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Mr. Untouchable
From inside the Federal Witness Protection Program, the "Black Godfather" chronicles the 1970s New York City underworld and the most devastating urban crime wave in history. 1962 LEROY "NICKY" BARNES walks out of Green Haven State Prison. There are an estimated 153,000 heroin abusers in the United States. 1977 Two million junkies score $100 million worth of Barnes's smack a year. Sporting flashy suits, riding in a Citroën with a Maserati engine and satisfying a wife while pleasuring a harem of mistresses, Barnes presides over a staggering multinational dealership that pushes dope and launders money with the efficiency of a Fortune 500 company. Despite President Nixon's creation of the Drug Enforcement Administration and New York State's adoption of the no tolerance Rockefeller drug laws, Barnes's operation seems impregnable. How does a small-time hustler and heroin addict end up on the cover of the New York Times Magazine as MR. UNTOUCHABLE, the one gangster the Feds can't touch? And how is the future Mayor of New York City Rudolf Giuliani involved? With Machiavellian pragmatism matched with biblical fury, Barnes lays bare his life's remarkable trajectory--a rise, fall and resurrection defined by brutality, brotherhood and betrayal.
308 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 3, 2024
I loved it!
I started this book at an advantage because I saw the documentary. This was a truly engaging read about a world I only heard about. Barnes is a bit of a narcissist and his writing is laced with subtle jabs for those he is still upset with. (Of course the beginning acknowledgement at first is not so subtle...)
We must read with the thought in mind that there is more to one side of every story, but this book paints a vivid picture and lots of historical relevance.
I started this book at an advantage because I saw the documentary. This was a truly engaging read about a world I only heard about. Barnes is a bit of a narcissist and his writing is laced with subtle jabs for those he is still upset with. (Of course the beginning acknowledgement at first is not so subtle...)
We must read with the thought in mind that there is more to one side of every story, but this book paints a vivid picture and lots of historical relevance.
September 22, 2015
“Mr. Untouchable, The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Heroin’s Teflon Don” by Leroy “Nicky” Barnes and Tom Folsom, published by RuggedLand.
Category – Memoir/Crime Publication Date – February 06, 2007.
Nicky Barnes is now in the Witness Protection Program. He tells his own story that borders on the unbelievable. It is hard to image how a person could live the life he did.
Barnes was no stranger to a jail cell but he learned quickly how to become the main distributor of illegal drugs in New York City. He was in control of a business that brought tens of millions of dollars of heroin into New York annually. He wisely layered so many people underneath him that he became virtually “Untouchable” by the authorities. Barnes lived a life of luxury. He owned several cars, including a Citroen with a Maserati engine, clothes of the highest quality and price, and even though he was married he had no trouble satisfying a harem of mistresses. Proving, once again, that there is no honor among thieves, Barnes was incarcerated in 1977 to a life sentence. While in jail he began to see his empire crumble. He decided to turn state’s evidence to obtain his release and to “pay back” those who had turned against him.
A very good read about a criminal that most of us have never heard of. A word of caution that the book does contain sexual content and strong language. You may also want to bone up on your street language.
Category – Memoir/Crime Publication Date – February 06, 2007.
Nicky Barnes is now in the Witness Protection Program. He tells his own story that borders on the unbelievable. It is hard to image how a person could live the life he did.
Barnes was no stranger to a jail cell but he learned quickly how to become the main distributor of illegal drugs in New York City. He was in control of a business that brought tens of millions of dollars of heroin into New York annually. He wisely layered so many people underneath him that he became virtually “Untouchable” by the authorities. Barnes lived a life of luxury. He owned several cars, including a Citroen with a Maserati engine, clothes of the highest quality and price, and even though he was married he had no trouble satisfying a harem of mistresses. Proving, once again, that there is no honor among thieves, Barnes was incarcerated in 1977 to a life sentence. While in jail he began to see his empire crumble. He decided to turn state’s evidence to obtain his release and to “pay back” those who had turned against him.
A very good read about a criminal that most of us have never heard of. A word of caution that the book does contain sexual content and strong language. You may also want to bone up on your street language.
June 4, 2008
I picked up this book the last week of May and I finished it in 3 days!! This book was well written and a definite page turner. Not often found in most memoirs or biographies.
I'm not one to read many biographies or memoirs, or at least until recently. I was surprised at how intriguing and interesting this book was. The narrative voice drew me in.
