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The Red Scorpion: The True Story of a Ruthless Russian Mob Boss's Dramatic Redemption
Born to Finnish missionaries in Tanzania, Rami Kivisalo showed an unexpected bent toward crime and violence. In his teens he was schooled by a master in the lethal art of "snake kung fu." At twenty he had a booming international drug and arms trade, was allied with a major Russian mafia organization, and was drawing on demonic forces to maintain control.
With a vivid, you-are-there style, this former Russian mob boss delivers a gripping story of how the son of missionary parents became empowered, and then trapped, in the deadly world of demonic possession and international intrigue--until the Lord reached out and saved him.
Full of adrenaline-pumping action, true-life crime, and the unconditional grace of God, The Red Scorpion is an ultimately uplifting reminder of how even the most prodigal of sons is welcomed home.
With a vivid, you-are-there style, this former Russian mob boss delivers a gripping story of how the son of missionary parents became empowered, and then trapped, in the deadly world of demonic possession and international intrigue--until the Lord reached out and saved him.
Full of adrenaline-pumping action, true-life crime, and the unconditional grace of God, The Red Scorpion is an ultimately uplifting reminder of how even the most prodigal of sons is welcomed home.
- GenresBiographyAutobiography
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 22, 2010
This gripping cautionary account exposes layers of economic and political corruption, international criminal masterminds and demonic activity in the past twenty years in Eastern Europe and Russia.
Long before Rami Kivisalo was part of the golden trap of easy living in the upper echelons of the international crime world, he was lured into the demonic world of martial arts. The combination of the two made him a powerful figure in the underworld. At first, the raging beast within could be channeled for Rami's use. Eventually, the beast set out to destroy Rami.
God had a different purpose for Rami. The long climb out of the depths of hell on earth make up the balance of the book. No one who has traveled that road wishes to see another person take it. Hense the reason for Rami to write The Red Scorpion. I highly recommend this book for those who would like to understand a part of the world that few of us see.
(I received an advance copy for review.)
Long before Rami Kivisalo was part of the golden trap of easy living in the upper echelons of the international crime world, he was lured into the demonic world of martial arts. The combination of the two made him a powerful figure in the underworld. At first, the raging beast within could be channeled for Rami's use. Eventually, the beast set out to destroy Rami.
God had a different purpose for Rami. The long climb out of the depths of hell on earth make up the balance of the book. No one who has traveled that road wishes to see another person take it. Hense the reason for Rami to write The Red Scorpion. I highly recommend this book for those who would like to understand a part of the world that few of us see.
(I received an advance copy for review.)
September 23, 2010
This book is an amazing journey into the former life of a mafia boss and his struggles to find freedom from the evil to which he was entwined. The reader will be drawn into the open, honest, and candid nature of the story. At times it feels as though the reader is interviewing Mr. Kivisalo; very personal and intimate.
The first thing that the reader will notice is how open the story is. There is no painting the story to make it more appeasing to readers. No, it is a raw and gut-level narrative about a man who rendered his soul to darkness, found light, and his struggle to fight the darkness that hounded him.
I really appreciated the descriptive language of the book and the way in which it drew me into Mr. Kivisalo's life. I could feel his pain, sense his frustration, and understand his dilemma as his wanted so desperately to unshackle himself from the wicked life that had engulfed his soul. This is not a "I was a bad man, found Jesus, and now I rescue bunny rabbits" kind of book. No, far from it. It is more of a chronicle of struggle, fighting, failure, peace, more struggle, more peace, and eventual surrender.
I enjoyed this book so much that I recommended it to my father to read and will recommend to others as well. A very good read.
The first thing that the reader will notice is how open the story is. There is no painting the story to make it more appeasing to readers. No, it is a raw and gut-level narrative about a man who rendered his soul to darkness, found light, and his struggle to fight the darkness that hounded him.
I really appreciated the descriptive language of the book and the way in which it drew me into Mr. Kivisalo's life. I could feel his pain, sense his frustration, and understand his dilemma as his wanted so desperately to unshackle himself from the wicked life that had engulfed his soul. This is not a "I was a bad man, found Jesus, and now I rescue bunny rabbits" kind of book. No, far from it. It is more of a chronicle of struggle, fighting, failure, peace, more struggle, more peace, and eventual surrender.
I enjoyed this book so much that I recommended it to my father to read and will recommend to others as well. A very good read.
June 12, 2025
O carte în care se vede clar puterea rugăciunii, mai ales a rugăciunii părinților, și puterea salvatoare a crucii și a Numelui lui Isus Hristos!
“Am descoperit cum este El cu adevărat, iar astăzi sunt îndrăgostit de Isus. Mi-am spus povestea pentru ca voi să aflați cum este El cu adevărat, pentru ca și voi să aveți oportunitatea de a vă îndrăgosti de El.”
“Am descoperit cum este El cu adevărat, iar astăzi sunt îndrăgostit de Isus. Mi-am spus povestea pentru ca voi să aflați cum este El cu adevărat, pentru ca și voi să aveți oportunitatea de a vă îndrăgosti de El.”
April 24, 2022
Half the stuff in here was hard to believe because it was crazy. Again another story about a Christian dude except this guy killed lots of people basically before he became Christian. Read this over the holidays with my parents and actually enjoyed it :)
June 11, 2020
This is probably the most “eye-opening” book I have ever read. I gave it to my friends so they would read it as well.... it’s a reality check. I think I’m gonna read it again
April 17, 2011
The theological lens through which events are seen is extremely Pentecostal (too much so for me) but it is nevertheless a very interesting story.
September 23, 2011
Loved it. It is an auto-biography, but is a real page turner. It also insisted that I think about what I believe about the spiritual realm (in particular demons) and speaks to the power of prayer.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews