El Chapo: The Untold Story of the World's Most Infamous Drug Lord

El Chapo: The Rise and Fall of a Mexican Drug Lord is a comprehensive investigation of the life and legend of Mexican kingpin Joaquín Archivaldo "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera, based on trial testimony and interviews with cartel gunmen, journalists, and political figures. Over three decades, he smuggled hundreds of tons of cocaine, marijuana, heroin, meth, and fentanyl around the world, becoming the most celebrated and reviled drug lord since Pablo Escobar. The book delves into his life and legacy, including prison escapes, murders, government payoffs, and the introduction of synthetic opioids.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 16 September 2021
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

El Chapo, the notorious Mexican kingpin, has been the subject of much fascination and intrigue. In this captivating book, author Noah Hurowitz delves deep into the life and legend of El Chapo, building on his groundbreaking coverage of El Chapo's federal drug-trafficking trial for Rolling Stone. Hurowitz's work is a stunning investigation that sheds light on the intricate web of power, corruption, and violence that characterized El Chapo's career.

El Chapo, born Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, emerged as a major player in the Mexican drug trade during the 1980s. He quickly rose to prominence as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, a notorious criminal organization known for its brutal tactics and vast drug-smuggling operations. Over the course of three decades, El Chapo was responsible for smuggling hundreds of tons of cocaine, marijuana, heroin, meth, and fentanyl around the world, earning him the title of the most celebrated and reviled drug lord since Pablo Escobar.

El Chapo's rise to power was marked by ruthless wars against his rivals and former allies, plunging vast areas of Mexico into unprecedented levels of violence. He waged these wars with a combination of cunning, brutality, and political savvy, often using his connections with corrupt government officials and military personnel to evade capture. Despite his notoriety, El Chapo maintained a loyal following in his home state of Sinaloa, where he was viewed as a hero for his efforts to bring economic development and stability to the region.

However, El Chapo's downfall was inevitable. In 2015, he was captured by Mexican authorities after a massive manhunt that lasted for years. His trial, which lasted several years, was a media spectacle that captivated the world. Hurowitz's book provides a detailed account of El Chapo's trial, including the testimony of cartel gunmen, Mexican journalists, political figures, Chapo's family members, and DEA agents who brought him down.

Through his reporting, Hurowitz delves deep into the life and legacy of El Chapo, revealing some of the most dramatic and often horrifying moments of his notorious career. From the infamous prison escapes to the brutal murders, multi-million-dollar government payoffs, and the paranoia and narcissism that led to his downfall, Hurowitz provides a comprehensive work of investigative, on-the-ground reporting.

El Chapo's story is a reflection of the evolution of organized crime in Mexico and the militarization of the drug war. He played a significant role in shaping the landscape of drug trafficking in the region, and his tactics and strategies have had a lasting impact on the drug trade and the lives of those caught in its web. Hurowitz's book is a gripping and comprehensive work of investigative, on-the-ground reporting that sheds light on the complex web of power, corruption, and violence that characterized El Chapo's career.

In conclusion, El Chapo: The Rise and Fall of a Drug Lord is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of organized crime, the drug trade, and the history of Mexico. Hurowitz's work is a stunning investigation that sheds light on the life and legend of one of the most notorious criminal figures of our time.

Weight: 636g
Dimension: 162 x 236 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781982133757