The Cornbread Mafia

A Homegrown Syndicate's Code of Silence and the Biggest Marijuana Bust in American History

By: James Higdon

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Length: 14 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

In the summer of 1987, Johnny Boone set out to grow and harvest one of the greatest outdoor marijuana crops in modern times. In doing so, he set into motion a series of events that defined him and his associatesas the largest homegrown marijuana syndicate in American history, also known as the Cornbread Mafia.

Author James Higdon - whose relationship with Johnny Boone, currently a federal fugitive, made him the first journalist subpoenaed underthe Obama administration - takes listeners back to the 1970s and ‘80s and the clash between federal and local law enforcement and a band of Kentucky farmers with moonshine and pride in their bloodlines. By 1989 the task force assigned to take down men like Johnny Boone had arrested 69 men and 1 woman from busts on 29 farms in 10 states, and seized 200 tons of pot.

Of the 70 individuals arrested, none talked. How it all went down is a tale of Mafia-style storylines emanating from the Bluegrass State, and populated by Vietnam veterans and weed-loving characters caught up in Tarantino-level violence and heart-breaking altruism. Accompanied by a backdrop of rock-and-roll and rhythm-and-blues, this work of dogged investigative journalism and history is told by Higdon in action-packed, colorful, and riveting detail.

©2012 James Higdon the Third (P)2012 Tantor

A Perfect Book For Guys!

What did you love best about The Cornbread Mafia?

I really enjoyed how this book delved into the deep history of the state of KY, and how this culture has evolved over time. It really gets you wondering where Johnny Boone is, and exactly how he has used this culture to escape the law.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cornbread Mafia?

The most memorable moment for me is the part where the group had stolen GE products for the local Hospital because they thought that any good catholic should not have to pay for things when perfectly good products are just sitting in a warehouse. This made me laugh out loud.

Which character – as performed by Paul Boehmer – was your favorite?

All of these characters play an important role within the "Cornbread Mafia". Many were happy go lucky people who did not seem to think what they were doing was wrong on any level. I'm not sure who I liked the most, but I did enjoy parts of all personalities in each character. The support this group gave each other was remarkable, but there criminal activity and actions were astonishing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could not stop listening to this book. I was intrigued by the culture and activity of those portrayed within the story. Every free moment was spent listening to this book. It is one I could see myself reading over and over because it is so interesting.

Any additional comments?

I have talked about this book to anybody who would listen.

True story. Jimmy was not the best reader.

I knew several of these people. Everything in the story is factual. It is an interesting story, but I believe that Joe Keith Bickett's books may be better. Subsequently, it was worth the credit.

Great Book!

From Kentucky and yes the people in the mountains and country, Don’t like the law and will never snitch on anyone and for sure not their neighbors and friends!

Great Book

This is a great read. I’m from Casey County so I grew up hearing the stories.

Makes You Root for the 'Bad' Guys

What made the experience of listening to The Cornbread Mafia the most enjoyable?

Where I grew up in Southwestern PA sounds a lot like the small KY towns mentioned in this book. I enjoyed that these simple, sometimes-uneducated people were able to build an empire (albeit illegal) to make a living.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cornbread Mafia?

The author explaining the drive up to Johnny Boone's house when they met was something that stuck with me.

What about Paul Boehmer’s performance did you like?

Paul Boehmer was able to distinguish between characters subtly. He didn't attempt to do impersonations, but changed inflection slightly to depict the individuality of characters. I am adding him to my favorite narrators.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"Million Dollar Farming Between the Rows"

Pass the Cornbread Please

A good education on cannabis in America. Before the pot shops stocked with edibles and pedestrians walking the street with vape pens. When we think about pot we usually think California. But here we have Kentucky. And Kentucky's contribution to cannabis culture shouldn't be understated. And the United States' long overreaching arm of the "law".
It shows you that people like Jonny Boone paid the price for a lot of you to be able to pick up your marijuana like you would pick out a puppy from a pet shop; pointing to the prettiest bud behind the glass and asking to hold in your hand.
The book reads a lot like a television documentary without the reenactments. When I picked it up I thought I'd be hearing the greatest story never told. The author does his best, but doesn't quite make it fun. What it lacks in entertainment it does make up for in historical details though. The narrator gives the book a good presentation.

Marion Co. Native

If you could sum up The Cornbread Mafia in three words, what would they be?

The real story

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cornbread Mafia?

More than one

What didn’t you like about Paul Boehmer’s performance?

I wasn't much on his performance really. Being from the area the book is about i understand how the author ment the book to sound. The pronunciation of the words sounds nothing like how the character in the story really talk. It's so off that it changes the way one sees an understands the characters. I'm not just trying to find something to nit pick, it really aggravated me throughout the book. It just needed to be read by someone with an accent similar to the characters or people in this area. It would make more sense to the reader and get the authors point across.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The real facts about the cornbread mafia which wasn't at all a mafia

What a great story!

This is an amazing story about local Georgia and other surrounding states. The narrators voice was pretty monotone. He seemed to try to change but was unsuccessful which made the story longer than it should have been.

very impressive story, hard to turn off

Somthing for everybody story, horticulturist, historian, law men, politics, corruption and concpericy. The ending has a bit of a running man theme, showing how Americas most wanted makes things up to hunt people more effectivly. Big take away for me is trying to understand who made this crazy law, lock up nonviolent FARMERS with killers and scumbags? God bless America?

Great read!

I'm not usually into books of this type. Having been in Kentucky for the last 22 years and spending a fair amount of time frequenting Marion, Woodford, Washington, and Fayette counties I've heard stories of the pot grows and the cornbread mafia. This book intertwines with what I've heard from those I know, and couple are mentioned in this book. I can't tell you if he's got all the facts right or not but I can say that more than a few are spot on. It certainly resonates with me, the depressed area, and the struggle to survive, I can't say that I'd do anything different to feed my family!