The Power of the Dog

De: Don Winslow

Narrado por: Ray Porter

This explosive novel of the drug trade takes you deep inside a world riddled with corruption, betrayal, and bloody revenge.

Art Montana is an obsessive DEA agent. The Barrera brothers are heirs to a drug empire. Nora Hayden is a jaded teenager who becomes a high-class hooker. Father Parada is a powerful and incorruptible Catholic priest. Callan is an Irish kid from Hell's Kitchen who grows up to be a merciless hit man. All of them are trapped in the world of the Mexican drug Federación.

From the streets of New York City to Mexico City and Tijuana to the jungles of Central America, this is the war on drugs like you've never seen it.

©2005 Don Winslow (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A pit bull of a book. Once unleashed, this thriller...charges and attacks without mercy, shredding anyone in its path....A well-tuned plot, driving rhythm, intelligence and a touch of politics." ( Washington Post)

Great book, great narrator

I never watched the movie "Savages," based on Winslow's book, because I'd heard it was really violent and graphic. The Power of the Dog is as well, and if you're squeamish like me, there will be parts you'll want to fast-forward through, or at least turn down the volume for a few minutes. Still, it's not gratuitous violence and gore. It feels just right for the story.

And the story is incredible -- fast-paced and eye-opening, it made me want to learn more about the failed "war on drugs" and the Mexican cartels. It's a little bit horrifying to think of how many parties (including government officials) play both sides, and play dirty. The US doesn't come out smelling like a rose, either. But I never got the feeling that Winslow had a bias toward one side, or any particular point of view. He seems to want to lay out the facts, and let us decide how we feel about it. But in doing so -- in laying out the facts in a fictional way -- he tells a darn good story, one that keeps you engrossed. The characters are fleshed-out nicely (which is no small feat, considering how many there are), and there are plenty of surprises along the way. There is humor and pathos in this novel, and writing of a caliber you don't often find in genre fiction.

Finally, I loved the narration by Ray Porter. His voice is so pleasant, his reading so smooth, his diction so perfect, I felt like the story was placed in the hands of a master. He did a wonderful job with numerous accents and ages -- whether a craggy Southerner (American, that is) a New York gangster, a young Irish woman, or an aging Mexican priest. His Spanish pronunciation was excellent.

I haven't even finished the book, and I'm back on Audible to buy "The Cartel," (fortunately also narrated by Ray Porter). I highly recommend "The Power of the Dog."

as great as Frankie or better

I just found Winslow and can't believe I have never heard of him before now. His writing is up to par or better than Fynn, Crais, Lee, Connelly ext. The Power of the Dog had my attention from the first minute and kept it until the last words of the pro log. I loved it and will listen to the remaining two books he has here, one being Dawn Patrol which is down loading now.
Winslow has a gift for being able to describe a brutal killing while adding the best of dry humor which he does superbly. The characters are complex, perfectly developed through the balance of the book but easily followed and I felt like I was in Calif. and Central America by the time it was finished, all the while you are experiencing a killing spree during the process.
I hope you enjoy this fast paced (A huge understatement) thriller while being absolutely abhorred with our Governments actions during this time period and being totally entertained during the journey that Winslow has so masterfully written.
Buy this one, you will enjoy it!!!
PS Franky the Machine is just as great as this one is!

Unmasked Reality w/o Preaching/Agenda ~ Evil =____

What is the Power of this book, of the Dog?...With 2,722 books currently in my Audible library, thousands of ratings, but only 18 written reviews...why am I taking the time to write about this particular book? Applying simply surface thinking , this book transcends genres, and should thoroughly satisfy and engage the mind and the emotions of most readers (even Sci-Fi lovers, as while based totally in this current world, it does transcend time and unfolds as do the deepest and most complex of our eternal/internal operas). At its root, this book reveals the darkest Use and/or Abuse of Power and Greed via Political, Religious, Class, "Good Intentions" and Economical means and the resulting consequences in this particular story and to all of us today and throughout time. Yet, have you ever read a such book that most people would proclaim exposed the Real Raw Truth...people across all political and religious strata...the most politically passionate left-wing collectivist, the nuttiest on the farthest right wing, the most pious religious believer, the most stringent atheist, the richest class elitist, the poorest and most dispossessed, people of any race would agree as the sober truth thinly veiled as a fictional story? I think this author achieved this without a shrill agenda. Of course what these people would define as proper Use or Abuse of the Power exposed will be vastly opposed. I imagine that few will have a sure solution, and most will define the DOG differently, but we all are still being savaged by its bite in different guises. This book should make us all face the reality we know exists but prefer to bury; but as one line in the books ponders this book will probably make you wonder, "What is the best you can do in this world?" It's a really good story and enjoyable on the lightest or deepest of levels. What is the Dog to you?

Rivoting

It is hard to know what in this book is based on fact and what is fiction. I fear there is more of the former than any of us would like to believe. Well researched, well written and well read.

Give this one some time...

...and you'll be glad you did.

This book starts off a little on the confusing side as we're introduced to all of the groups of characters, but just keep at it. Once the story gets going, you won't want to turn it off. It's scope is breathtaking and will give you an entirely different perspective on the phrase, "war on drugs." In fact, you'll never hear it the same way again.

It reminded me of The Company in it's level of detail and insight into a subject you assume you know a little about.

Not always easy to listen to, but a terrific book.