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Freeway Rick Ross: The Untold Autobiography
Freeway Rick The Untold Autobiography is an intimate look at the day-to-day dealings of a drug kingpin in the heart of the ghetto. It’s also the story of a boy born in poverty Texas who grew up in a single-parent household in the heart of South Central, who was pushed through the school system each year and came out illiterate. His options were few, and he turned to drug dealing. This Untold Autobiography is not only personal, but also historical in its implications. Rick Ross chronicles the times by highlighting the social climate that made crack cocaine so desirable, and he points out that at the time, the “cops in the area didn’t know what crack was; they didn’t associate the small white rocks they saw on homies as illegal drugs.” All Rick Ross knew was people wanted it.
298 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2014
102 people are currently reading
1348 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 7, 2017
I go to the HighTimes Michigan Cannabis Cup in Clio at the Auto Speedway every year, this year was no differs in the fact that I was there walking around with my husband enjoying the even seeing the different vendors this year when I see a small crowd form around a very nice smiling black man. I thought nothing of it people are always trying to promote there products holding little demonstrations or handing out free samples.. But the more and more I look I realize this man looks so familiar..(we have seen famous people at these things but there is usually a BIGGER CROWD AND LOTS OF FANFARE FOLLOWING..) I then notice hey he was on the DJ Vlad interviews... Then it hits me OH MY GOD!!! It's Freeway Ricky Ross Americas drug dealer, helped expose the Nicaraguan-contra debacle, and here he is on a book tour with High-Times (what a pair huh lol)!!! Well I tell my husband who knows who that is but is like ok so... I walk over and stand a few feet away he is taking pictures with people talking... And I'm standing there waiting he stops looks at me My Husband (God love the man) says babe you want a picture?!? He says yes let me get a picture with this pretty young lady.. I shoulder up and say I seen you on Vlad TV he thanks me I take the picture and go to the outside of the lil circle crowding around.. Then I see he is selling the book.. I get $20 out and walk up ask for a copy and he signs it right there To Ashley From Ricky Ross 6-25-2017!!!!
Awesome guy, cool meeting, and very interesting book!!!!
Well the book starts from the middle to beginning to end... His legal run ins, growing up in the most poverty striven city in America, to become the most richest entrepreneur in a very taboo enterprise in the drug dealing game... But it's not a Look at me look over here. It's more of a look this is what happened now you stay away or this is what WILL HAPPEN!!! Very hard hitting story.
This is truly a rags to riches, to defeat to a second chance at stardom was again. Maybe not the most beloved figure in our history, But a figure with a lot of historical prowess none the less. The crack epidemic of the 80's can still be seen and felt today and to see this man. Not only repentant but trying to better not only himself BUT HELP OTHERS!!!! That's a American Dream story if I have ever had to point to one...(the parts about his FRIEND Gary Webb is kinda sad because you know the outcome for the man.. But he still fights for him!!! A TRUE Man/Friend/ American Hero
Check the book out for yourself see what you make of it.. Check out Freeway Ricky Ross on Vlad TV, Instagram, Joe Rogan Experience Podcast, or any other social media or place he or his story can be found..
Awesome guy, cool meeting, and very interesting book!!!!
Well the book starts from the middle to beginning to end... His legal run ins, growing up in the most poverty striven city in America, to become the most richest entrepreneur in a very taboo enterprise in the drug dealing game... But it's not a Look at me look over here. It's more of a look this is what happened now you stay away or this is what WILL HAPPEN!!! Very hard hitting story.
This is truly a rags to riches, to defeat to a second chance at stardom was again. Maybe not the most beloved figure in our history, But a figure with a lot of historical prowess none the less. The crack epidemic of the 80's can still be seen and felt today and to see this man. Not only repentant but trying to better not only himself BUT HELP OTHERS!!!! That's a American Dream story if I have ever had to point to one...(the parts about his FRIEND Gary Webb is kinda sad because you know the outcome for the man.. But he still fights for him!!! A TRUE Man/Friend/ American Hero
Check the book out for yourself see what you make of it.. Check out Freeway Ricky Ross on Vlad TV, Instagram, Joe Rogan Experience Podcast, or any other social media or place he or his story can be found..
April 25, 2015
Freeway Ricky was a pioneer to the drug game. Contrary to popular belief, Freeway was not the type of dealer that was killing people left and right. He was once a tennis prodigy that was headed towards college, but derailed by the public educational system. Isolated and excluded from the traditional American path, he found himself in the streets of South Central trying to find his way. After a stint of petty crimes he makes contact with a connect from Columbia and makes history.
Non confrontational and altruistic, Ross spreads the wealth aquired through cocaine and employs several gangleaders to distribute his product. Eventually Murphy's Law catches up to him and he finds himself doing an inevitable prison bid.
Ultimately, I loved the book and couldn't put it down, but his lack of awareness on the atrocities he contributed to bothered me. He points the finger at the informant for placing him in his situation, without fully acknowledging the fact that he placed the heinous drug into the palms of parents, which in turn broke up households, and placed thousands of kids into foster homes. The legend of Rick Ross was so celebrated in rap culture that a rapper stole his name and perpetuated the myth of druglord worship. Of course, this is an outcry for a druglord to have a sense of morality, and contrition which is ad hominem to the overall content of the autobiography.
Good book that I would recommend to anybody.
Non confrontational and altruistic, Ross spreads the wealth aquired through cocaine and employs several gangleaders to distribute his product. Eventually Murphy's Law catches up to him and he finds himself doing an inevitable prison bid.
Ultimately, I loved the book and couldn't put it down, but his lack of awareness on the atrocities he contributed to bothered me. He points the finger at the informant for placing him in his situation, without fully acknowledging the fact that he placed the heinous drug into the palms of parents, which in turn broke up households, and placed thousands of kids into foster homes. The legend of Rick Ross was so celebrated in rap culture that a rapper stole his name and perpetuated the myth of druglord worship. Of course, this is an outcry for a druglord to have a sense of morality, and contrition which is ad hominem to the overall content of the autobiography.
Good book that I would recommend to anybody.
August 15, 2016
This is probably not the book you'd think it would be.
The most interesting thing about (the real) Rick Ross is that he was selling drugs for the CIA, which used the proceeds to purchase weapons for the Contras in Nicaragua, but that's hardly discussed here. It's mentioned in one of the very last chapters, which is more like an epilogue, and it doesn't go into much detail.
The thing is, Ross hadn't even heard of Iran-Contra until Gary Webb brought it to his attention when he was working the Dark Alliance series of articles, upwards of a decade after the fact. Whatever was going on with the CIA, arms dealers and various foreign governments was entirely unbeknownst to Ross.
Most of the book consists of the story of how he built such an epic coke empire, at one point moving 100 kilos a day, back when coke was still expensive. The sheer scale of the thing really was impressive, but the day to day tasks involved in building it, which are discussed here in more minute detail than I require, are surprisingly mundane.
The most interesting thing about (the real) Rick Ross is that he was selling drugs for the CIA, which used the proceeds to purchase weapons for the Contras in Nicaragua, but that's hardly discussed here. It's mentioned in one of the very last chapters, which is more like an epilogue, and it doesn't go into much detail.
The thing is, Ross hadn't even heard of Iran-Contra until Gary Webb brought it to his attention when he was working the Dark Alliance series of articles, upwards of a decade after the fact. Whatever was going on with the CIA, arms dealers and various foreign governments was entirely unbeknownst to Ross.
Most of the book consists of the story of how he built such an epic coke empire, at one point moving 100 kilos a day, back when coke was still expensive. The sheer scale of the thing really was impressive, but the day to day tasks involved in building it, which are discussed here in more minute detail than I require, are surprisingly mundane.
November 2, 2021
Poorly written, badly edited, tedious, and obviously false in places. There is nothing redemptive or particularly interesting about Ross's story.
December 21, 2015
I have watched documentaries on Free Way Rick Ross but I was delighted to be offered a chance to listen to the audio book. Let me just say that I was not disappointed. He approached selling drugs as a business man does his empire. A man who could not read ended up making millions of dollars... How does that happen? Of course he goes to prison and not only learns to read but learns enough about law that he is able to get is sentence reduced. The possibility that the CIA was involved makes this an even more compelling story... The reader wont' be disappointed.
Narration: Initially I thought that a more urban voice would be needed to better articulate the story. However, I soon enjoyed Kevin Pierce's narration. His even tone 'toned' down a story of drugs and hustling in the ghetto! 4.5 stars for you sir!
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
Narration: Initially I thought that a more urban voice would be needed to better articulate the story. However, I soon enjoyed Kevin Pierce's narration. His even tone 'toned' down a story of drugs and hustling in the ghetto! 4.5 stars for you sir!
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
January 4, 2021
Listened on Audible. Wanted to listen after enjoying Gucci Mane's autobiography. Unfortnuately, Rick Ross's was just boring. Would not recommend.
May 24, 2021
Interesting but just what you'd assume. Success, dirty cops, disloyal friends and family. Good read.
June 28, 2024
Good read
Read
October 26, 2021Interesting story. The overused phrase "big if true" applies to claims that the CIA supplied the original crack to South Los Angeles to fund its Cold War adventure in Nicaragua in the 1980s.
Either way, Freeway Ricky Ross' story remains interesting regardless of where he got the drugs he sold. (And he sold a lot of them: according to a 2013 profile in Esquire, federal prosecutors alleged that the kingpin made "a gross revenue claimed to be more than $900 million, the equivalent of $2.7 billion in 2020, and profits of almost $300 million, or about $900 million in 2020.")
A theme that runs through the book is entrepreneurship, professionalism, and worth ethic. These are themes you wouldn't usually associate with the stereotypical drug dealer. But he gives example after example of how his curiosity, ambition, and interest in business practices made him rich while others failed to get rich despite his investing in them to begin their own version of of a narcotics business and giving them instructions on how to replicate his business model for themselves.
But none innovated the drug business like Rick Ross did in the 1980s until arguably Ross Ulbricht in the 2000s (the Silk Road dark web marketplace inventor). This is especially impressive because despite having a CEO's mentality and a hustler's ambition, Rick Ross was illiterate until he learned to read in prison.
Ross earned a life sentence in federal prison in 1996, which was reduced to 20 years. He is now a free man and lives in Los Angeles.
Either way, Freeway Ricky Ross' story remains interesting regardless of where he got the drugs he sold. (And he sold a lot of them: according to a 2013 profile in Esquire, federal prosecutors alleged that the kingpin made "a gross revenue claimed to be more than $900 million, the equivalent of $2.7 billion in 2020, and profits of almost $300 million, or about $900 million in 2020.")
A theme that runs through the book is entrepreneurship, professionalism, and worth ethic. These are themes you wouldn't usually associate with the stereotypical drug dealer. But he gives example after example of how his curiosity, ambition, and interest in business practices made him rich while others failed to get rich despite his investing in them to begin their own version of of a narcotics business and giving them instructions on how to replicate his business model for themselves.
But none innovated the drug business like Rick Ross did in the 1980s until arguably Ross Ulbricht in the 2000s (the Silk Road dark web marketplace inventor). This is especially impressive because despite having a CEO's mentality and a hustler's ambition, Rick Ross was illiterate until he learned to read in prison.
Ross earned a life sentence in federal prison in 1996, which was reduced to 20 years. He is now a free man and lives in Los Angeles.
