American Desperado

My Life - From Mafia Soldier to Cocaine Cowboy to Secret Government Asset

By: Jon Roberts, Evan Wright

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall, Erik Davies, Mark Deakins, Kimberly Farr, Kirby Heyborne, Thomas Vincent Kelly, Steve Kramer, Meredith Scott Lynn, Johnathan McClain, Christina Rooney

In 2008 veteran journalist Evan Wright, acclaimed for his New York Times best-selling book Generation Kill and co-writer of the Emmy-winning HBO series it spawned, began a series of conversations with super-criminal Jon Roberts, star of the fabulously successful documentary Cocaine Cowboys. Those conversations would last three years, during which time Wright came to realize that Roberts was much more than the de-facto “transportation chief” of the Medellin Cartel during the 1980s, much more than a facilitator of a national drug epidemic. As Wright’s tape recorder whirred and Roberts unburdened himself of hundreds of jaw-dropping tales, it became clear that perhaps no one in history had broken so many laws with such willful abandon.

Roberts, in fact, seemed to be a prodigy of criminality – but one with a remarkable self-awareness and a fierce desire to protect his son from following the same path.

American Desperado is Roberts’ no-holds-barred account of being born into Mafia royalty, witnessing his first murder at the age of seven, becoming a hunter-assassin in Vietnam, returning to New York to become -- at age 22 -- one of the city’s leading nightclub impresarios, then journeying to Miami where in a few short years he would rise to become the Medellin Cartel’s most effective smuggler.

But that’s just half the tale.

The roster of Roberts’ friends and acquaintances reads like a Who’s Who of the latter half of the 20th century and includes everyone from Jimi Hendrix, Richard Pryor, and O.J. Simpson to Carlo Gambino, Meyer Lansky, and Manuel Noriega.

Nothing if not colorful, Roberts surrounded himself with beautiful women, drove his souped-up street car at a top speed of 180 miles per hour, shared his bed with a 200-pound cougar, and employed a 6”6” professional wrestler called “The Thing” as his bodyguard. Ultimately, Roberts became so powerful that he attracted the attention of the Republican Party’s leadership, was wooed by them, and even was co-opted by the CIA for which he carried out its secret agenda.

Scrupulously documented and relentlessly propulsive, this collaboration between a bloodhound journalist and one of the most audacious criminals ever is like no other crime book you’ve ever read. Jon Roberts may be the only criminal who changed the course of American history.

©2011 Evan Wright (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The Moby Dick of mob memoirs… here is everything you've wanted to know - and much better, here is the way everything felt. Evan Wright puts you so deep inside a career in organized crime that midway through you'll begin expecting a knock on your door and a call from your lawyer.” (David Lipsky, author of the national best seller Absolutely American)

"Delivers all the guilty pleasures one expects from a gangster's memoir, but Wright's superb prose offers something more: a meditation on good and evil during the glittering decay of late 20th century civilization… One of the best books of the year.” (James L. Swanson, Edgar Award winning author of the New York Times best sellers Manhunt and Bloody Crimes)

“ American Desperado is not only stranger but so much better than fiction…Captivating, addictive, and head-spinning, this one-of-a-kind book earns its place on the top shelf of true crime accounts.” (Chuck Hogan, New York Times bestselling author of Prince of Thieves, basis of the Academy Award-nominated The Town)

Turns the lovable bad guy cliche on it's head

Would you consider the audio edition of American Desperado to be better than the print version?

American Desperado is written the first person perspective of Jon Roberts and other key figures of his life. Often on the written page a change in first person narration is demarcated by extra spacing between paragraphs. When the book changes perspective the audio version changes narrators. I found that the style helped cement when the novel changed perspectives and allowed for an easier listen.

What did you like best about this story?

Jon Roberts is an interesting figure because he is un-apologetically bad. Similar, stories to Jon's have been told in both novels and films. However, this story is unique because it does not allow you any empathy for the main character. I like to say that everyone is the hero of his own story but that is just not true for Mr. Roberts. Jon Roberts is unquestionably the villain of his story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I really enjoyed this book. The reaction to the main character is a visceral hatred. This may be the only autobiography ever written designed to slander it's subject.

wow! unbelievable life story.

Absolutely insane life story! If you have interest in the Cocaine Cowboys, Medellin Cartel etc....then the story of Jon Pernell Roberts will blow your mind, believe me!. From being born into Italian Mafia royalty(the son of a made man and nephew of Staten Island Joe), Soldier for the Gambino crime family, Airborne Infantryman in Vietnam, Cocaine Cowboy and one of the top 5 gringos for the Medellin Cartel(Pablo Escobar's organization) and even secret Government arms trafficker. From start to finish,this story will grab your attention and when it ends you will be searching for more! Regardless of your feelings about this man, he lived life to the fullest and did it his way. In the end he outlived almost all of the people around him and survived it all until cancer got him years later. I give this book 5 stars and it is a MUST read to fans of the

Best book I've listened to on Audible to date!

Narrator was as good as it gets. From the first words to the last, couldn't stop listening.

Incredible

One of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read. And I have read a lot. This one definitely sits at the top of the list.

exceptional!

great account of his crazy life! i was on the edge of my seat the whole book!

This was my 1st audio book I loved every sec of it

This book was awesome the details in the story were told were crazy. I had seen the movie cocaine cowboys so I want to look into this book and I am very happy I did

Incredible story!

I was hooked and couldn't stop listening. The career that this guy has had was fascinating. I wish someone would make a TV series of his life. It would have multiple seasons in order to tell the whole story. Very well written and read.

Mad it had to end

What made the experience of listening to American Desperado the most enjoyable?

The book was arranged like jon roberts was sitting down telling you personally about his life, so gripping and interesting!!! Best audio book ever!

What other book might you compare American Desperado to and why?

none

What about Mark Bramhall’s performance did you like?

his voices was excellent!!!!!!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Hell yes

Any additional comments?

My only regret is I coudn't give it 10 Stars

Fantastic!!!

This is by far the best audio book I’ve ever experienced!!! Just finished it and I think I’m going to restart it immediately.

Better than the documentary

I hate to say this, but I am glad this guy is dead. He was bad, and the world is better without him.

Great story