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The Power of the Dog [Hardcover]

Don Winslow
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)

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Hardcover, 26 April 2005 --  
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Book Description

26 April 2005
From Don Winslow (“A writer so good you almost want to keep him to yourself”—Ian Rankin), an electrifying new novel of love and revenge, politics and influence, corruption and honor. Moving at breakneck speed, it tells a riveting, sometimes harrowing story set in the shifting nexus of power among the Latin American drug cartels, the American mob, and the U.S. government.

Spanning the years from the rise of the Mexican drug Federación in the 1970s to the Iran-Contra affair in the 1980s to the vicious drug wars of the 1990s, the action ranges from Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen and the halls of Washington to the streets of Tijuana and the deserts of the American Southwest.

The players: a DEA agent, a drug lord, a call girl, a hit man, a priest. Caught up in the war on drugs, willingly or not, each is trying to escape the sins of the past while negotiating the treacherous currents of the present. Their seemingly disparate lives—taking shape on one side of the law or the other, or straddling both—slowly converge as they struggle to overcome, in any way possible, the “power of the dog.”

From the jungles of Latin America to the vicious netherworld of the California–Mexico border, this is the war on drugs you haven’t seen—its devastations and deliriums, its alliances and betrayals, its pawns and kings.

A masterpiece of epic storytelling, The Power of the Dog is Don Winslow at the very top of his form.


Product details

  • Hardcover: 539 pages
  • Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (26 April 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0375405380
  • ISBN-13: 978-0375405389
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16 x 4.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,168,971 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 the 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 the 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
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
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
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 10 days 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 1 month 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 2 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 2 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 3 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 3 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 4 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 4 months ago by James M. Mulholland
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful dog
Epic book, makes the competition pale into insignificance, Really good read well researched. Bit gory at times, but you are THERE.
Published 5 months ago by Paul Longden
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant read
One of the best books i've read in a long time. Detailed but not confusing, completely engrossing. I was daunted by the thickness of the novel but i couldn't put it down and read... Read more
Published 5 months ago by eg625
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