January 25, 2022
"Greasy & delicious"
What my 👂 heard ⤵️
I approach drug dealing as a businessman even though the government associated me with gangs like the Hoover Street crips
low-key demeanor
I'm a businessman in a gangster environment
we didn't call it crack we called it ready Rock
as time progressed you're making millions every day
I'm super literate
it's more woods and weeds than roads and neighborhood
I don't have much but what I do have was comfortable
most people are so lazy because their dreams are so small
he was a chronic drunk
I have a neck for hanging around money
I was in trance by the process and hypnotized by his surgeon like aptitude
street famous
the pizza was greasy and delicious
i bargained hard
I can see the skeptical look in your eye
I'm all about putting money on the table
I can see the potential in this kid
the guy was true to his word
I play for keepseis
he's in the habit of showing off every time a crowd was around
I rely on my physical abilities more than my mental aptitude
I was not only nervous I was terrified
i think your one of the coolest dudes
seesm terribly exaggerated
what's up with the shit eating grin
johnny b king of the shit eating grin
im rolling in pocket change
What my 👂 heard ⤵️
I approach drug dealing as a businessman even though the government associated me with gangs like the Hoover Street crips
low-key demeanor
I'm a businessman in a gangster environment
we didn't call it crack we called it ready Rock
as time progressed you're making millions every day
I'm super literate
it's more woods and weeds than roads and neighborhood
I don't have much but what I do have was comfortable
most people are so lazy because their dreams are so small
he was a chronic drunk
I have a neck for hanging around money
I was in trance by the process and hypnotized by his surgeon like aptitude
street famous
the pizza was greasy and delicious
i bargained hard
I can see the skeptical look in your eye
I'm all about putting money on the table
I can see the potential in this kid
the guy was true to his word
I play for keepseis
he's in the habit of showing off every time a crowd was around
I rely on my physical abilities more than my mental aptitude
I was not only nervous I was terrified
i think your one of the coolest dudes
seesm terribly exaggerated
what's up with the shit eating grin
johnny b king of the shit eating grin
im rolling in pocket change
September 7, 2017
The book Freeway Rick Ross: The Untold Autobiography by Rick Ross is a fantastic book. The main character is the man himself Rick Ross, no not the rapper. This book he explains all of his life changing events that shaped him to be the person who he is today.
The part that made this book great for me is that I cant relate to anything that Rick went through. Being from a relatively rich area, this book most definitely opened my eyes to the other parts of the city. He faced many challenges to me being the most important one is witnessing a family fight. Very early in his childhood he witnessed a very scared altercation between two family that I wont give away.
I loved this book, I loved hearing all of the stories and problems that this man had to go through. It didn't matter how old he was he was always fighting something. I would suggest this book to a reader that likes to read things about the real harsh reality of the some parts of the world. Everything you read you know is true and thats what really makes it good for me. Knowing that all of these events actually occurred really can be eye opening. Great book I would suggest it to anyone.
The part that made this book great for me is that I cant relate to anything that Rick went through. Being from a relatively rich area, this book most definitely opened my eyes to the other parts of the city. He faced many challenges to me being the most important one is witnessing a family fight. Very early in his childhood he witnessed a very scared altercation between two family that I wont give away.
I loved this book, I loved hearing all of the stories and problems that this man had to go through. It didn't matter how old he was he was always fighting something. I would suggest this book to a reader that likes to read things about the real harsh reality of the some parts of the world. Everything you read you know is true and thats what really makes it good for me. Knowing that all of these events actually occurred really can be eye opening. Great book I would suggest it to anyone.
August 30, 2024
I put this book off for quite a while since I had no idea who Freeway Rick Ross was nor how his book had ended up in my wish list. However this book ended up being quite enjoyable and this review is a little spoilery.
It a slow start, by chapter 10 you'll find you're 2 hours into the 8 hour book and Rick is still at school/college. It picks up by hour 4 and we see a lot more of the drug dealing side after that.
Some of it seems glossed over like the grittier, more violent aspects. I can't imagine the rise to kingpin is a bloodless endeavour. Nor do I think that Rick was completely out of the game and just on the edge of going clean when stung by the raid.
On the other hand his $30k/day in recreation and pot use combined with him not seeming to launder any money until very late in the game is believable. As were some of the police actions that were then subject to law enforcement investigation.
