authors
data
Product: Book
ISBN-10: 1-84195-379-2
ISBN-13: 9781841953793
Publisher: Canongate, U.S.
Country:
Year: December 12, 2002
Size: 13.97 x 19.81 x 3.05cm
Number of pages: 352
Weight: 499gr
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-10: 1-84195-379-2
ISBN-13: 9781841953793
Publisher: Canongate, U.S.
Country:
Year: December 12, 2002
Size: 13.97 x 19.81 x 3.05cm
Number of pages: 352
Weight: 499gr
Binding: Paperback
editions
Robert Sabbag
Little, Brown & Company; 2002
Hardcover
1.) Loaded: A Misadventure on the Marijuana Trail
Robert Sabbag
Diane Publishing Company; 2002
Hardcover
order
description
Amazon.com Review
This is a story from the long-ago days of Colombian marijuana smuggling--long ago, because most of the pot now smoked in the United States is grown domestically, and the top narcotics import from Colombia is cocaine. Author Robert Sabbag tells the tale of Allen Long, who got involved in this unsavory business in the 1970s because he wanted to provide high-quality cannabis for his buddies and also for the sheer adventure of it. Some readers will find Long a disconcerting protagonist--he's a drug smuggler, after all--though it may appeal to advocates of drug legalization and readers of High Times. Sabbag essentially romanticizes Long's activities, such as when he writes about the »rather consoling absence of gunplay« that marked the business of marijuana smuggling in its primitive past. The storytelling is adequate, but parts of Loaded are plainly padded. Here's a bit of sample dialogue: »This is really great pot.« »You like that?« »I don't think I've ever smoked anything better.« A better and more hardheaded book on Colombian drug smuggling is Mark Bowden's Killing Pablo. --John Miller
This is a story from the long-ago days of Colombian marijuana smuggling--long ago, because most of the pot now smoked in the United States is grown domestically, and the top narcotics import from Colombia is cocaine. Author Robert Sabbag tells the tale of Allen Long, who got involved in this unsavory business in the 1970s because he wanted to provide high-quality cannabis for his buddies and also for the sheer adventure of it. Some readers will find Long a disconcerting protagonist--he's a drug smuggler, after all--though it may appeal to advocates of drug legalization and readers of High Times. Sabbag essentially romanticizes Long's activities, such as when he writes about the »rather consoling absence of gunplay« that marked the business of marijuana smuggling in its primitive past. The storytelling is adequate, but parts of Loaded are plainly padded. Here's a bit of sample dialogue: »This is really great pot.« »You like that?« »I don't think I've ever smoked anything better.« A better and more hardheaded book on Colombian drug smuggling is Mark Bowden's Killing Pablo. --John Miller
Product Description
Do you think you have the balls it would take to risk your life for a million dollars?" Allen Long certainly did. Balls like a bull elephant's –- with charisma and cunning in the same large measure. But he needed to know that those around him could handle pressure. After all, they'd be violating Colombian and U.S. airspace in a dilapidated DC-3 and landing on jungle mud-tracks in bandit country. They'd have to avoid detection by America's most tooled-up law enforcement agencies and remain wired and vigilant at all times. They'd be pioneering dope smugglers –- doing it with aplomb and panache like no one else. Their leader, the irrepressible Long, was interested in only the best, Colombian Santa Marta Gold, the Beluga caviar of marijuana. He and his merry band of smugglers were responsible for upping the quality and quantity of weed smoked in North America for several halcyon years in the early '70s. And they did so in the most outrageous and remarkable fashion. From the writer of the drug-smuggling classic Snowblind comes a true story more hair-raising, high-octane, and heart-pounding than any fictional adventure thriller, as he relates the high times and fast living of America's greatest marijuana smuggler. Take a seat. And hang on for the ride of your life.
Do you think you have the balls it would take to risk your life for a million dollars?" Allen Long certainly did. Balls like a bull elephant's –- with charisma and cunning in the same large measure. But he needed to know that those around him could handle pressure. After all, they'd be violating Colombian and U.S. airspace in a dilapidated DC-3 and landing on jungle mud-tracks in bandit country. They'd have to avoid detection by America's most tooled-up law enforcement agencies and remain wired and vigilant at all times. They'd be pioneering dope smugglers –- doing it with aplomb and panache like no one else. Their leader, the irrepressible Long, was interested in only the best, Colombian Santa Marta Gold, the Beluga caviar of marijuana. He and his merry band of smugglers were responsible for upping the quality and quantity of weed smoked in North America for several halcyon years in the early '70s. And they did so in the most outrageous and remarkable fashion. From the writer of the drug-smuggling classic Snowblind comes a true story more hair-raising, high-octane, and heart-pounding than any fictional adventure thriller, as he relates the high times and fast living of America's greatest marijuana smuggler. Take a seat. And hang on for the ride of your life.
reviews
Worth reading 
Robert Sabbag has written a funny / exciting story. The author does a great job of putting you back into the early days of the drug trade. It is one of the better books I have read recently. This guy did a lot but his world wasn't quite as ruthless as the top level Pablo Escobar types.
Robert Sabbag has written a funny / exciting story. The author does a great job of putting you back into the early days of the drug trade. It is one of the better books I have read recently. This guy did a lot but his world wasn't quite as ruthless as the top level Pablo Escobar types.
Phoney Baloney?
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but that doesn't mean everyone has to like other people's opinions everytime. Robert Sabbag is Hot Property and by far one of the best journalist type writer working these days. His account of the »Mari-Jane« Trade is nothing short of spectacular. As much as certain segments of the population might want to criticize all things involving drugs, it is still quite obvious that these stories are highly (and I stress »highly«) connected with american culture and also the world. This book is fun to read and captures a period of time where the individuals of this great country attempted and many more times than not, succeeded, in transporting large quantities of »Weed« via sea or air and then selling most of it at a large profit. The curse, of course, is that harder drugs were widely accepted later and consumed by societies around the world and of course, what at first began as a free enterprise later got ugly and I am not getting into it. For the earlier years of the smuggling »craze« Smokescreen does a fine job and Robert Sabbag either by first hand or second hand knowledge captures an entire period with a specially acute sense of humor. For that I give it a 5 star rating, anything less would be »uncivilized«.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but that doesn't mean everyone has to like other people's opinions everytime. Robert Sabbag is Hot Property and by far one of the best journalist type writer working these days. His account of the »Mari-Jane« Trade is nothing short of spectacular. As much as certain segments of the population might want to criticize all things involving drugs, it is still quite obvious that these stories are highly (and I stress »highly«) connected with american culture and also the world. This book is fun to read and captures a period of time where the individuals of this great country attempted and many more times than not, succeeded, in transporting large quantities of »Weed« via sea or air and then selling most of it at a large profit. The curse, of course, is that harder drugs were widely accepted later and consumed by societies around the world and of course, what at first began as a free enterprise later got ugly and I am not getting into it. For the earlier years of the smuggling »craze« Smokescreen does a fine job and Robert Sabbag either by first hand or second hand knowledge captures an entire period with a specially acute sense of humor. For that I give it a 5 star rating, anything less would be »uncivilized«.
Air Cargo Cowboys Would make a great Movie! 
The book was good. Just loved reading about the early days of the weed smugglers. Though quite different than todays smugglers, that time period held some basic business standards that included less violence, and more trust. The writing style of his book was somewhat hard to follow and his use of words that were not necessary was sometimes challenging to read. Overall, the story was great and it would make a great movie. If you liked »Blow«, you will enjoy this book. I recommend it and look forward to the movie. (Or TV series) R. Decker , Novato, CA – email BeachBoy1 at aol-com PS- If there are any old »air cargo cowboys« from the old days that are interested in some art regarding this subject, shoot me an email and I show you some ceramic hanging art i made that has a DC-3 making 2 passes dropping the square groupers off Andros with a boat waiting and picking up the drop at sunset. I hope to enter it in the Marin County Fair this year, I also do art to order.
The book was good. Just loved reading about the early days of the weed smugglers. Though quite different than todays smugglers, that time period held some basic business standards that included less violence, and more trust. The writing style of his book was somewhat hard to follow and his use of words that were not necessary was sometimes challenging to read. Overall, the story was great and it would make a great movie. If you liked »Blow«, you will enjoy this book. I recommend it and look forward to the movie. (Or TV series) R. Decker , Novato, CA – email BeachBoy1 at aol-com PS- If there are any old »air cargo cowboys« from the old days that are interested in some art regarding this subject, shoot me an email and I show you some ceramic hanging art i made that has a DC-3 making 2 passes dropping the square groupers off Andros with a boat waiting and picking up the drop at sunset. I hope to enter it in the Marin County Fair this year, I also do art to order.
Smokescreen: A True Adventure
This was by far the best book I have ever read. Every time I picked it up I read at least three chapters. I felt like I was really there and that I had actually met the characters. The author gives great detail but in a way that does not at all bore you. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it!!!
This was by far the best book I have ever read. Every time I picked it up I read at least three chapters. I felt like I was really there and that I had actually met the characters. The author gives great detail but in a way that does not at all bore you. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it!!!
Good stuff
I couldn't stop reading once I started. I am glad to see folks writing about our generation and what we did … It was just like real life! Highly recommended Rick Moore
I couldn't stop reading once I started. I am glad to see folks writing about our generation and what we did … It was just like real life! Highly recommended Rick Moore
related products
Robert Sabbag, Howard Marks (introduction)
Grove Press; 1998
Paperback
© 1994–2010 Sascha Hendel
last update: 3/21/2010
URL: http://www.book-info.com/isbn/1-84195-379-2.htm
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