Narcoland : the Mexican drug lords and their godfathers / Anabel Hernández ; foreword by Roberto Saviano ; translated by Iain Bruce

A poor devil -- Life or death -- A perverse pact -- Raising crows -- El chapo's protectors -- The lord of puente grande -- The great escape -- Blood ties -- Narco wars -- Freedom is priceless -- The president of death.

Includes bibliographical references and index

The definitive history of the drug cartels, Narcoland takes readers to the front lines of the "war on drugs," which has so far cost more than 60,000 lives in just six years. Hernández explains in riveting detail how Mexico became a base for the mega-cartels of Latin America and one of the most violent places on the planet. At every turn, Hernández names names - not just the narcos, but also the politicians, functionaries, judges and entrepreneurs who have collaborated with them. In doing so, she reveals the mind-boggling depth of corruption in Mexico's government and business elite.