By the end I think this turned out to be an enthralling story, well narrated and worth a credit but definitely needing to be taken with a pinch of salt.
It a slow start, by chapter 10 you'll find you're 2 hours into the 8 hour book and Rick is still at school/college. It picks up by hour 4 and we see a lot more of the drug dealing side after that.
Some of it seems glossed over like the grittier, more violent aspects. I can't imagine the rise to kingpin is a bloodless endeavour. Nor do I think that Rick was completely out of the game and just on the edge of going clean when stung by the raid.
On the other hand his $30k/day in recreation and pot use combined with him not seeming to launder any money until very late in the game is believable. As were some of the police actions that were then subject to law enforcement investigation.
By the end I think this turned out to be an enthralling story, well narrated and worth a credit but definitely needing to be taken with a pinch of salt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 1, 2024Not really the complimentary epilogue to investigative reporter Gary Webb's essential Dark Alliance I was expecting? hoping for? missing.
The first-person narration of never ending persecutions, Do-No-Wrong(s), and blameless misfortunes gets exhausting. Rick Ross writes like he's still in lockup and worried about the Parole Board potentially getting ahold of his memoir, i.e. withholding authenticity out of fear it might eventually extend his term. Not sure if he's self-editing [née: redacting] out of vanity or hoping to sell his story's screen rights to conservative Hollywood/broadcast executives?
The first-person narration of never ending persecutions, Do-No-Wrong(s), and blameless misfortunes gets exhausting. Rick Ross writes like he's still in lockup and worried about the Parole Board potentially getting ahold of his memoir, i.e. withholding authenticity out of fear it might eventually extend his term. Not sure if he's self-editing [née: redacting] out of vanity or hoping to sell his story's screen rights to conservative Hollywood/broadcast executives?
September 12, 2021
Great book
Great book
Moral of the story, the quicker you get out of doing wrong the better
Freeway Rick was an illiterate kid in Los Angeles ghettos that only cared about being the best tennis player in the 80s
When this did not come true he turned to nonviolent crime and eventually to selling crack and being one of the biggest players for this in the late 80s
Even though he was able to get out of the business for a couple of years, an old friend and his favorite cousin led to his biggest set backs and eventually 20 years in prison
I recommend this book for anyone wanting to start a business
Even though his profession was illegal I found many good principals to use in a legitimate work
Great book
Moral of the story, the quicker you get out of doing wrong the better
Freeway Rick was an illiterate kid in Los Angeles ghettos that only cared about being the best tennis player in the 80s
When this did not come true he turned to nonviolent crime and eventually to selling crack and being one of the biggest players for this in the late 80s
Even though he was able to get out of the business for a couple of years, an old friend and his favorite cousin led to his biggest set backs and eventually 20 years in prison
I recommend this book for anyone wanting to start a business
Even though his profession was illegal I found many good principals to use in a legitimate work
March 17, 2019
I guess a job is a job, no matter what......
Are you looking for incredible tales of gun fights, crazy parties, and wild stories? Well, American Desperado about “Cocaine Cowboy” John Roberts is your speed. This book doesn’t have any of this.
If you’re looking for a straightforward narrative about setting up and expanding a business (in this case, large scale drug distribution) and all the related challenges that accompany growing a business, this is for you.
I find the mechanics of the drug business interesting, so this book worked for me. It’s an easy read and really pretty mundane. Only recommended for those really interested in the day to day mechanics of business development.
Are you looking for incredible tales of gun fights, crazy parties, and wild stories? Well, American Desperado about “Cocaine Cowboy” John Roberts is your speed. This book doesn’t have any of this.
If you’re looking for a straightforward narrative about setting up and expanding a business (in this case, large scale drug distribution) and all the related challenges that accompany growing a business, this is for you.
I find the mechanics of the drug business interesting, so this book worked for me. It’s an easy read and really pretty mundane. Only recommended for those really interested in the day to day mechanics of business development.
April 9, 2021
FASCINATING THEME/ATROCIOUS WRITING/FRAGMENTED NARRATIVE/LOTS OF POINTLESS BLAH-BLAH/TAKES TOO MUCH TIME TO REACH THE GOOD PARTS/IT WORKS AS A STUDY ON BLACK-AMERICAN GANG AND DRUG CULTURE/THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE DEEP WILL BE DISSAPOINTED/DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY INSIGHT IN THE ROLE THE CIA PLAYED/RICKY ROSS BLABBERS NON-STOP ABOUT HIS HOMIES, AUTOMOBILES, BAGS OF CASH AND NOT MUCH ELSE/TRIES HARD TO EVADE CERTAIN ISSUES AND PROMOTE OTHERS/FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE SPOILS EVERYTHING/IF IT HAD BEEN WRITTEN BY A BETTER (TRUE CRIME) AUTHOR IN THE THIRD PERSON IT WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER BOOK.
May 9, 2018
There is always a bigger picture.
This, a captivating tale of a man whom unknowingly was part of a huge and sinister CIA operation. Flooding the streets of LA with coke for decades to fund weaponry for a war outside of the US. Rick Ross tells some serious lesson about people, friends and family and even connections. It's amazing to see how a man whom was illiterate for a large amount of time was able to turn it around and put himself in the straight and narrow.
This, a captivating tale of a man whom unknowingly was part of a huge and sinister CIA operation. Flooding the streets of LA with coke for decades to fund weaponry for a war outside of the US. Rick Ross tells some serious lesson about people, friends and family and even connections. It's amazing to see how a man whom was illiterate for a large amount of time was able to turn it around and put himself in the straight and narrow.
October 13, 2024
I don’t know how I feel about this book. I had high hopes, maybe because I was comparing it to the show Snowfall. I wanted more from this book- not the day to day tasks of building a drug empire. I felt like the “meat” of this whole story was missing throughout the whole book, and mentioned in the last several pages. There are also SO many people that he mentions in this book making it hard to follow each persons role in his drug empire.
January 19, 2020
Ok...
It was an ok read. I wished he would of spoke more on how selling crack affected the community. All he talked about was how he bought and sold the drugs, but not the impact of it. I watch Snowfall on FX and I thought the biography of the man that inspired the show would go deeper than the show; but it didn't. I will get the Dark Alliance sometime soon, which he mentioned.
It was an ok read. I wished he would of spoke more on how selling crack affected the community. All he talked about was how he bought and sold the drugs, but not the impact of it. I watch Snowfall on FX and I thought the biography of the man that inspired the show would go deeper than the show; but it didn't. I will get the Dark Alliance sometime soon, which he mentioned.
February 18, 2022
Ricky Ross's rise and fall and rise again.
He was a crack cocaine cook and dealer who made millions by creating and supplying addicts.
Although it's not mentioned in the book he ruined many lives.
He considers himself an astute business man who ran an ever-expanding drug empire.
Good book about a man who used people for his own profit.
He was a crack cocaine cook and dealer who made millions by creating and supplying addicts.
Although it's not mentioned in the book he ruined many lives.
He considers himself an astute business man who ran an ever-expanding drug empire.
Good book about a man who used people for his own profit.
August 30, 2023
Rise to riches story
Everything stack against him and he came out on top. Stay a bit too long and trusted the wrong person but he’s back on the right track after doing his time. His mind if it was cultivated for corporate I wonder what he could’ve done.
Everything stack against him and he came out on top. Stay a bit too long and trusted the wrong person but he’s back on the right track after doing his time. His mind if it was cultivated for corporate I wonder what he could’ve done.
February 28, 2024
This book is a good read to know about Rick Ross. It shows many aspects of his life which are not known to public.
See "https://urworldtips.com/rick-ross-net..." for know more about Rick Ross.
Thanks
See "https://urworldtips.com/rick-ross-net..." for know more about Rick Ross.
Thanks
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September 23, 2019interestingly boring really
October 31, 2020
Real truth
Loved this book watched documentaries that made Ross look completely different from his truth Glad he got to tell his side and FUCK THE POLICE
Loved this book watched documentaries that made Ross look completely different from his truth Glad he got to tell his side and FUCK THE POLICE
March 6, 2022
The Real Rick
Riveting read that separates the real, cold and hardcore ice from the fictional snowfall. This book is hard to put down once you start it!
Riveting read that separates the real, cold and hardcore ice from the fictional snowfall. This book is hard to put down once you start it!
Read
April 28, 2024brb rewatching Snowfall
March 17, 2017
Interesting Read
I'm sure we'll see a movie adaptation of this book sooner or later. Was a good book that I read in one sitting.
I'm sure we'll see a movie adaptation of this book sooner or later. Was a good book that I read in one sitting.
March 31, 2020
A Frank look into the rise of the drug trade, the US government's role in the trade and police misconduct
February 21, 2017
King of the streets, naive to associations.
Outstanding story of one of the most accomplished players in the drug game. The book humanized Rick Ross and cohorts and gave a look into a world that is foreign to most of us. Truly a great story....Should be made into a movie.
Outstanding story of one of the most accomplished players in the drug game. The book humanized Rick Ross and cohorts and gave a look into a world that is foreign to most of us. Truly a great story....Should be made into a movie.
December 12, 2014
In the opening passages of Ross's book, he makes it clear that he is not a gangster. He may have come close, he may have affiliated with gangsters, but he steadfastly eschews the distinction when describing himself. For some, this may seem to be at odds with story of a young, black kid from South Central LA who became the region's biggest cocaine kingpin, but Ross's story is miles from the Scarface archetype embodied by so many real-world players in the drug enterprise.
Ross didn't have to be the hardest, the toughest, or the most ruthless to get where he did. In many ways, his story feels parallel to that of many successful businessmen; it's a story of networking, smart investment, competition, and strategic alliances. His laid back persona comes through in the conversational prose, and Ross is easy to relate to, if one occasionally blinded by ambition. Ross was never flashy, dressing in jeans and driving cheap, older cars, and his book is similarly slim on boastfulness, spending relatively little time on tales of excess and conquest.
In fact, much of the book seems to reflect his single-mindedness. He often recounts in excruciating detail the price of a kilogram at any given moment, details of his distribution network, and exactly which of an endless parade of homies was with him at any time, while completely neglecting more personal events like the birth of his children, or the effect of events on his relationships with those around him.
This self-published tome is somewhat lacking in polish, despite an assist from veteran crime writer Cathy Scott, but this also makes it a relatively unfiltered look into the mind of a genuinely unique figure in urban crime. Ross may have temporarily turned a blind eye to the suffering his enterprise caused, but he managed not to sell his soul entirely, and it's hard not to forgive his transgressions in the end.
Ross didn't have to be the hardest, the toughest, or the most ruthless to get where he did. In many ways, his story feels parallel to that of many successful businessmen; it's a story of networking, smart investment, competition, and strategic alliances. His laid back persona comes through in the conversational prose, and Ross is easy to relate to, if one occasionally blinded by ambition. Ross was never flashy, dressing in jeans and driving cheap, older cars, and his book is similarly slim on boastfulness, spending relatively little time on tales of excess and conquest.
In fact, much of the book seems to reflect his single-mindedness. He often recounts in excruciating detail the price of a kilogram at any given moment, details of his distribution network, and exactly which of an endless parade of homies was with him at any time, while completely neglecting more personal events like the birth of his children, or the effect of events on his relationships with those around him.
This self-published tome is somewhat lacking in polish, despite an assist from veteran crime writer Cathy Scott, but this also makes it a relatively unfiltered look into the mind of a genuinely unique figure in urban crime. Ross may have temporarily turned a blind eye to the suffering his enterprise caused, but he managed not to sell his soul entirely, and it's hard not to forgive his transgressions in the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews