Why This Pablo Escobar Book Stands Out Among Narcos History Books
Pablo Escobar: Beyond Narcos by Shaun Attwood is part of his War on Drugs series and gives a gritty, fast-paced account of the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar, the infamous Colombian drug lord. Unlike more academic or traditional biographies, Attwood’s style is very accessible—he writes like he’s telling you a wild story over a beer. He dives into Escobar’s brutal methods, his Robin Hood image, his cartel’s massive influence, and the sheer violence that surrounded his reign.
The book doesn’t just rehash the usual headlines—it also covers the aftermath, the ripple effects of Escobar’s empire, and how Colombia and the drug trade changed after his death. It’s shorter and more direct than something like Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden, so it’s a good entry point for readers looking to understand Escobar without getting bogged down in overly detailed geopolitics.
Pablo Escobar Book Details
Pablo Escobar: Beyond Narcos by Shaun Attwood tells the true story of the world’s most feared drug lord. Escobar built an empire with cocaine, blood, and fear. He killed judges, cops, and rivals. He made billions. Some called him a hero. Most called him a monster. This book shows the man behind the myth—how he rose, how he ruled, and how he fell. It tells of his war with the Colombian government, his strange deal to build his own prison, and the hunt that ended with his death on a rooftop. Attwood writes with simple words and hard truth. The story is fast. The facts hit hard. Perfect for teens and adults who want to understand crime, power, and the cost of greed. This is not just about drugs. It’s about choices, fear, and what happens when one man dares to rule the world with violence and money.
About the Author
Shaun Attwood is a man who lived through the dark side and came out the other side to tell the tale. He once made a fortune in stocks, then lost it all when he turned to drugs and crime. The law caught up with him in Arizona, where he spent nearly six years in some of the toughest jails in America. There, he found books and started writing. Now, he tells true stories about crime, punishment, and redemption. His words are plain, strong, and honest. He writes like a man who has seen the storm and lived to warn others.
Pablo Escobar Book Summary
This Shaun Attwood book tells the true story of Pablo Escobar, the most feared drug kingpin in history. Born in Colombia, Escobar grew up poor. He wanted more. He started with petty crimes, then moved fast into cocaine. Soon, he built a drug empire that changed the world. He founded the Medellín Cartel, one of the most violent South American cartels. This Pablo Escobar book shows how he became the richest and most dangerous cartel leader of all time.
Attwood doesn’t waste words. He tells it straight. Escobar smuggled tons of cocaine into the U.S. and made billions. He bribed judges, police, and politicians. When money didn’t work, he used bullets. Thousands died. Cops, reporters, rivals. He bombed buildings and even took down a plane. If you want narcos history books that hit hard, this is one of them.
Escobar didn’t just deal drugs. He tried to control a nation. He gave money to the poor, built homes, and played the hero. In the barrios, people loved him. They called him “Robin Hood.” But he was no hero. He was a killer. This Pablo Escobar biography shows both faces—how he gave with one hand and killed with the other. That balance of fear and love is what made him powerful.
The book also covers Medellín Cartel history and the inner workings of Colombian cartels. Escobar kept loyalty through fear. If someone betrayed him, they died. His enemies vanished. He even had a private zoo, his own hitmen, and an army of bodyguards. He built his own prison, called La Catedral. But it wasn’t really a prison. It had a bar, a soccer field, and a waterfall. He still ran his empire from inside. That’s how deep his power went.
This is one of those cocaine kingpin books that doesn’t glorify the violence. It shows the cost. Escobar made war on his own country. The U.S. joined the fight. Together, they hunted him down. The book ends with his fall—cornered, alone, shot on a rooftop. The king was dead. But the Colombian drug trade didn’t die with him.
Pablo Escobar: Beyond Narcos is one of the best organized crime books for teens and adults who want the truth behind the headlines. It reads fast and hits hard. It fits well beside other drug trafficking books and narcos books because it focuses not just on Escobar, but on the full cost of his crimes. If you’re looking for Colombian crime books, cartel biography books, or narcotics history books, this one delivers.
It’s not just a drug lord biography—it’s a lesson in power, fear, and the dangers of greed. The cocaine cartel books that matter show the human story behind the chaos. This one does. It belongs on every shelf that holds Latin American crime or Colombian history books. Escobar may be gone, but his shadow still hangs over Colombia. This Escobar crime book helps you understand why.
Pablo Escobar Book Review
Pablo Escobar: Beyond Narcos is a 2016 book by Shaun Attwood that provides a comprehensive and well-researched account of the life and times of Pablo Escobar, the Colombian drug lord who was once one of the richest and most powerful men in the world.
The book goes beyond the popular portrayal of Escobar as a ruthless gangster, and instead explores the complex and contradictory nature of his character. Attwood shows how Escobar was both a devoted family man and a psychopathic killer, a generous philanthropist and a brutal terrorist.
He also examines the role of the United States government in Escobar’s rise and fall, and argues that the War on Drugs has done more to harm Colombia and other countries than to stop the flow of drugs into the United States.
The book is well-written and engaging, and it provides a wealth of new information about Escobar and the Colombian drug trade. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the full story of one of the most notorious criminals of our time.
Here are some of the things I liked about Pablo Escobar: Beyond Narcos:
- It is well-researched and informative. Attwood has interviewed many people who knew Escobar personally, including his family members, associates, and enemies. He has also consulted a wide range of documents and sources.
- The book is well-written and engaging. Attwood tells Escobar’s story in a clear and concise way, and he does a good job of explaining the complex political and economic situation in Colombia during the time when Escobar was active.
- The book provides a balanced and nuanced view of Escobar. Attwood does not shy away from showing the dark side of Escobar’s character, but he also shows that Escobar was a complex and contradictory individual.
Here are some of the things I didn’t like about Pablo Escobar: Beyond Narcos:
- The book can be a bit dense and slow-paced at times. Attwood provides a lot of detail about the Colombian drug trade and the political situation in Colombia, which can be overwhelming for some readers.
- The book is also quite critical of the United States government and its role in the War on Drugs. Some readers may find this to be a bit too biased.
Overall, I thought Pablo Escobar: Beyond Narcos was an excellent book. It is a well-researched, well-written, and informative account of the life and times of one of the most notorious criminals of our time. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about Pablo Escobar or the Colombian drug trade.
Here are 5 books related to the Pablo Escobar Book:
- Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden
This book details the hunt and eventual death of Pablo Escobar. It examines the political, military, and CIA efforts to bring down the Colombian drug kingpin and the legacy of his brutal reign. - Kings of Cocaine: Inside the Medellín Cartel – An Astonishing True Story of Murder, Money and International Corruption by Guy Gugliotta and Jeff Leen
A detailed account of the rise of the Medellín Cartel, this cocaine cartel book dives into the lives of Colombian traffickers and the DEA agents who hunted them. - American Desperado: My Life–From Mafia Soldier to Cocaine Cowboy to Secret Government Asset by Jon Roberts and Evan Wright
The life story of Jon Roberts, a top U.S. drug smuggler who worked closely with the Medellín Cartel. A brutal and raw organized crime book with deep cartel connections. - Escobar: The Inside Story of Pablo Escobar, the World’s Most Powerful Criminal by Roberto Escobar
Written by Pablo Escobar’s brother and former accountant, this drug lord biography offers a personal and chilling inside look at the man behind the Medellín Cartel and the criminal empire he built. - Blow by Bruce Porter
The true story of George Jung, a notorious drug trafficker who played a significant role in the cocaine trade during the 1970s and 1980s, closely connected to Escobar and the Medellín Cartel. The book chronicles his rise to power and eventual fall.
My Goodreads Review:
Pablo Escobar: Beyond Narcos by Shaun AttwoodMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The book is a well-researched and informative biography of the Colombian drug lord, Pablo Escobar, providing a balanced and nuanced view of his complex and contradictory character.
The author’s biography of Pablo Escobar is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the life and times of one of the most notorious criminals of our time.
View all my reviews