If you don't know much about Nicky Barnes, the basics will do: He's a notorious drug-addict turned drug-kingpin from one of New York's most famous neighborhoods, Harlem. After 10 years in the life of narcotics, Barnes, deemed "Mr. Untouchable" by the cops because of the legal system's inability to convict him. It all came to an end after Barnes posed for the famous cover of the NYT Magazine. President Carter sent the Feds after him and Barnes was incarcerated for life without parole.
Barnes' story didn't end there, however. He went on to set up and entrap hundreds of fellow colleagues including members of his version of the Black Mafia, called "The Council," and two of his main women.
Barnes takes readers on a wild ride journey. One that he begins at the height of his career before the big fall. He segues from prison into the earliest days of his life in Harlem, his years as a junkie, several prison terms and finally his beginnings as a drug kingpin. The final act of the book (one of three acts), focuses on his last years in prison and the downfall of his organization, and his decision to snitch and how he went about it.
The details of the novel were quite enjoyable. Barnes doesn't hold back when it comes to the material goods he enjoyed during his days at the top. His Maserati-Citroen, the various penthouse apartments across the city and tri-state area, the fine liquor and drugs he inhaled and the designer duds he and his women wore.
What was most charming about Barnes' story was the incredibly charming narration. Barnes was witty and funny, qualities one would not expect from one of the top heroin sellers of his day. For those of us not born during his generation, it's hard to imagine that this is the same man that had helped destroy a whole community of families. But one in which we must not forget.
Lastly, one of my complaints about the memoir was that I felt that Barnes conveniently gives the reader anecdotes and history about his fellow Council members that portray them as inadequate and often goofy compared to himself. It helps to create this pile of infractions that would inevitably lead Barnes to set up and take out his "brothers" in the Council. Barnes portrays himself as really not having a choice in his final decisions. To be honest, I'm just not that convinced.
Overall, I give this book 4 of 5 stars. There was a lot unsaid in this memoir, but it was a good read and I recommend it.
I'm not one to read many biographies or memoirs, or at least until recently. I was surprised at how intriguing and interesting this book was. The narrative voice drew me in.
If you don't know much about Nicky Barnes, the basics will do: He's a notorious drug-addict turned drug-kingpin from one of New York's most famous neighborhoods, Harlem. After 10 years in the life of narcotics, Barnes, deemed "Mr. Untouchable" by the cops because of the legal system's inability to convict him. It all came to an end after Barnes posed for the famous cover of the NYT Magazine. President Carter sent the Feds after him and Barnes was incarcerated for life without parole.
Barnes' story didn't end there, however. He went on to set up and entrap hundreds of fellow colleagues including members of his version of the Black Mafia, called "The Council," and two of his main women.
Barnes takes readers on a wild ride journey. One that he begins at the height of his career before the big fall. He segues from prison into the earliest days of his life in Harlem, his years as a junkie, several prison terms and finally his beginnings as a drug kingpin. The final act of the book (one of three acts), focuses on his last years in prison and the downfall of his organization, and his decision to snitch and how he went about it.
The details of the novel were quite enjoyable. Barnes doesn't hold back when it comes to the material goods he enjoyed during his days at the top. His Maserati-Citroen, the various penthouse apartments across the city and tri-state area, the fine liquor and drugs he inhaled and the designer duds he and his women wore.
What was most charming about Barnes' story was the incredibly charming narration. Barnes was witty and funny, qualities one would not expect from one of the top heroin sellers of his day. For those of us not born during his generation, it's hard to imagine that this is the same man that had helped destroy a whole community of families. But one in which we must not forget.
Lastly, one of my complaints about the memoir was that I felt that Barnes conveniently gives the reader anecdotes and history about his fellow Council members that portray them as inadequate and often goofy compared to himself. It helps to create this pile of infractions that would inevitably lead Barnes to set up and take out his "brothers" in the Council. Barnes portrays himself as really not having a choice in his final decisions. To be honest, I'm just not that convinced.
Overall, I give this book 4 of 5 stars. There was a lot unsaid in this memoir, but it was a good read and I recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2019
A very good account of an infamous crime lord in Harlem, NY.
March 17, 2008
A little difficult to get into at first, but quickly picks up the pace as Barnes describes a vivid street life in 1970s NYC.
I could've done without the repetitious (and abundant) thought breaks (postage stamp-sized silhouettes of Nicky's head appear between paragraphs on nearly every page), but whatever. (As Nicky Barnes might say, "The fuck you need that many silhouettes throughout the book for?")
