American Desperado cover art

American Desperado

My Life as a Cocaine Cowboy

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American Desperado

By: Jon Roberts, Evan Wright
Narrated by: Christina Rooney, Erik Davies, Johnathan McClain, Kimberley Farr, Kirby Heyborne, Mark Bramhall, Mark Deakins, Steve Kramer
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About this listen

American Desperado is possibly the most jaw-dropping, event-filled, adrenaline-soaked criminal autobiography ever written. Like a real-life Scarface Jon was born into the upper levels of the Gambino crime family and witnessed his first murder at age seven. He became a one-man juvenile crime wave before joining an assassination squad in Vietnam. He returned to New York at age 20 to become one of the city's top nightclub promoters, then journeyed to Miami where he became the de facto transportation chief of the Medellin Cartel, and along with a tech-wizard partner, created some of the most sophisticated smuggling technologies ever. With a hulking 6'6" bodyguard always at his side, and a rural fortress protected by mortars, tear-gas cannons, and a gold-fanged attack dog, Roberts was brutally effective at what he did. To law enforcement, he was known as the "Bearded Gringo," a spectre they could never touch. To United States senators and CIA officials, he was "the guy who can get things done". He eventually formed a clandestine alliance with the US government and in the end found personal late-life redemption.

©2011 Jon Roberts and Evan Wright (P)2011 Random House AudioGo LTD True Crime Exciting Scary Thought-Provoking Espionage New York Mafia

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All stars
Most relevant  
The reader is great but the content is less than satisfying.

Some of the escapades are entertaining, but something is missing

Bragging from soulless man.

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An absolutely brilliant book about a mafia associated sociopath. Even if you have doubts about some of the events the biographer (Evan Wright) has done his research and provides witness testimony where possible. So, if you don't believe the story it is still a great read.

The True Mafia Story

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I love listening to Jon robert's story, so fascinating & he has such a cool outlook on life!
I bought this audio book around 5 years ago now & must of re played from start to finish 7/8 times ........such a bad ass book!!!

I keep having to play this over & over

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U certainly get ur moneys worth with this book. Jon was obviously an absolute nut job of a guy...but i couldn't help but love the man..what a life he lead...One of the very best true crime stories iv ever consumed and iv read over 60 of them.. Jon is a legend.

Superb story

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So graphic and violent at times it had me retching, but absolutely fascinating, I couldn't stop listening. By far the best performances I have ever heard for an audiobook. Dark, brutal, fascinating, astounding and some times even heartbreaking. Couldn't recommend if more!!!

Absolutely fantastic grotesque but brilliant!

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Wow what a story. It’s almost unbelievable but after watching Cocaine Cowboys you know this is the real deal.

I’ll definitely be listening to this audiobook again I even purchased the kindle version it’s so good.

If you want to know how people smuggled drugs into the USA then this is the definitive account. Use your credit....you won’t be disappointed !

Wow

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probably the best and most gripping audio book I've listened to so far, definitely recommend if interested in these types to stories.

excellent!!

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whilst not the most lovable of characters. John did a lot of things in his life!

a hell of a story

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Superb, gritty, seedy, absolutely great. well worth a listen absolutely gripping storyline. loved the book

Don't miss this!

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If you like crime / mafia / drug storys like me , this is the book for you , Great story telling , great voices , such a great story , i found myself standing listening rather than working , Its a must

Great book

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