The Dope: The Real History of the Mexican Drug Trade

Con referirme a triste quiero decir que lamentablemente lo del narcotrafico es un cuento de nunca acabar, mientras exista demanda de drogas, habrá producción de ellas! El libro narra la constante lucha entre los productores, consumidores y las autoridades en Mexico y Estados Unidos. Bastante información, hay que leerlo con calma, pero me pareció muy informado.

I can’t say that this was the most rigorously researched book I’ve ever read but I enjoyed it and found it full of “I didn’t know that” nuggets.Or rather the second half seemed to rely far more on hearsay than empirically researched information.The linear flow of the second half seemed haphazard.But the first half— how Mexico avoided a major drug usage population while over time developing agricultural, chemistry, logistics and organization to be the leading supplier of drugs to the Us— that qas fascinating…

As far as I'm aware, this is the only book out their that goes into detail about how the war on drugs people are in fact, 'picking the winners & losers' taking a cut along the way, from both sides. Yesterdays cartel protectors are tomorrows discarded dead garbage, as 'leaders/parties' change. I see countless mentions here & their of corruption in most movies etc, but this book explains the where when & how it developed, and sadly why it will never go away, until perhaps full legalization

Historian Ben Smith tells a fascinating and important story about the growth and development of the illegal drug trade between the USA and Mexico. Smith's in depth research reveals that there is much more complexity to this topic than most Americans probably realize. Although Mexico is often demonized as the "villain", the economic and political forces driving the enormous drug business are just as significant in the US as in Mexico. Smith shows how protection rackets on both sides of the border have allowed the drug trade to flourish, fueled by the insatiable US demand. More importantly, this history demonstrated how the costly "War on Drugs" often was counterproductive, and actually contributed to increased violence in both countries. I found this book to very written, extremely detailed, eye opening, and overall worth reading for anyone interested in this subject.

This is a well written history of the Mexican drug trade. However, although the writer obviously knows his subject extremely well, there seem to be some missing elements. A great feel is said about the influence of American demand on the development of the drug trade in Mexico, but the narrative seems to gloss over the existence of any agency on the part of the Mexican participants in the trade. And it is frequently stated that a Mexican farmer can make much more growing poppies, for example, then other crops, With the unspoken assumption that therefore, the choice to grow opium poppies has no ethical component. And other than criticizing the various efforts that have been taken to reduce importation of drugs from Mexico as in effective or even counterproductive, the author, despite his deep knowledge and understanding of the issues does not seem to have any more productive solution to offer.In the end, the book offers and involving and interesting narrative history, but apparently no solutions are forthcoming. Certainly worth reading to get a sense of how completely Mexican governmental structures have been corrupted by the drug trade, however.One last point: the book begins with a vignette concerning our young man named Cruz. It is stated that Cruz fed to the US and was deported for no good reason, and certainly as presented that seems to be the case. I expected, however, a journalist with lots of contacts in the country to have provided some information on the young man’s fate. Instead, we simply learn that he has been deported, and the author appears to have simply lost interest in what happened to him at that point.

Easy to read without falling into fiction, centers in how economic incentives initially pushed local peasants into cultivating mariguana and opium.Leaves the reader with a series of important points to reflect on; the role that drug enforcement authorities have played, the unjust persecution of poor peasants, the “benefits” of drug legalization, the need to work on reducing demand.

After reading the ebook version with the audiobook that I both checked out from the library I purchased the book to support the author.I bought a NEW paperback version and it came with the back bent. If you are like me and like to keep books in good condition then consider buying this book through another website.Aside from that it was a good book and learned a lot. My favorite chapter would have to be chapter 6 titled The Revolutionary where it looked like Mexico was going to WIN the war on drugs. Fascinating book. I wished he was able to include more about the Mexican Miracle and contemporary times (2020s) but this book goes into the subject up until the year 2020. The author kind of summarizes at times but it is done to make the book as short as possible (over 400 pages long). This is a great starting point for people interested in the Mexican War on drugs and I would definitely recommend it to those getting into the subject.

One of the more provocative and interesting books I've read about a subject that way too many Americans are in the dark about. There's a ton of detail, but it reads quickly. A truly interesting look at a history that should be standard reading for anyone involved in diplomacy in this hemisphere. If you liked the series Narcos, I would pick this one up.

Relato interesante sobre el origen del tráfico ilícito de drogas en México. LLegó antes de lo esperado y con un muy buen descuento. La edición fue pasta dura y está muy bien editado letras grandes. Un ensayo de divulgación e información de archivo y fuentes de primera mano.

Me resulto super interesante el libro da mucha información lo recomiendo.

Benjamin Smith is one of the foremost historians of Mexico and, therefore, his understanding of the drug trade and how it became intertwined with Mexican politics and society is second to none. Beyond the meticulous research, what sets this book apart is that it is a brilliantly written, the narrative feels reads like a thriller, but one based on tremendous knowledge and sensitivity to the history it describes - highly recommended.

Eines der wenigen Bücher welche die Realität im Drogenhandel wieder gibt.

This is a well thought out telling of the development of the trafficking culture within and beyond Mexico and the insatiable demand it feeds in the United States. While elements are undoubtedly repeated the world over, Smith's narration is clear, structured and maintains interest throughout.