Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw (edition 2015)

Excellently written, and while the life of Pablo Escobar was filled with violence, the author tries not to be dramatic regarding the way in which Escobar. killed, tortured, held a country in grips, and went down in history as one of the greatest Cocaine lords .

It took a team of many to finally hone in on Escobar's final hiding place. Using radio signals monitored by a team, in particular the son of one of the highest governmental generals, in the end, after many slick escapes, Pablo died in a hail of gunfire, and Bowden is quick to note that only one of Escobar's thugs died with him.

While filled with details, the book is never boring. The lowly street thug, Pablo Escobar, could have worked in the shadows, continued to amass his billions, instead his ego cried for recognition and fame. It was when he tried in vain to be part of the government, thereafter, the megalomaniac was know as a drug king who killed many, succeeding periodically at bribing governmental men on the take. ( )

Mark Bowden has put together an outstanding researched narrative on the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar as Escobar put together his cocaine empire and slowly watched it dismantled by the combined efforts of the Colombian government and special units by the U.S. Bowden also dives deep into the character of Escobar, and the reader really gets a feel for the kind of person he was right up to the day he was killed by Colombian forces. Important to note during this narrative is how Bowden manages to convey how many others around Escobar were affected by his actions, some losing their lives in the process. Really enjoyed this one.... ( )

The complete story of the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar, brutal head of the Medellin cartel in Colombia. Bowden impresses with his picture of a thug who was no innovator but simply the strongest, most deadly kid on the block. Pablo also made a bid for respectability like Michael Corleone in Godfather III, but it ultimately didn't work for him, either, even though he held a position as a senator for awhile. He left a trail of bodies in his battle not just for supremacy but to maintain his position, killing ministers, innocent public bombing victims, a couple presidential candidates, with a standing bounty on cops. The leadership, in its efforts to deal with Pablo eventually led to an open invitation to American special ops to enter the country and aid in the tracking of Escobar. A fascinating story.

Reads like a journalist writing, which of course what tis, but compelling and interesting. And, what a story! ( )

All i knew about Pablo was that he was involved with drugs. I did not know how ruthless and creative he was. Anyone who threatened his empire better be careful and have their family be careful. He might just kill all your lineage for looking at him wrong. He masterminded a impressive drug ring and was bring in the money. Some even hailed him a Robin hood type character because he would give back to the community. At one point he decided to turn himself in but instead of going to a government funded jail he built his own, with a soccer field Jacuzzi tubs and large screen Tv's. It took years to track him down once he escaped from his prison but when they finally found him he was gunned down. ( )