What do you think?
Rate this book
Lethal Doses: The Story Behind "The Godfather Of Fentanyl"
“Madinger’s prose is compelling … one of the finest books of the year, successful on so many levels! Very highly recommended.”--Grady Harp, an Amazon Top 100 Hall of Fame Reviewer.
On a cold afternoon in February 1991, a frightening new drug hit the streets of New York City, a synthetic narcotic marketed in packets labeled “Tango & Cash.” As police scrambled to warn heroin users of the danger, the overdose victims began piling up in hospital emergency rooms and county morgues across three states.
As a Drug Enforcement Administration agent said at the time, “We don’t know yet who’s putting this stuff out there, but whoever he is, he’s an ice-cold son of a bitch.” Fentanyl had come to America.
In 2024, fentanyl is killing nearly 200 Americans every day, and not just heroin users, a seemingly unstoppable narcotic curse like none ever seen before. But few know that this plague began in the brilliant mind of the high-school dropout and chemistry prodigy that the DEA called “the best and most dangerous clandestine chemist” it has ever encountered.
The clandestine chemist was George Erik Marquardt. Starting at just twelve years old, Marquardt used his extraordinary talents to make every illegal drug in the book, from bootleg booze to heroin. He brewed LSD for Timothy Leary and the Grateful Dead, methamphetamine for outlaw motorcycle gangs, nerve gas for Idaho Nazis, and even life-saving AZT for AIDS patients. But when that ice-cold son of a bitch turned to fentanyl, thousands of Americans would die.
In LETHAL The Story Behind ‘The Godfather of Fentanyl ,’ award-winning author and former undercover agent for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics John Madinger, tells the remarkable story of DEA’s three-year pursuit, the genesis of our fentanyl problem today, and the uniquely dangerous evil genius he spent hundreds of hours interviewing.
Now you can read the incredible book on which the hit docuseries, THE GODFATHER OF FENTANYL, is based!
On a cold afternoon in February 1991, a frightening new drug hit the streets of New York City, a synthetic narcotic marketed in packets labeled “Tango & Cash.” As police scrambled to warn heroin users of the danger, the overdose victims began piling up in hospital emergency rooms and county morgues across three states.
As a Drug Enforcement Administration agent said at the time, “We don’t know yet who’s putting this stuff out there, but whoever he is, he’s an ice-cold son of a bitch.” Fentanyl had come to America.
In 2024, fentanyl is killing nearly 200 Americans every day, and not just heroin users, a seemingly unstoppable narcotic curse like none ever seen before. But few know that this plague began in the brilliant mind of the high-school dropout and chemistry prodigy that the DEA called “the best and most dangerous clandestine chemist” it has ever encountered.
The clandestine chemist was George Erik Marquardt. Starting at just twelve years old, Marquardt used his extraordinary talents to make every illegal drug in the book, from bootleg booze to heroin. He brewed LSD for Timothy Leary and the Grateful Dead, methamphetamine for outlaw motorcycle gangs, nerve gas for Idaho Nazis, and even life-saving AZT for AIDS patients. But when that ice-cold son of a bitch turned to fentanyl, thousands of Americans would die.
In LETHAL The Story Behind ‘The Godfather of Fentanyl ,’ award-winning author and former undercover agent for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics John Madinger, tells the remarkable story of DEA’s three-year pursuit, the genesis of our fentanyl problem today, and the uniquely dangerous evil genius he spent hundreds of hours interviewing.
Now you can read the incredible book on which the hit docuseries, THE GODFATHER OF FENTANYL, is based!
442 pages, Paperback
Published August 27, 2024
22 people are currently reading
1513 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 14, 2024
Fatal Doses
Intelligence and knowledge in areas that most if any educators in the early 1950’s did not understand when a student excelled in areas that they had no knowledge of. Thought to be not up at standards yet reading and understanding as high as college level, this 5 year old stunned his teacher and family with his knowledge and ability but that was not to be fully understood. Drugs have been around forever and heroin users selling and buying the drugs but the mind of 12 year old George Eric Marquardt far surpassed that of many college professors who and scientists.
Able to create with the help of his aunt and her idea, a business that flourished selling drinks with alcohol and creating his own formulas. Chapter 6 is shocking yet quite ingenious as Erik loaned textbooks as the doctor working with him encouraged his hobby and provided the glassware for him and signed slips to miss school and allowing him to travel widely to explore more opportunities. But this was just the tip of the iceberg as in 1959 he was listening to Robert Oppenheimer and this one encounter and allowed to have a private conversation with him as you understand how Eric processed the physical picture and saw the solutions in his mind as Eric heard interviewers ask about a chemical process but he was able to visualize the steps and needed to achieve the results . Eric was more than a genius and as you hear what other scientists did including Haber -Bosch you will shudder when you learn what he invented plus the start of the drug business in 1950.
Eric was dangerous and his primary goal was inventing fentanyl. From 12 years of age he knew the chemistry involved a high school drop out and a chemistry prodigy, he was a dangerous chemist . Creating every illegal drug from liquor to heroin and more, you won’t believe that he brewed LSD and methamphetamine , nerve gas and more.
What might have been different if teachers realized Erik was really bright and they set up a curriculum for students that excelled?
Drugs and selling them plus creating his own business using the facilities at Marquette and spending time days and nights their lab, Erik was able to create more than just LSD or psychedelics plus those that would pay big money . The brilliance of this man is staggering and frightening as the author shares in chapter 11 how he used the resources at Marquette to make drugs, his production costs nil and he stole electronics and on page 89 last paragraph edit until you learn more. Just how does he fool everyone and when does his scheme fall apart and how?
Sister Mary Emily’s was enamoured with Eric and he created a con that would do more than embarrass the Alverno College as the sister needed ways to stretch her small budget, she allowed Eric to become a lecturer as he claimed to work for the Atomic Energy Commission. The contract and benefits brought him into contact with a private research lab and his one goldmine the spectrometer. Sister dealt with AEC people and not aware of the fraud and con the poor sister contacts AEC and was shocked at what she learns. In the end he was arrested he was installed in the Wisconsin State Reformatory his first real prison term. The 22 year old would spend over the next 50 years in prison from one
End of America to the other . But first let’s get back to why this book was written and fentanyl.
His brilliance carried over to other universities and his jail time was nothing compared to most and he continued his drug businesses and got others to help him plus stealing from universities what he needed.
Years and times in prison and manipulation if those that are inmates and guards we often hear the voice of Erik explaining his reasons for aligning or not with some until it final happens and the fentanyl takes center stage but just how you need to read for yourself as you’ll be astounded.
There are many along the way such as Martier, Moscatiello and more plus deaths from the drug and law enforcement that tracks drug trafficking and its focus on fentanyl and overdose of most addicts it’s chilling. Erik also called Squeak shares his quotes from prison to courtroom so we understand his rationale and hear his voice.
