The Dope: The Real History of the Mexican Drug Trade

Excellent read. Very informative. Factual.

Fascinating history that the very few have learned in regards to economics and the history of Mexico but less so in the convoluted mess that shaped the policy of both the country and the United States.

Historian Ben Smith tells a fascinating and important story about the growth and development of the illegal drug trade between the USA and Mexico. Smith's in depth research reveals that there is much more complexity to this topic than most Americans probably realize. Although Mexico is often demonized as the "villain", the economic and political forces driving the enormous drug business are just as significant in the US as in Mexico. Smith shows how protection rackets on both sides of the border have allowed the drug trade to flourish, fueled by the insatiable US demand. More importantly, this history demonstrated how the costly "War on Drugs" often was counterproductive, and actually contributed to increased violence in both countries. I found this book to very written, extremely detailed, eye opening, and overall worth reading for anyone interested in this subject.

One of the more provocative and interesting books I've read about a subject that way too many Americans are in the dark about. There's a ton of detail, but it reads quickly. A truly interesting look at a history that should be standard reading for anyone involved in diplomacy in this hemisphere. If you liked the series Narcos, I would pick this one up.

Book came fine, decent quality printing. Delivery good. However, most of the book is 'ancient' history with only the last chapter and epilogue about the drug war in Mexico within last 20 years. The details are enlightening but not indepth. Also, the whole drug war is the fault of Mexican and US authorities and not greed over drug profits and other rackets in Mexico. The strong drug supply is mentioned in US but no suggestions about how this can be countered nor any detail on this demand. I really wanted the majority of the book to be about the last 20 years and not 90% about history prior to 2000 and mostly before that time.

If you want to understand why the War on Drugs has not worked, read this book. It details the drug trade in Mexico starting from the very early 1900's. It reads like a good novel, but you couldn't make this stuff up. I grew up in Mexico in the 1960's and have watched the drug trade and futile, counterproductive American efforts to combat it, destroy the country I loved.

Rigurosa investigación escrita en una prosa clara y fluida. Excelente visión panorámica de uno de los problemas más graves de la política mexicana actual y a la relación con Estados Unidos.

Easy to read without falling into fiction, centers in how economic incentives initially pushed local peasants into cultivating mariguana and opium. Leaves the reader with a series of important points to reflect on; the role that drug enforcement authorities have played, the unjust persecution of poor peasants, the “benefits” of drug legalization, the need to work on reducing demand.

Relato interesante sobre el origen del tráfico ilícito de drogas en México. LLegó antes de lo esperado y con un muy buen descuento. La edición fue pasta dura y está muy bien editado letras grandes. Un ensayo de divulgación e información de archivo y fuentes de primera mano.

Me resulto super interesante el libro da mucha información lo recomiendo.

This is non fiction but reads better than most thrillers. Well-written and researched a great read.

This is a well thought out telling of the development of the trafficking culture within and beyond Mexico and the insatiable demand it feeds in the United States. While elements are undoubtedly repeated the world over, Smith's narration is clear, structured and maintains interest throughout.

Eines der wenigen Bücher welche die Realität im Drogenhandel wieder gibt.