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Pablo Escobar: My Father
Until now, we believed that everything had been said about the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar, the most infamous drug kingpin of all time, but these versions have always been told from the outside, never from the intimacy of his own home.
More than two decades after the full-fledged manhunt finally caught up with the king of cocaine, Juan Pablo Escobar travels to the past to reveal an unabridged version of his father―a man capable of committing the most extreme acts of cruelty while simultaneously professing infinite love for his family.
This is not the story of a child seeking redemption for his father, but a shocking look at the consequences of violence and the overwhelming need for peace and forgiveness.
More than two decades after the full-fledged manhunt finally caught up with the king of cocaine, Juan Pablo Escobar travels to the past to reveal an unabridged version of his father―a man capable of committing the most extreme acts of cruelty while simultaneously professing infinite love for his family.
This is not the story of a child seeking redemption for his father, but a shocking look at the consequences of violence and the overwhelming need for peace and forgiveness.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2014
About the author
Juan Pablo Escobar
15 books65 followersSebastián Marroquín (born Juan Pablo Escobar Henao, 24 February 1977 in Medellín, Colombia) is a Colombian architect, author, and the son of slain Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
March 20, 2017
So after watching Narcos last year, I had an urge to read about Pablo Escobar. I read a few articles, gawked at some of his photos, and sometimes got confused that why Wagner Moura wasn't in the pictures with his goofy smile and then realized that the real Pablo Escobar looked less handsome and was a real life narco and a terrorist who killed hundreds of people.
I read "Killing Pablo" by Mark Bowden a few years back and to be quite honest, it was a bit of a slog. After finding no other book to read about Escobar, I read At the Devil's Table: The Untold Story of the Insider Who Brought Down the Cali Cartel, which was quite amazing.
But that book dealt with Cali cartel, and my focus kept returning to Pablo.
I knew that Juan Pablo Escobar, Pablo Escobar's son, has published his memoir about his father. At first, I was a bit skeptical. "Yeah, sure, he was your father. You're going to casually slide in some little good things about him in the book to make the readers sympathize with him."
But nope. I was wrong.
The kid (a grown man now) doesn't actually hate his father, but he knows what he was. And he accepts that honestly. My main complaint with Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw was that that Mark Bowden looked at Pablo from really afar. He never goes to Hacienda Napoles and the zoo filled with exotic animals and birds which Pablo loved so dearly, for example. And to be fair, you either have to talk to an insider or you have to be one to have access to such information.
And that is where this book shines. There are lot of things written in this book about the Medellin Cartel, Cali Cartel, Pablo Escobar, and his sicarios that would be hard to find elsewhere. So, if you're planning to read one book about Escobar, it should be this. But read "Killing Pablo" too as a companion book to learn how they eventually tracked him down.
The most terrifying moments for Juan Pablo Escobar and his family (his mother and little sister) came after Pablo died. Many drug lords came to collect their dues and the Escobars had to pay them all even though by the time Pablo died, their legendary stacks of dollars were long gone. And Juan Pablo lived under constant fear of being killed by the Cali cartel until he left Colombia for good along with his mother and sister (They don't get along with Pablo's side of the family. Pablo's mother didn't get along with his wife as shown in the tv-series Narcos).
Juan Pablo Escobar today lives a normal life (he's an architect in Argentina). But I can't help but wonder that what he would have been doing today if Pablo was still alive. Probably running the Medellin cartel himself and killing people like his father did (but maybe not so crudely as Pablo himself). It's amazing how when a criminal's family suffers due to his/her crimes, then and then only they realize how wrong he/she was. Juan Pablo himself admits many times in the book that he wasn't aware how horrible his father was. And Juan actually enjoyed the luxurious lifestyle that was paid for by crime, as long as it lasted (but who wouldn't?)
Anyways, Pablo is dead, Cali cartel bosses are in jail in the USA, and the drug trade is still thriving in Latin America and millions in USA (and many other countries around the globe) are snorting it up as we speak. But my quest for learning about Pablo Escobar ends here, so all's good.
By the way, as good as Narcos the show is, it is highly inaccurate. Don't quote from it in your school report.
May 9, 2024
I MET JUAN PABLO ESCOBAR / SEBASTIÁN MARROQUÍN YESTERDAY (May 7th 2024)!!!!! He came to my city to do a lecture and had a book signing 2 days before it, so of course I had to go. Meeting him was so cool, I'll likely go to the lecture tomorrow too.
I managed to finish the book before the signing, it was interesting and I'd definitely read it again. I already knew most of the story from documentaries and the TV show, but I haven't really brushed up on it in years so it was good to go over it all again.
As I told the author, I really love the character of his mother. She's such a strong woman to be able to go through all of that, I'm not sure if I would've been able to if I was in her place. I'll have to read her book too.
Here we get to see what life was like for Juan/Sebastián growing up as the son of a famous drug lord, what Pablo was like in private, what life was like for his family after they killed him...they all lived such interesting and dangerous lives. I'm glad that they managed to find peace and thrive.
I'll probably write a bit more after the lecture, but yeah I recommend this book if you want to learn more about Pablo Escobar from a closer lense.
I managed to finish the book before the signing, it was interesting and I'd definitely read it again. I already knew most of the story from documentaries and the TV show, but I haven't really brushed up on it in years so it was good to go over it all again.
As I told the author, I really love the character of his mother. She's such a strong woman to be able to go through all of that, I'm not sure if I would've been able to if I was in her place. I'll have to read her book too.
Here we get to see what life was like for Juan/Sebastián growing up as the son of a famous drug lord, what Pablo was like in private, what life was like for his family after they killed him...they all lived such interesting and dangerous lives. I'm glad that they managed to find peace and thrive.
I'll probably write a bit more after the lecture, but yeah I recommend this book if you want to learn more about Pablo Escobar from a closer lense.
July 4, 2022
"""To my father, who showed me what path not to take""
So reads the acknowledgment at the end of this book written by Juan Pablo Escobar, the son of renowned Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
And this is the message throughout the book. It is a step by step, day by day timeline of Pablo's criminal career, starting with small-time burglaries and car thefts through to his infamous drug production and smuggling career. As the head of the Medellin drug cartel, Escobar was arguably the biggest drug dealer of the time, if not of all time.
The book shows a personal side to Escobar that one would not associate with a murderer. It is true that Escobar killed people by his own hand and organised many a murder through associates and began a war with other cartels that involved bombings and terrorism. He was a deeply caring man towards his wife and family although his infidelities were famous. And here is the point of a man who really has lost the plot.
Escobar professed undying love to his wife and family and to read the words of his son would only strengthen the case but he has many women on the side, a fact known by everyone including his wife and kids. He runs a drug cartel that puts the lives of everybody in danger, builds immaculate buildings only to host meetings with his colleagues and house the drugs he is exporting. He then goes on to create a world of turmoil by starting a war with other cartels, a war which sees the hotel room than Juan Pablo, his sister and mother are asleep in, bombed. Towards the end, when things are completely beyond his means, Escobar takes his family and they run, at times hiding in the jungle and then others skipping from house to house to avoid the authorities or other cartels catching up with him. These actions can only be taken by a man so believing in his own self-worth that he cannot possibly think of others. I say to Juan Pablo Escobar, although you state your father showed you the path to not take you are only speaking of his illegal activities. He was not a good man in any way and here I had the issue with your book.
The step by step walk through the life of the notorious criminal was very entertaining. To see how he could organise his drug trade and later his raging war was incredible. The way that he could invoke his allegiances equally as amazing although I am sure fear had a lot to do with it. Unfortunately, I could never agree in any part that he was a good man, not to others nor to his family. The idea of building soccer fields and play centres with his own money in the poorest communities doesn't wash. Sure, I suppose he did this but to the detriment of all those consuming his drugs, the addictions, and deaths. The deaths of rivals and the eventual war. Do not sugar coat this, Pablo Escobar was an evil man. Secondly, I found this book had a few patches where it was quite a slow and hard read. There are only so many times you can fill spaces discussing your own fears which the reader would already naturally assume and at other times there seemed to be a fair amount of repetition. Perhaps I made the mistake of reading a book by a man's son and therefore one that is too hard to be completely subjective.
So reads the acknowledgment at the end of this book written by Juan Pablo Escobar, the son of renowned Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
And this is the message throughout the book. It is a step by step, day by day timeline of Pablo's criminal career, starting with small-time burglaries and car thefts through to his infamous drug production and smuggling career. As the head of the Medellin drug cartel, Escobar was arguably the biggest drug dealer of the time, if not of all time.
The book shows a personal side to Escobar that one would not associate with a murderer. It is true that Escobar killed people by his own hand and organised many a murder through associates and began a war with other cartels that involved bombings and terrorism. He was a deeply caring man towards his wife and family although his infidelities were famous. And here is the point of a man who really has lost the plot.
Escobar professed undying love to his wife and family and to read the words of his son would only strengthen the case but he has many women on the side, a fact known by everyone including his wife and kids. He runs a drug cartel that puts the lives of everybody in danger, builds immaculate buildings only to host meetings with his colleagues and house the drugs he is exporting. He then goes on to create a world of turmoil by starting a war with other cartels, a war which sees the hotel room than Juan Pablo, his sister and mother are asleep in, bombed. Towards the end, when things are completely beyond his means, Escobar takes his family and they run, at times hiding in the jungle and then others skipping from house to house to avoid the authorities or other cartels catching up with him. These actions can only be taken by a man so believing in his own self-worth that he cannot possibly think of others. I say to Juan Pablo Escobar, although you state your father showed you the path to not take you are only speaking of his illegal activities. He was not a good man in any way and here I had the issue with your book.
The step by step walk through the life of the notorious criminal was very entertaining. To see how he could organise his drug trade and later his raging war was incredible. The way that he could invoke his allegiances equally as amazing although I am sure fear had a lot to do with it. Unfortunately, I could never agree in any part that he was a good man, not to others nor to his family. The idea of building soccer fields and play centres with his own money in the poorest communities doesn't wash. Sure, I suppose he did this but to the detriment of all those consuming his drugs, the addictions, and deaths. The deaths of rivals and the eventual war. Do not sugar coat this, Pablo Escobar was an evil man. Secondly, I found this book had a few patches where it was quite a slow and hard read. There are only so many times you can fill spaces discussing your own fears which the reader would already naturally assume and at other times there seemed to be a fair amount of repetition. Perhaps I made the mistake of reading a book by a man's son and therefore one that is too hard to be completely subjective.
December 5, 2017
Να ξεκινήσω με λίγο χιουμοράκι λέγοντας ότι όταν είχα πρωτοδεί τον τίτλο του βιβλίου χουαν παμπλο εσκομπάρ ο πατέρας μου μου χε έρθει στο μυαλό ως μπασκετόφιλη και φουλ γάβρος το Βασίλης Σπανούλης ο μπαμπάς σας :p Μου ήρθε τι να κάνω να μην το πω?
Στο προκείμενο τώρα. Μέχρι πριν φτάσω στις τελευταίες 2 σελίδες του βιβλίου αναφωνούσα κάθε τρεις και λίγο τι έγινε χουαν πάμπλο δε σου άφησε πολλά λεφτάκια ο μπαμπάκας και το έριξες στην συγγραφή? Το πα και αυτό να μη σας λέω ψέμματα. Το είπα όχι γιατί η ποιότητα του βιβλίου μου φάνηκε κακή αλλά επειδή τυγχάνει να χω περάσει ένα διάστημα όπου εγώ και οι ναρκοσειρές είχαμε γίνει ένα και ξέρω τόσες πολλές πληροφορίες για όλα τα καλά παιδιά των καρτέλ όπως τον ελ τσάπο ή τον εσκομπάρ σε τέτοιο βαθμό που μόνο επίτιμο μέλος δε με εχουν κάνει ακόμα σε κάποιο από αυτά οπότε θεωρούσα ότι το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο μάλλον θα μου ήταν αχρείαστο στο κομμάτι των νέων πληροφοριών και δε θα ήταν τίποτα παραπάνω από μια αρπαχτή του υιού. Πράγματι λοιπόν δε μπορώ ότι έμαθα κάποια συγκλονιστική πληροφορία που εγώ προσωπικά δεν ήξερα ήδη. Παρόλα αυτά σε γενικές γραμμές το βιβλίο μου άρεσε αν και θα ήθελα να εμβαθύνει ακόμα πιο πολύ στο κομμάτι του εσκομπάρ ως πατριάρχη της οικογένειας και λιγότερο σε πληροφορίες ήδη γνωστές για τη δράση του. Βέβαια στο σημείο αυτό να εκφράσω την απορία μου ότι πως σκατά όλοι αυτοί οι narcotraficantes και αρχηγοί των καρτέλ σπείρουν το θάνατο μοιράζοντας ναρκωτικά και την ίδια ώρα αποτελούν υποδείγματα οι περισσότεροι οικογενειαρχών, στοργικοί και ρομπέν των δασών απέναντι στον φτωχό λαό. Πρόσφατα αν και ξεφεύγω από το θέμα παρακολούθησα ένα ντοκυμαντέρ για τον El chapo και μου έκανε τρομερή εντύπωση πως για τον Μεξικάνικο λαό θεωρείται σχεδόν λαϊκός ήρωας και πως ένας λαός χαμηλού μορφωτικού επιπέδου μεν έχει εναποθέσει τις ελπίδες του για μια καλύτερη ζωή σε αυτόν.
Πολλές σκέψεις λοιπόν τριβέλιζαν το κεφάλι μου μέχρι να φτάσω στο τέλος του βιβλίου και όλες κατέληγαν ότι εντάξει ωραίο βιβλιαράκι αλλά καραμπινάτη αρπαχτή. Και τότε διαβάζω την αφιέρωση του γιου του Εσκομπάρ ο οποίος λίγο ή πολύ αφιέρωνε το βιβλίο στον πατέρα του γιατί του έδειξε το δρόμο που ΔΕΝ έπρεπε να πάρει. Διάβαζες έναν άνθρωπο που ουσιαστικά παρακαλούσε τον κόσμο να αφήσουν ήσυχη την οικογένεια του, ανέλυσε τους φόβους που είχε και ο ίδιος να κανει την δική του οικογένεια, περιέγραψε την αγωνία του πως είναι κάθε μέρα να έχεις να αντιμετωπίσεις τα αδιάκριτα βλέμματα των ανθρώπων που τους αναγνωρίζουν στο δρόμο. Δεν ξέρω τελικά λοιπόν τι συμπέρασμα να βγάλω γιατί μάλλον είναι πολύ εύκολο να τον κατηγορήσω ότι έβγαλε εύκολο χρήμα αλλα τελικά είναι αρκετό ώστε να σου δώσει μια φυσιολογική ζωή χωρίς να πρέπει να κουβαλάς για μια ολόκληρη ζωή το στίγμα που σου άφησε ο πατέρας σου?
Στο προκείμενο τώρα. Μέχρι πριν φτάσω στις τελευταίες 2 σελίδες του βιβλίου αναφωνούσα κάθε τρεις και λίγο τι έγινε χουαν πάμπλο δε σου άφησε πολλά λεφτάκια ο μπαμπάκας και το έριξες στην συγγραφή? Το πα και αυτό να μη σας λέω ψέμματα. Το είπα όχι γιατί η ποιότητα του βιβλίου μου φάνηκε κακή αλλά επειδή τυγχάνει να χω περάσει ένα διάστημα όπου εγώ και οι ναρκοσειρές είχαμε γίνει ένα και ξέρω τόσες πολλές πληροφορίες για όλα τα καλά παιδιά των καρτέλ όπως τον ελ τσάπο ή τον εσκομπάρ σε τέτοιο βαθμό που μόνο επίτιμο μέλος δε με εχουν κάνει ακόμα σε κάποιο από αυτά οπότε θεωρούσα ότι το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο μάλλον θα μου ήταν αχρείαστο στο κομμάτι των νέων πληροφοριών και δε θα ήταν τίποτα παραπάνω από μια αρπαχτή του υιού. Πράγματι λοιπόν δε μπορώ ότι έμαθα κάποια συγκλονιστική πληροφορία που εγώ προσωπικά δεν ήξερα ήδη. Παρόλα αυτά σε γενικές γραμμές το βιβλίο μου άρεσε αν και θα ήθελα να εμβαθύνει ακόμα πιο πολύ στο κομμάτι του εσκομπάρ ως πατριάρχη της οικογένειας και λιγότερο σε πληροφορίες ήδη γνωστές για τη δράση του. Βέβαια στο σημείο αυτό να εκφράσω την απορία μου ότι πως σκατά όλοι αυτοί οι narcotraficantes και αρχηγοί των καρτέλ σπείρουν το θάνατο μοιράζοντας ναρκωτικά και την ίδια ώρα αποτελούν υποδείγματα οι περισσότεροι οικογενειαρχών, στοργικοί και ρομπέν των δασών απέναντι στον φτωχό λαό. Πρόσφατα αν και ξεφεύγω από το θέμα παρακολούθησα ένα ντοκυμαντέρ για τον El chapo και μου έκανε τρομερή εντύπωση πως για τον Μεξικάνικο λαό θεωρείται σχεδόν λαϊκός ήρωας και πως ένας λαός χαμηλού μορφωτικού επιπέδου μεν έχει εναποθέσει τις ελπίδες του για μια καλύτερη ζωή σε αυτόν.
Πολλές σκέψεις λοιπόν τριβέλιζαν το κεφάλι μου μέχρι να φτάσω στο τέλος του βιβλίου και όλες κατέληγαν ότι εντάξει ωραίο βιβλιαράκι αλλά καραμπινάτη αρπαχτή. Και τότε διαβάζω την αφιέρωση του γιου του Εσκομπάρ ο οποίος λίγο ή πολύ αφιέρωνε το βιβλίο στον πατέρα του γιατί του έδειξε το δρόμο που ΔΕΝ έπρεπε να πάρει. Διάβαζες έναν άνθρωπο που ουσιαστικά παρακαλούσε τον κόσμο να αφήσουν ήσυχη την οικογένεια του, ανέλυσε τους φόβους που είχε και ο ίδιος να κανει την δική του οικογένεια, περιέγραψε την αγωνία του πως είναι κάθε μέρα να έχεις να αντιμετωπίσεις τα αδιάκριτα βλέμματα των ανθρώπων που τους αναγνωρίζουν στο δρόμο. Δεν ξέρω τελικά λοιπόν τι συμπέρασμα να βγάλω γιατί μάλλον είναι πολύ εύκολο να τον κατηγορήσω ότι έβγαλε εύκολο χρήμα αλλα τελικά είναι αρκετό ώστε να σου δώσει μια φυσιολογική ζωή χωρίς να πρέπει να κουβαλάς για μια ολόκληρη ζωή το στίγμα που σου άφησε ο πατέρας σου?
October 21, 2017
Pablo Escobar, a Columbian drug lord was a highly fascinating figure. He is probably one of the most infamous criminals but he is also viewed as a hero by many and also known as the Robin Hood of the poor because of indispensable contributions he made to the society like building hospitals, sports grounds, schools, churches. As this book written by his son, there is nowhere seen that he is even a bit justifying what his father did. He was clever, a smooth talker, brutal and ruthless and killed thousands of men even on a slightest of suspicion. The book takes on a ride of an unforgetful life of Pablo Escobar and his family living in fear for every single second of their life and showing different versions of the powerful and bad men of this world. He did do illegal activities in his life and most probably he would have been alive by now had he never got himself involved in politics. But that is the thing with powerful people, the power to control is itself a drug to them, it's addictive and limitless.
March 2, 2022
Foto de familia
Este libro ofrece un relato singularmente detallado de la vida privada del notorio narcotraficante Pablo Escobar, pero mucho más, muestra el impacto decisivo de las decisiones del padre de familia en sus familiares y en sus vidas después de su muerte: han estado preocupados por sus vidas en Colombia, y se les negó el acceso a muchos países durante años, antes de que pudieran volver a empezar.
Lo que me llamó especialmente la atención fueron los detalles de la migración permanente de la familia Escobar Henao para escapar de las represalias del Estado colombiano o de rivales como los miembros del Cartel de Cali o los Pepes ('Perseguidos por Pablo Escobar' - un grupo paramilitar conformado por narcotraficantes exsocios de Pablo Escobar).
Sin embargo, por interesante que sea el asunto, tiendo a pensar que el libro es demasiado largo a veces, especialmente en los detalles que trae sobre los diferentes guardaespaldas, y el minuto a minuto de los acontecimientos importantes según Juan Pablo / Sebastián Marroquín. Me gustaría recomendar este libro a aquellos que estén interesados en los peligros y las complicaciones alucinantes en la vida de la familia de un criminal.
Sebastián Marroquín concluye su libro con estas palabras:
Este libro ofrece un relato singularmente detallado de la vida privada del notorio narcotraficante Pablo Escobar, pero mucho más, muestra el impacto decisivo de las decisiones del padre de familia en sus familiares y en sus vidas después de su muerte: han estado preocupados por sus vidas en Colombia, y se les negó el acceso a muchos países durante años, antes de que pudieran volver a empezar.
Lo que me llamó especialmente la atención fueron los detalles de la migración permanente de la familia Escobar Henao para escapar de las represalias del Estado colombiano o de rivales como los miembros del Cartel de Cali o los Pepes ('Perseguidos por Pablo Escobar' - un grupo paramilitar conformado por narcotraficantes exsocios de Pablo Escobar).
Sin embargo, por interesante que sea el asunto, tiendo a pensar que el libro es demasiado largo a veces, especialmente en los detalles que trae sobre los diferentes guardaespaldas, y el minuto a minuto de los acontecimientos importantes según Juan Pablo / Sebastián Marroquín. Me gustaría recomendar este libro a aquellos que estén interesados en los peligros y las complicaciones alucinantes en la vida de la familia de un criminal.
Sebastián Marroquín concluye su libro con estas palabras:
'A mi padre, que me mostró el camino que no hay que recorrer.'
December 1, 2015
fantastic book!
August 22, 2023
I’ve always been fascinated by Colombia and Pablo Escobar and their intertwined story and will greedily devour anything regarding the subject. I’ve watched countless documentaries and fictional movies based on the stories but this is the first book I read on the subject. It absolutely won’t be my last though, this book has officially started a new addiction. It was so well written and offered such a unique perspective of the whole ordeal since it was written by Escobar’s son and I really couldn’t have loved it more and can’t recommend it highly enough!
January 2, 2016
I won't elaborate so that I don't spoil it for the following readers... It's amazing to read first-hand details of what this family, specially the children, went thru to survive a life they didn't choose.
I know there are plenty of tv series that mimic Escobar's life. I've watched a few and can say that the most accurate, according to this book, is the Netflix "Narcos" series.
I know there are plenty of tv series that mimic Escobar's life. I've watched a few and can say that the most accurate, according to this book, is the Netflix "Narcos" series.
February 19, 2020
Apie Pablą Eskobarą neįdomių istorijų nėra. Šita tai buvo superinė, nors ir turi vieną minusą - pilna datų ir pavardžių. Tokia info nelabai aktuali, nieko jos man nesako, perskaičiau ir pamiršau aš tas datas ir pavardes. Tai va, be to menko minuso, ši knyga tikrai yra verta dėmesio. Skaitom ne tik apie žiauraus nusikaltėlio, bet ir apie mylinčio tėvo gyvenimą.
August 1, 2022
I have issues with the storytelling here. While I believe Juan tried his best to stay honest and humble - the way he describes his own luxurious life sounds like brag instead of a fact. Which is interesting when he talks about his family's assets and lavish life pretty impartially but when it comes to his own gifts, possessions and upbringing of having endless amounts of money - it comes off as a brag. And in a way - I understand it, but not in a context of book that presents itself as a remorseful account of Pablo's life.
However, my heart goes out to Juan, who had to repent for his father's sins, because I don't believe in inheriting such things through blood, so I hope that life is treating him well. His father, Pablo Escobar, is written in books, shown in shows and recorded in history annals; it cannot be easy to carry legacy of someone like Pablo.
Still, I would have enjoyed this book more if it was less of a sob story for lost riches and "privileges" and more honoring of people lost to the senseless war that Pablo participated in. A lot of innocent people perished for no reason. And if this book couldn't be that - then it at least could've been more of a close account of Juan's relationship to his father, which this book also wasn't, not in a truest sense of it. It's a "documentation" of Pablo's crimes through the lens of his son and that's what makes this book subpar to more serious researches into Pablo's life.
The positive note is that Juan's writing style is easy to get along with. Even with many names and many locations it's not hard to follow his path, Pablo's path and their enemies paths and that's a big plus when so many people were involved.
So basically, for me, who's not enthusiastic about reading mafia books - this was okay.
However, my heart goes out to Juan, who had to repent for his father's sins, because I don't believe in inheriting such things through blood, so I hope that life is treating him well. His father, Pablo Escobar, is written in books, shown in shows and recorded in history annals; it cannot be easy to carry legacy of someone like Pablo.
Still, I would have enjoyed this book more if it was less of a sob story for lost riches and "privileges" and more honoring of people lost to the senseless war that Pablo participated in. A lot of innocent people perished for no reason. And if this book couldn't be that - then it at least could've been more of a close account of Juan's relationship to his father, which this book also wasn't, not in a truest sense of it. It's a "documentation" of Pablo's crimes through the lens of his son and that's what makes this book subpar to more serious researches into Pablo's life.
The positive note is that Juan's writing style is easy to get along with. Even with many names and many locations it's not hard to follow his path, Pablo's path and their enemies paths and that's a big plus when so many people were involved.
So basically, for me, who's not enthusiastic about reading mafia books - this was okay.
February 15, 2021
Interesante en algunos aspectos pero también algo decepcionante, ya que la inmensa mayoría de la información es conocida y aporta poco que sea contada por el propio hijo de Escobar.
October 24, 2023
Üks aegade kurikuulsamatest kriminaalidest on saanud biograafia, kuid tavapärasest teistsuguse nurga alt - loo paneb kirja tema poeg, kes elas üle nii koledaid kui ilusaid aegu. Oma narkokaubandusega seotud julmustükkidest hoolimata oli Pablo Escobar siiski inimene ja isa. Pole halba ilma heata. Just see perspektiiv teeb raamatus kirjutatud loo usalduslikumaks ja emotsionaalsemaks. Tuleb tõdeda, et kuigi autor on lubanud oma isa tegude eest elu lõpuni vabandust paluda, siis raamat tõi nii kannatuste kui ka ebaõigluse kohalt pisara silmanurka.
Raamat tekitas suure isu vaadata uuesti läbi Narcose telesari, mis on filmitud suurepäraste osatäitjatega, kuid sellegipoolest Pablo Escobari kritiseerivast vaatenurgast. Raamat aga oli kiire tempoga, lihtsa ülesehitusega ning kirjutatud-tõlgitud oskuslikult.
Raamat tekitas suure isu vaadata uuesti läbi Narcose telesari, mis on filmitud suurepäraste osatäitjatega, kuid sellegipoolest Pablo Escobari kritiseerivast vaatenurgast. Raamat aga oli kiire tempoga, lihtsa ülesehitusega ning kirjutatud-tõlgitud oskuslikult.
February 6, 2017
At the risk of sounding obnoxious, I'm going to go ahead and label this book a MUST-READ for anyone who is a fan of Netflix's Narcos series.
Recently having finished season 2 of that amazing show, I happened to stumble across this book, which I'd previously never heard of, at my local library. Well, obviously, I had to pick it up and immediately devour it.
I was actually a little reticent to read it at first. There tends to be this phenomenon with TV series based on real-life events, where the book ultimately pales in comparison and tends to ruin the experience if read after having seen the show. Good Girls Revolt and Orange is the New Black are good examples of what I'm talking about.
But, still, I decided to risk it with Pablo Escobar: My Father, and I'm so glad that I did.
Far different from the show, the book is instead written from Pablo Escobar's son's perspective (which the title makes obvious). And instead of destroying my appetite for the show, this book actually enhanced my overall experience. This account of what was going on behind-the-scenes in Pablo's family works well as an accompaniment to the series.
Assuming that most of Juan Pablo's revelations are in fact true, I learned quite a bit from the book that was not seen in the show! For example, the son's character in the show is much younger than he was in real life (maybe 10 in the show at the time of Escobar's death, yet 16 in real life). We also learn that Escobar's own family was working hand-in-hand with Los Pepes at the time of his death.
Most surprising was one significant piece of evidence that is unveiled towards the end of the book regarding Escobar's death, but I won't spoil it for you.
All around, this book was very well-written, a great addition to the show, and required reading for anyone interested in the infamous Colombian druglord.
Recently having finished season 2 of that amazing show, I happened to stumble across this book, which I'd previously never heard of, at my local library. Well, obviously, I had to pick it up and immediately devour it.
I was actually a little reticent to read it at first. There tends to be this phenomenon with TV series based on real-life events, where the book ultimately pales in comparison and tends to ruin the experience if read after having seen the show. Good Girls Revolt and Orange is the New Black are good examples of what I'm talking about.
But, still, I decided to risk it with Pablo Escobar: My Father, and I'm so glad that I did.
Far different from the show, the book is instead written from Pablo Escobar's son's perspective (which the title makes obvious). And instead of destroying my appetite for the show, this book actually enhanced my overall experience. This account of what was going on behind-the-scenes in Pablo's family works well as an accompaniment to the series.
Assuming that most of Juan Pablo's revelations are in fact true, I learned quite a bit from the book that was not seen in the show! For example, the son's character in the show is much younger than he was in real life (maybe 10 in the show at the time of Escobar's death, yet 16 in real life). We also learn that Escobar's own family was working hand-in-hand with Los Pepes at the time of his death.
Most surprising was one significant piece of evidence that is unveiled towards the end of the book regarding Escobar's death, but I won't spoil it for you.
All around, this book was very well-written, a great addition to the show, and required reading for anyone interested in the infamous Colombian druglord.
February 8, 2018
Written by the son of Pablo Escobar, he clearly outlines the price the family had to pay for a life they did not choose. At first, it was difficult to understand why his father was such a wanted man, then as he grew, Juan Pablo Escobar became very aware of the sheer violence and hedonism of his father.
Once while traveling in an SUV with his father during the day time, his father was made aware that at a check point, agents were ready to capture and kill him. As his father pulled off to another location, and placed his family in another vehicle, when the got to the check point before his father, bullets rang through the air. Juan Pablo's mother and sister were in the vehicle as their lives were in danger. Not the first, or last time the family was in a very compromising position, increasingly as Pablo became more and more violent, the family needed to get out of the country.
Going to the airport, packed and ready to go to Germany, agents stopped their plans, and the family could not go to another country. Held hostage by the government, they waited while Pablo hid out. Defenseless, the agents no longer agreed to protect the family. They were at the mercy of the many enemies of Pablo Escobar.
At times this book seemed to go on and on. I appreciated that Juan Pablo did not make his father into a hero. But, he could have done that with far less pages.
I've exhausted the need to learn more about the Cartel and the billions made while shipping cocaine to the ever addicted American public.
Two Stars
Once while traveling in an SUV with his father during the day time, his father was made aware that at a check point, agents were ready to capture and kill him. As his father pulled off to another location, and placed his family in another vehicle, when the got to the check point before his father, bullets rang through the air. Juan Pablo's mother and sister were in the vehicle as their lives were in danger. Not the first, or last time the family was in a very compromising position, increasingly as Pablo became more and more violent, the family needed to get out of the country.
Going to the airport, packed and ready to go to Germany, agents stopped their plans, and the family could not go to another country. Held hostage by the government, they waited while Pablo hid out. Defenseless, the agents no longer agreed to protect the family. They were at the mercy of the many enemies of Pablo Escobar.
At times this book seemed to go on and on. I appreciated that Juan Pablo did not make his father into a hero. But, he could have done that with far less pages.
I've exhausted the need to learn more about the Cartel and the billions made while shipping cocaine to the ever addicted American public.
Two Stars
August 20, 2022
As a Colombian, you will often grow up hearing about “Pablo Escobar,” the “patrón del mal,” the famous drug kingpin who had a mighty grip on Colombia. Ask any Colombian their thoughts on him, and you may often get many different opinions. While most would of course state that he was a bad man who did malicious activities, others would say that he also did good things.
This book, while acknowledging and substantiating the former, also takes time to expound upon the latter.
Pablo Escobar’s son, Juan Pablo Escobar, writes a fascinating and personal story about his father (and his own life), which is something that other books and shows about El Patrón do not offer. I only mark a star down due to some incorrect date information (which I compared to a Spanish translation of the book), as well as some editing errors in this translation.
Overall, well written while balancing the disapproval of his father’s actions with the acknowledgement of Pablo Escobar as a kind father.
This book, while acknowledging and substantiating the former, also takes time to expound upon the latter.
Pablo Escobar’s son, Juan Pablo Escobar, writes a fascinating and personal story about his father (and his own life), which is something that other books and shows about El Patrón do not offer. I only mark a star down due to some incorrect date information (which I compared to a Spanish translation of the book), as well as some editing errors in this translation.
Overall, well written while balancing the disapproval of his father’s actions with the acknowledgement of Pablo Escobar as a kind father.
January 12, 2015
Las historias narradas por Sebastián recuerdan que no se debe juzgar sin saber lo que personas han tenido que sufrir y siguen sufriendo por haber nacido en un ambiente como el que la familia de ellos nació. La historia es impresionante y no debe olvidarse para que nunca se vuelva a repetir. Excelente libro
February 1, 2019
Sekiau šią knygą vos tik ji pasirodė lietuviškoje rinkoje: pirmosios apžvalgos, interviu su autoriumi Laisvės TV kanale. o Narcos serialas jau ilgą laiką tūno mano to-watch sąraše (planavau peržiūrėti vos baigius knygą) ir atrodo, kad ši knyga žadėjo tik patį geriausią laiką skaitant ją, bet įtraukė, o po to skaitant pradėjo labai labai erzinti.
+ Pasakojimas apie Pablo vadinamąji „aukso amžių" labai primena vaizdus iš „Didžiojo Getsbio". Net įsivaizduoti tokius detalius vaizdus yra tobula;
+ įdomi priešpieša - mylinčio tėvo ir pasaulinio nusikaltėlio. Iš pradžių šitas dalykas buvo šio kūrinio kabliukas - įdomu buvo kaip pats Pablo Eskobaras sugebėjo išsaugoti švelnumą šeimai tuo pačiu šalindamas nuo savo kelio priešus, tačiau kai išaukštinamoji odė tėvui vis ėmėsi kartotis - jau planavau mesti šios knygos skaitymą;
- už kalbą, kuri buvo tokia saldi ir melodramatiška, kad net abejojau ar kartais čia ne kokio Santos Barbaros serialo scenarijus. Kaip jau ir minėjau, - kas per daug, tas nesveika - o šioje knygoje to dramatiškumo yra apstu, galima sakyti, gavau visų metų Telemundo Presenta dozę;
- už tai, kad atrodo kaip didelis nesėkmingas bandymas teisintis pasauliui už savo tėvo ar savo veiksmus. Norėjosi labai to Eskobaro biografijos, o ne vien verksmų ir atsiprašymų kratinio;
- už tą autoriaus paauglystės požiūrį į tam tikrus dalykus, kuris tiesiog drąskė man akis. Sakoma, jaunystė - kvailystė, bet manau tokių momentų gal visai nereikėtų demonstruoti knygoje, nes nei jie aktualūs, nei įdomuūs, tik greitai sunervina.
Na, knyga išėjo kaip išėjo, tikiuosi, kad Narcos serialas pasirodys visu gražumu. Taigi, reziumė: knyga būtų buvus visai gera, jei būtų atmetę tiek daug tų odžių tėvui. Neseniai išleido antrąją šios knygos dalį, kurioje yra visi sūnaus surinkti faktai apie tėvą po pirmosios knygos. Skamba intriguojančiai, bet po tokios pirmosios knygos nesekmės, nemanau, kad į rankas paimsiu antrają.
+ Pasakojimas apie Pablo vadinamąji „aukso amžių" labai primena vaizdus iš „Didžiojo Getsbio". Net įsivaizduoti tokius detalius vaizdus yra tobula;
+ įdomi priešpieša - mylinčio tėvo ir pasaulinio nusikaltėlio. Iš pradžių šitas dalykas buvo šio kūrinio kabliukas - įdomu buvo kaip pats Pablo Eskobaras sugebėjo išsaugoti švelnumą šeimai tuo pačiu šalindamas nuo savo kelio priešus, tačiau kai išaukštinamoji odė tėvui vis ėmėsi kartotis - jau planavau mesti šios knygos skaitymą;
- už kalbą, kuri buvo tokia saldi ir melodramatiška, kad net abejojau ar kartais čia ne kokio Santos Barbaros serialo scenarijus. Kaip jau ir minėjau, - kas per daug, tas nesveika - o šioje knygoje to dramatiškumo yra apstu, galima sakyti, gavau visų metų Telemundo Presenta dozę;
- už tai, kad atrodo kaip didelis nesėkmingas bandymas teisintis pasauliui už savo tėvo ar savo veiksmus. Norėjosi labai to Eskobaro biografijos, o ne vien verksmų ir atsiprašymų kratinio;
- už tą autoriaus paauglystės požiūrį į tam tikrus dalykus, kuris tiesiog drąskė man akis. Sakoma, jaunystė - kvailystė, bet manau tokių momentų gal visai nereikėtų demonstruoti knygoje, nes nei jie aktualūs, nei įdomuūs, tik greitai sunervina.
Na, knyga išėjo kaip išėjo, tikiuosi, kad Narcos serialas pasirodys visu gražumu. Taigi, reziumė: knyga būtų buvus visai gera, jei būtų atmetę tiek daug tų odžių tėvui. Neseniai išleido antrąją šios knygos dalį, kurioje yra visi sūnaus surinkti faktai apie tėvą po pirmosios knygos. Skamba intriguojančiai, bet po tokios pirmosios knygos nesekmės, nemanau, kad į rankas paimsiu antrają.
August 29, 2023
2,5 ⭐️
Po drugim rozdziale jest nieco lepsza
Po drugim rozdziale jest nieco lepsza
November 15, 2017
Like a lot of other people I blasted through the T.V show Narcos with great delight. An enjoyable series with plenty of action and a gripping story line. But here's the rub You forget that these were real people and events that took place. So after I'd finished I decided to take a deeper look in to the real Escobar and that's when I came across this book. I was interested to find out what his son had to say about the real man.
Juan starts of at the end of his tory after Escobar had died Showing us the turmoil that followed in the wake. Then going back to were it also started. He does a great job in plotting out all the major event that took place as well as giving us some insight it to what it was like to have a father so well known for his criminal activities. And I like the contrast it gives a man who many thing the know a different perspective. That is not to say that he shy's away from that horrific acts that were carried out. It must be a difficult place to find you self in. How do you balance the two sides together. When it come to our a parents we all have an image of them that we hold dear. But when it is shown in the papers and on the nightly news that it might not all be good what then.
This was an interesting read and the author managed to convey a great deal of information. Not only about himself but his father and the history of Colombia at the time. While at times you could pick out the bits that showed up in the T.V series it add so much more to my understanding of the man and why he chose to do the things he did. His ability to help those in need in the community from building schools and hospitals and making sure that the children of poor family's had presents on Christmas. On the other hand he had no problem in killing people on a whim and exploding bombs across the country. Jaun shows us that while he doesn't hate his father he has come to terms with who he was. The amount of death Pablo caused by he own direct hand or by that of the drugs he imported into the U.S will probably never be known but you must figure its way up there. I think the book benefits well for showing the family life of Escobar rather than only focusing on that of his empire. Many books have been written on that subject and I'm sure they are good reads. He apologise many times for the actions carried out by his father through the book. Saying he didn't known a lot of the things he was up to. I realise some doubt this but how much could the young boy of the time really know . All we can do is take his word for it.
Juan now lives a quiet life as an architect in Argentine. He promotes a world view of peace and harmony. This is probably the best outcome from every thing that took place. As I said before this was an interesting read and I learnt a lot. It such a shame that the country is still in the grip of new cartels and violence. I glad I gave it some of my time.
Juan starts of at the end of his tory after Escobar had died Showing us the turmoil that followed in the wake. Then going back to were it also started. He does a great job in plotting out all the major event that took place as well as giving us some insight it to what it was like to have a father so well known for his criminal activities. And I like the contrast it gives a man who many thing the know a different perspective. That is not to say that he shy's away from that horrific acts that were carried out. It must be a difficult place to find you self in. How do you balance the two sides together. When it come to our a parents we all have an image of them that we hold dear. But when it is shown in the papers and on the nightly news that it might not all be good what then.
This was an interesting read and the author managed to convey a great deal of information. Not only about himself but his father and the history of Colombia at the time. While at times you could pick out the bits that showed up in the T.V series it add so much more to my understanding of the man and why he chose to do the things he did. His ability to help those in need in the community from building schools and hospitals and making sure that the children of poor family's had presents on Christmas. On the other hand he had no problem in killing people on a whim and exploding bombs across the country. Jaun shows us that while he doesn't hate his father he has come to terms with who he was. The amount of death Pablo caused by he own direct hand or by that of the drugs he imported into the U.S will probably never be known but you must figure its way up there. I think the book benefits well for showing the family life of Escobar rather than only focusing on that of his empire. Many books have been written on that subject and I'm sure they are good reads. He apologise many times for the actions carried out by his father through the book. Saying he didn't known a lot of the things he was up to. I realise some doubt this but how much could the young boy of the time really know . All we can do is take his word for it.
Juan now lives a quiet life as an architect in Argentine. He promotes a world view of peace and harmony. This is probably the best outcome from every thing that took place. As I said before this was an interesting read and I learnt a lot. It such a shame that the country is still in the grip of new cartels and violence. I glad I gave it some of my time.
March 17, 2017
I received a copy of this book for free through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
I only know the basics about Pablo Escobar: he was a drug kingpin, he was incredibly wealthy, he was ruthless and he was murdered. This book gives us a look at the family side of Escobar and, for lack of a better term, his softer side. It's an inside look from a son about his father, therefore it is rarely critical of the choices made by the father. Juan is clearly disturbed by what his father did and the havoc he created but also offers no apologies for the lavish lifestyle that havoc provided his family while growing up.
One issue that bothered me is that Juan writes with feeling and heartbreak when one of his own family members or friends is murdered because of the "drug war" in Colombia. However when Pablo orders the murder of others, including non-corrupt police and civilians/innocents, he glosses over it as just another day in the life of Pablo Escobar. He apologizes on his father's behalf for those that have lost loved ones, but it's little consolation. It would have held more weight if it had been pointed out that a portion of the proceeds of the book sales would go to some form of charity to support victims of drug violence (or violence in general) either in Colombia or his adopted home of Argentina. Perhaps some proceeds are being donated, but it should be made obvious.
All that said, I'd recommend the book for anyone interested in the history of the Colombian drug trade or in the history of Escobar in particular. It would add another level to the understanding of the man and his family life.
I only know the basics about Pablo Escobar: he was a drug kingpin, he was incredibly wealthy, he was ruthless and he was murdered. This book gives us a look at the family side of Escobar and, for lack of a better term, his softer side. It's an inside look from a son about his father, therefore it is rarely critical of the choices made by the father. Juan is clearly disturbed by what his father did and the havoc he created but also offers no apologies for the lavish lifestyle that havoc provided his family while growing up.
One issue that bothered me is that Juan writes with feeling and heartbreak when one of his own family members or friends is murdered because of the "drug war" in Colombia. However when Pablo orders the murder of others, including non-corrupt police and civilians/innocents, he glosses over it as just another day in the life of Pablo Escobar. He apologizes on his father's behalf for those that have lost loved ones, but it's little consolation. It would have held more weight if it had been pointed out that a portion of the proceeds of the book sales would go to some form of charity to support victims of drug violence (or violence in general) either in Colombia or his adopted home of Argentina. Perhaps some proceeds are being donated, but it should be made obvious.
All that said, I'd recommend the book for anyone interested in the history of the Colombian drug trade or in the history of Escobar in particular. It would add another level to the understanding of the man and his family life.
May 2, 2016
Oooodlično odrađena (auto)biografija. Ispunjena mnoštvom podataka i činjenica, fantastično ispričana, lijepo složena. Prati život od početka do samog kraja Pabla Eskobara, kralja kokaina, ali i ono što je uslijedilo nakon i sa čim se suočila njegova porodica.
Više o Eskobaru pisala sam ovdje, u jednoj dugačkoj ali veoma zanimljivoj priči - obećavam: http://lovily.net/zivot-i-smrti-pabla...
Više o Eskobaru pisala sam ovdje, u jednoj dugačkoj ali veoma zanimljivoj priči - obećavam: http://lovily.net/zivot-i-smrti-pabla...
December 31, 2015
El libro tiene pésima redacción y le hacen falta detalles, tiene demasiados nombres pero poca información de todos. Pero la historia es espectacular.
August 16, 2024
I couldn't finish it.
I got this book while touring parts of Medellin associated with Escobar's life. Listen: he's a controversial figure and did a lot of good --BUT only because he did a lot of bad; this book is tone-deaf in walking that line... praising and celebrating his success and contributions without always acknowledging that complicated situation.
Also, it's one thing to note the subject as such, but the book itself is chauvinist, homophobic, and therefore toxic when associating reverence and masculinity with power and dominance --regardless of the atrocities associated with it.
And frankly, it's boring --like reading an excel spreadsheet of names and locations. Stick with news stories, documentaries, and programs that more accurately and entertainingly profile this complicated & controversial figure.
I got this book while touring parts of Medellin associated with Escobar's life. Listen: he's a controversial figure and did a lot of good --BUT only because he did a lot of bad; this book is tone-deaf in walking that line... praising and celebrating his success and contributions without always acknowledging that complicated situation.
Also, it's one thing to note the subject as such, but the book itself is chauvinist, homophobic, and therefore toxic when associating reverence and masculinity with power and dominance --regardless of the atrocities associated with it.
And frankly, it's boring --like reading an excel spreadsheet of names and locations. Stick with news stories, documentaries, and programs that more accurately and entertainingly profile this complicated & controversial figure.
November 16, 2019
Pablo Escobar, meist gesuchtester Krimineller in den 80ern, größter Drogenschmuggler seiner Zeit, einer, der sein Land Kolumbien insb. die Stadt Medellin in Schutt und Asche gelegt hat, um nicht in die USA ausgeliefert zu werden, einer der reichsten Menschen der Welt und verantwortlich für hunderte Tote.
Hier schreibt nun Escobars Sohn, der die kriminelle Karriere seines Vaters mitgelebt hat, seine Kindheitsgeschichte auf. Ein superspannendes Buch für Leser mit einer Fazination für Kriminelle. Für mich besonders spannend, wie es Escobar mit Gewalt, Druck und vor allem Geld schafft, ein ganzes Land über zwei Jahrzehnte in Atem zu halten, nie geschnappt zu werden und am Ende doch verliert.
Das Buch ist vom Beginn bis zum Ende spannend erzählt, emotional und packend.
Hier schreibt nun Escobars Sohn, der die kriminelle Karriere seines Vaters mitgelebt hat, seine Kindheitsgeschichte auf. Ein superspannendes Buch für Leser mit einer Fazination für Kriminelle. Für mich besonders spannend, wie es Escobar mit Gewalt, Druck und vor allem Geld schafft, ein ganzes Land über zwei Jahrzehnte in Atem zu halten, nie geschnappt zu werden und am Ende doch verliert.
Das Buch ist vom Beginn bis zum Ende spannend erzählt, emotional und packend.
September 20, 2024
As a coin has two sides, villains are not only villains, they have families and feelings, too. This book goes deeper into the human side of Pablo, what made him a family man and the endless love he felt for his family. It takes the reader away from all the awful things he did to Colombia and its people, and focuses on how his family, his biggest treasure was his weakest side.
It only covers how money and ambition translate into happiness, and how it can damage even the strongest relationships.
It only covers how money and ambition translate into happiness, and how it can damage even the strongest relationships.
May 3, 2021
Nikada me nisu zanimali ljudi s one strane zakona, ali rekoh hajde da vidim o čemu se radi.
Za Pabla Eskobara sam čula, ali nikada ga nisam temeljno proučavala. Knjiga se u početku čini zanimljivom, ali kako stranice odmiču, ona postaje sve dosadnija. Jesu opisi išli u detalje i od početka do kraja, ali sam jedva čekala da dođe do kraja. Možda je jedino utješno u svemu što je Pablo Eskobar pomagao sirotinju, ali kada se bolje razmisli, sve je to prelijevanje iz šupljeg u prazno.
I pitam se koji je motiv njegovog sina da sve ispriča u knjizi. Na pamet mi pada nekoliko, ali mi ni jedan ne drži pretjerano vodu.
Za Pabla Eskobara sam čula, ali nikada ga nisam temeljno proučavala. Knjiga se u početku čini zanimljivom, ali kako stranice odmiču, ona postaje sve dosadnija. Jesu opisi išli u detalje i od početka do kraja, ali sam jedva čekala da dođe do kraja. Možda je jedino utješno u svemu što je Pablo Eskobar pomagao sirotinju, ali kada se bolje razmisli, sve je to prelijevanje iz šupljeg u prazno.
I pitam se koji je motiv njegovog sina da sve ispriča u knjizi. Na pamet mi pada nekoliko, ali mi ni jedan ne drži pretjerano vodu.
June 27, 2022
I don't really have words for this book.
I wish to the author to find rest and peace and forgiveness in his life.
Pobresito
I wish to the author to find rest and peace and forgiveness in his life.
Pobresito
December 13, 2016
This is the story of the most powerful drug lord in history narrated through the eyes of his son; the everyday language used by Juan Pablo Escobar to write this tale allows us to submerge into the everyday lives of the Escobar family until the end Pablo and further.
He is quite honest regarding his father’s acts of violence as seen through his eyes as a kid and about his own feelings of guilt towards the victims even though that guilt wasn’t his to bear. He also gives us a humility lesson by extending the olive branch to his father’s victims in order to show us that it is possible to achieve forgiveness and peace for both parties if only we set aside our pride.
For me this book is a must read because the more we know about the true story of these events the less likely it is that we’ll repeat it; as hard as it is to address this kind of issue it still is a very important chapter in universal history and we should all know its causes and consequences for everyone involved: the family who is still carrying the weight of their patriarch’s faults, the victims who suffered indescribably because of someone's need for everyone to bow his wishes, the country whose people are still treated as drug dealing suspects, the world not only about health issues of the drug itself and the violence it ignites but by the media who describes the drug lords as role models.
This book has a very clear message and it is to NOT idolize the kingpin of cocaine but to understand that this is not a desirable life for anyone and can bring true suffering to a lot of people including one’s family.
He is quite honest regarding his father’s acts of violence as seen through his eyes as a kid and about his own feelings of guilt towards the victims even though that guilt wasn’t his to bear. He also gives us a humility lesson by extending the olive branch to his father’s victims in order to show us that it is possible to achieve forgiveness and peace for both parties if only we set aside our pride.
For me this book is a must read because the more we know about the true story of these events the less likely it is that we’ll repeat it; as hard as it is to address this kind of issue it still is a very important chapter in universal history and we should all know its causes and consequences for everyone involved: the family who is still carrying the weight of their patriarch’s faults, the victims who suffered indescribably because of someone's need for everyone to bow his wishes, the country whose people are still treated as drug dealing suspects, the world not only about health issues of the drug itself and the violence it ignites but by the media who describes the drug lords as role models.
This book has a very clear message and it is to NOT idolize the kingpin of cocaine but to understand that this is not a desirable life for anyone and can bring true suffering to a lot of people including one’s family.
April 22, 2018
Prieš paimdama šią knygą į rankas apie Pablo Escobaro žinojau tik tiek, kad jis buvo galingiausias Kolumbijos ir visos Pietų Amerikos narkotikų prekeivis. Ką gi, knyga davė gana detalų ir ydomų pasakojimą apie jį patį kaip šeimos žmogų ir draugą. Tikėjausi daugiau pasakojimo apie narkotikų kontrabandą ir kaip viskas veikia, bet apie tai buvo gana mažai parašyta. Negalėjau skaityti tu dalių, kuriose jo sūnus verkšleno ir skundėsi, kaip jam nepasisekė, kad neteko viso turto. Skaitydama varčiau akis ir galvojau kaip toks tėvas gali užaugint toki nevykėlį sūnų, kuris viskuo skundžiasi, atrodo lyg prašo skaitytojų jo gailėtis, nes o varge kaip jam nepasisekė. Visa kita knygos dalis, kuri buvo sukoncentruota i Pablo Escobaro patiko, patiko paskaitinėti apie jo nevaržomą gyvenimą ir auksinius laikus.
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