The fentanyl project boomed in 1987-1988 plus Eric and his cohorts were in and out of prisons and the fentanyl project which he and Martier discussed for five years was on.
Chapters 38-46 will keep you glued to learn just how this drug came to pass, who were the players and why so many died. Lab processes, chemists, formulas and wait until you meet Janssen and his fentanyl but as you learn more it becomes evident that his is not the final one and we will uncover more as law enforcement is now searching for the lab, merh is big, outside schools drugs are sold and kids paying for them just how will it end because this drug is still out there and very prevalent in the news. Using the Janssen process Erik created a batch he thought the best plus selling it with Martier and Moscatiello but he turned to others . From 1990 in August through until it became known as the Tango and Cash by the DEA, pages 308-309 outline the start of which agents were involved . Chapters 42-45 elaborated on more until we come to Chapter 46 and the involvement of agents and more.
Fentanyl intelligence was around the country and Joanne Leoni and her partner Jack Fasanello the expert in chemistry has a goal to find some clue that would lead them to the lab. Howard Fasanello dealt not only with the chemical side and lab suppliers, and he had diversion investigators as you read on I. Chaired 46 you will be amazed and the author explains just how smart Marquart was and how he knew that the DEA intercept an order for chemicals and more. He elaborates how and even more how a presentation in New York brought agents from across the country for the first time unifying their skills and efforts. But Erik was quite adapt and pages 339-342 explains. Then some checked out and we hear his voice telling about what happened to Martier and how he dealt with the body.
Lives lost , arrests made but in the end was it really over on February 3,1993? Did his arrest close the fentanyl pipeline? Were there more fentanyl seizures and pages 422- 427 will sum it up . Read the postlude and then decide.August 2017 read what hospitals endured and how fentanyl took more than as the author states mire than a few up to that door or Reaper’s Door. A kid named Erik, starting from the beginning with choices ahead lying up at the stars through a child’s eyes and knowing he can’t undo his deeds unread his answer to this question: would he do it again? You decide after you read this well researched and frightening true story. But, is the crisis really over? The market now is still there and tragic overdoses will it ever end? Author John Madinger takes us in a trip through the minds of those who found meth,cocaine and how a simple cough medicine with codeine sparked a rash of deaths that went over several decades.Lethal Doses what’s your definition and where do they come from? Is it over yet?
Fran Lewis just reviews
August 21, 2024
‘I’m a drug manufacturer of the clandestine sort’ – A fascinating biography/mystery!
Oklahoma author John Madinger has served as a narcotics agent, supervisor, and administrator and a special agent/criminal investigator with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, receiving commendations and awards from the DEA, IRS, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. His books to date – textbooks Money Laundering: A Guide for Criminal Investigators and Confidential Informant: Law Enforcement's Most Valuable Tool, and novels Death on Diamond Head, Pipe Dreams, along with Opium Kings of Old Hawaii, Going Under: Kidnapping, Murder, and a Life Undercover, and now Lethal Doses: The Story Behind the Godfather of Fentanyl. Madinger’s work experience is enhanced by his gifts as a writer in this extraordinarily fine biography of George Erik Marquardt.
After a brief Prelude introducing the relationship of Marquardt (referred to throughout the book as George, Squeak, Erik, and Marquardt) and his fellow “toxic heroin” fentanyl trafficker Joe Mertier, the life of Marquardt is unraveled from his birth in 1946, his childhood as a brilliant boy, a loner with a keen insight into science who suffered a major surgery at age 4 and was not allowed hospital visits by him parents – an event that created his sense of abandonment that impacted his life. Brilliant but unable to tolerate school, he did not ‘fit in’ yet found ways to make his own “laws” and fell under the spell of Oppenheimer with whom he had a meaningful discussion about radioisotopes at age 13. His life of crime began with bootlegging alcohol (moonshine), progressing with his gifts as an intuitive chemist to his ability to analyze drugs and ‘recreate’ them (Tylenol with codeine > extracting codeine > creating heroin), becoming “the country’s first clandestine chemist, ultimately able to create fentanyl – and involvement in the drug trafficking world, resulting in several imprisonments that only added to his prowess.
Madinger’s prose is compelling, making the fascinating life of “Squeak” an unfolding mystery, suffused with quotes from the prisons and courtrooms (Squeak invariably admitted guilt to all counts in a surprisingly honest fashion!), following him from Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Kansas, Massachusetts, and various prisons, while engaging the reader in a sophisticated yet accessible exploration of drugs, such as using chemicals that eliminate the entire poppy to opium to morphine to heroin production sequence to marketable items – especially fentanyl. The cast of characters includes Joseph Martier, Christopher Jastrzebski, Chris Moscatiello, Benny Zebro and numerous DEA agents and members of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics that interact to address the realm of drug trafficking crime with a focus on fentanyl, known at the beginning as Tango & Cash, responsible for overdose deaths among addicts.
Much of the novel directly quotes Squeak from Madinger’s discussions with the intensely interesting clandestine chemist. The life of George Erik Marquardt is well surveyed, and the book also provides fine insights into the investigative prowess of the DEA, OBN, and other organizations, a knowledgeable view of drug chemistry techniques and apparatus, as well as a very important report on the horrors of fentanyl – a killer drug that is once again now available even online! LETHAL DOSES is one of the finest books of the year, successful on so many levels! Very highly recommended
Oklahoma author John Madinger has served as a narcotics agent, supervisor, and administrator and a special agent/criminal investigator with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, receiving commendations and awards from the DEA, IRS, and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. His books to date – textbooks Money Laundering: A Guide for Criminal Investigators and Confidential Informant: Law Enforcement's Most Valuable Tool, and novels Death on Diamond Head, Pipe Dreams, along with Opium Kings of Old Hawaii, Going Under: Kidnapping, Murder, and a Life Undercover, and now Lethal Doses: The Story Behind the Godfather of Fentanyl. Madinger’s work experience is enhanced by his gifts as a writer in this extraordinarily fine biography of George Erik Marquardt.
After a brief Prelude introducing the relationship of Marquardt (referred to throughout the book as George, Squeak, Erik, and Marquardt) and his fellow “toxic heroin” fentanyl trafficker Joe Mertier, the life of Marquardt is unraveled from his birth in 1946, his childhood as a brilliant boy, a loner with a keen insight into science who suffered a major surgery at age 4 and was not allowed hospital visits by him parents – an event that created his sense of abandonment that impacted his life. Brilliant but unable to tolerate school, he did not ‘fit in’ yet found ways to make his own “laws” and fell under the spell of Oppenheimer with whom he had a meaningful discussion about radioisotopes at age 13. His life of crime began with bootlegging alcohol (moonshine), progressing with his gifts as an intuitive chemist to his ability to analyze drugs and ‘recreate’ them (Tylenol with codeine > extracting codeine > creating heroin), becoming “the country’s first clandestine chemist, ultimately able to create fentanyl – and involvement in the drug trafficking world, resulting in several imprisonments that only added to his prowess.
