• The Accountant's Story

  • Inside the Violent World of the Medellín Cartel
  • By: Roberto Escobar
  • Narrated by: Ruben Diaz
  • Length: 9 hrs
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (163 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Accountant's Story  By  cover art

The Accountant's Story

By: Roberto Escobar
Narrated by: Ruben Diaz
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.83

Buy for $21.83

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Arguably the largest and most successful criminal enterprise in history, at times the Medellin drug cartel was smuggling 15 tons of cocaine a day, worth more than half a billion dollars, into the United States. Roberto Escobar knows - he was the accountant who kept track of all the money.

How much money? According to Roberto, he and his brother's operation spent $1000 a week just purchasing rubber band to wrap the stacks of cash - and since they had more illegal money than they could deposit in the banks, they stored the bricks of cash in their warehouses, annually writing off 10% as "spoilage" when the rats crept in at night and nibbled on the hundred dollar bills.

At the height of this cartel's reach, in order to help them deliver their goods, the Escobars purchased thirteen 727 airliners from Eastern Airlines when that airline went bankrupt. They also purchased six Russian mini-submarines. Roberto knows - he did the books.

In short, this is Pablo Escobar's story in the words of one of his closest confidants, his brother Roberto. It's all here - the brutal violence inside the world of the drug cartel, dealing with American drug forces and the CIA, the problems the Escobars faced when going up against the Colombian mafia, even Pablo's moments of kindness and compassion towards less fortunate countrymen in Colombia. As Roberto points out, although many people view Escobar as a monster, thousands still visit his grave every year to mourn him, and revere him as a savior.

Now in his 60s, Roberto, who has served 10 years in Colombian jail for his part in the Medellin cartel, now wants to set the record straight, once and for all.

©2009 Roberto Escobar (P)2009 Hachette

More from the same

What listeners say about The Accountant's Story

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    100
  • 4 Stars
    35
  • 3 Stars
    20
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    88
  • 4 Stars
    28
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    80
  • 4 Stars
    35
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

get the unabridged version

its supposed to be good, but the abridged version seems to skip too much important details.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!

Roberto Escobar was the accountant to the infamous Pablo Escobar and the Medellin drug carlet. This is his story of the unbelievable amounts of money handled by the drug organization - where it came from, how the organization worked, and the physical accounting for the funds.

This is a page turner, well written and well read true crime history. The book will open the eyes of most people concerning the size and power of this cartel.

I would suggest that the reader read Roberto Sariano's "Gomorrah" before or after this book to understand other international criminal activity as well.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

an unfortunate purchase

I regret contributing to the authors income. There is very little for the listener here unless it is a clear view of grasping self preoccupation and self delusion. The book is shot through with the same unrepentant rationalizations and finger-pointing recriminations that seem to naturally flow from degenerates and sociopaths throughout history. The author never apologizes, never reflects on his actions except to brag and in the end the accountant never accounts for his own actions.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Another Thug that claims to be a victim

First of all, does it cost too much to hire somebody that can read both English and Spanish with the right pronunciation? It's so annoying!!!

The story told made me gag. Roberto Escobar is another thug that says did nothing and wants to portray his brother as a Colombian Robin Hood. conveniently forgets important and gruesome parts of the story or says I wasn't there I don't know. Blames everybody but himself for the crimes.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

bunch of crap

I couldn't even finish this book. The author wrote about his brother as if he were a god, while saying he didn't approve of his activities. I expected a little repentance attitude but its not there -- don't waste your time on this one unless you just want to hear someone praise Pablo's fine work in keeping people in business and making them rich with the drug trade.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Killing Pablo PART 2

If you liked Mark Bowden's book KILLING PABLO you will love this book. Written by the brother of Pablo Escobar this book glamorizes the drug kinkpin's lavish lifestyle and dark crimes. I liked the insights into the cocaine market and how they transported and distributed the drug into America. WHo knows if this guy's account is really true?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Escobar story from the other side

A lot of fascinating details on the Escobar side of the story. Who knows which details are true and which were made up to make himself look better… (although some, like being a cancer and AIDS researcher in his spare time, are a little more obviously far-fetched.)  at the same time, it’s equally possible that some of the details he presents could be the truth while the other side could have been embellished to make others look better. Very interesting hearing the Escobar side of the story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exciting book !

This was the most detailed information on Pablo Escobar I have ever found ! Soo many personal stories about life behind of scenes of Medellin cartel !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good…ish

I was really excited about this book, and I did like the majority of it. But, I do feel like Escobar was fishing for sympathy for his brother and he, almost like they were unfairly persecuted. But, I did learn a lot from it and it held my attention.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

not as advertised

i expected to hear the full story of pablos money and finances but there was very little of that in here. instead it was just another point of view of the same info and story of pablo escobar's life and story that is every other book about his lis life and story.
a huge waste of time if you hve already read or listened to one or more of the books about pablo escobar

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!