in his industry, but there was one thing he could never shake—his buried pain. A pain so deep that it could only be dealt with when he was locked up alone.
Pressure is an epic tale of determination, resilience, and inner transformation. It displays Eric Canori’s quest for love and acceptance—through money, sex, and drugs. The book will inspire you to re-evaluate the way you live, as it showcases what is essential in our relationship to the natural world, to ourselves, and to each other.
Eric Canori was one of the largest high-end marijuana dealers on the East Coast of the United States—before it became legal in any state—smuggling weed out of Canada via eighteen-wheelers, helicopters, and boats. He was a mastermind, doing well over $300 million of business by age twenty-nine—without a gun or the government knowing.
The memoir begins in Canori’s childhood, locked in his bedroom looking at posters of athletes and rock stars, dreaming of all the things he wants to do and become in life. The story ends with him in a prison cell, staring at barren walls, with nothing to see except a reflection of himself in a tiny, scratched-up mirror. In between these scenes, he takes the reader on a joyride from the bottom to the top. At the bottom, he scrubs toilets while the other kids are making friends, and at the top, he shares penthouse suites with women from all over the globe, as he evades the DEA for close to fifteen years while leading a lifestyle that most people consider unattainable. Canori was a rock star in his industry, but there was one thing he could never shake—his buried pain. A pain so deep that it could only be dealt with when he was locked up alone.
Pressure is an epic tale of determination, resilience, and inner transformation. It displays Eric Canori’s quest for love and acceptance—through money, sex, and drugs. The book will inspire you to re-evaluate the way you live, as it showcases what is essential in our relationship to the natural world, to ourselves, and to each other.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2022
15 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 23, 2022
You know you have found a great story when you pick up a book and lose yourself (and track of time) until you have flipped the very last page. This book is filled with truth and growth in unforeseen ways. Its made its way into the hands of three generations in our home already with no signs of sitting idle any time soon.
August 23, 2022
I couldn’t put this book down. I marked up and re-read several chapters that spoke to my heart. I ordered copies for a few of my colleagues that I know will appreciate the authenticity and underlying meaning behind the author’s story. I’m hoping for a sequel!
August 17, 2022
"Pressure" maintains an exciting pace from the first page until the last. Eric's unique and, at times, tragic childhood ties into his high risk/high reward lifestyle he will go on to live. The characters in the book are introduced in a very real and descriptive manner and I often found myself rooting for Eric's many love lives to flourish. For a young man, Eric has lived an absolutely thrilling lifestyle and the book does a great job of capturing the raw emotions through out his journey. 5/5 would highly recommend.
July 16, 2022
Easy read. Interesting story that unfolded in my backyard.
June 30, 2022
A great read!!!
I don’t often read memoirs, but this one was recommended to me and I’m glad I did. It is a story so different from my life, but it’s told in a way that lets me be inside a world I’d never know otherwise. Stories this real help us all to see that we’re all made up of the same desires- we just go about getting them differently.
I don’t often read memoirs, but this one was recommended to me and I’m glad I did. It is a story so different from my life, but it’s told in a way that lets me be inside a world I’d never know otherwise. Stories this real help us all to see that we’re all made up of the same desires- we just go about getting them differently.
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April 8, 2022A Must Read!
Great book, and although not listed as a self help book, it was definitely that. He takes on a journey that makes you question what/who you are really living your life for.
Great book, and although not listed as a self help book, it was definitely that. He takes on a journey that makes you question what/who you are really living your life for.
April 12, 2022
FASCINATING! Couldn’t put down!
This is the first book I enjoyed reading so much that I had to let other people know.
They say the truth can be stranger than fiction. Here’s an incredible example. Guaranteed to be a future movie!
This is the first book I enjoyed reading so much that I had to let other people know.
They say the truth can be stranger than fiction. Here’s an incredible example. Guaranteed to be a future movie!
December 9, 2024
I wrote this book. It took me a long time. If you read it, I would love your feedback.
Thank you,
Eric Canori
Thank you,
Eric Canori
March 15, 2022
This memoir tells an exciting and fascinating story that is thought provoking and chock full of wisdom. I couldn’t put it down.