His ego is still quite apparent, and he doesn't hesitate to point out (several times over) the numerous luxuries he's enjoyed in his life. Or his contempt for cops and prosecutors; despite readily admitting that what he was doing was completely illegal, he would try to paint them as the true villains.
An interesting read, particularly if you enjoyed American Gangster. Coincidentally, Barnes unsurprisingly has no nice words for the subject of that film, Frank Lucas.
All in all, it's okay... but not great by any means.
I could've done without the repetitious (and abundant) thought breaks (postage stamp-sized silhouettes of Nicky's head appear between paragraphs on nearly every page), but whatever. (As Nicky Barnes might say, "The fuck you need that many silhouettes throughout the book for?")
His ego is still quite apparent, and he doesn't hesitate to point out (several times over) the numerous luxuries he's enjoyed in his life. Or his contempt for cops and prosecutors; despite readily admitting that what he was doing was completely illegal, he would try to paint them as the true villains.
An interesting read, particularly if you enjoyed American Gangster. Coincidentally, Barnes unsurprisingly has no nice words for the subject of that film, Frank Lucas.
All in all, it's okay... but not great by any means.
September 4, 2007
It's was a easy read. Since it was an autobiography he had his own flow of chronology and it's a bit jumbled. Each chapter jumps to another subject and to another month or year so it's tough to keep up with. Great insight into the justice system and how cash can only keep you out of jail for so long. There is a bit of dialog from Rudy Gulliani when he was District DA of NYC which makes it interesting. Apparently there is documentary coming up so I think I would like to see that.
March 14, 2015
Good book for what it was Mr. Untouchable Nicky Barnes story of his rise to power, his forming of the council to distribute heroin in Harlem and other parts of NYC and his decision to turn informant and bring them all down after he feels that they have betrayed him after he is sent to prison. This is told by Barnes so obviously is completely one-sided.
July 17, 2019
Book provides great insight into the big city drug life of the 1970s told by one of the top US drug bosses of the time. One does not excel at the level without having great organizational abilities--too bad he didn't apply them to legitimate pursuits instead. Speaking of organization, I was close to a 3-star review because the book suffers on that dimension.
July 13, 2009
...a friend of mine bought five copies of this (he works in a bank) because he thought that this is the best book to illustrate perfect business organization...
...it had a hypnotic effect on myself - i thought i should not fear NYPD - so said Nicky Barnes :))
...it had a hypnotic effect on myself - i thought i should not fear NYPD - so said Nicky Barnes :))
February 19, 2008
It's written by Nicky Barnes, so who knows how much is true (contradicts the movie "American Gangster" for sure), but it's still a good story. It reads like a movie.
December 14, 2010
Mr. Untouchable is a must read book. It tells a story of how Nicky Barnes started in and became one of the richest heroin supplier in New York.
July 9, 2011
Brags alot but a good tale of a snitch!
December 6, 2017
The way in which this book was written is a huge disappointment. 98% of the plot concerns how many ladies he piped or the amount of money he made. No real feel or plot.
November 6, 2021
This has a cinematic structure. Act 1 shows Barnes living high on the hog from his drug empire. It goes up to the time he was arrested and waiting for trial. Act 2 is a flashback to his childhood and the building of the empire. Act 3 is his trial and the downfall. If someone was going to adapt it into a movie their structure is right there.
Nicky makes him sound like he's the smartest guy in the world. But I can excuse that, it's his book so hes allowed to gloat a bit. Also it kind of fits the image you may have of him. [The 70s super fly blaxploitation drug kingpin]
Recommend if you like true crime and 70s crime movies .
Nicky makes him sound like he's the smartest guy in the world. But I can excuse that, it's his book so hes allowed to gloat a bit. Also it kind of fits the image you may have of him. [The 70s super fly blaxploitation drug kingpin]
Recommend if you like true crime and 70s crime movies .
November 21, 2009
I'm not sure what I liked more: the fact this his face was used as a page break or the subject matter at hand. Barnes is extremely candid with his thoughts about his life as one of the leaders of a large drug cartel in the 70s. There are lessons to be learned and funny anecdotes to be had.
February 6, 2011
Great read. Very interesting story. Not over done. Not boring.
Read
March 4, 2011This dude was interesting because he epitomized the times he lived in.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews