Editorial Review

Illicit activities are exploding worldwide. The onslaught of globalization has unleashed a tidal wave of bad stuff--everything from arms trafficking, human smuggling, and money laundering to music bootlegging. Here is the dark side of globalization: the mushrooming underground economy. Moisés Naím explores this murky world in his book Read more

Reviews (15)

No Footnotes
I'm about a third of the way through the book; very provocative so far.Unfortunately, my copy has no footnotes.The notes are at the end of the chapters as you'd expect, but the numbers they reference are not in the text.Tends to complicate a serious academic reading.

A riposte to free market cheerleaders
"Illicit" by Moises Naim is a good primer on the underground economy. Mr. Naim's experience as an Editor at Foreign Policy magazine appears to have helped the author hone his skills at synthesizing an impressive quantity of third-party research to support his thesis. It is also evident that Mr. Naim's discussions with numerous high-level personal and professional contacts around the world have helped him reflect on the topic at length, leading him to offer many pages of thoughtful critique and analysis. The end result is a balanced and nuanced book that makes a valuable contribution to our understanding about an increasingly urgent and worrisome problem.
Same Business Savy/Muscle As Wal-Mart
"In todays labyrinthine routings of contraband across multiple contients, front companies are easy to set up, dozens in order to blur one's trace.As a result intermediaries in international commerce of illicit products, services , & humans have increased their profile and their profits. It is the brokers who control today's illicit markets, set the deals, & make the big money".This is a small snipet of the market place. The markets are just markets/ legal or illegal.Governments decide the righteousness of them.In other words: what is in a true market: cent$, can now be dollar$.It is the magic of a legalized highway robbery called the stroke a pen.Of course its a no brainer that governmemnts are getting greased to hell and back. Through corporate(legal/illegal) sugar daddys or just down and dity in your face corruption. It has penetrated deeply into the private sector, politics, and governments of today. It is penetrating markets deeper, plus horizontally and vertically, and in direct proportion to their profits that control crucial decisions within current national governments (U.S. included). In some cases the national interests are completely aligned with illegal profits. A must read for understanding the a whole picture the global economy. It is an entertaining and informative read. Welcome to globalization. And of course that is on either side of the border: because they own both sides! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Criminology (Specific Aspects)    3. Drug traffic    4. Globalization    5. Illegal aliens    6. Illegal arms transfers    7. Intellectual property infringe    8. International Economics (Specific Aspects)    9. International Relations - Trade & Tariffs    10. Organized Crime    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Transnational crime    15. Political Science / Government / General   

Reviews (129)

Far too loosey-goosey
Gilmore does a very good job of painting a picture of Ms. Short's life leading up to her tragic murder. That picture is of a listless dreamer, that while gifted with some personal magnetism and looks (although greatly exaggerated in that department in my male opinion), is actually little more than a gadfly, crashing at one place after another, sponging money from everyone that is never repaid, essentially living in survival mode off the largesse of men and women that felt sorry for her. Her dreams were never supported by a tangible plan with any likely chance of success, she just drifted from one night out to the next it seems.
Gilmore's solution to the Black Dahlia Murder
When 22 year old Elizabeth Short's body was found mutilated in 1947 Los Angeles the case quickly grew a reputation as unsolvable with too many suspects and not enough solid leads. Author John Gilmore extensively researched the case (beginning in the early 60's for a film that was never made) and began sorting fact from fiction including the largely unflattering portrait painted of Short herself.
A Warning!!!
My Da got this book from the library,and found it very thorough, deeply studied, well-written. I might have read it myself, as true crime and historical events are of interest to me,but I had the misfortune to open the book to a photograph of poor Miss Short's corpse.
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Subjects:  1. California - Local History    2. Crime And Criminals    3. Murder - Serial Killers    4. True Crime    5. True Crime / Espionage    6. United States - 20th Century   

Reviews (42)