Madinger’s prose is compelling, making the fascinating life of “Squeak” an unfolding mystery, suffused with quotes from the prisons and courtrooms (Squeak invariably admitted guilt to all counts in a surprisingly honest fashion!), following him from Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Kansas, Massachusetts, and various prisons, while engaging the reader in a sophisticated yet accessible exploration of drugs, such as using chemicals that eliminate the entire poppy to opium to morphine to heroin production sequence to marketable items – especially fentanyl. The cast of characters includes Joseph Martier, Christopher Jastrzebski, Chris Moscatiello, Benny Zebro and numerous DEA agents and members of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics that interact to address the realm of drug trafficking crime with a focus on fentanyl, known at the beginning as Tango & Cash, responsible for overdose deaths among addicts.
Much of the novel directly quotes Squeak from Madinger’s discussions with the intensely interesting clandestine chemist. The life of George Erik Marquardt is well surveyed, and the book also provides fine insights into the investigative prowess of the DEA, OBN, and other organizations, a knowledgeable view of drug chemistry techniques and apparatus, as well as a very important report on the horrors of fentanyl – a killer drug that is once again now available even online! LETHAL DOSES is one of the finest books of the year, successful on so many levels! Very highly recommended
August 28, 2024
I found this book riveting it was February 1991 when a new and frightening drug hit the streets of New Your City. It was marketed as Tango & Cash. This story of George Eric Marquardt who as a young boy & used his skills when he was only a youngster to learn how to use a chemistry set in his parents' basement and use electricity as a child. Eric grew up and decide there was no need to get a drivers licence he could drive, He was bored at school so why sit in a classroom the teacher did not get him as he was smart so he bucked the system and could be found hanging around the railways riding trains and learning about them plus he also loved classical music and found older women where happy to go out with him.
Eric had extraordinary chemist talents and could have chosen to help find cures or new medication for deadly diseases, but Eric went against everything and decided to make illegal drugs heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, and the lethal drug Fentanyl. The dose of this drug started killing people as heroin users rushed to get there $10 bag not realising it was a far stronger doze of Fentanyl than the usual dose of heroin they were used to. It also filled up the hospital emergency rooms as the doctors and nurses tried to save as many people as they could from the overdoses.
The book is the life of George Eric Marquardt and his life in and out of jail always telling the authorities he was going back as a drug manufacturer and would set up illegal drug labs as soon as he was released. Eric even spoke to the DEA about how to make drugs. You go on the journey of all the drugs Eric makes the gangs he associate's with, the money men, the other inmates when Eric is in jail and the ones he stays connected with. This man whose nick name is Squeak had a gift and could see into molecule's but decided to make a wrong turn and became a Clandestine chemist and a cold bloody killer.
Eventually the undercover agents will catch squeak and his crew and restore order and life back on the streets for the addicts without Fentanyl. A very fascinating book, professionally written by John Madinger, and it was great to not only be informed on what happened to everyone who were found guilty before during and after their crimes but also the agents and police who spent time chasing them. I am part of the ARC group for WildBlue Press and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Eric had extraordinary chemist talents and could have chosen to help find cures or new medication for deadly diseases, but Eric went against everything and decided to make illegal drugs heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, and the lethal drug Fentanyl. The dose of this drug started killing people as heroin users rushed to get there $10 bag not realising it was a far stronger doze of Fentanyl than the usual dose of heroin they were used to. It also filled up the hospital emergency rooms as the doctors and nurses tried to save as many people as they could from the overdoses.
The book is the life of George Eric Marquardt and his life in and out of jail always telling the authorities he was going back as a drug manufacturer and would set up illegal drug labs as soon as he was released. Eric even spoke to the DEA about how to make drugs. You go on the journey of all the drugs Eric makes the gangs he associate's with, the money men, the other inmates when Eric is in jail and the ones he stays connected with. This man whose nick name is Squeak had a gift and could see into molecule's but decided to make a wrong turn and became a Clandestine chemist and a cold bloody killer.
Eventually the undercover agents will catch squeak and his crew and restore order and life back on the streets for the addicts without Fentanyl. A very fascinating book, professionally written by John Madinger, and it was great to not only be informed on what happened to everyone who were found guilty before during and after their crimes but also the agents and police who spent time chasing them. I am part of the ARC group for WildBlue Press and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 17, 2024
Lethal Doses by John Madinger offers an intense and meticulously detailed look into the life of George Erik Marquardt, a brilliant yet malevolent figure responsible for the deaths of many through the production of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. Madinger presents an educational and gripping narrative, tracing Erik’s journey from his high school days, where his love for chemistry first sparked, to his eventual descent into a world of drug manufacturing. Erik’s story is a stark reminder of how intelligence and ambition can have devastating consequences when paired with moral corruption.
Madinger masterfully takes us through the key stages of Erik’s life, illustrating how his fascination with chemistry led to darker pursuits. One of the most shocking aspects of the story is Erik's lack of remorse. Even after countless deaths and his eventual arrest, he makes it clear that he would return to his dangerous trade. This case is a stark reminder that society must take these threats more seriously to prevent further harm. Readers gain a nuanced view of this complex character through detailed depictions of his hobbies, his thoughts on himself, and how others perceived him. Erik's love for classical music, particularly composers like Beethoven and Mozart, contrasts sharply with his involvement in criminal activity, adding layers to his persona. His charm, confidence, and pride are ever-present, making him a figure that fascinates and repels in equal measure. Lethal Doses's structure is unique and engaging, blending quotes from Erik, excerpts from publications, and Madinger’s reflections. This approach lends the book an almost documentary-like feel, appealing to those with intellectual curiosity and a love for intricately detailed storytelling. Each chapter is filled with high-stakes moments—police raids, criminal plots, and daring escapes—that make the narrative as thrilling as it is informative.
Lethal Doses raises profound questions about justice, morality, and free will. It challenges readers to consider the consequences of unchecked ambition and the moral responsibility of both individuals and society. I found myself alternating between admiration for Erik’s intellect and disgust for his actions, fully absorbed in a story that left me both enlightened and disturbed. This book is a must-read for fans of true crime, history, and those interested in the shadowy intersections of science and criminality.
Madinger masterfully takes us through the key stages of Erik’s life, illustrating how his fascination with chemistry led to darker pursuits. One of the most shocking aspects of the story is Erik's lack of remorse. Even after countless deaths and his eventual arrest, he makes it clear that he would return to his dangerous trade. This case is a stark reminder that society must take these threats more seriously to prevent further harm. Readers gain a nuanced view of this complex character through detailed depictions of his hobbies, his thoughts on himself, and how others perceived him. Erik's love for classical music, particularly composers like Beethoven and Mozart, contrasts sharply with his involvement in criminal activity, adding layers to his persona. His charm, confidence, and pride are ever-present, making him a figure that fascinates and repels in equal measure. Lethal Doses's structure is unique and engaging, blending quotes from Erik, excerpts from publications, and Madinger’s reflections. This approach lends the book an almost documentary-like feel, appealing to those with intellectual curiosity and a love for intricately detailed storytelling. Each chapter is filled with high-stakes moments—police raids, criminal plots, and daring escapes—that make the narrative as thrilling as it is informative.
Lethal Doses raises profound questions about justice, morality, and free will. It challenges readers to consider the consequences of unchecked ambition and the moral responsibility of both individuals and society. I found myself alternating between admiration for Erik’s intellect and disgust for his actions, fully absorbed in a story that left me both enlightened and disturbed. This book is a must-read for fans of true crime, history, and those interested in the shadowy intersections of science and criminality.
August 27, 2024
The story behind the creator of the scourge that is fentanyl is told in this fascinating book written by a rock star law enforcement officer who is an award-winning author and former undercover narcotics agent.
“Lethal Doses” explores the terrifying world of synthetic drugs through the eyes of George Erik Marquardt. This true crime masterpiece reveals the origins of fentanyl and the relentless efforts to stop its deadly spread. Marquardt’s journey even included a meeting with J. Robert Oppenheimer, adding a historical twist to his dark legacy.
Marquardt was a real-life Walter White of “Breaking Bad” fame, a brilliant chemist who dropped out of high school and began creating drugs, first for a doctor at a nearby hospital and then, realizing the economic potential, for drug addicts looking for a fix.
He was a quirky sort, who enjoyed the cat and mouse game played with law enforcement, getting arrested eventually and then sentenced to prison. It was in prison where Marquardt first heard about fentanyl and hatched a plan to make a street version of it and sell it once he got out.
After he figured out how to easily make the street fentanyl and worked with a partner to sell it, it made a massive impact in New York City in 1991, leading to overdoses and warnings from law enforcement about the deadly drug.
The market for the drug boomed and now is killing about 200 Americans a day in 2024. It has become a nearly unstoppable destructive force. Madinger’s tracking of the history of the epidemic, through Marquardt’s efforts, is a compelling tale. And it traces the DEA’s chase of Marquardt and Madinger’s interviews with him.
A true crime mystery story, this book is an engrossing look at one of America’s biggest problems leading to tragic deaths from overdoses. It’s worth learning what it has to teach. Highly recommended.
“Lethal Doses” explores the terrifying world of synthetic drugs through the eyes of George Erik Marquardt. This true crime masterpiece reveals the origins of fentanyl and the relentless efforts to stop its deadly spread. Marquardt’s journey even included a meeting with J. Robert Oppenheimer, adding a historical twist to his dark legacy.
Marquardt was a real-life Walter White of “Breaking Bad” fame, a brilliant chemist who dropped out of high school and began creating drugs, first for a doctor at a nearby hospital and then, realizing the economic potential, for drug addicts looking for a fix.
He was a quirky sort, who enjoyed the cat and mouse game played with law enforcement, getting arrested eventually and then sentenced to prison. It was in prison where Marquardt first heard about fentanyl and hatched a plan to make a street version of it and sell it once he got out.
After he figured out how to easily make the street fentanyl and worked with a partner to sell it, it made a massive impact in New York City in 1991, leading to overdoses and warnings from law enforcement about the deadly drug.
The market for the drug boomed and now is killing about 200 Americans a day in 2024. It has become a nearly unstoppable destructive force. Madinger’s tracking of the history of the epidemic, through Marquardt’s efforts, is a compelling tale. And it traces the DEA’s chase of Marquardt and Madinger’s interviews with him.
A true crime mystery story, this book is an engrossing look at one of America’s biggest problems leading to tragic deaths from overdoses. It’s worth learning what it has to teach. Highly recommended.
August 27, 2024
The fictional genius of Breaking Bad’s Walter White does not hold a candle to the real chemical genius of the man who unleashed the horrors of fentanyl on an addictive world. In this era of opioid crisis, Madinger’s book shines a light on an underworld where truth is stranger, and darker, than any fiction.
Meet George Erik Marquardt, Erik Marquardt to most people, and Squeak to others. A high-school dropout with no college degree, the man is, however, an absolute genius in chemistry; being able, at a young age, to rival even the best chemists. Even then, though, he channeled this precociousness into a criminal undertaking, specifically drug manufacturing, a deadly combination that foretold the devastating havoc that has hit America, and the world, at large.
Madinger writes a compelling narrative of an intelligent child who turns his knowledge and intellect to a dark pursuit, where no amount of attempts at rehabilitation will persuade a move to a better calling. This is investigative journalism and narrative biography at its finest with deep dives into Marquardt’s personal history, his collaborators, and the various law enforcement agencies that sought him out, from the local to the federal levels.
Moreover, Madinger’s title is a history of drugs in America and the cat-and-mouse espionage-type of game that law enforcement and illicit drug manufacturers, dealers and users engage in. As Madinger shows, the stakes became ever higher when, in the early 1990s, Marquardt, figuring out a newer, cheaper and easier way to make a fentanyl “designer-drug”, unleashes Pandora’s Box – to horrific, yet popular, effect.
This is the real stuff of which fiction is made of and, not only fans of the Breaking Bad show, but readers interested in true-crime, criminal hijinks and policing will find they have an inability to put this book down once it is picked up.
Meet George Erik Marquardt, Erik Marquardt to most people, and Squeak to others. A high-school dropout with no college degree, the man is, however, an absolute genius in chemistry; being able, at a young age, to rival even the best chemists. Even then, though, he channeled this precociousness into a criminal undertaking, specifically drug manufacturing, a deadly combination that foretold the devastating havoc that has hit America, and the world, at large.
Madinger writes a compelling narrative of an intelligent child who turns his knowledge and intellect to a dark pursuit, where no amount of attempts at rehabilitation will persuade a move to a better calling. This is investigative journalism and narrative biography at its finest with deep dives into Marquardt’s personal history, his collaborators, and the various law enforcement agencies that sought him out, from the local to the federal levels.
Moreover, Madinger’s title is a history of drugs in America and the cat-and-mouse espionage-type of game that law enforcement and illicit drug manufacturers, dealers and users engage in. As Madinger shows, the stakes became ever higher when, in the early 1990s, Marquardt, figuring out a newer, cheaper and easier way to make a fentanyl “designer-drug”, unleashes Pandora’s Box – to horrific, yet popular, effect.
This is the real stuff of which fiction is made of and, not only fans of the Breaking Bad show, but readers interested in true-crime, criminal hijinks and policing will find they have an inability to put this book down once it is picked up.
September 3, 2024
From award-winning author and former undercover agent John Madinger, Lethal Doses pulls back the curtain on the fentanyl crisis, providing a brand-new account of the people and events behind one of America’s deadliest epidemics. Complete with interviews, photos, and much more, this book is a must-read!
George Erik Marquardt, also called Erik or Squeak, is known as the Godfather of Fentynal. As a child, Erik had little interest in school despite his incredible intelligence. Instead, he focused his attention on chemistry concocted out of his own basement, creating moonshine and heroin out of easily obtainable ingredients. Soon discovering the money that comes with manufacturing and selling illicit substances, Erik turned to a life of crime. From his chemical discoveries to stints in jail, Lethal Doses paints a fascinating picture of what occurs when intelligence is used for personal gain.
Additionally, this book explores the drug scene as a whole, including the people and locations that Erik was involved with. It all leads up to tragedy in the early 1990s, when fentanyl booms in popularity on the streets, affecting hundreds of people. It dives deep into the investigations that followed and the cat-and-mouse game between the DEA and Erik and his co-conspirators.
Reminiscent of “Breaking Bad,” Madinger’s book highlights the realities of drugs and the difficulties that come with trying to find the sources. It’s full of personal interviews and behind-the-scenes details, never before known by anyone except those who were there. As Madinger writes, “After a two-year investigation, the DEA ended the nation’s first fentanyl crisis and stopped the ‘killers’ who started it. Stopping the current crisis is going to be rather more difficult.” With the current opioid crisis, Lethal Doses is a relevant look into the man who started it all.
George Erik Marquardt, also called Erik or Squeak, is known as the Godfather of Fentynal. As a child, Erik had little interest in school despite his incredible intelligence. Instead, he focused his attention on chemistry concocted out of his own basement, creating moonshine and heroin out of easily obtainable ingredients. Soon discovering the money that comes with manufacturing and selling illicit substances, Erik turned to a life of crime. From his chemical discoveries to stints in jail, Lethal Doses paints a fascinating picture of what occurs when intelligence is used for personal gain.
Additionally, this book explores the drug scene as a whole, including the people and locations that Erik was involved with. It all leads up to tragedy in the early 1990s, when fentanyl booms in popularity on the streets, affecting hundreds of people. It dives deep into the investigations that followed and the cat-and-mouse game between the DEA and Erik and his co-conspirators.
Reminiscent of “Breaking Bad,” Madinger’s book highlights the realities of drugs and the difficulties that come with trying to find the sources. It’s full of personal interviews and behind-the-scenes details, never before known by anyone except those who were there. As Madinger writes, “After a two-year investigation, the DEA ended the nation’s first fentanyl crisis and stopped the ‘killers’ who started it. Stopping the current crisis is going to be rather more difficult.” With the current opioid crisis, Lethal Doses is a relevant look into the man who started it all.
August 24, 2024
The Biography of a Real-Life Walter White from Breaking Bad
Lethal Doses is a disturbing look into the mind of a despicable individual who could care less about lives he ruined and those he killed. A serial killer of the worst kind.
John Madinger’s “LETHAL DOSES: The Story Behind ‘The Godfather of Fentanyl’” is a riveting exploration into the life of George Erik Marquardt, the clandestine chemist whose creations have profoundly impacted America’s drug landscape. This biography is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts and those interested in the dark underbelly of the narcotics trade.
Madinger, an award-winning author and former undercover agent, masterfully intertwines the gripping narrative of Marquardt’s life with the broader context of the fentanyl crisis. The story begins in February 1991, when a synthetic narcotic labeled “Tango & Cash” hit New York City streets, leading to a wave of overdoses and marking the start of a new era in the drug epidemic. Marquardt, a high-school dropout and chemistry prodigy, used his talents to produce a range of illegal substances, from LSD to methamphetamine.
Marquardt’s METH was sold to oil rig workers who wanted to work harder and longer during the weekdays and party hearty on the weekends. Crazy stuff.
Madinger’s background in narcotics enforcement draws back the curtain for a look into the DEA’s three-year pursuit of Marquardt, also known as ‘Squeak’, and the origins of the fentanyl crisis. Through hundreds of hours of interviews, Madinger paints a vivid portrait of a uniquely dangerous individual and the ongoing battle against this terrible drug.
The book is also the basis for the docuseries on FOX NATION called “THE GODFATHER OF FENTANYL."
An eye opening view of the reckless, careless and clandestine illegal drug trade.
Lethal Doses is a disturbing look into the mind of a despicable individual who could care less about lives he ruined and those he killed. A serial killer of the worst kind.
John Madinger’s “LETHAL DOSES: The Story Behind ‘The Godfather of Fentanyl’” is a riveting exploration into the life of George Erik Marquardt, the clandestine chemist whose creations have profoundly impacted America’s drug landscape. This biography is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts and those interested in the dark underbelly of the narcotics trade.
Madinger, an award-winning author and former undercover agent, masterfully intertwines the gripping narrative of Marquardt’s life with the broader context of the fentanyl crisis. The story begins in February 1991, when a synthetic narcotic labeled “Tango & Cash” hit New York City streets, leading to a wave of overdoses and marking the start of a new era in the drug epidemic. Marquardt, a high-school dropout and chemistry prodigy, used his talents to produce a range of illegal substances, from LSD to methamphetamine.
Marquardt’s METH was sold to oil rig workers who wanted to work harder and longer during the weekdays and party hearty on the weekends. Crazy stuff.
Madinger’s background in narcotics enforcement draws back the curtain for a look into the DEA’s three-year pursuit of Marquardt, also known as ‘Squeak’, and the origins of the fentanyl crisis. Through hundreds of hours of interviews, Madinger paints a vivid portrait of a uniquely dangerous individual and the ongoing battle against this terrible drug.
The book is also the basis for the docuseries on FOX NATION called “THE GODFATHER OF FENTANYL."
An eye opening view of the reckless, careless and clandestine illegal drug trade.
September 4, 2024
Scary & Fascinating on Every Level
My jaw is still on the ground after reading this book. The primary reason is that while ‘Lethal Doses’ centers around the story of one person, this ‘Godfather of Fentanyl,’ it also involves the pharmaceutical industry from the 1950s forward, the FDA in classifying drugs to be illegal or not, organized crime, low-level criminals, local and national law enforcement techniques, the prison system and how one versatile chemical compound, from where Fentanyl is derived, has had such a devastating impact on societies around the world and destroyed millions of lives.
This compelling story, as told by former undercover agent John Madinger, never ceased to confound me at how connections of coincidence and shared interest pushed forward events to the tragedy we know today. George Erik Marquardt is the center piece of a story that is complex but handled extremely well by Madinger, who keeps the reader on point as information comes in from all sides to fill the primary focus, Marquardt. Fentanyl was referred to by a DEA Administrator as the ‘serial killer of the drug world,’ and I believe that is an good description.
