Cocaine Stories, Lucky Escapes And Grim Reality
Each of these books recounts tales that revolve around the drug trade in South America. They’ll give you an insight into the gruesome underground world and you’ll get a real education.
If you adopt a sneer and start packing heat you’ll know you’ve gone too far.
The Fruit Palace
Set in Santa Marta, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia this book follows Charles Nicholl on his daring and often comic exploits to understand the cocaine trade in Colombia.
It succeeds in conjuring up visions and flavours of South America which will leave you wanting to visit. At various points in his escapade he is almost stabbed, blackmailed into smuggling cocaine, survives an earthquake and narrowly avoids being imprisoned.
You should bear in mind when reading this book that it was written in the 80′s when the ruthlessness of the Cali Cartels and Pablo Escobar had not yet pervaded the industry. Thats your “don’t try this at home” warning!
A thoroughly enjoyable read which keeps you turning the pages as you cross your fingers for Nicholl. A classic travel book which I rate as one of my favourites.
If you’re thinking about travelling to Colombia definitely buy it, you can find it on amazon here.
Marching Powder
A crack smoking cat is one of the many surreal images recounted in this true story. Evocative writing describes the details with a grimy realism 
that leaves you hoping you never do time in the notorious San Pedro Prison in La Paz. Thomas McFadden, nicknamed “El ingles” for his own safety (read the book), is the central character in this true story.
Inmates have to pay for their meals and accomodation, which range from cesspits to palacial quarters.
There is a fully functioning economy inside the prison walls. Replete with a factory that produces the purest cocaine in Bolivia.
El Ingles takes us on a journey through his life at the prison, from how he was befriended and saved from death, to how he took willing backpackers on a tour around the jail to earn money to bribe his way out. Such was his infamy that he even had a mention in the Bolivia edition of Loney Planet!
You may well have had a traveling friend recommend this book. If not then let me recommend it to you. Its an engrossing read which will open your eyes to the goings on in the Bolivian Prison system and what the inmates have to do in order to survive. Order Marching Powder here.
Killing Pablo
This is the compelling story of Pablo Escobar, head of Colombias most powerful drug cartel. It tells the story of how he graduated from petty theft and carjacking to drug trafficking and murder. 
His policy in dealing with obstructions was ”plata o plomo” – silver or lead. If you can’t be bribed into doing what Pablo wants you can expect a bullet in the head.
He rose to be the head of the Medellin Cartel and spread it’s influence across the globe.
At one point he was listed by Forbes magazine as the 7th richest person in the world. We find out about the luxurious trappings and outrageous indulgences his power afforded him. We learn about the ruthless killing streak that ripped through Colombia and yet which tore apart Colombia.
A lot of detail is covered in this book, making for a comprehensive account of the rise and fall of Escobar… As a story it struggles to flow and jumps between events too much for my liking.
That said, if you want to understand Pablo and hear a subjective account of his deeds, good and bad, then this fits the bill. Order Killing Pablo here.
ch of these books recounts tales that revolve around the drug trade. They’ll give you an insight into the gruesome underground world and you’ll get a real education. If you adopt a sneer and start packing heat you’ll know you’ve gone too far.
Fruit Palace – Colombia
Set in Santa Marta, on the caribbean coast of Colombia this book follows Charles Nicholl on his daring and often comic exploits to understand the cocaine trade in Colombia.
It succeeds in conjuring up visions and flavours of south america which will leave you wanting to visit. At various points in his escapade he is almost stabbed, blackmailed into smuggling cocaine, survives an earthquake and narrowly avoids being imprisoned.
You should bear in mind when reading this book that it was written in the 80′s when the ruthlessness of the Cali Cartels and Pablo Escobar had not yet pervaded the industry. Thats your “don’t try this at home” warning.
A thoroughly enjoyable read which keeps you turning the pages as you cross your fingers for Nicholl. A classic travel read. Order it here
Marching Powder – Bolivia
A crack smoking cat is one of the many surreal images recounted in this true story. Evocative writing describes the details with a grimy realism that leaves you hoping you never do time in the notorious San Pedro Prison in La Paz. Thomas McFadden, nicknamed “El ingles” for his own safety (read the book), is the central character in this true story.
Inmates have to pay for their meals and accomodation, which range from cesspits to palacial quarters. There is a fully functioning economy inside the prison walls. Replete with a factory that produces the purest cocaine in Bolivia. El Ingles takes us on a journey through his life at the prison, from how he was befriended and saved from death, to how he took willing backpackers on a tour around the jail to earn money to bribe his way out. Such was his infamy that he even had a mention in the Bolivia edition of Loney Planet!
You may well have had a traveling friend recommend this book. If not then let me recommend it to you. Its an engrossing read which will open your eyes to the goings on in the Bolivian Prison system and what the inmates have to do in order to survive. Order it here
Killing Pablo – Colombia
This is the compelling story of Pablo Escobar, head of Colombias most powerful drug cartel. It tells the story of how he graduated from petty theft and carjacking to drug trafficking and murder. His policy in dealing with obstructions was ”plata o plomo” – silver or lead. If you can’t be bribed into doing what Pablo wants you can expect a bullet in the head.
He rose to be the head of the Medellin Cartel and spread it’s influence across the globe. At one point he was listed by Forbes magazine as the 7th richest person in the world. We find out about the luxurious trappings and outrageous indulgences his power afforded him. We learn the ruthless killing streak that ripped through Colombia and yet which tore apart Colombia .
A lot of detail is covered in this book, making for a comprehensive account of the rise and fall of Escobar.. As a story it struggles to flow and jumps between events too much for my liking. But if you want to understand Pablo and hear a subjective account of his deeds, good and bad, then this fits the bill.