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600 Devils: From refugee to redemption, a life impacted by smuggling, cannabis, psychedelics, conmen, cops and assorted holy men.
2023 International Book Awards Finalist - 45 years later, a spiritually tormented smuggler reveals his shocking secret life. Born in a refugee camp, the author sidestepped hallucinogens, gangsters, law enforcement and conmen, graduating from pot dealer to personal gopher for a world-class smuggler to an undercover operative for an “adjunct arm” of the U.S. government. Marjan’s path took him to places he really didn’t need to be long before he arrived.
- GenresBiography Memoir
470 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2023
About the author
Marjan.
2 booksMarjan walked away from an outlaw life over 40 years ago. He moved his wife and five children into the Montana wilderness where he grew most of his own food and became an entrepreneur, co-founding and selling a number of businesses. Marjan is now retired and has a passion for helping others, writing, billiards, motorcycling, mountain lakes and watching his grandchildren grow.
From the Author - About the time I transitioned from being an emotionally disturbed teenager to a hardcore outlaw, I began to view the material world as a temporary illusion crippled by human boundaries. My doleful attitude was further exasperated by the multitude of ideologies I discovered along the way. The deeper I probed the more confusing life became. I tried to determine if the religions I encountered had been encouraged by celestial beings as some claimed, or merely shaped by the egocentric arrogance of the human intellect. Torn between the freewheeling lifestyle of a smuggler and being an austere spiritual seeker, there was a lot to sort out.
From the Author - About the time I transitioned from being an emotionally disturbed teenager to a hardcore outlaw, I began to view the material world as a temporary illusion crippled by human boundaries. My doleful attitude was further exasperated by the multitude of ideologies I discovered along the way. The deeper I probed the more confusing life became. I tried to determine if the religions I encountered had been encouraged by celestial beings as some claimed, or merely shaped by the egocentric arrogance of the human intellect. Torn between the freewheeling lifestyle of a smuggler and being an austere spiritual seeker, there was a lot to sort out.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 5, 2026
600 Devils: From refugee to redemption, a life impacted by smuggling, cannabis, psychedelics, conmen, cops, and assorted holy men by Marjan is a memoir detailing the life of the author. He takes the readers on a journey through his life, playing each notable event like a tape, meticulously highlighting important details and tying them up nicely. From events before his birth to occurrences during his lifetime that led to the life he lived in his youth and the path he took in search of fulfillment.
I love Uncle Aloyz. He had a strong sense of family and ensured that family values, history, and roots were not lost. He was a mentor to Marjan right from an early age. His words and teachings molded Marjan and helped him in certain areas of his life as he got older.
Some of the themes in this book include morality, family, and loyalty. Morality is subjective. What is right and wrong in one area or among one group of people might be different from another area or group. Who dictates the moral code of a country? These mind-boggling questions gnaw at the readers, urging them to critically ponder on certain established beliefs. Family and loyalty are entwined themes in this book. The importance of family is emphasized. Though members of Marjan's family keep secrets, they do so to protect their own, as they believe that some things are better left unsaid. Uncle Aloyz is known as someone who makes spur-of-the-moment decisions, yet his brother and friends have been known to follow him through these choices, forging a bond so strong that it lasts the test of time.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
The author used words that were simple and easy to understand. His use of native language adds an air of authenticity, and its immediate translation kept my attention intact. Additionally, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter are endearing and act as a preamble, enticing me and getting me excited to read the next chapter.
I recommend this book to fans of memoirs and fast-paced action. This book encourages introspection and promotes readers' sense of adventure.
I love Uncle Aloyz. He had a strong sense of family and ensured that family values, history, and roots were not lost. He was a mentor to Marjan right from an early age. His words and teachings molded Marjan and helped him in certain areas of his life as he got older.
