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Howard Marks (1) (1945–2016)

Author of Mr. Nice

For other authors named Howard Marks, see the disambiguation page.

9+ Works 1,003 Members 9 Reviews

About the Author

Dennis Howard Marks was born on August 13, 1945, in Kenfig Hill, United Kingdom. He studied physics and philosophy at Oxford University while selling marijuana on the side. He became one of the largest drug traffickers in the world, who at his peak in the 1970s controlled a substantial fraction of show more the world's hashish and marijuana trade. He was finally arrested in 1988 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 1990. He was held in a high-security federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana and was released in 1995. He returned to Britain and capitalized on his notoriety by becoming an author. He books included Mr. Nice, which was adapted into a film, and Mr. Smiley: My Last Pill and Testament. He died from colorectal cancer on April 10, 2016 at the age of 70. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Series

Works by Howard Marks

Mr. Nice (1996) 727 copies
Senor Nice (2006) 64 copies
Sympathy for the Devil (1683) 17 copies
Mr Smiley (2013) 12 copies
The Score (2013) 6 copies
Teufelstanz: Thriller (2011) 3 copies
Cymru Howard Marks (2010) 2 copies

Associated Works

Prisoner 13498 (2001) — Foreword, some editions — 8 copies

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Members

Reviews

It was quite interesting but he does come across as a smug git lots of the time. It was a relief when he eventually got caught.
 
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CharlotteBurt | 6 other reviews | Nov 24, 2018 |
What do I think of this book?
It's excellent. It's actually amazing. Hence the 5 stars.

Yes, the editing of it wasn't the best and there are some technicalities that don't really work but the story itself and the man himself, may Allah have mercy upon his soul, was a goodhearted rebel with a good understanding and sound insight into what is daily imposed on us, the system of opportunity which requires more abilities to master than what we are taught in school.

It's hard to bring forth the world that Howard Marks moved in because even if was Tolstoy himself, it's a world that describes to the smallest detail still wouldn't make any sense to a person working the treadmill, one day after the other. But it's there.

And the insight that Howard Marks brings out with humour and punch is worthwhile reading.
It's a shame this book didn't get more attention but anyone who is tagged by the established system in our world, we are imposed not to care about.

Whether you are a dope smuggler or not doesn't really matter. It's our blindness in judgement that makes us not see that some people are just not born to smile when told to go and fight for their country. Howard Marks was one of them.

This is his story. If read without judgement there is also a story that should touch us all.

Highly recommended, followed by a minute of silence for Howard Marks and good hashish

;)
… (more)
 
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mmmorsi | 6 other reviews | Aug 24, 2018 |
Interesting and atmospheric, if a little obvious and also unbelievable in places. So many clues and so little not wrapped up at the end... It did feel like there were several stories left untold.
 
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jkdavies | Jun 14, 2016 |
Brilliant story of the guy who took over the Pot market in England.

Lot's and lot's of fun action and maybe a little truth in this autobiography. He recently got out of jail after spending a long time in a Federal Prison in the USA.
 
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hnker | 6 other reviews | Feb 21, 2016 |

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Statistics

Works
9
Also by
1
Members
1,003
Popularity
#25,717
Rating
½ 3.5
Reviews
9
ISBNs
85
Languages
12

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