El Jefe

The Stalking of Chapo Guzmán

By: Alan Feuer

Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive account of the rise and fall of the ultimate narco, "El Chapo", from the New York Times reporter whose coverage of his trial went viral.

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is the most legendary of Mexican narcos. As leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, he was one of the most dangerous men in the world. His fearless climb to power, his brutality, his charm, his taste for luxury, his penchant for disguise, his multiple dramatic prison escapes, his unlikely encounters with Sean Penn - all of these burnished the image of the world's most famous outlaw. 

He was finally captured by US and Mexican law enforcement in a daring operation years in the making. Here is that entire epic story - from El Chapo's humble origins to his conviction in a Brooklyn courthouse. Longtime New York Times criminal justice reporter Alan Feuer's coverage of his trial was some of the most riveting journalism of recent years. Feuer’s mastery of the complex facts of the case, his unparalleled access to confidential sources in law enforcement, and his powerful understanding of disturbing larger themes - what this one man's life says about drugs, walls, class, money, Mexico, and the United States - will ensure that El Jefe is the one audiobook to listen to about “El Chapo.” 

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books 

"Fans of Don Winslow’s fiction and Mark Bowden’s nonfiction alike will be eager to read Feuer’s blood-spattered tale." (Kirkus)

©2020 Alan Feuer (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Guess I must have missed something

The author is a solid reporter at the NYT, so I may have to ascribe some of my rating to the narration. Primarily small things - there were several times where I realized after the fact that a section had ended and another started, as it was read through without pause. I also thought the narration to be a bit monotonous, if that is the right term. Regardless of what was being spoken, it all came out with the same inflection, basically like reading a news story aloud. I felt like I was listening to a reading of an FBI report. Factual, no salacious detail, really very little drama. Given that the FBI had been listening in to all the private conversations of the cartel for months, I was expecting something more, but the FBI isn't known for its snappy banter. I did learn that despite all the resources the US has, as we have heard many times before they do not play well together, and after spending millions of dollars and entire careers devoted to capturing him, twice, most of the major turning points were based solely on luck. Despite the author's obvious deference to the FBI, I did not think they came off looking very good. Hopefully there was an actual permanent reduction in the drug trade, which I think was the whole point of hunting him.

Great story

I enjoyed listening to the struggle and in the end the triumph of the justice system to finally cage a dog that ran and hid for many years.Would recommend to anyone who enjoys Don Winslow type stories.

Great account of events

I liked very much how the author stayed on track and gave a solid account of important events. Narration was very good.