Killing Pablo

Journalist Mark Bowden presents a short biography of Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar and tells the story of his pursuit by the Colombian and U.S. governments. Bowden reads this abridgment well. As the author, he understands the pace of the events described, and reads, overall, appropriately. Much of this book focuses on the chase, calling for a more rapid pace, and Bowden never leaves the listener hanging. Anyone interested in drug policy, Latin American politics, or law enforcement will find this book informative. M.L.C. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine


Pablo Escobar, the Colombian drug lord, has to have been one of the most successful criminals who ever lived. He grew so rich that he could affect elections and paralyze or corrupt almost any law enforcement agency that moved against him. When caught at something he couldn't murder or bribe his way out of, he made a deal to build, stock, and staff his own "prison" on his own property on a site of his own choosing and was furious when forced to "escape." Mark Bowden marshals the details of this amazing tale with his usual narrative skill, and Pete Bradbury does the text complete justice. B.G. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine