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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 0-06-088310-3
ISBN-13: 9780060883102
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Country:
Year: July 1, 2006
Size: 13.46 x 19.81 x 1.78cm
Number of pages: 240
Weight: 204gr
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-10: 0-06-088310-3
ISBN-13: 9780060883102
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Country:
Year: July 1, 2006
Size: 13.46 x 19.81 x 1.78cm
Number of pages: 240
Weight: 204gr
Binding: Paperback
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Product Description
Don Henry Ford, Jr., is an unapologetic outlaw. For seven years he made his living smuggling marijuana across the U.S.-Mexico border in the Big Bend region of Texas. His business partners were some of the era's biggest narcotraficantes like Pablo Acosta and Amado Carrillo Fuentes. After Ford was arrested and imprisoned, he escaped and lived for a year in rural Mexico, raising a bumper crop of weed and hiding out from the federales, before his recapture and return to the penitentiary.
Contrabando is the extraordinary, unabashed memoir of a rebel –- a warrior on the other side of the War on Drugs who lived to tell the tale. But more than a riveting and remarkable true crime confession, Contrabando is an ode to the beauty of the dry, dusty West Texas plains and the lonely hills of Mexico –- and a tribute to Ford's friends, protectors, and fellow outlaws who stood by him during the dangerous smuggling years.
reviews
Semi Nuevo 
There seems to be nothing new is this semi nuevo memoir of a drug dealing cowboy. It may be nice for Don Henry Ford Jr. to share with his family but save your money. It's all been said before,only better.
There seems to be nothing new is this semi nuevo memoir of a drug dealing cowboy. It may be nice for Don Henry Ford Jr. to share with his family but save your money. It's all been said before,only better.
A Fascinating Read 
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down and I did not until I finished it. Knowing the background of the hard-working people he came from and growing up in that same era and areas, it was like peering in a window and watching another world that I had only heard about whispered with girlfriends. I am grateful for the glimpse from Mr. Ford, as I know how painful the retelling must be for all, and hopefully cathartic as well. I could not imagine living in that drug culture or being a part of that desperation, growing up a wide-eyed and naive small-town girl at that time. I only knew the rumors of those that did, somewhat in awe at their audacity, like local versions of a forbidden rock star in some ways. What a tough character he was and a parents nightmare! The high stress of living such a life would seem to exact a heavy toll and the authors words conveyed a dilemma of ethics in a world where little seemed to exist. Yet I found myself oddly cheering him on and wanting him to succeed and be redeemed in the end, not admiring the lifestyle but appreciating the experience without having to live it. I felt for his family and children and all they must have endured. I was sad when the book ended as I felt there should be a neat and happy ending somehow, and hope it is as best it can be. The reader is left with a sense of lessons learned and regrets to overcome from the author (maybe part two?), yet a hope for a better life for he and his family. Good luck to the author and his family and I looking forward to reading some of his other books.
Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down and I did not until I finished it. Knowing the background of the hard-working people he came from and growing up in that same era and areas, it was like peering in a window and watching another world that I had only heard about whispered with girlfriends. I am grateful for the glimpse from Mr. Ford, as I know how painful the retelling must be for all, and hopefully cathartic as well. I could not imagine living in that drug culture or being a part of that desperation, growing up a wide-eyed and naive small-town girl at that time. I only knew the rumors of those that did, somewhat in awe at their audacity, like local versions of a forbidden rock star in some ways. What a tough character he was and a parents nightmare! The high stress of living such a life would seem to exact a heavy toll and the authors words conveyed a dilemma of ethics in a world where little seemed to exist. Yet I found myself oddly cheering him on and wanting him to succeed and be redeemed in the end, not admiring the lifestyle but appreciating the experience without having to live it. I felt for his family and children and all they must have endured. I was sad when the book ended as I felt there should be a neat and happy ending somehow, and hope it is as best it can be. The reader is left with a sense of lessons learned and regrets to overcome from the author (maybe part two?), yet a hope for a better life for he and his family. Good luck to the author and his family and I looking forward to reading some of his other books.
This is a true account
I was witness to part of what Don wrote and having read Contrabandos, can testify to its accuracy. Any errors are only those of perspective, because we all see events in a slightly different light. Ms. Kirkpatrick reviews the book as fiction. I can assure you that it is not. A 'Mule' only recieves a fee for his services and is notinvolved in any other part of the business. If anything, this book lacked space to tell much more of the story as it happened.
I was witness to part of what Don wrote and having read Contrabandos, can testify to its accuracy. Any errors are only those of perspective, because we all see events in a slightly different light. Ms. Kirkpatrick reviews the book as fiction. I can assure you that it is not. A 'Mule' only recieves a fee for his services and is notinvolved in any other part of the business. If anything, this book lacked space to tell much more of the story as it happened.
Excellent Read!
I was involved in the little known business of smuggling contraband INTO Mexico in the 80s. This did NOT involve drugs though the DEA thought some of us were into it … and they were probably correct! Not me of course! Anyway, I can relate a bit (a small bit) to what Don endured. He must be one tough hombre is all I can say. The badlands of northern Mexico is no place for sissies! The book reads very well & the only way I could put it down at night was my eyelids refusing to stay open! Highly recommended for all those craving adventure stories … TRUE adventure stories. If you're reading this, best of luck to you Don. I worked out of McAllen flying Queen Air 65s. One of the best aircraft for hauling heavy loads of VCRs & TVs! Levis & Motorcycles too … oh, and Cognac & Baclava! Mexicans love that stuff.
I was involved in the little known business of smuggling contraband INTO Mexico in the 80s. This did NOT involve drugs though the DEA thought some of us were into it … and they were probably correct! Not me of course! Anyway, I can relate a bit (a small bit) to what Don endured. He must be one tough hombre is all I can say. The badlands of northern Mexico is no place for sissies! The book reads very well & the only way I could put it down at night was my eyelids refusing to stay open! Highly recommended for all those craving adventure stories … TRUE adventure stories. If you're reading this, best of luck to you Don. I worked out of McAllen flying Queen Air 65s. One of the best aircraft for hauling heavy loads of VCRs & TVs! Levis & Motorcycles too … oh, and Cognac & Baclava! Mexicans love that stuff.
outstanding and informative.
Contrary to the comments made by Genny Kirkpatrick, this is an outstanding narrative. Genny does not understand the culture of the border. A Spanish speaking Anglo, sincerely interested in Mexican culture, will have no difficulty being accepted by Mexicans near the border, and for this, the book is believable. It is definately an eye opener, and very informative regarding Mexican culture. Several passages discussing food found my stomach growling lol. My hat is off to Mr. Ford. He accepts responsibility for his actions, is not afraid to face the consequences, and all the while tells an interesting and sometimes amusing story.
Contrary to the comments made by Genny Kirkpatrick, this is an outstanding narrative. Genny does not understand the culture of the border. A Spanish speaking Anglo, sincerely interested in Mexican culture, will have no difficulty being accepted by Mexicans near the border, and for this, the book is believable. It is definately an eye opener, and very informative regarding Mexican culture. Several passages discussing food found my stomach growling lol. My hat is off to Mr. Ford. He accepts responsibility for his actions, is not afraid to face the consequences, and all the while tells an interesting and sometimes amusing story.
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