In the middle section he describes a number of ‘chemical geniuses’ who played around with this 3-methylfentanyl compound, for major drug companies, and proved how could be changed into thousands of different variations with various uses, some good for nothing at all. Through all this, the George Erik Marquardt story creating the Fentanyl we know today really starts in 1991, and it involves so much it defies mentioning here.
Great book, fascinating story—difficult and depressing but important to know!!
My jaw is still on the ground after reading this book. The primary reason is that while ‘Lethal Doses’ centers around the story of one person, this ‘Godfather of Fentanyl,’ it also involves the pharmaceutical industry from the 1950s forward, the FDA in classifying drugs to be illegal or not, organized crime, low-level criminals, local and national law enforcement techniques, the prison system and how one versatile chemical compound, from where Fentanyl is derived, has had such a devastating impact on societies around the world and destroyed millions of lives.
This compelling story, as told by former undercover agent John Madinger, never ceased to confound me at how connections of coincidence and shared interest pushed forward events to the tragedy we know today. George Erik Marquardt is the center piece of a story that is complex but handled extremely well by Madinger, who keeps the reader on point as information comes in from all sides to fill the primary focus, Marquardt. Fentanyl was referred to by a DEA Administrator as the ‘serial killer of the drug world,’ and I believe that is an good description.
In the middle section he describes a number of ‘chemical geniuses’ who played around with this 3-methylfentanyl compound, for major drug companies, and proved how could be changed into thousands of different variations with various uses, some good for nothing at all. Through all this, the George Erik Marquardt story creating the Fentanyl we know today really starts in 1991, and it involves so much it defies mentioning here.
Great book, fascinating story—difficult and depressing but important to know!!
September 5, 2024
After being pointed towards a documentary on Fox Nation, I picked up the book on which it was based, ‘Lethal Doses' by John Madinger, because I knew it would offer me far more detail. What a creative and incisive mind was possessed by George ‘Squeak’ Marquardt, too bad he used it to unlock the fentanyl scourge we know today. I am scared for young people who might unwittingly take this or encounter it by accident.
Most fascinating, for me, were the lessons in chemical engineering and the chemical compounds that had to be unlocked; I knew it was powerful but never had any clue about just how powerful and uncontrollable in the wrong hands. I never knew about 3-methylfentanyl before, but the author and former law enforcement officer, Madinger, offered an eye-opening account of the whole process.
Squeaky knew this was ultra dangerous, that many would die because the purity was tough to control, and he said so years before he created street fentanyl. Unlike other illegal drug cookers, Squeaky had the ability, as related in the book, to “design and plan an equipment layout to get the most out of the production process.” Madinger kept telling the reader that unlocking fentanyl was hard, and it was, then the patient high school dropout genius “made fentanyl easy” and changed the world, and not for the better.
Those involved early on from 1985 to 1993 were either arrested or killed, which is the main story in the book, but as we all know the production either became a Big Pharma province or is illegally off-shore on an industrial scale. Great book, parents should read it for sure.
Most fascinating, for me, were the lessons in chemical engineering and the chemical compounds that had to be unlocked; I knew it was powerful but never had any clue about just how powerful and uncontrollable in the wrong hands. I never knew about 3-methylfentanyl before, but the author and former law enforcement officer, Madinger, offered an eye-opening account of the whole process.
Squeaky knew this was ultra dangerous, that many would die because the purity was tough to control, and he said so years before he created street fentanyl. Unlike other illegal drug cookers, Squeaky had the ability, as related in the book, to “design and plan an equipment layout to get the most out of the production process.” Madinger kept telling the reader that unlocking fentanyl was hard, and it was, then the patient high school dropout genius “made fentanyl easy” and changed the world, and not for the better.
Those involved early on from 1985 to 1993 were either arrested or killed, which is the main story in the book, but as we all know the production either became a Big Pharma province or is illegally off-shore on an industrial scale. Great book, parents should read it for sure.
September 14, 2024
Amazing Story!
John Madinger, the author of Lethal Doses: The Story Behind ‘The Godfather of Fentanyl,’ did an amazing job of pulling together a number of different parallel stories that all converged onto one person, Squeak Marquardt, the man who, in a way, invented Fentanyl. You see, Fentanyl was there hiding within the recesses of another compound, 3-methylfentanyl, which is extremely complicated and contains all kinds of possible drug combinations.
Madinger, who was an undercover agent and worked in other aspects of law enforcement, reveals the long road of pharmaceutical discoveries which led to this chemical/drug being heavily researched, and then chronicled how this crazy, uneducated, unrepentant, self-taught maestro of chemicals found that perfect combination—not too strong, not too weak, just the right purity to allow for easy cutting so criminals could make millions and not necessarily murder their customers, aka junkies.
That is the key to this story, finding that perfect sweet spot in all of his various illegal drug labs from year to year, house to house, building to building, through years of test and failure. In fact, the first time it was released, in Boston, New York and Connecticut, it was a major disaster and immediately shut down for more research. But Squeak and his backers kept coming back because the promise of profits was too much, and then he did the impossible.
But this book is also about how American society has changed over the last 40 years due to illegal or legal chemical kings. Important book to read on many levels.
Brad Butler, Author of ‘Without Redemption.’
John Madinger, the author of Lethal Doses: The Story Behind ‘The Godfather of Fentanyl,’ did an amazing job of pulling together a number of different parallel stories that all converged onto one person, Squeak Marquardt, the man who, in a way, invented Fentanyl. You see, Fentanyl was there hiding within the recesses of another compound, 3-methylfentanyl, which is extremely complicated and contains all kinds of possible drug combinations.
Madinger, who was an undercover agent and worked in other aspects of law enforcement, reveals the long road of pharmaceutical discoveries which led to this chemical/drug being heavily researched, and then chronicled how this crazy, uneducated, unrepentant, self-taught maestro of chemicals found that perfect combination—not too strong, not too weak, just the right purity to allow for easy cutting so criminals could make millions and not necessarily murder their customers, aka junkies.
That is the key to this story, finding that perfect sweet spot in all of his various illegal drug labs from year to year, house to house, building to building, through years of test and failure. In fact, the first time it was released, in Boston, New York and Connecticut, it was a major disaster and immediately shut down for more research. But Squeak and his backers kept coming back because the promise of profits was too much, and then he did the impossible.
But this book is also about how American society has changed over the last 40 years due to illegal or legal chemical kings. Important book to read on many levels.
Brad Butler, Author of ‘Without Redemption.’
September 27, 2024
While politicians have used the Fentanyl crisis to grandstand while more people are dying each day from drugs laced with the deadly chemical, Lethal Doses tells the story of an undercover agent who was on the front lines, doing something about it.
In the book, author and former undercover agent John Madinger takes us into the world of clandestine operations in a quest to find one of the most notorious and dangerous illicit drug chemist, George Erik Marquardt, known as the “Godfather of Fentanyl.” While we usually only get to read the headlines after a major drug bust, Madinger brings the reader deeply into the world of fentanyl creation and a mental chess match between him, law enforcement and Marquardt in an effort to gather enough evidence to bring the prodigy chemical creator to justice.
While Madinger allows readers to appreciate what actually goes into investigating and prosecuting international drug criminals while virtually embedding them into the front lines of the War against Fentanyl, he also takes us into the mind of his adversary. We learn of the genius of Marquardt, his childhood, his personal trauma and what drove him into a life where he would soon become responsible for massive deaths of unsuspecting Americans. Rarely do we get that kind of perspective and fly-on-the-wall view of the intricacies of undercover drug enforcement ops and at the same time learn to understand the mentality of a criminal mastermind as well as what makes him proverbially tick.
Lethal Doses is an essential read for those who want to understand the War on Fentanyl, world of drug creation and what drives a highly intelligent person to such an illegal and deadly occupation.
In the book, author and former undercover agent John Madinger takes us into the world of clandestine operations in a quest to find one of the most notorious and dangerous illicit drug chemist, George Erik Marquardt, known as the “Godfather of Fentanyl.” While we usually only get to read the headlines after a major drug bust, Madinger brings the reader deeply into the world of fentanyl creation and a mental chess match between him, law enforcement and Marquardt in an effort to gather enough evidence to bring the prodigy chemical creator to justice.
While Madinger allows readers to appreciate what actually goes into investigating and prosecuting international drug criminals while virtually embedding them into the front lines of the War against Fentanyl, he also takes us into the mind of his adversary. We learn of the genius of Marquardt, his childhood, his personal trauma and what drove him into a life where he would soon become responsible for massive deaths of unsuspecting Americans. Rarely do we get that kind of perspective and fly-on-the-wall view of the intricacies of undercover drug enforcement ops and at the same time learn to understand the mentality of a criminal mastermind as well as what makes him proverbially tick.
Lethal Doses is an essential read for those who want to understand the War on Fentanyl, world of drug creation and what drives a highly intelligent person to such an illegal and deadly occupation.
September 9, 2024
An American Story Which Reads Like a Greek Tragedy
There are many people who are blessed with genius aptitudes, and George ‘Squeak’ Marquardt was one, but there are even fewer, like one in 100 million maybe, who are also gifted with the vision to see beyond using their God given capabilities. Another quality needed to unlock the most difficult mysteries, such as ones within complex chemicals, is patience—Marquardt had that as well. Like a Greek tragedy, the story unfolds towards a horrible personal and societal ending we already know, one with so many better alternative endings had our real life protagonist chosen a different path.
Sadly, he did not and everyday we painfully live and read about the results of Marquardt’s patient, visionary intellect gone wrong—FENTANYL!!
The man ‘Lethal Doses’ is about was well aware of his gifts, and indeed everyone around him knew it and sensed the more intangible aspects as well. While reading this book I kept being reminded of certain phrases: 1) Much is expected of those with great abundance, 2) From the 1960s Get Smart TV series when mock secret agent Maxwell Smart says, ‘If only he would have used his genius for goodness instead of evil,’ 3) Or this from a Greek tragedy, ‘When a God sends mischief, not even the strong man may escape.’
This is a cautionary story regarding humans as great, noble, flawed creatures with base instincts and vicious motives.
There are many people who are blessed with genius aptitudes, and George ‘Squeak’ Marquardt was one, but there are even fewer, like one in 100 million maybe, who are also gifted with the vision to see beyond using their God given capabilities. Another quality needed to unlock the most difficult mysteries, such as ones within complex chemicals, is patience—Marquardt had that as well. Like a Greek tragedy, the story unfolds towards a horrible personal and societal ending we already know, one with so many better alternative endings had our real life protagonist chosen a different path.
Sadly, he did not and everyday we painfully live and read about the results of Marquardt’s patient, visionary intellect gone wrong—FENTANYL!!
The man ‘Lethal Doses’ is about was well aware of his gifts, and indeed everyone around him knew it and sensed the more intangible aspects as well. While reading this book I kept being reminded of certain phrases: 1) Much is expected of those with great abundance, 2) From the 1960s Get Smart TV series when mock secret agent Maxwell Smart says, ‘If only he would have used his genius for goodness instead of evil,’ 3) Or this from a Greek tragedy, ‘When a God sends mischief, not even the strong man may escape.’
This is a cautionary story regarding humans as great, noble, flawed creatures with base instincts and vicious motives.
September 5, 2024
In 1991, a new kind of drug hit New York City. It didn’t have a name yet, but it soon would: fentanyl. Now, more than thirty years later, this drug is killing dozens of Americans every day. This is the story of how it came into existence and the man who was instrumental in making it happen.
It’s incredible to think that just one individual is responsible for so much pain and carnage, but that is the case. You will learn all about him in these pages, which read like fiction, even though they’re not. The author is able to craft a narrative so compelling that it’s hard to put the book down. By the time this thrill ride is over, you will have all the most intimate and chilling knowledge about precisely what fentanyl is and who is responsible for the veritable epidemic that it has become.
It’s incredible to think that just one individual is responsible for so much pain and carnage, but that is the case. You will learn all about him in these pages, which read like fiction, even though they’re not. The author is able to craft a narrative so compelling that it’s hard to put the book down. By the time this thrill ride is over, you will have all the most intimate and chilling knowledge about precisely what fentanyl is and who is responsible for the veritable epidemic that it has become.
September 12, 2024
‘Hello. Hello. Like, that’s what I do.’
This is such a fascinating read as I have seen the effects of fentanyl, and seeing how the actual person came up with the drug is exciting and, at the same time, scary. Marquardt and his legacy continuously plague the streets today, and I have seen videos of people high and overdosed on fentanyl roaming the streets of the US, and it is so scary. The author's direct and factual writing style helps the reader get more involved in the book. The investigative journalistic style of the book adds credibility to the story; it is an eye-opening and thought-provoking book that I would recommend for others to read; it is about time we are educated in this type of information in an interesting manner of delivery.
This is such a fascinating read as I have seen the effects of fentanyl, and seeing how the actual person came up with the drug is exciting and, at the same time, scary. Marquardt and his legacy continuously plague the streets today, and I have seen videos of people high and overdosed on fentanyl roaming the streets of the US, and it is so scary. The author's direct and factual writing style helps the reader get more involved in the book. The investigative journalistic style of the book adds credibility to the story; it is an eye-opening and thought-provoking book that I would recommend for others to read; it is about time we are educated in this type of information in an interesting manner of delivery.
September 13, 2024
Excellent investigation!
This book is a deep and passionate investigation that immerses us in the world of fentanyl and its devastating consequences.
The text tells the story of a brilliant clandestine chemist who, with his knowledge, created an epidemic that has claimed thousands of lives. Through agile and immersive prose, the author presents a chilling portrait of a problem that continues to threaten society.
