Smuggling without violence (Mr Nice - Howard Marks)

Name: carltonp

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Product:	Mr Nice - Howard Marks
Date:	14/12/00 (47 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Enjoyable, informative, honest, intelligent

Disadvantages: It's about drug smuggling, so puritans won't like it

There are some people who would never read a book like this, for whatever reason. This review is aimed more at people who are interested, but want to know whether this book is a good read or just a cash in. I can tell you now, it is well written and enjoyable to read.

While I might not condone what Howard Marks did, reading this book did make me marvel at and admire the way he did it. At no time does Marks try to paint a picture of himself as an angel. On the other hand, the reader is left with the impression that they have read an honest, open and at times bitter tale of a man of principle whom, one suspects, may have been treated unfairly by the system.

Anyone with even a slightly rebellious streak will love this book, especially Marks' accounts of how he concocted ridiculous legal defences to get himself off the hook. One of the more admirable stances taken in the book is that against drugs harder than cannabis. Marks tells of how other smugglers ridiculed him for refusing to smuggle cocaine, and for refusing to use guns.

Of course, one is always a little circumspect when reading an autobiography of a convicted felon, but the message in Mr Nice seems to be a balanced one. Marks does not try to glorify his crimes, nor does he shy away from defending his actions when he feels he has cause to. In other words, in the opinion of this reviewer, he tells it like it is.

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