American Kingpin

The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road Drugs Empire

By: Nick Bilton

Narrated by: Will Damron

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The unbelievable true story of the man who built a billion-dollar online drug empire from his bedroom – and almost got away with it.

In 2011, a twenty-six-year-old programmer named Ross Ulbricht launched the ultimate free market: the Silk Road, a clandestine Web site hosted on the Dark Web where anyone could trade anything – drugs, hacking software, forged passports, counterfeit cash, poisons – free of the government’s watchful eye. While the federal government were undertaking an epic two-year manhunt for the site’s elusive proprietor, the Silk Road quickly ballooned into a $1.2 billion enterprise.

Ross embraced his new role as kingpin, taking drastic steps to protect himself – including ordering a hit on a former employee. As Ross made plans to disappear forever, the Feds raced against the clock to catch a man they weren’t sure even existed, searching for a needle in the haystack of the global Internet.

Drawing on exclusive access to key players and two billion digital words and images Ross left behind, New York Times bestselling author Nick Bilton offers a tale filled with twists and turns, lucky breaks and unbelievable close calls. It’s a story of the boy next door’s ambition gone criminal, spurred on by the clash between the new world of libertarian-leaning, anonymous, decentralised Web advocates and the old world of government control, order and the rule of law.

©2017 Nick Bilton (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Incredible story

This is a true story that reads like a novel. Love the book, highly recommended.

Epic listen

Great story line, well thought out and really well told.

Best audible I have heard so far and definitely recommend it.

Really good

No matter how good you are if you gamble too many times you will get caught.

Great book.

It just interesting that there is so much going on out there. You dont know what you dont know.

Its a must read. I finished it in 3 days

great story

fascinating story of modern criminal
very well researched and narrated.
highly recommended listen for all.

interesting book

the story itself is very interesting, but the book is written in a report style that I didn't like much

Gripping, highly detailed and fascinating listen.

I wasn't actually expecting such a brilliant listen when I bought the book. I'd heard about the Silk Road but didn't know too much. Absolutely gripping story, albeit slightly repetitive at times, but truly fascinating, from every aspect. Wonderful!

Simply Amazing

As the title says, this book was simply amazing. The story telling is excellent and no question was left unanswered.

A real insight in to a criminal mastermind

It's extremely well written and level detail is amazing. I want to listen again. :-)

Fast, impactful and addictive!

This has to be in my top reads at audible. The narrator does a great job that you feel you are there with the protagonist at every step along the way. Beautifully describes the depth and complexity of the characters that almost makes you sympathetic to each side by the end. What I loved about American kingpin is the fast paced unfolding of the storyline! Must read!!