Some of the themes in this book include morality, family, and loyalty. Morality is subjective. What is right and wrong in one area or among one group of people might be different from another area or group. Who dictates the moral code of a country? These mind-boggling questions gnaw at the readers, urging them to critically ponder on certain established beliefs. Family and loyalty are entwined themes in this book. The importance of family is emphasized. Though members of Marjan's family keep secrets, they do so to protect their own, as they believe that some things are better left unsaid. Uncle Aloyz is known as someone who makes spur-of-the-moment decisions, yet his brother and friends have been known to follow him through these choices, forging a bond so strong that it lasts the test of time.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
The author used words that were simple and easy to understand. His use of native language adds an air of authenticity, and its immediate translation kept my attention intact. Additionally, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter are endearing and act as a preamble, enticing me and getting me excited to read the next chapter.
I recommend this book to fans of memoirs and fast-paced action. This book encourages introspection and promotes readers' sense of adventure.
September 10, 2023
This was not what I was expecting, but it was definitely fascinating. True crime is not my favorite genre (I prefer fictional mystery), but I was often left openmouthed as I listened to what he went through. While I suspect that many of the exact details might be a bit murky (he did, after all, partake in the various products), it's possible that some of it was even more nuts than what he remembers. He readily admits that this story is told from his own admittedly fuzzy memories as well as from stories told by others to him. But true or not, what I found really interesting was his constant philosophizing about religion, the meaning of life, spiritual practices, etc. This really distinguished it (in my mind) from other true crime stories. For one, this is semi-autobiographical. He shares family stories mostly told to him by his uncle Aloyz, but of course he also shares many of his experiences with smugglers, gangs, conmen, law enforcement, and even politicians. From his stories, it's apparent that good and evil are not black and white, and some of the most dangerous situations he found himself in were with the "good guys". Sadly, this did not surprise me all that much.
He did not have the most stable upbringing, and the fact that it appears he survived all of this craziness to build a strong partnership with his wife to raise their many children in a stable environment (Montana, I believe, and very much one with nature) is a miracle in itself.
The pacing was at times uneven, and I found myself drifting occasionally, but soon, I would get sucked back into his narrative. The audiobook was narrated by Dustin Pete and while I've never heard anything by this narrator, I thought he did a really solid job.
I received a free copy of the audiobook from the author and publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
He did not have the most stable upbringing, and the fact that it appears he survived all of this craziness to build a strong partnership with his wife to raise their many children in a stable environment (Montana, I believe, and very much one with nature) is a miracle in itself.
The pacing was at times uneven, and I found myself drifting occasionally, but soon, I would get sucked back into his narrative. The audiobook was narrated by Dustin Pete and while I've never heard anything by this narrator, I thought he did a really solid job.
I received a free copy of the audiobook from the author and publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 19, 2026
"600 Devils: From refugee to redemption, a life impacted by smuggling, cannabis, psychedelics, conmen, cops and assorted holy men" is authored by Marjan. It tells the story of a man born in a refugee camp who gets pulled into a life of smuggling. From cannabis runs to moving through dangerous jungles in Burma and even ending up near power in Washington D.C., the book follows one risky choice after another. Along the way there are psychedelic trips, run-ins with police, deals with conmen, and moments with people who claim to have all the answers. But underneath all the action, it’s really about someone trying to escape his past while fighting with his own conscience.
Underneath the smuggling runs and close calls with law enforcement is a deeper question: can a man outrun his demons, or does he have to face them? Smuggler, informant, outlaw, family man — the book shows how hard it is to pick just one side.
An aspect of this book that intrigues me is how real the main character feels. He’s not painted as a hero or a villain. You see his fear in the early refugee camp scenes, his drive to survive, and the rush he gets from dangerous jobs. The people around him make the story richer too. There are other smugglers who treat crime like normal work, contacts who play both sides of the law, and family members who keep pushing him toward a normal life. Their choices show how crime doesn’t just affect one person. Everyone ends up carrying some weight. The book keeps things tense without making crime look cool.
Another thing that fascinates me is what you can learn from it. The book shows how trauma and a need to escape can push someone into bad decisions. It also shows that “easy money” always comes with a cost — paranoia, broken trust, and losing yourself. You see how easy it is to justify small compromises until you’re living a double life. At the same time, the book gives hope. It reminds you that change is possible even after years of wrong turns. The search for meaning and peace doesn’t stop just because you made mistakes.
I’d recommend "600 Devils" to anyone who likes true crime stories that go deeper than just action. If you enjoy books about second chances, this one will pull you in. It’s best for readers who can handle tough topics like drug use and moral gray areas. Read it if you want a story that also makes you think about choices, guilt, and what redemption actually looks like. It’s less about crime, more about what happens to a person living in the middle of it. I wholeheartedly rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
Underneath the smuggling runs and close calls with law enforcement is a deeper question: can a man outrun his demons, or does he have to face them? Smuggler, informant, outlaw, family man — the book shows how hard it is to pick just one side.
An aspect of this book that intrigues me is how real the main character feels. He’s not painted as a hero or a villain. You see his fear in the early refugee camp scenes, his drive to survive, and the rush he gets from dangerous jobs. The people around him make the story richer too. There are other smugglers who treat crime like normal work, contacts who play both sides of the law, and family members who keep pushing him toward a normal life. Their choices show how crime doesn’t just affect one person. Everyone ends up carrying some weight. The book keeps things tense without making crime look cool.
Another thing that fascinates me is what you can learn from it. The book shows how trauma and a need to escape can push someone into bad decisions. It also shows that “easy money” always comes with a cost — paranoia, broken trust, and losing yourself. You see how easy it is to justify small compromises until you’re living a double life. At the same time, the book gives hope. It reminds you that change is possible even after years of wrong turns. The search for meaning and peace doesn’t stop just because you made mistakes.
I’d recommend "600 Devils" to anyone who likes true crime stories that go deeper than just action. If you enjoy books about second chances, this one will pull you in. It’s best for readers who can handle tough topics like drug use and moral gray areas. Read it if you want a story that also makes you think about choices, guilt, and what redemption actually looks like. It’s less about crime, more about what happens to a person living in the middle of it. I wholeheartedly rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
May 25, 2026
At first glance at this book title, 600 Devils, I thought it could be about a historical culture with some religious background and an ancient documentary tale of sorts. And although I don't usually read memoirs, I was moved to give this book a chance because of the glowing reviews, and I thought I'd share mine as well.
600 Devil is a generational memoir by Marjan, born Slovenian by birth to a malnourished mother in a war camp and fleeing to America with his parents to become a smuggler for the drug dealer Mario. He navigated different continents, thrilling adventures, and heart-wrenching experiences that included the loss of a partner but was still a free thinker who was often crippled by anxiety and sought meaning in his life until grace found him.
It takes a lot of courage to do what Marjan did, allowing himself to be so vulnerable as to put his story on paper. A story that did not start nor continue well, and although he late found hope, it must have been a difficult thing to write about because of how clearly he describes his emotions and how he started questioning the meaning of life as a teen while growing up as a smuggler. He took his time to describe every event with such picturesque detail it feels like I was reading a live-action crime drama and the emotions that accompany it.
I also love how he digresses sometimes to explain a topic without losing focus on the main story. I love the poem, as many invoke some real but chaotic emotions with me, and I most especially love the end note as it proves helpful in providing more information into a certain timeline.
600 Devil is a generational memoir by Marjan, born Slovenian by birth to a malnourished mother in a war camp and fleeing to America with his parents to become a smuggler for the drug dealer Mario. He navigated different continents, thrilling adventures, and heart-wrenching experiences that included the loss of a partner but was still a free thinker who was often crippled by anxiety and sought meaning in his life until grace found him.
It takes a lot of courage to do what Marjan did, allowing himself to be so vulnerable as to put his story on paper. A story that did not start nor continue well, and although he late found hope, it must have been a difficult thing to write about because of how clearly he describes his emotions and how he started questioning the meaning of life as a teen while growing up as a smuggler. He took his time to describe every event with such picturesque detail it feels like I was reading a live-action crime drama and the emotions that accompany it.
I also love how he digresses sometimes to explain a topic without losing focus on the main story. I love the poem, as many invoke some real but chaotic emotions with me, and I most especially love the end note as it proves helpful in providing more information into a certain timeline.
June 12, 2026
600 Devils is a gripping memoir. Marjan takes readers deep into the dangerous world of international smuggling, organized crime, and undercover operations. From refugee camps and war-torn Europe to the jungles of Asia and political circles in Washington, D.C., the story unfolds through a series of extraordinary adventures. The author's vivid descriptions and candid storytelling make it difficult to put the book down.
What sets 600 Devils apart from many true crime memoirs is its emotional and psychological depth. Marjan explores the personal wounds and inherited trauma that shaped his choices. The influence of his family's experiences during World War II, particularly the stories of his uncle Aloyz, adds a powerful historical dimension to the narrative. Throughout the book, Marjan wrestles with questions of identity, morality, and purpose, creating a compelling portrait of a man caught between loyalty, ambition, and conscience.
600 Devils is a story of redemption and self-discovery. While the book offers an intriguing look into the mechanics of smuggling and the criminal underworld, its greatest strength lies in its exploration of spiritual growth and personal transformation. Marjan's search for meaning through religion, family, and self-reflection elevates the memoir beyond a conventional true crime account.
What sets 600 Devils apart from many true crime memoirs is its emotional and psychological depth. Marjan explores the personal wounds and inherited trauma that shaped his choices. The influence of his family's experiences during World War II, particularly the stories of his uncle Aloyz, adds a powerful historical dimension to the narrative. Throughout the book, Marjan wrestles with questions of identity, morality, and purpose, creating a compelling portrait of a man caught between loyalty, ambition, and conscience.
600 Devils is a story of redemption and self-discovery. While the book offers an intriguing look into the mechanics of smuggling and the criminal underworld, its greatest strength lies in its exploration of spiritual growth and personal transformation. Marjan's search for meaning through religion, family, and self-reflection elevates the memoir beyond a conventional true crime account.
October 26, 2023
A Rambling Refugee Memoir of Redemption
The beginning of this memoir is a little slow and clunky. It took a little time to get going but it was worth the read. It is a thought provoking world spanning memoir of the uncertain life of Marian, a refugee turned smuggler turned undercover operative. This book takes the reader on a spiritual journey that is peppered with endless adventures from the jungles of Burma all the way to the halls of Washington DC. The life of Marian is filled with wild tales and dysfunctional relationships and a host of memorable characters especially Marjan’s Uncle Alloyz. The memoir leans heavily on Marjan’s redemption as he makes his way through a gauntlet of drugs, smuggling, conmen, as well as holy men. Again, this is a memoir, and it attempts to pack in every aspect of a chaotic life with a goal of showing the growth and redemption of Marjan at the end.
The beginning of this memoir is a little slow and clunky. It took a little time to get going but it was worth the read. It is a thought provoking world spanning memoir of the uncertain life of Marian, a refugee turned smuggler turned undercover operative. This book takes the reader on a spiritual journey that is peppered with endless adventures from the jungles of Burma all the way to the halls of Washington DC. The life of Marian is filled with wild tales and dysfunctional relationships and a host of memorable characters especially Marjan’s Uncle Alloyz. The memoir leans heavily on Marjan’s redemption as he makes his way through a gauntlet of drugs, smuggling, conmen, as well as holy men. Again, this is a memoir, and it attempts to pack in every aspect of a chaotic life with a goal of showing the growth and redemption of Marjan at the end.
May 5, 2024
What a life's journey! 600 Devils was hard to put down and gave me renewed hope in the power of redemption. Thanks Marjan for having the courage to come forward and bare your soul. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews