The narrative explores the extensive history of drugs, highlighting pivotal events such as the Opium Wars and the evolution of narcotics legality in the U.S. over the past century. It examines the impact of Prohibition on the illicit drug trade and delves into the notorious French Connection, illustrating how these elements have shaped the modern drug landscape.
Candid Conversations with Those Who Shaped the Era
The book explores the transformation of radical leaders from the 1960s, who were inspired by civil rights advancements and the antiwar movement, into the architects of the very social and political systems they once challenged. It examines how the counterculture of that era shaped their identities and actions, and investigates their current roles in society. By reflecting on their past and present, the book delves into the complexities of their legacies and the ongoing impact of the sixties on contemporary America.
Exploring the dark legacy of corruption in Chicago, this narrative history delves into the rise of illegal gambling and organized crime, spotlighting figures like Mushmouth Johnson, the "Negro Gambling King of Chicago." Author Ron Chepesiuk examines the evolution of black gangsterism over a century, revealing a web of underground gambling, political corruption, and violence that has shaped the city's notorious reputation. Through detailed profiles of key players, the book uncovers the complex dynamics of Chicago's criminal underworld.
This book chronicles gang and gangster history using profiles to tell the rise of the gangster and history of crime in Miami. Known as the Magic City, the book traces gangsters that include the notorious smugglers of the Prohibition era, famous mobsters like Al Capone and Myer Lansky, the Cuban Mafia, the Colombian cartel, the Russian mafia, and the current street gangs that have come to plague Miami after the advent of crack cocaine.
The narrative centers on Frank Matthews, a captivating drug kingpin who built a formidable criminal empire in the late 1960s and 1980s. His audacious escape in 1973, taking $15 million and a stunning companion, marked the beginning of his disappearance, leaving behind an enduring mystery in the world of organized crime. Known as Black Caesar, Matthews' story intertwines charisma, crime, and intrigue, captivating those fascinated by his life and the enigma of his vanishing.
True Tales of Mobsters, Gamblers, Hit Men, Con Men and Gang Bangers from the Magic City
Ron Chepesiuk presents a comprehensive and engrossing chronicle of gang and gangster history in Miami, also known as the Magic City. The book traces gangsters that include the notorious smugglers of the Prohibition era, famous mobsters like Al Capone and Meyer Lansky, the Cuban Mafia, the Colombian cartels, the Russian Mafia and the current street gangs that have come to plague Miami since the advent of crack cocaine.
Crazy Charlie, Carlo Lehder rose from a struggling, small-time pot dealer to become a major Godfather in the Medellin cartel, the crime syndicate largely responsible for initiating the cocaine epidemic plaguing American society since the late 1970s.
The history of Rock Hill unfolds from its origins as a railroad community in the 1850s, named after a stony hill discovered by workers. Over time, it has transformed into one of South Carolina's largest municipalities, balancing the advantages of proximity to Charlotte with the charm of a smaller town. This unique blend allows residents to enjoy both big-city opportunities and the personal touches typical of less populated areas.
Set against the backdrop of Colombia's brutal gang war in the 1980s, the narrative explores the intense conflict between notorious outlaw Pablo Escobar and the formidable Cali Cartel, led by the Rodriguez brothers. This gripping account delves into the violence that claimed thousands of lives and introduced the term narcoterrorism. Ron Chepesiuk uncovers the intricacies of this deadly struggle and reveals the mystery surrounding Escobar's downfall, providing a detailed and compelling look into a pivotal moment in history.
Leslie â Ikeâ Atkinson is one of U.S. historyâ s most original gangsters. According to law enforcement sources, he and his gang smuggled, by conservative estimates, 1,000 pounds of heroin annually from Bangkok, Thailand, to U.S. military bases during their period of operation from 1968 to 1975.The Bangkok Trafficking Heroin from Asia to the USA chronicles the story of Atkinson, a charismatic former U.S. army master sergeant, career smuggler, card shark and doting family man whom law enforcement agencies code-named Sergeant Smack.Sergeant Smackâ s criminal activities sparked the creation of a special DEA unit code-named Centac 9, which conducted an intensive three-year investigation across three continents. Sergeant Smack was elusive, but the discovery of his palm print on a kilo of heroin finally took him down.