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Library Journal Review

Mermelstein was a central character in the operations of the notorious Medellin cocaine cartel from 1978 to 1985, until his arrest by federal agents; he then became a valuable government witness. Now living under the federal witness protection program, Mermelstein gives an insider's account of the cartel's operations and tells how a ``Jewish street kid from Brooklyn'' and civil engineer became ensnared in trafficking. (He witnessed a cartel murder; afraid of being killed himself, he joined the cartel.) This is a remarkable book, with inside information readers will find nowhere else; recommended for all crime collections, and a valuable adjunct to Guy Gugliotta and Jeff Leen's excellent Kings of Cocaine ( LJ 5/1/89).-- Sally G. Waters, Stetson Law Lib., St. Petersburg, Fla. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

Mermelstein, a ``Jewish street kid from Brooklyn'' who became an engineer, was ``swept'' by ``fate'' into ``the intimate circle of the powerful death merchants from Colombia,'' otherwise known as the Medellin cocaine cartel--and here tells the tale of his activities from the late '70s through the mid-'80s, aided by Moore ( The French Connection ) and Smitten ( Twice Killed ). As the organization's agent in Miami, he was ``personally responsible for sending his Medellin cronies $300 million in cash and bringing fifty-six tons of the white powder into America.'' Mermelstein notes that he enjoyed the adventures of his criminal career, but became frightened when his bosses ordered him to kill a federal witness. He demurred, and in 1986 surrendered to the U.S. government and is now in the Witness Protection Program. This expose of the highest echelons of the drug business is detailed and expertly plotted. Photos not seen by PW. Major ad/promo. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved