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The Power of the Dog (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) [Paperback]

Don Winslow (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)

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Book Description

Publication Date: 9 May 2006 | Series: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard

From the bestselling author of Savages (now an Oliver Stone film).

An explosive novel of the drug trade, The Power of the Dog, takes you deep inside a world riddled with corruption, betrayal, and bloody revenge.

Art Montana is an obsessive DEA agent. The Barrera brothers are heirs to a drug empire. Nora Hayden is a jaded teenager who becomes a high-class hooker. Father Parada is a powerful and uncorruptable Catholic priest. Callan is an Irish kid from Hell’s kitchen who grows up to be a merciless hitman. And they are all trapped in the world of the Mexican drug Federación. From the streets of New York City to Mexico City and Tiajuana to the jungles of Central America, this is the war on drugs like you’ve never seen it.

Product details

  • Paperback: 539 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage Books USA; Reprint edition (9 May 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1400096936
  • ISBN-13: 978-1400096930
  • Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 2.5 x 20.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,383,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

No one since James Ellroy has conveyed the morally troubled heart of the American dream with such savage aim, and Winslow cleverly adds a pointed political dimension to his saga. A future classic.' Guardian

'Don Winslow is the kind of cult writer who is so good you almost want to keep him to yourself.' (Ian Rankin )

'The first great dope novel since Dog Soldiers thirty years ago. It's frightening and sad, with a superbly sustained intensity. A beautifully compressed vision of hell, with all its attendant moral madness.' (James Ellroy )

A damn good read. If you've never read Don Winslow, start now. (Val McDermid )

It is impossible in a few words to do [it] justice... It's a huge book, both in size and scope...' Sunday Telegraph --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Description

Don Winslow's break-out novel. A hugely ambitious, page-turning thriller of power and revenge, in the tradition of the Great American Novel.

'This is Winslow's masterpiece (so far) and should have a place on every crime freak's bookshelf. Superb!' Independent on Sunday

(20030402) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply outstanding 6 Aug 2006
By G. Fergus
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The story of 40 years of history as seen through the eyes of two men on either side of the drugs trade. It will open your mind and should seriously make you question aspects of American Foreign policy and the truth behind the War on Drugs. Full of amazing characters and beautifully written.

Absolute quality that is difficult to put down. Do yourself a favour and read this book.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent 6 Aug 2007
By Chris Rawlings
Format:Paperback
This is one of the best crime novels I've ever read. It might make you cry; cheer; feel angry; thrilled; and exhausted. It will certainly not leave you unmoved. For those who just want action, then there is hardly a chapter without action. For those who want an interesting and intelligent read, it is that as well. It is like a cross between 'The Godfather' and 'American Tabloid'.

The core of the story is the crusade of Art Keller, an American-Hispanic DEA agent, against the Barrera family, Mexican drug barons, who he meets as a young man at the beginning of his career, is initially friendly with, but soon becomes their dedicated enemy. The fight between them lasts nearly thirty years.

It is also a tale of political expediency; cynical pragmatism and corruption.
The Mexican government feels it cannot afford to crack down on the drug trade; The American government have their own agenda in South America, in their fight against communism; and the Catholic church wants a way back into Mexico. So the result is a deadly minefield for anyone who dares to try to do some good.

There are five main characters, whose lives criss cross over the years. Art Keller, the constant outsider, who understands the mentality of the barrio;Adan Barrera, who, rather like Michael Corleone, in the Godfather, turns to 'the dark side' after a brutal act of violence against him and wants into the family business; Father Juan Parada, the decent, brave priest who always speaks his mind; Nora Hayden, the call girl with a heart; and, Sean Callan, the hitman who wants out, but keeps being dragged back in. There are many more great characters.

I raced to the end of this book and was sorry I had finished it.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliance 25 April 2006
By G. Miller
Format:Hardcover
A stunning piece of work. Rewarding on every level.
Immerse yourself in the history of the 'Mexican Trampoline' as drugs make their way from South America, through Mexico and into the US. Believeable characters, well drawn, travel through decades and watch their own part in this history of drugs and cocaine and USA involvement in South America and...

Well the list is endless - it has pace, real drama and tension. Some parts are jaw dropping in their intensity and brutality but never gratuitous.

All his other books are great - this should push him to classic writer status - up there with Ellroy in my estimations.
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23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of the Novel 20 Nov 2006
By Sam
Format:Paperback
With 'The Power of the Dog', Don Winslow has written one of the best books I have ever read. It tells the story of the Mexican drug trade through the 70s to present day. Not only do you get Mexican gangsters, but also the Italian Mafia, Irish, Cubans, corrupt Mexican cops, covert CIA ops and the DEA.

This rich brew of characters and influences makes the book both action packed and riveting to read. The novel has four major characters that drive the plot forward over 30 years and also has plenty of supporting characters who have differing fates.

Winslow does not shy away from the violence of the drug trade and also seems to have researched very well giving the book an informed feel. The characters are fantastic; Winslow makes all of them three dimensional so even the nicest character may get sucked into evil. The style of writing and story itself is excellent throughout and will leave you gripped.

Read this book.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome 9 Nov 2006
By Fat Bob
Format:Paperback
Wow - this book has jumped straight to the top of my favourites list. It has it all - drugs, sex, violence, politics, religion. It has Mexican drug cartels, Italian and Irish Mafia, veteran DEA and CIA agents, hookers and priests, communist guerrillas and high-level government cover-ups. Its like a cross between Scarface and Killing Pablo, charting the rise of the fictional Barrera brothers from street hoodlums to billionaire drug lords, and the catalogue of torture and killing left in their wake. Central to this is the obsessive DEA agent Art Keller, who pulls out all the stops to bring them down, battling the bandits and his own conscience as he discovers the truth about the real war on drugs.

Every chapter has a running gun battle, an interrogation scene, a double-crossing or a brutal murder. At times it even feels like there's too much action, but this doesn't detract from the gripping and complex plot. It's huge in scope, spanning 30 years and several countries, interlinking different characters and organisations and playing them off against each other, keeping us guessing until its bloody conclusion.

Wimslow's prose is great, eloquent enough but sprinkled with street slang and gangster-speak. No flowery language, just straight to the point and hard as nails. The violence is shocking and frequent (torture scenes leave little to the imagination). This is undoubtedly a blokes' book, a testosterone-packed powerhouse of a novel, and certainly not for the faint-hearted.

My favourite book used to be The Godfather. Not any more. Power of the Dog is even better, and as the front cover states, a future classic.

Essential reading. 5 stars.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Power of the Dog
Gripping from start to finish. A fast paced, thrilling story.a remarkable insight into the deadly, desperate and murky world of Mexican drug cartels and the shocking violence and... Read more
Published 12 days ago by p f carvosso
5.0 out of 5 stars Don Winslow's best book
This is a really great read. Lot's of action, larger than life characters. I doubt the Mexican tourist board will promote it however.
Published 1 month ago by James Armour
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
Very interesting multi faceted plot, thoroughly engrossing from start to finish. Fascinating insight in the drug business from South America to the US throughout the 70's to the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jonathan Paul Finlay
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece!
Wow! This gem stands tall amongst many out there. It has the CIA, DEA, FBI, NSA, NAFTA, Irish mob, Italian mafia, cold warriors, sandanistas, contras, mercenaries, high-priced... Read more
Published 2 months ago by M. Gates
3.0 out of 5 stars INVOLVED PLOT
READ DON WINSLOW OTHER NOVEL THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD READ, VERY INVOLVED PLOT SWINGING FROM ONE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES TO ANOTHER THEREFORE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW THE THREAD OF THE... Read more
Published 3 months ago by NICHOLAS PHILLIPS
4.0 out of 5 stars Clever fictional critique
I am fascinated by the relationship between America and Mexico regarding the so-called "War on drugs" and this fictional tale of some of its main players on both sides of the law... Read more
Published 3 months ago by mc shortall
5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME
Bought this book by chance, I was reading a Clarkson book and he mentioned it, I hadn't heard of the author, but it really is one of those books that if you miss reading it you... Read more
Published 4 months ago by dk
1.0 out of 5 stars Tiresome
A DEA agent pursues a Mexican 'narcotrafficante'. That's the plot, such as it is. The book supposedly makes a point about the US 'war on drugs', although what that point might be... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Clankylad
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Having been a long time fan of James Ellroy, I wanted a novel that approximated his work in terms of style, pacing and excitement. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Joshua
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it.
Fantastic read. A real classic. It is really unputdownable. You simply have to buy this book. A total masterpiece. Brilliant.
Published 5 months ago by James M. Mulholland
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