August 30, 2022
First and foremost, what a story! As a New York State resident myself, I am amazed that such underground success described in this story was able to be obtained while remaining under the radar for majority of the time. Anyone who lives in a small, close knit community, can relate to the hardships explained in this story. Not only does this story present levels of success in which young men sometimes only can dream of, but each success story was primarily executed under the radar. The unique ability to convey this "stealthy mindset" throughout the entire process in this book was almost magical, and keeps the reader interested throughout.
This story is a perfect example that almost anything is possible if you believe, stay determined and keep a small circle of partners. Even then, and most importantly, listen to your gut feeling in every situation, because the second you begin to ignore that feeling - things may very well become messy... fast.
Great story, smooth read and oh-so relatable at times.
This story is a perfect example that almost anything is possible if you believe, stay determined and keep a small circle of partners. Even then, and most importantly, listen to your gut feeling in every situation, because the second you begin to ignore that feeling - things may very well become messy... fast.
Great story, smooth read and oh-so relatable at times.
September 7, 2022
I love this book! I have read it twice and the second read was even better. A thriller for sure and a look into the mind of a genius who learned how to be a successful businessman at a young age. Eric proudly recalls his brilliance and finesse in his underworld dealings, but is also brutally honest about what he considers his inadequacies. His frequent self reflection makes this a psychological thriller, as well. He is driven beyond the beyond. There is an electrical energy that flows through his story, which keeps the reader engaged. His “never give up” attitude is quite motivating on many fronts. Even though he is involved in illicit activities, I was definitely pulling for him. A very genuine character. A must read!
August 24, 2022
Memoirs are my favorite genre, and to me, the grittier and more self-disclosing, the better. Eric's story is a wild rollercoaster of self discovery, found in some of the most unlikely of places. While this is a tale in some ways of excess and extremes, it is also reflective of the duality and deep desires that live in all of us. And it's an engaging page turner, so expect to be whisked into the underworld by a master of the depths, and then brought back up to the light.
September 20, 2022
It’s always compelling to read about outlaws who have a ton of buried pain and something to prove, but Canori serves up something of far greater value. At its core, “Pressure” is a spiritual odyssey about a young man trying to find himself. Canori talks frankly about craving validation, wrestling with his longings, and searching for meaning in life. The take he spins readers through is a nail-biting rollercoaster ride wherein he attempts to understand and reconcile himself to universal laws. Few authors plunge so bravely into the tensions he explores on practically every page. His admission of sexual and relationship insecurities coupled with his tireless, insightful self-assessments make him relatable, as does his transformation from confused kid to driven entrepreneur. And while presenting a cast of wild characters, Canori has the grace to make each of them funny, fanciful, and flawed-in other words, human. He shines this light on himself most of all.
Now that marijuana has been legalized in so many states, the fact that Canori’s business was criminal feels ironic. But there’s no irony to the truth he arrives at. After selling more than $300 million worth of marijuana, “I was still trying to figure out life every day,” he writes. And: “there isn’t a chemical solution for spiritual problems.”
Swap out the words “money,” “status,” or “relationships,” for “chemical” and you receive the true cache of gold this book offers. It’s a genuine Master Key that can open the lock on the greatest door we all carry within us. Read “Pressure”for this reason and many others. I highly recommend it.
Now that marijuana has been legalized in so many states, the fact that Canori’s business was criminal feels ironic. But there’s no irony to the truth he arrives at. After selling more than $300 million worth of marijuana, “I was still trying to figure out life every day,” he writes. And: “there isn’t a chemical solution for spiritual problems.”
Swap out the words “money,” “status,” or “relationships,” for “chemical” and you receive the true cache of gold this book offers. It’s a genuine Master Key that can open the lock on the greatest door we all carry within us. Read “Pressure”for this reason and many others. I highly recommend it.
October 3, 2022
Well-done story giving heartfelt insight into a person's early life and how they understand the world, survive- and choose to thrive in it. Shows an evolution of a man and some related characters. Tightly written. Moves at a nice pace. Has interesting turns and a clear through-line. Psychological and spiritual insights about what matters in life.
August 21, 2022
Eric's book, "Pressure," showcases the lifestyle of a mastermind pot dealer. He is unlike any violent criminal and takes only calculated risks to secure profits and avoid DEA attention. He details romantic and personal relationships all throughout his journey to inevitable underworld fame. This book is a non-stop page turner and even a tear jerker at times.
September 20, 2022
I almost never read because I'm easily distracted, however when I picked up this book I could not put it down! It was interesting insight into a world I know nothing about. I was intrigued by the authors detailed account of his hardships growing up and his relationship with his mother and women, all while trying to gain approval through success in a non conventional manner (as a grassroots drug dealer). The honesty and vulnerability in his writing kept me engaged and his experiences often brought me to tears. I highly recommend this book.
March 13, 2025
very fascinating
Was a great read. Keeps you entertained. I would love for him to write another book on how his life is going now
Was a great read. Keeps you entertained. I would love for him to write another book on how his life is going now
September 4, 2023
excellent read
Love the finale. What more can we ask for in a great book? Someone with a terrible childhood, waking up to loving himself.
Love the finale. What more can we ask for in a great book? Someone with a terrible childhood, waking up to loving himself.
December 31, 2024
This book had me hooked from beginning to end. More than a true-crime memoir by far. It is insightful on a personal growth level as well as how the justice system works in funny ways.
He brings the reader along for the journey that brought him from his childhood entrepreneurial moments the big-time moves that eventually landed him in a prison cell. I truly felt for the guy along the way. Money does not fix all of life's trials and tribulations as he finds out. But what a journey along the way!
While the book's description lays out the basics, it is the details that had me captivated at a level i could not have predicted. He lays it all out for us with vulnerability and surprising humbleness considering some of his escapades that most people only see in movies. Actually i could totally see Eric's story making a fantastic film. It will have you reflecting on what motivates us as adults and how our childhood is the primer for it all. Filled with nuggets of wisdom that are welcomed breathers from the nail-biting moments that he describes so well. Part memoir and part self-help makes this book a unique work. Lessons learned and a cast of characters that will keep you hooked. I don't want to give too much away as there are some hefty names wrapped up in this true-life tale.
He brings the reader along for the journey that brought him from his childhood entrepreneurial moments the big-time moves that eventually landed him in a prison cell. I truly felt for the guy along the way. Money does not fix all of life's trials and tribulations as he finds out. But what a journey along the way!
While the book's description lays out the basics, it is the details that had me captivated at a level i could not have predicted. He lays it all out for us with vulnerability and surprising humbleness considering some of his escapades that most people only see in movies. Actually i could totally see Eric's story making a fantastic film. It will have you reflecting on what motivates us as adults and how our childhood is the primer for it all. Filled with nuggets of wisdom that are welcomed breathers from the nail-biting moments that he describes so well. Part memoir and part self-help makes this book a unique work. Lessons learned and a cast of characters that will keep you hooked. I don't want to give too much away as there are some hefty names wrapped up in this true-life tale.
April 7, 2022
A true page turner
Eric does a great job at keeping the attention of his audience. He keeps you wanting to read more and learn more about his life. I could see every scene in my head like it was a movie.
Eric does a great job at keeping the attention of his audience. He keeps you wanting to read more and learn more about his life. I could see every scene in my head like it was a movie.
August 29, 2023
Absolutely unputdownable. I loved the local references for me (Butler Pond! Stewart's Shops! Albany County Jail, whoohoo!) But I 100% still would have tore through the book even without that local connection.
January 7, 2025
An interesting memoir about the inner workings of a marijuana dealer (before individual states started legalizing cannabis. We can all learn a lot from Eric Canori's journey of self-examination and introspection and what led him become an "outlaw."
February 25, 2023
**** Inspirational tale of a real survivor Eric Canori... A Must Read ****
Eric Canori’s most remarkable debut, "Pressure," details about his traumatic life experiences during his journey from adolescence to adulthood, growing up in a survivalist family, and how he managed to start out selling weed during high school and successfully built a multi-million dollar weed empire in the US at the age of 29, and later undergone self-reflection and transformed while serving his prison time. Canori’s raw storytelling and honesty are noteworthy. This book is a powerful and inspiring account of a person's journey through multiple stresses and addiction. His ability to transform his pain into success is a valuable resource for anyone who may be struggling with similar issues.
In this book, not only does the author provide helpful tools that stimulate self-inquiry and reflection, but he also takes the reader's hand and walks them through real-life instances step by step. Because of the author's willingness to be open and vulnerable throughout, his self-transformation, passion, and determination to come clean with his life are incredibly relatable. In his brilliant work, he imparts information, wisdom, and experience that may touch readers' lives in a variety of ways.
Eric’s insightfulness is obvious from the use of language in this book. It both obfuscates and illuminates. His decision to weave this entire memoire with a steady tone is quite appreciable. He reinforces the idea of self-transformation by teaching readers to create reality through visions, use visions to control thoughts, develop plans based on thoughts, and wait with patience, persistence, and faith after putting in hard work and believing in themselves to attain success.
Do not pass this book by; it is definitely worth reading.
I would give 10 stars out of 5 for this memoir, especially for the narrative style and honesty.
Eric Canori’s most remarkable debut, "Pressure," details about his traumatic life experiences during his journey from adolescence to adulthood, growing up in a survivalist family, and how he managed to start out selling weed during high school and successfully built a multi-million dollar weed empire in the US at the age of 29, and later undergone self-reflection and transformed while serving his prison time. Canori’s raw storytelling and honesty are noteworthy. This book is a powerful and inspiring account of a person's journey through multiple stresses and addiction. His ability to transform his pain into success is a valuable resource for anyone who may be struggling with similar issues.
In this book, not only does the author provide helpful tools that stimulate self-inquiry and reflection, but he also takes the reader's hand and walks them through real-life instances step by step. Because of the author's willingness to be open and vulnerable throughout, his self-transformation, passion, and determination to come clean with his life are incredibly relatable. In his brilliant work, he imparts information, wisdom, and experience that may touch readers' lives in a variety of ways.
Eric’s insightfulness is obvious from the use of language in this book. It both obfuscates and illuminates. His decision to weave this entire memoire with a steady tone is quite appreciable. He reinforces the idea of self-transformation by teaching readers to create reality through visions, use visions to control thoughts, develop plans based on thoughts, and wait with patience, persistence, and faith after putting in hard work and believing in themselves to attain success.
Do not pass this book by; it is definitely worth reading.
I would give 10 stars out of 5 for this memoir, especially for the narrative style and honesty.
February 27, 2023
Pressure is a fast-paced, compelling narrative of a man who grew up in an alcohol-infused, toxic-ridden environment and of his subsequent journey into the world of drug dealing, and reckoning with his past during and after his imprisonment. Along the way, he yearned for unconditional love and acceptance from his mother. Their relationship was complicated by the fact she and his stepfather were both alcoholics and, as a result, they both abused him--physically, verbally, and emotionally-- during his childhood and teenage years. Canori took greater risks in his drug dealing, which eventually landed him in prison. Canori's descriptions of his growing up years and subsequent reckoning with his past during and after his imprisonment, his growing acceptance of his mother as she was, along with his resilience and determination to build a better life for himself were the best parts of the book for me. Highly recommend this read!
December 3, 2024
A Masterpiece of Raw Honesty and Resilience
Pressure: A Memoir by Eric Canori is a remarkable exploration of the depths of human ambition, vulnerability, and salvation. Canori's tale enthralled me from the very first page because of its vivid images and unvarnished honesty. He immerses you in his world, allowing you to feel the consequences of every choice he takes, rather than merely narrating his experiences.
This narrative is unique because it strikes a mix between introspection and grit.
In addition to being honest about his shortcomings, Canori inspires readers with his fortitude and the lessons he has learned from hardship. This book is excellent whether you're looking for a tale of personal growth, an inside look at the competitive society he lived in, or just an engaging read. I heartily suggest it to anybody searching for a narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
Pressure: A Memoir by Eric Canori is a remarkable exploration of the depths of human ambition, vulnerability, and salvation. Canori's tale enthralled me from the very first page because of its vivid images and unvarnished honesty. He immerses you in his world, allowing you to feel the consequences of every choice he takes, rather than merely narrating his experiences.
This narrative is unique because it strikes a mix between introspection and grit.
In addition to being honest about his shortcomings, Canori inspires readers with his fortitude and the lessons he has learned from hardship. This book is excellent whether you're looking for a tale of personal growth, an inside look at the competitive society he lived in, or just an engaging read. I heartily suggest it to anybody searching for a narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
January 2, 2024
Eric may not have shared the details of his drug dealing operation in this memoir, or how his life turned out after he became a free man again, but again and again, he shares the most raw, and vulnerable parts of his psyche with us; those that are so rare to come out to anyone, sometimes not even a trusted therapist for the fear of being judged.
