
First published in , the book was expanded from a 10-part series for the Miami Herald that investigated the rise of the Medellín Cartel. It is widely considered one of the definitive accounts of the cartel's peak years. Key Focus Areas
It treats the cocaine trade as "capitalism on overdrive," detailing how the cartel evolved from small-time smuggling to a sophisticated $2 billion system that manipulated global politics.
is a classic true crime book written by prize-winning investigative reporters Guy Gugliotta and Jeff Leen .