Another very fine, but disturbing book about the problems with 'the two party system'...
Fact: The US of A was actually founded with
Interesting, vital book
I first saw the accusations in the book on a half finished Yorkshire television documentary that never made it to television. The allegations were so horrific in the film; it near enough reduced me to tears. So shocked at the material in the film I had to read the book. Sadly the book documents episodes that are far more disheartening than the film did.
Corruption In High Places
Lawyer and former state senator John Decamp's book can't be easily dismissed as a wild conspiracy theory, given all the evidence presented in the book and the solid reputation of many who believe in the crimes and the cover-up. One victim of abuse comments that this corruption must stop because next time it could be your kid. Not for the faint of heart, the book covers many grisly details of satanic ritual murder and torture of children by prominent members of society and a subsequent cover-up orchestrated by law enforcement and the press. I believe the problem will grow worse if you let people who are supposedly here to protect us and keep us informed abuse their positions of privilege, trust, and authority for their own gain or security. We might have to start limiting the amassing of great wealth and power because people who get a great amount of wealth and power think that they can get away with anything. And so far, they have.
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Subjects:  1. Abuse    2. Abuse - General    3. Child abuse    4. Drug traffic    5. Money laundering    6. Murder - General    7. Nebraska    8. Political corruption    9. True Crime / Espionage    10. United States - State & Local - General    11. DeCamp, John W    12. King, Larry   

Reviews (73)

A Few Tips on Not Being a Sucker
As a returning-college-student studying finance, this book provides an interesting basis for understanding some fundamental legal changes over the past 30 years.I highly recommend this book if you have an interest in stocks or are an investor.

Interesting topic; labored writing
Whence Stewart's Pulitzer, I wonder?Presumably because he got the scoop on other reporters, and dug up interesting facts and connections.As a series of newspaper articles, this doubtless made for riveting stuff.As a book, it does not.Stewart hews closely to the facts, detailing trade after trade, insider exchange after insider exchange.In short course, every trade begins to look like every other trade, every incremental corruption like every other, every trader, arbitrageur, I-banker, etc., like every other.Unless you're very familiar with Wall street, and fairly steeped in the terminology and business of modern finance, you -- as I did -- may tire of the repetition.Stewart rarely steps back from the minutiae to consider broader contextual themes (political, social, cultural, etc.).Some deeper historical perspective would have enlivened DoT greatly.So, too, would a bit more analysis.Stewart reserves almost all judgment for the opening and closing chapters of DoT.The result is a 500 page book that reads like a recitation of details.To boot, Stewart's prose is pedestrian in the extreme.Overall, a disappointing read.

Greed is good and this book too.
Vivid account about the corporate take-over wave in the 80s and the boom and crash of the junk-bond industry. Sometimes, a bit lenghty, but very absorbing anyway. Only read it if you are really interested, otherwwise I would suggest "Predator's Ball". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Ethics    4. Business/Economics    5. Corrupt practices    6. General    7. Insider Trading    8. Insider trading in securities    9. Investment banking    10. Investments & Securities - General    11. Other Miscellaneous Crimes    12. Stock exchange    13. United States    14. Business & Economics / General    15. Investment & securities   

Reviews (4)

Alright.
In a word, this book "sucks."I had to purchase it for a class in which I am currently using.Yea, it has an ABUNDANCE of useful information, but the part that gets me is the fact that if your teacher uses Abadinsky's testing booklet, it's all wrong.It's even been discussed in our class at how off the test questions are as opposed to what's in his book.If possible, which is hard when it comes to textbooks, buy another.

Excellent text for Criminal Justice majors
I am a college professor who just finished teaching ORGANIZED CRIME to twenty college juniors and seniors.I selected Abadinsky's book as the text because it is carefully and thoughtfully "choreographed."The information provided flows in a sensible and clearly written design.Some texts appear to be designed for Rhodes Scholars and are virtually impossible to read.This is not the case with this great book!I recommend it to teachers and those who have in interest in this fascinating subject.

Organized Crime's concept, empircial evidence and current LE
If you (the reader, the researcher) is interested in Organized Crime, I strongly recommend this book (Howard Abadinsky's Organized Crime, 6th Ed.) This book is the only detailed book I have come across in studying Organized Crime. I am currently a criminal justice graduate student attending the University of Central Florida. RSB ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminal Law - General    2. Criminal Procedure    3. Criminology    4. General    5. History    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. Organized crime    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. United States    11. Law / Criminal Procedure   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (158)

Lacking a Knowlegeable Perspective
Yes, this book is a detailed account of law enforcement and of how Pablo Escobar was tracked down and assassinated by an international hit squad. And, yes, Escobar was most certainly un mal hombre who deserved to die. But the author never questions the methods of cops, soldiers and agents (like Colonel Hugo Martinez, for one) who debase themselves and the concept of justice by believing they are not only above the law but above humanity. The real story to me is how someone like Escobar, a diabolical and degenerate human being, can so easily drag society down to his level, and how so willingly law enforcment will adopt the "any means necessary" approach.
Narcoterrorocracy
You will not find the word "Narcoterrorócracy" in the dictionary.I made the word up and gave it my own meaning.
a great study of international law enforcement
Mark Bowden seems to have done his homework well with an insiders look at the pursuit of the infamous cocaine kingpin. The difficulties encountered by US law enforcement and the military in bringing justice to Pablo Escobar should be considered as we now hunt for the perpetrators of 9/11. Killing Pablo was no cake-walk, and neither will be the killing of Osama. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Colombia    5. Criminals & Outlaws    6. Fugitives from justice    7. General    8. History - General History    9. Narcotics dealers    10. Police    11. History / South America   

Subjects:  1. Infamous Crimes And Criminals    2. Murder - General    3. True Crime    4. True Crime / Espionage    5. True Crime / Murder   

Reviews (1)

Well worth the wait
I have been eagerly awaiting this book since word of it spread online. I was leery of Robert Cea's involvement, but his presence does not detract from a story every New Yorker should read.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Murder - General    3. True Crime    4. True Crime / Espionage    5. New York    6. True Crime / General    7. c 1970 to c 1980   

Reviews (10)

Not Another I Found Jesus Story
Recently I saw Barry Minkow on 60 minutes.Upon reading amazon reviews, I couldn't help but notice the outstanding ratings but I was a bit concerned that this was just another criminal who found religion and subsequently got his act together.I am a slow reader but I've got to tell, I started this book on a rainy Saturday morning and I finished it early Sunday morning -- even the college football on television couldn't subplant my interest in this story.To say that Barry has led a very interesting life would be an understatement.He doesn't make excuses and I think he recognizes his recovery is going to be lifelong process.Look, take it from a sports junkie.You want something different, something that will captivate you from page one -- then this is your book.It's not spiritual and Minkow doesn't preach, he just tells his story.Perfect book for the train, plane or a quiet weekend at home.Gotta give it 5 Stars because its only the second book I've ever read in one day (Glory Denied is the other).

Excellent read if you like white collar crime
I found this to be a great read and page turner.If you enjoy reading a personal account of one living a life of dishonesty, pride, greediness, and the downfalls that come with it then this book is for you.

A LIFE GONE WRONG FILLED WITH PROMISE
An autobiography detailing the creation of a business while still in high school that eventually is worth millions and then falls like a matchstick creation as it was started with fraud from beginning to end.This is the story of how that was accomplished, his time in prison where he meets the most important person in his life, and after he gets out about his failures and his acceptance of his new found accomplishments.A wonderful read!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Businessmen    5. Christian converts    6. General    7. Minkow, Barry    8. Other Miscellaneous Crimes    9. Swindlers and swindling    10. True Crime / Espionage    11. United States   

Reviews (82)

Kids shouldn't always idolize great athletes
Game of shadows was recently printed in March 2006. The book was written by two men to show the truth behind some of the greatest athletes throughout the world. The two men summarized over five years of information they gathered together from the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigations and other companies on steroid use in sports. It would start off explaining the important of sports and how sports have a big impact on kids and teenagers. Then it would show investigation reports from years ago on different football and baseball players. The details they use on each of the characters after they would work out or before they work out seems like your looking at a picture of them. Also since it's a true story and all of the characters are real people then many of us (readers) can relate to at least one thing that a character is going through. I enjoyed the book a lot because it showed me how star athletes don't always have it made easy even if they are not doing anything wrong. Most people think that all the fame and riches make it a better life and an easier way to live but everytime you read another chapter in this book you realize its wrong and star athletes have to worry about simple things like where they throw their trash away at. The only downfall to this book is the ending where it didn't really explain what happened to Barry Bonds. The theme of this book is "cheaters never prosper".

Stright to the point
First things first: this is essentially a term paper, or a series of articles strung together. While that's not a bad thing, you shouldn't expect great *writing* here. That said, it's adequately done, and exhaustively researched... which is disturbing because there is no doubt that Bonds, and the rest of these guys cheated. No doubt at all. And they make no apologies for it either, essentially claiming since everyone else was doing it they had to do it too in order to compete (an excuse for bad behavior I hadn't heard since grammar school). Yes, this book takes an especially hard look at Barry Bonds, and for good reason. Inexplicably, yet luckily for him, he was the only one of dozens to not outright admit steroid use in his grand jury testimony, even though the extent of the evidence was essentially the same for all the athletes involved. And although the authors put forth a steady stream of facts, interviews and other hard evidence that Bonds is in fact guilty, we need only the very public "evidence" that at age 36, when every other human on the planet's body begins breaking down, Barry Bonds put on 40 pounds of pure muscle and increased his stats in every area of the game by an incredible margin. After reading this book I firmly believe that he, Palmiero, McGwire, Giambi, Jones, et all should have asterisks by their records. And the argument that "we don't know what Babe Ruth was injecting!" is a weak argument: the other thing this book does well is act as a steroid primer, and the modern drugs and techniques are simply no match for whatever those old timer could get their hands on. So, even thought it will make you mad, and maybe even sad, if you're a fan of baseball, or sports in general, you need to read this book.

american hypocrisy outlined but if felt like "Enquirer" magazine
first off the authors made a very good case with the numerous accounts of governmental patronizing attitude towards some athletes that have supposedly cheated on their record breaking and personal best of their respective sports, while at the same time harshly criticizicing other countries denial of doping practices for not coming forward and admitting their less than rigorous demands they impose upon their athletes to what the writers call it''the American hypocrisy" when effectively dealing with this problem.
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Subjects:  1. Anabolic steroids    2. Baseball    3. Baseball - General    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Doping in sports    6. General    7. Health aspects    8. Sociology of Sports    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. Sports And Public Policy    13. Sports Medicine    14. Steroids    15. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (8)

The Lad doth protest too much?
To borrow a phrase from The Bard, methinks the lad doth protest too much.The point of Owen LaFave, former husband of the infamous Debra, LaTourneau wannabe, in this collaboration with Bill Simon, seems twofold:
captivating read
This is an excellent and sensitive account of an important story thatNewspaper headlines failed to understand. Gorgeous Disaster reads like a well crafted novel and gives insights into an American tragedy. Overall a great and captivating read that you will not be able to stop reading.
Helpful to parents and educators
I saw Owen interviewed on MSNBC last week and bought the book as a result. I've seen him interviewed many times over this difficult ordeal and have always been amazed at the manner in which he carries himself and conducts interviews, but the only problem was every interviewer asked the same questions. I wanted to hear other information from him and Gorgeous Disaster explains far more than I was expecting and is extremely well written. The facts are both interesting and shocking. I find it troubling to read reviews of the book that attack Owen as if anything he could have said or done differently would have kept Debra from committing this crime. It's well-known that Debra received a much lighter sentence than a man in her situation would have received, and the review attacking Owen is yet another example of a double standard in our society. The book reveals that Debra feels she's a victim in all of her relationships. Owen is one of many victims in this tragedy, and I commend him for coming forward and providing detail that is clearly embarrassing for him yet potentially helpful to educators who strive to make a positive difference in our children's lives, and Owen has definitely been helpful to parents. I feel sorry for Debra, but she is not a victim, she's a predator just as her criminal record reflects. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Criminal investigation    3. Female sex offenders    4. Florida    5. Murder - General    6. True Crime    7. True Crime / Espionage    8. Women teachers    9. True Crime / Murder   

Reviews (16)

Transgression of the Mind
A disillusioned Betty commits a crime of passion showing little compassion. Her irreverent actions negate her parochial background. Nothing but burnt offerings pays homage to the memory of her victims.
Premeditated Action
If Betty could not satisfy Dan perhaps she had the problem. What were Dan's needs? That should have been her question. Actions speak louder than words and Betty's actions were a direct result of dysfunctional reasoning. I feel for their family and all touched by the ultimate devastating incident.
Excellent Debut
"Until the Twelfth of Never" is an excellent debut by writer Bella Stumbo, of an ugly and acrimonious divorce that turned deadly.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Broderick, Betty    4. Broderick, Daniel Thomas    5. California    6. Case studies    7. Homicide    8. Infamous Crimes And Criminals    9. Murder    10. Murder - General    11. Murderers    12. Nonfiction - True Crime / Espionage    13. True Crime / General   

Reviews (4)

Finding Your Authentic Self: A Fine Book For Men As Well
It is a sad reality that so many people have their identities molded by the wants and needs of others. And I think that few would dispute that this is more likely to happen to women. There are powerful social and perhaps biological reasons why this might be. But the important point is that there are millions of people who are not fulfilling their potential. And there are many men who are stuck in the same bind.
Don't Lose Yourself to Other People
Women have had it especially hard for many centuries. Only in the last 100 years in North America have we been able to be ourselves. However, through social dictation ... women fall prey to living for others. This is a fascinating account of how to bring back one's self after many years of being lost in others' agendas.

Give this book and yourself a chance...
If you are standing at your own edges, sometimes desperate--sometimes numbed, please get this book.And if you can, get A YEAR BY THE SEA first and then A WEEKEND TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
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Subjects:  1. Personal Growth - General    2. Conduct of life    3. Psychology    4. Conduct of life    5. Personal Growth - General    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    8. Personal Guidance    9. Psychology    10. Psychology Of Women    11. Self-Help    12. Self-realization in women    13. Women    14. Women's Studies - General   

Reviews (18)

" a state within a state,a virtual invisible government"

Eye Opening, Fun, Enlightening, Fun, Sad, Gruesome
Its given me so much incite into political workings, political networking, establishing connections, streetsmarts, collusion, and an interesting heritage.

Classic
When it comes to organized crime in the U.S., the talk is generally "Mafia this, Mafia that," and while La Cosa Nostra has certainly caused its share of mayhem, it's hardly fair to ignore the contribution other groups have made to the history of the American underworld.Tons of minority groups, white and otherwise--Blacks, Chinese, Russians, Armenians, Jews, and so on--have been involved in organized criminal activities to one degree or another, but as T.J. English points out in Paddy Whacked, the Irish have one distiction that can never be taken away: they got there first.English paints a vivid portrait of good old days that weren't always good, starting with the arrival of the first Irish immigrants after the potato famine of the 1840's and continuing through turbulent and violent times that saw the Irish emerge as a prominent force in the American criminal underworld as well as in American society as a whole.Paddy Whacked tells some highly unpleasant stories about Irish-American history, shedding light on inhuman poverty, ethnic and religious prejudice, violent gang wars, and large-scale political malfeasance, but that doesn't stop it from being mighty entertaining throughout, no matter what your background.If your view of the Irish is all shamrocks, leprechauns, and green beer on St. Patrick's day, this book should offer up some surprises, as much of what we associate with inner cities today (gangs, colors, drive-by shootings) had its roots at least partially in the Irish enclaves of the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Gangsters    3. General    4. History    5. History - U.S.    6. History: World    7. Irish-American criminals    8. Organized Crime    9. United States    10. United States - General    11. History / General   

Reviews (49)

A few things unanswered..........
I first heard the name "Pee Wee Gaskins" in 1994. My new boss and I were traveling through the upstate part of SC to pick up a company car. We were discussings things unrelated to work and getting to know each other. When he asked if I enjoyed reading, I told him I enjoyed reading books about true crime, serial killers in particular. At that time, he told me I should get the book "Final Truth". I did.
Final Truth or Final attempt to "Become Famous?"
This book is a good read ( i finished it in a day ) but i just have some trouble beliving some of Pee Wee's stories - he even states himself that he has told several versions of the stories -so why should i believe without doubt that this book is "the truth"? ... from reading profiling books on serial killers - you find that these killers may change up the way they kill / despose of their bodies - to make an improvement - but gaskins has 2 ways of killing people and he bounces back and forth between them -- doesn't make much sense ...
The gospel of victimology
This autobiography by serial killer Pee Wee Gaskins is brought to you by the apparently easily-duped co-author, journalist Wilton Earle. Gaskins' justifications and distortions are passed along with little examination or challenge, and probably bear small resemblance to the facts.
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Subjects:  1. 1935-1991    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Case studies    4. Fiction - Psychological Suspense    5. Gaskins, Pee Wee,    6. Homicide    7. Infamous Crimes And Criminals    8. Mass murder    9. Murder - General    10. Psychological    11. Serial murders    12. South Carolina    13. True Crime / Murder    14. Gaskins, Pee Wee    15. Murder    16. Rape   

Reviews (33)

You can't put this one down
The story of an insider hit man for the Mafia. Why hasn't this been made into a movie? As much about the mob as it is Hoffa's death.

A PAGE TURNER
If you think your work is killing you, what would you think if killing was your work? Nothing, if you were Frank Sheeran and had sent 25 to 30 men "to Australia".