Prisoner of War: The Story of White Boy Rick and the War on Drugs

by Vince Wade

What authoritative voices are saying about Prisoner of The Story of White Boy Rick and the War on Drugs : “Meticulously researched and brutally honest. It tells the true story of White Boy Rick.” —Ret. FBI Agent Herman Groman—Rick’s “handler” as an informant. “With all of the ‘based on’ fluff and feathers coming out of Hollywood, Wade tells the true story of Richard Wershe, Jr., and how he landed behind bars for 30+ years.  As usual, fact is more devastating that fiction.” —Ralph Musilli, White Boy Rick Wershe’s longtime criminal appeals lawyer The tale of a Detroit boy recruited by the FBI—at age 14— to be a paid informant against a politically-connected drug gang is so amazing it inspired a Hollywood film— White Boy Rick —starring Matthew McConaughey as the teen’s father.
What kind of father would take FBI cash to let his youngest child be an undercover operative in the murderous drug underworld? This book answers the question. White Boy Rick became the Detroit FBI’s most productive drug informant of the ‘80s, but as the book explains, things went awry amid FBI misdeeds. Rick tried to become a cocaine wholesaler, got caught and has spent 30 years behind bars. He became a Prisoner of The War on Drugs. Rick Wershe is the central character in a wide-ranging exploration of the nearly half-century trillion-dollar policy failure known as the War on Drugs. It explains “testilying”, the widespread perjury felony committed by the police in pursuit of drug felonies, it examines CIA pressure to get charges dropped in a Detroit drug case and it shows how a basketball star’s drug death led to mass incarceration. Order a copy of Prisoner of War and explore the appalling truth from the trenches of the War on Drugs.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

Published March 27, 2018

Reviews

[Maria Wroblewski · Rating 1 out of 5]

Author attempt to give the reader a lesson on the war on drugs. The problem is that he puts events that occurred a decade apart, together to make his points. Example, Elvis, who was big in the mid to late 50's, is said to be popular at the same time as THE GRADUATE, which was released in 1966. Also, he takes facts and interprets them incorrectly. Example, Tim Allen is most famous for playing Santa. Half of the book does not even deal with Rick. First time I've said this, ever.........watch the movie, forget the book

[Phino DeLeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough, well written. Mr Wade put a multitude of ongoing threads together and gave a complete overview of the reasons why Rick Wershe had to spend so much time in prison for a non-violent offense. I would have liked to read more about the actual arrest along with the circumstances surrounding it but overall I think he made a excellent point about the truth about the "War on Drugs" in America

[Maryann Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. Very informative.

This book will make you stop and think.....who is really benefiting from the "War on Drugs!" Rick Wershe, Jr was instrumental to the FBI until he wasn't, and was left with nothing. Corrupt politicians and law enforcement agencies in Detroit made it a point to railroad Rick whenever they were able, to protect themselves.

[Teresa Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very informative book. Just about everything you ever wondered about is covered. The war on drugs, politics, corruption (lots of that!) how the media warps stories to fit their narrative. There is so much information that it might be worth a second read just to absorb it all!

[Nate Hendrix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watched a movie and then a documentary about White Boy Rick. That fed my interest. I needn't have bothered. Everything interesting about this case was in the documentary. The book was ok, but nothing new. I can see why it was self published.

[Zane Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Story!

An outstanding book by Mr. Wade! A great story exposing an ugly truth that continues to unfold all across this country.

[Kathy Norris · Rating 3 out of 5]

More about the war on drugs than White Boy Rick. Interesting insight, but tedious. Lots of corruption among public servants, sadly!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bottom line is the war is not being won. Treat this like a health issue and treat the abusers. Just like prohibition allow it then monitor the demand side. Too many youth in jail for lengthy sentences.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The background of Detroit's (and the U.S.) historical war on drugs inclusive of the youngest recruit to an undercover position is told throughout this book. Troubled times, indeed...and an interesting narration.