Through Eric’s journey to hell and back, the reader is gifted with a key to unlock the door to their own inner hell and the courage to step through it, for the hope of coming out lighter and stronger. With a promise from Eric, sealed and signed, that no amount of fortune can buy that inner strength for them.
In a garbage world where it is a daily expectation to be tough and put on the “I’m OK” mask, and run the rat race, Eric’s truth shines like a gem.
Through Eric’s journey to hell and back, the reader is gifted with a key to unlock the door to their own inner hell and the courage to step through it, for the hope of coming out lighter and stronger. With a promise from Eric, sealed and signed, that no amount of fortune can buy that inner strength for them.
In a garbage world where it is a daily expectation to be tough and put on the “I’m OK” mask, and run the rat race, Eric’s truth shines like a gem.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2023
Incredibly journey that comes full circle and told in an engaging voice from the first page to the last.
There are some precious life lessons offered in Canori’s book, mainly in the latter half as the author increasingly realizes that his mom’s advice to him as a child often turned out to be a fact in his later life. In the chapter “Trapped” for example, when he has been arrested by the authorities and awaiting trial, he remembers his mom saying, “You better burn your bad habits before they burn you.” (168)
Pressure is a good read for all adult readers, and a must for fans of true crime and inspirational stories. Eric Canori has been successful in reaching into his soul and discovering what life and happiness are really about; his book delivers the secret to all readers.
There are some precious life lessons offered in Canori’s book, mainly in the latter half as the author increasingly realizes that his mom’s advice to him as a child often turned out to be a fact in his later life. In the chapter “Trapped” for example, when he has been arrested by the authorities and awaiting trial, he remembers his mom saying, “You better burn your bad habits before they burn you.” (168)
Pressure is a good read for all adult readers, and a must for fans of true crime and inspirational stories. Eric Canori has been successful in reaching into his soul and discovering what life and happiness are really about; his book delivers the secret to all readers.
December 3, 2024
An Eye-Opening and Gripping Memoir
Pressure by Eric Canori is an adrenaline-pumping journey through a life living on edge. It's a detailed examination of decisions, outcomes, and self-discovery rather than merely a recitation of events. Every moment, from the stressful circumstances he encountered to the peaceful times of reflection, feels alive because to his extraordinarily descriptive writing.
I admired Canori's ability to create an engaging and sympathetic story by fusing the intensity of his events with very personal observations. Memoirs that are both fun and educational are hard to come by, but this one is excellent. If you enjoy tales of tenacity, fortitude, and redemption, pressure will stick with you long after you've turned the final page.
Pressure by Eric Canori is an adrenaline-pumping journey through a life living on edge. It's a detailed examination of decisions, outcomes, and self-discovery rather than merely a recitation of events. Every moment, from the stressful circumstances he encountered to the peaceful times of reflection, feels alive because to his extraordinarily descriptive writing.
I admired Canori's ability to create an engaging and sympathetic story by fusing the intensity of his events with very personal observations. Memoirs that are both fun and educational are hard to come by, but this one is excellent. If you enjoy tales of tenacity, fortitude, and redemption, pressure will stick with you long after you've turned the final page.
June 22, 2023
How does a boy who had an average childhood end up in prison during his prime years? In ‘Pressure: A Memoir’, we get to follow the life of Eric Canori, a man who turned his life around, but not after living a thousand lives. This memoir is fascinating. It is gripping and engaging. Eric Canori is a great narrator, and he lets the reader walk in his shoes through his tales. You will get entertained, educated, traumatized, and amused as you read this memoir. Eric’s is a story of love, greed, drugs, money, loss, betrayal, and eventually financial freedom and fulfilment.
September 23, 2022
Having someone recommend this memoir/true events to me was all I needed. My friend said it’s the best he’s read in awhile.
I’m Obsessed with factual non fiction reads…so I gave it a shot.
WOW!!!!
I felt like I was secretly reading and turning the pages into the writers life.
I felt engaged.
Cliff hangers, detail to his childhood, romances, sensual enticement. Need I say more?
Read in 2 nights.
He’s both seductive and cunning….
I wanna meet this Guy
I’m Obsessed with factual non fiction reads…so I gave it a shot.
WOW!!!!
I felt like I was secretly reading and turning the pages into the writers life.
I felt engaged.
Cliff hangers, detail to his childhood, romances, sensual enticement. Need I say more?
Read in 2 nights.
He’s both seductive and cunning….
I wanna meet this Guy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews