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saranies's review
3.0
This was fine. It was kind of boring, given that the subject was secret drug trade and stings and assassinations. Still an fun look into something that I had no idea was going on!
alexdelnorte's review
5.0
this is a masterpiece about the mastermind. unbelievably well researched and undoubtedly the definitive text on the shroud that is Paul Le Roux — at least for now. PLR will walk free soon enough and is most definitely not done writing his story.
jbzar's review
4.0
I found this to be a pretty amazing story on many levels. How does this sort of thing happen in real life? Brains and balls, I guess. And then the complexity in the prosecution of it all. From inter-agency positioning to bargaining with the devil leading to the king-pin being unsentenced as of today while the underlings are in jail. Worth the time to read it, in my opinion.
zare_i's review
5.0
Very interesting book about one Paul Le Roux, criminal extraordinaire who ruled a vast and powerful crime empire for almost a decade and even managed to wiggle his way through the law when he was finally caught. He sold out all of his partners and it is still not clear what is actually his legal status.
What is especially fascinating is that Le Roux started with hi-tech setup for buying medications online. Of course this meant no regulations and as far as you pay you will get the product. But nevertheless, although this operation was in the gray, it was more or less legal and majority of people (except the management that worked directly with Le Roux and knew their boss is not legit in any way) actually thought they were working for legit online seller of medicines.
What pushed Le Roux into actual drug business, weapons smuggling and sales, hauling large quantities of gold around the world, diamond sales, managing assassination and mercenary teams is still unknown. Le Roux having very strange personality does not help - in the entire book not two people describe him in the same words. Only constant is very genuine fear of Paul Le Roux's retribution (whoever crossed him in any way did not have long life ahead).
I have to agree with one of the people author interviewed - it is very unlikely that Le Roux acted without backup and support of major international players. His scope of operations plus areas where his organization operated (Somalia, China, Philippines, North Korea, Iran) had to bring him into cross-hairs of international players and services.
But again this is something for which there is no solid evidence - only time will tell.
Recommended for all true-crime aficionados.
What is especially fascinating is that Le Roux started with hi-tech setup for buying medications online. Of course this meant no regulations and as far as you pay you will get the product. But nevertheless, although this operation was in the gray, it was more or less legal and majority of people (except the management that worked directly with Le Roux and knew their boss is not legit in any way) actually thought they were working for legit online seller of medicines.
What pushed Le Roux into actual drug business, weapons smuggling and sales, hauling large quantities of gold around the world, diamond sales, managing assassination and mercenary teams is still unknown. Le Roux having very strange personality does not help - in the entire book not two people describe him in the same words. Only constant is very genuine fear of Paul Le Roux's retribution (whoever crossed him in any way did not have long life ahead).
I have to agree with one of the people author interviewed - it is very unlikely that Le Roux acted without backup and support of major international players. His scope of operations plus areas where his organization operated (Somalia, China, Philippines, North Korea, Iran) had to bring him into cross-hairs of international players and services.
But again this is something for which there is no solid evidence - only time will tell.
Recommended for all true-crime aficionados.
wannabekingpin's review
4.0
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Evan Ratliff has spent a decade on the case of a black web of crime, drugs, murder and games with the law. He contacted all he could, from family, to passerby’s, from goons, to lieutenants. Picking up information wherever he could, refusing to leave any stone unturned, putting together a true story of a criminal empire that began with selling prescription drugs online. And its ruler, Paul Le Roux.
My Opinion: It’s so very well written, you can definitely tell author has put a lot of heart into this. The story itself, well told, was interesting enough too. One of those “rise and fall” kind of tales, and a real one to that.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Evan Ratliff has spent a decade on the case of a black web of crime, drugs, murder and games with the law. He contacted all he could, from family, to passerby’s, from goons, to lieutenants. Picking up information wherever he could, refusing to leave any stone unturned, putting together a true story of a criminal empire that began with selling prescription drugs online. And its ruler, Paul Le Roux.
My Opinion: It’s so very well written, you can definitely tell author has put a lot of heart into this. The story itself, well told, was interesting enough too. One of those “rise and fall” kind of tales, and a real one to that.
jtfales's review
4.0
Pretty gripping. A compendium of hard to believe anecdotes about a computer whiz turned cartel boss, and the bizarre antics that result from a single person amassing unchecked power.