American Desperado

My Life - From Mafia Soldier to Cocaine Cowboy to Secret Government Asset

By: Jon Roberts, Evan Wright

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall, Erik Davies, Mark Deakins, Kimberly Farr, Kirby Heyborne, Thomas Vincent Kelly, Steve Kramer, Meredith Scott Lynn, Johnathan McClain, Christina Rooney

Length: 16 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

In 2008 veteran journalist Evan Wright, acclaimed for his New York Times best-selling book Generation Kill and co-writer of the Emmy-winning HBO series it spawned, began a series of conversations with super-criminal Jon Roberts, star of the fabulously successful documentary Cocaine Cowboys. Those conversations would last three years, during which time Wright came to realize that Roberts was much more than the de-facto “transportation chief” of the Medellin Cartel during the 1980s, much more than a facilitator of a national drug epidemic. As Wright’s tape recorder whirred and Roberts unburdened himself of hundreds of jaw-dropping tales, it became clear that perhaps no one in history had broken so many laws with such willful abandon.

Roberts, in fact, seemed to be a prodigy of criminality – but one with a remarkable self-awareness and a fierce desire to protect his son from following the same path.

American Desperado is Roberts’ no-holds-barred account of being born into Mafia royalty, witnessing his first murder at the age of seven, becoming a hunter-assassin in Vietnam, returning to New York to become -- at age 22 -- one of the city’s leading nightclub impresarios, then journeying to Miami where in a few short years he would rise to become the Medellin Cartel’s most effective smuggler.

But that’s just half the tale.

The roster of Roberts’ friends and acquaintances reads like a Who’s Who of the latter half of the 20th century and includes everyone from Jimi Hendrix, Richard Pryor, and O.J. Simpson to Carlo Gambino, Meyer Lansky, and Manuel Noriega.

Nothing if not colorful, Roberts surrounded himself with beautiful women, drove his souped-up street car at a top speed of 180 miles per hour, shared his bed with a 200-pound cougar, and employed a 6”6” professional wrestler called “The Thing” as his bodyguard. Ultimately, Roberts became so powerful that he attracted the attention of the Republican Party’s leadership, was wooed by them, and even was co-opted by the CIA for which he carried out its secret agenda.

Scrupulously documented and relentlessly propulsive, this collaboration between a bloodhound journalist and one of the most audacious criminals ever is like no other crime book you’ve ever read. Jon Roberts may be the only criminal who changed the course of American history.

©2011 Evan Wright (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The Moby Dick of mob memoirs… here is everything you've wanted to know - and much better, here is the way everything felt. Evan Wright puts you so deep inside a career in organized crime that midway through you'll begin expecting a knock on your door and a call from your lawyer.” (David Lipsky, author of the national best seller Absolutely American)

"Delivers all the guilty pleasures one expects from a gangster's memoir, but Wright's superb prose offers something more: a meditation on good and evil during the glittering decay of late 20th century civilization… One of the best books of the year.” (James L. Swanson, Edgar Award winning author of the New York Times best sellers Manhunt and Bloody Crimes)

“ American Desperado is not only stranger but so much better than fiction…Captivating, addictive, and head-spinning, this one-of-a-kind book earns its place on the top shelf of true crime accounts.” (Chuck Hogan, New York Times bestselling author of Prince of Thieves, basis of the Academy Award-nominated The Town)

Holy sh*t, I didn't realize people like this exist

This guy was/is a psychopath. However, despite that fact, he certainly lived a very interesting life. Also, now I see why everyone loved the 80s, there was enough cocaine flowing through the US to kill the population of Canada.

Insanely good listen!! keeps you on the edge

The story totally keeps you on the edge of your seat from the get go.

Great story but can start from 50% mark

Great story, great narration. This book can be two books. The first is pretty grotesque about the early life of Jon and the second half is less grotesque of his life as the “cocain cowboy”. Enjoyed the book; however, would have been just as happy starting from second half.

Solid book

This book told an American story involving cartel, smuggling, women, guns, and the mob what else could you want. But seriously it kept me interested a touch gory and repetitive but definitely worth your time.

Awesome

Incredible book by a incredible man. The best book I have read in years. Was heartbroken when I realized Jon had passed away from Cancer.

damn good story and terrific accuracy. great book

damn good story and terrific accuracy. great book all around. just love this book genere.

Real Life Adventure

Good journey through eyes of a cowboy and some real I sight on corruption at its finest

This book repeatedly blew my mind.

Roberts offers his story in clear-eyed, oftentimes times cold recall. His story itself is incredible, but the fact that we get to hear it from him , still sharp and alive , is a real treat. He almost surely was a sociopath but also sharp as a tack.. Wright's research and annotation adds heft and context to an already enthralling story. A+

Amazing!

I could listen to Jon tell stories for hours. Oh wait I did and am going to do it again.

Great listen

Would recommend to anyone interested in the mafioso life style. Truly digs deep into what it takes to submerged into that life. An amazing story from a man with a lot to share