If you are looking for a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you reflect on the dangers of synthetic drugs, “LETHAL DOSES” is a must read and invites readers not only to question this social problem but also to measure the consequences of the decisions that are made with the use of drugs.
This book is a deep and passionate investigation that immerses us in the world of fentanyl and its devastating consequences.
The text tells the story of a brilliant clandestine chemist who, with his knowledge, created an epidemic that has claimed thousands of lives. Through agile and immersive prose, the author presents a chilling portrait of a problem that continues to threaten society.
If you are looking for a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you reflect on the dangers of synthetic drugs, “LETHAL DOSES” is a must read and invites readers not only to question this social problem but also to measure the consequences of the decisions that are made with the use of drugs.
September 1, 2024
This book is about George Erik Marquardt, better known to most as “Squeak”, or Erik. He is the self-taught chemist behind the beginning of fentanyl here in the U.S. He created the country’s only underground fentanyl lab in 1989. My son and only child died from illicit fentanyl in 2021. He was poisoned by what he thought was a friend, like so many others. Fentanyl has become an epidemic, yet not enough is being done about it. Most of it is flooding across the southern border. The DEA says that there are 200 people a day dying from this. I believe it's as much as 300 a day. I'm looking forward to watching the docuseries.
September 9, 2024
Excellent
Wow, an incredible book. I was curious about this book based on the title and wanted to know more because of all I hear of the horrors of fentanyl in the news, but I wasn't prepared for this real life Breaking Bad story. This is a well written book, a highly engaging and readable combination of facts, history, and biography. I was impressed with how well researched it was as well. Highly recommend this book for anyone, whether in law enforcement, teaching, parents, social workers, and as I am none of those things and still loved the book, anyone interested in learning more about the origins and wide spread effects of fentanyl. Well done, great book.
Wow, an incredible book. I was curious about this book based on the title and wanted to know more because of all I hear of the horrors of fentanyl in the news, but I wasn't prepared for this real life Breaking Bad story. This is a well written book, a highly engaging and readable combination of facts, history, and biography. I was impressed with how well researched it was as well. Highly recommend this book for anyone, whether in law enforcement, teaching, parents, social workers, and as I am none of those things and still loved the book, anyone interested in learning more about the origins and wide spread effects of fentanyl. Well done, great book.
September 11, 2024
The story that everyone should read.
If you want to see what is going on in the world of drugs, you must read this book. "Lethal Doses'' tells the story behind the creator of fentanyl, written by a former undercover agent of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, John Madinger. I have to say that this book may be very real and cruel, but it is what we need to read to understand what is happening with this drug and the problem it represents for our society. The author's narrative surprises me because the book is rich in tension and action; it has great technical description with a mix of human experience, which makes this book informative and emotionally resonant.
If you want to see what is going on in the world of drugs, you must read this book. "Lethal Doses'' tells the story behind the creator of fentanyl, written by a former undercover agent of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, John Madinger. I have to say that this book may be very real and cruel, but it is what we need to read to understand what is happening with this drug and the problem it represents for our society. The author's narrative surprises me because the book is rich in tension and action; it has great technical description with a mix of human experience, which makes this book informative and emotionally resonant.
September 12, 2024
I loved this book, it talks about a reality that today attacks our society in such a witty way that it seems like I was reading a fiction book, but that's where this phrase makes sense: 'Reality overcomes fiction'. In this book, you will find the story of the creator of fentanyl, this drug that has taken over the news this year for the number of lives it has taken and the crisis we are living in the United States due to the increase in consumption. The book is written by a former anti narcotics agent, which for me makes it much more interesting and real. He tells from his experience all the problems that this drug can generate and how he was able to capture its manufacturer.
September 12, 2024
This story of murder and its aftermath features scenery-chewing participantes, unexpected events are well-told here and there is an almost unimaginable amount of human misery.
Madinger, the author of this incredible book, tells it with style, an exquisite narrative and on-point vocabulary which is difficult to understand. He manages to wring maximum drama out of the events and sketch out great details that allow us to create pictures in our minds.
This book is what I call a true crime and story, I like everything I read here, every chapter gets more interesting than the last one; and even when I finish reading it, some images still linger in my head. A super book!
Madinger, the author of this incredible book, tells it with style, an exquisite narrative and on-point vocabulary which is difficult to understand. He manages to wring maximum drama out of the events and sketch out great details that allow us to create pictures in our minds.
This book is what I call a true crime and story, I like everything I read here, every chapter gets more interesting than the last one; and even when I finish reading it, some images still linger in my head. A super book!
September 12, 2024
Mind blowing.
This book is just mind blowing. There is so much about the drug history I didn’t know at all. Fentanyl is really a devil. I had no clue about how it was invented and how it got into the streets. This read cleared up a lot of things for me. It’s super interesting to learn about this. George Erik is a fascinating being. Definitely, not in a positive way, but it’s crazy what master minds are out there. I also learned to differentiate the drugs way more precisely. It was just a very teaching book. I enjoyed it, although it is so sad to see what a substance can do to humans. It’s infuriating and crushing.
This book is just mind blowing. There is so much about the drug history I didn’t know at all. Fentanyl is really a devil. I had no clue about how it was invented and how it got into the streets. This read cleared up a lot of things for me. It’s super interesting to learn about this. George Erik is a fascinating being. Definitely, not in a positive way, but it’s crazy what master minds are out there. I also learned to differentiate the drugs way more precisely. It was just a very teaching book. I enjoyed it, although it is so sad to see what a substance can do to humans. It’s infuriating and crushing.
October 19, 2024
Well done John. There were so many ‘what ifs’ in Erik’s life. His parole officer, Patty, once asked me if I thought that people had taken advantage of him. It had never occurred to me. He himself never thought so. I knew so little of his life at that time, only how horrendous his actions and that he broke my parent’s hearts. I replied to Patty that at a certain point in your life you own your own actions.
I can’t but be angry and bitter though about Henry and his own Dr. for their part in what they did to Erik when he was just a child. He was only between the ages of 9 and 14.
What if???
I can’t but be angry and bitter though about Henry and his own Dr. for their part in what they did to Erik when he was just a child. He was only between the ages of 9 and 14.
What if???
September 4, 2024
Best true crime I’ve read since Empire of Pain, with similar resounding consequences. It’s about a brilliant outlaw chemist who doesn’t care how many people he kills — and he kills more than a hundred - as long as he can do his science. He may or may not be a sociopath, as he has an alternate moral code that he adheres to even when he suffers the consequences. He has respect for the DEA agents after him and contempt for the Boston gangsters financing his operation. Well written and constructed, full of twists and surprises. Could not put this book down.
February 14, 2025
When a non fiction book amazes you to this extent and shocks you it means it is relevant
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews