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Mr. Nasty: A Confession
Mr. Nasty charts the rise, fall, and ultimate redemption of a one-time player in the global narcotics business.
From his humble beginnings in East London, Cameron White rapidly rose in the London club scene of the 1980s and early 1990s. After his initial spectacular success as a drug dealer—and an embarrassment of cash—he fell foul of notorious London criminals, the Doherty brothers, and was forced to flee to North America. There he climbed aboard a cocaine-fueled roller coaster, which carried him from dealing with psychotic, crack-dealing Jamaican gangsters in New York to West Coast power meetings for a Hollywood talent agency.
Returning to London, White managed to stay clean for a while, but a chemical vacation in Thailand set him back on the path to self-destruction, as he smoked marijuana with dope smugglers, sampled the new wave of super-amphetamines, and returned to London a heroin addict. Another attempt to get clean in London was followed by a trip to Australia, where he once again found himself in the murky world of substance abuse, as well as in cahoots with the murderous Triad gangs. At last, he succeeded in pulling himself out of the mire of addiction and began the slow journey to recovery.
From his humble beginnings in East London, Cameron White rapidly rose in the London club scene of the 1980s and early 1990s. After his initial spectacular success as a drug dealer—and an embarrassment of cash—he fell foul of notorious London criminals, the Doherty brothers, and was forced to flee to North America. There he climbed aboard a cocaine-fueled roller coaster, which carried him from dealing with psychotic, crack-dealing Jamaican gangsters in New York to West Coast power meetings for a Hollywood talent agency.
Returning to London, White managed to stay clean for a while, but a chemical vacation in Thailand set him back on the path to self-destruction, as he smoked marijuana with dope smugglers, sampled the new wave of super-amphetamines, and returned to London a heroin addict. Another attempt to get clean in London was followed by a trip to Australia, where he once again found himself in the murky world of substance abuse, as well as in cahoots with the murderous Triad gangs. At last, he succeeded in pulling himself out of the mire of addiction and began the slow journey to recovery.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 15, 2021
Presents as an autobiography. Reads like fiction. I love his 'say it like it is' attitude towards showing us the ins and outs of drug dealing and using. For me it was quite a page turner. I can totally see it being made into a movie with a voice over (being Cameron) narrating the story.
Cameron portrayed perfectly to the reader how seductive and tempting it can be for people to use and deal drugs. It definitely gave me more insight into the epidemic of narcotic addiction.
The postscript was insightful and has a few great recommendations on how to deal with the rise of drug addiction and criminality.
Cameron portrayed perfectly to the reader how seductive and tempting it can be for people to use and deal drugs. It definitely gave me more insight into the epidemic of narcotic addiction.
The postscript was insightful and has a few great recommendations on how to deal with the rise of drug addiction and criminality.
July 9, 2024
Addiction memoirs can be amusing and compelling — as fascinating as a horrible accident, impossible to drive past. This one is all that and more.
For every hard core addict who comes out the other end still relatively intact, one supposes, there must be hundreds littering the alleys.
One of the strongest features of this book is the language — inventive and fresh.
For every hard core addict who comes out the other end still relatively intact, one supposes, there must be hundreds littering the alleys.
One of the strongest features of this book is the language — inventive and fresh.
February 19, 2019
Presents as an autobiography. Reads like fiction.
September 7, 2023
Very quick read. With absolutely no record of the author I can only assume alot of it is fiction
May 31, 2013
I have read a fair few 'drug underworld' books and have also had a few personal experiences to draw from when digesting the topics of these books.
I found this book fairly run of the mill when it comes to this kind of genre but nevertheless very readable and quite a page turner.
The Author Cameron White takes us on his worldwide drug fuelled adventure.
I just think (as a previous reviewer mentioned) that the story should be taken with a pinch of salt and perhaps treated as fiction. I noticed inconsistences and unexplained irregularities. An example was fairly early on in the story Cameron had to flee London to escape the Doherty brothers but later in the story "London" was referred to as his home and he returned to London on various occasions without any mention of the previous impending consequences or inability to reside in London...what gives? Also, mid-way through the story there appeared to be a 4 year gap in which we have no idea what the protagonist Cameron was doing apart from apparently working "dead end" jobs, with no fuller explanation than that, this point was between when he returned to London from his trip to Bangkok and then made the journey to Berlin some time later.
Another thing that i pondered on while reading the book was that the author made no comprehensive mention of any sexual or emotional relationships? Only a tiny paragraph mentioned being "in love" towards the end of the book. I found it quite odd that throughout all the tall tales or drugs, money and power Cameron remained celibate? I know the book is all about the author's life of drugs but surely at some point some sort of sexual urge, emotional response or physical relationship must have taken place?
I don't doubt that the basis for the story has some truth in it but i think the book may be padded out with some shock and awe inspiring moments, it reminded me a bit of the book 'Addict' which i found similarly compelling but somewhat hard to believe.
A decent page turner but ultimately i think this book showcases the authors imagination and witty writing rather than a proper true life tale.
I found this book fairly run of the mill when it comes to this kind of genre but nevertheless very readable and quite a page turner.
The Author Cameron White takes us on his worldwide drug fuelled adventure.
I just think (as a previous reviewer mentioned) that the story should be taken with a pinch of salt and perhaps treated as fiction. I noticed inconsistences and unexplained irregularities. An example was fairly early on in the story Cameron had to flee London to escape the Doherty brothers but later in the story "London" was referred to as his home and he returned to London on various occasions without any mention of the previous impending consequences or inability to reside in London...what gives? Also, mid-way through the story there appeared to be a 4 year gap in which we have no idea what the protagonist Cameron was doing apart from apparently working "dead end" jobs, with no fuller explanation than that, this point was between when he returned to London from his trip to Bangkok and then made the journey to Berlin some time later.
Another thing that i pondered on while reading the book was that the author made no comprehensive mention of any sexual or emotional relationships? Only a tiny paragraph mentioned being "in love" towards the end of the book. I found it quite odd that throughout all the tall tales or drugs, money and power Cameron remained celibate? I know the book is all about the author's life of drugs but surely at some point some sort of sexual urge, emotional response or physical relationship must have taken place?
I don't doubt that the basis for the story has some truth in it but i think the book may be padded out with some shock and awe inspiring moments, it reminded me a bit of the book 'Addict' which i found similarly compelling but somewhat hard to believe.
A decent page turner but ultimately i think this book showcases the authors imagination and witty writing rather than a proper true life tale.
January 4, 2015
This is the first book i have read that was completely centered on the drug world, looking at it from both the dealer and (ab)user sides. I would say it was a rather educational experience reading about it from a former member of the world.
It was amazing how many times Mr. Nasty fell into the same hole of problems, just in different places in the world. He had so many chances of bailing out and having a proper life without any affiliation to drugs but that's how drugs are. They can't be left behind that easily.
I am glad Mr. Nasty finally had the moment of realizing it is time to leave drugs behind. Or at least try to. He will probably never get completely over what he has been through and what he has done to other people on his journey.
At the end of the book Mr. White discusses the attitude and policies related to drugs and drug addiction and i think he is right about the part that as long as drugs and drug usage is criminalized, our countries will never be able to fight it and it is a lost war. All the money involved in the drug industry enables corruption to take a hold in the forces fighting drugs making them weaker and there is not enough force fighting it in the first place so it is a road to nowhere.
It was amazing how many times Mr. Nasty fell into the same hole of problems, just in different places in the world. He had so many chances of bailing out and having a proper life without any affiliation to drugs but that's how drugs are. They can't be left behind that easily.
I am glad Mr. Nasty finally had the moment of realizing it is time to leave drugs behind. Or at least try to. He will probably never get completely over what he has been through and what he has done to other people on his journey.
At the end of the book Mr. White discusses the attitude and policies related to drugs and drug addiction and i think he is right about the part that as long as drugs and drug usage is criminalized, our countries will never be able to fight it and it is a lost war. All the money involved in the drug industry enables corruption to take a hold in the forces fighting drugs making them weaker and there is not enough force fighting it in the first place so it is a road to nowhere.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2015
The truth is a nasty thing isn't it and it makes me wonder is Cameron White still alive? I'm sure a lot of the suppliers/dealers he has told his story about would be mighty pissed at his revelations, although their names have been changed, I'm sure they know who they are. It's a dirty world and one I have tipped my toe into at various times in my life. This book helps to explain addiction and the downward spiral that can ensnare some, a few of them being my friends. The postscript was insightful and has a few great recommendations on how to deal with the scourge of the less than humans who make a good deal of money from others misery.Decriminalise A class and B class drugs is a sane start.
March 29, 2019
Bright, but perhaps not so smart, Cameron White stumbles into the same dire and dangerous situations over and over. but at least he has the guts to admit to his stupidity. And while he is certainly nowhere near as nasty as the meat heads he deals with, he does develop some nasty hobbies along the way.
Writing wise, he takes a little while to find his mojo but, when he does, probably around chapter three, the book really takes off. The ending is almost anti climactic in a way but it is fitting.
Writing wise, he takes a little while to find his mojo but, when he does, probably around chapter three, the book really takes off. The ending is almost anti climactic in a way but it is fitting.
November 19, 2012
Not a bad book, slow to start but then it gets a little exciting, makes me think i could write a book about myself lol..but if u are interested in the adventures of a corporate drug user who has some really close calls in places such as thailand and berlin you may want to consider reading this book
June 11, 2016
Cameron White lays his soul bare in this book and tells it warts and all. Whilst an interesting read it highlights the highs and lows of addiction and reflects the sadness that this causes. Overall, worth reading and I found it enjoyable.
April 20, 2012
Oh Mr Nasty, you were a bit of work weren't you.
August 14, 2024
Interesting autobiography although a bit too fantastical which adds to the questionable merits of it actually being a true account.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews