The Accountant's Story

Inside the Violent World of the Medellín Cartel

De: David Fisher, Roberto Escobar

Narrado por: Ruben Diaz

"I have many scars. Some of them are physical, but many more are scars on my soul. A bomb sent to kill me while I was in a maximum security prison has made me blind, yet now I see the world more clearly than I have ever seen it before. I have lived an incredible adventure. I watched as my brother, Pablo Escobar, became the most successful criminal in history, but also a hero to many of the people of Colombia. My brother was loved and he was feared. Hundreds of thousands of people marched in his funeral procession, and certainly as many people celebrated his death."

These are the words of Roberto Escobar-the top accountant for the notorious and deadly Medellen Cartel, and brother of Pablo Escobar, the most famous drug lord in history. At the height of his reign, Pablo's multibillion-dollar operation smuggled tons of cocaine each week into countries all over the world. Roberto and his ten accountants kept track of all the money. Only Pablo and Roberto knew where it was stashed-and what it bought.

And the amounts of money were simply staggering. According to Roberto, it cost $2,500 every month just to purchase the rubber bands needed to wrap the stacks of cash. The biggest problem was finding a place to store it: from secret compartments in walls and beneath swimming pools to banks and warehouses everywhere. There was so much money that Roberto would sometimes write off ten percent as "spoilage," meaning either rats had chewed up the bills or dampness had ruined the cash.

Roberto writes about the incredible violence of the cartel, but he also writes of the humanitarian side of his brother. Pablo built entire towns, gave away thousands of houses, paid people's medical expenses, and built schools and hospitals. Yet he was responsible for the horrible deaths of thousands of people.

In short, this is the story of a world of riches almost beyond mortal imagination, and in his own words, Roberto Escobar tells all: building a magnificent zoo at Pablo's opulent home, the brothers' many escapes into the jungles of Colombia, devising ingenious methods to smuggle tons of cocaine into the United States, bribing officials with literally millions of dollars-and building a personal army to protect the Escobar family against an array of enemies sworn to kill them.

Few men in history have been more beloved-or despised-than Pablo Escobar. Now, for the first time, his story is told by the man who knew him best: his brother, Roberto.©2009 Roberto Escobar; (P)2009 Hachette

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Narrator Ruben Diaz's bilingual skills allow him fluency with the mixture of English and many Spanish names, phrases, and locations. His English has a hint of a Latin accent, adding a linguistic authenticity to the story of a simple Colombian man who loved his family, killed his enemies, and lived in the shadows."—AudioFile

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.

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 !

Phenomenal story

I had read a few books on Pablo before and watched a few documentaries so I knew the public story. was nice to get the view from inside the camp, even if it is a slightly biased version of events. Can't be many people alive with a more interesting story to tell.

Truly a devil in disguise.

He ruled his country until too many people died and they turned on him. He gained respect by giving to the poorest of the poor.

Accountant Not Held Accountable?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Roberto taking ownership of his past indiscretions

What was most disappointing about Roberto Escobar’s story?

The most disappointing about the author is that to this day he still has a twisted account of of the truth. To him (and his entourage) he justified his motives by putting a political reason behind his story.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator did a good job. He is not at fault over the Medellin Cartels horrific lifestyles

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I would go see it with conditions. That all proceeds NOT go to Roberto but rather to the country and law abiding citizens of Colombia

Any additional comments?

Rather than Roberto focusing on Cancer and AIDS research (which I find hard to believe) he should have directed his efforts toward not condoning kidnapping, extortion and murder. Shame on him for not owning up to his treacherous history. No excuses Roberto. You were THEN, and are NOW, old enough to know right from wrong.