Original Gangster: The Real Life Story of One of America's Most Notorious Drug Lords
Jun 2010 · St. Martin's Press
4.7star
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320
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About this ebook
The true story of the rise and fall of a Harlem heroin kingpin
In his own words, Frank Lucas recounts his life as the former heroin dealer and organized crime boss who ran Harlem during the late 1960s and early 1970s. From being taken under the wing of old time gangster Bumpy Johnson, through one of the most successful drug smuggling operations, to being sentenced to seventy years in prison, Original Gangster is a chilling look at the rise and fall of a modern legacy.
To gain the success he craved, Lucas broke the Italian mafia's monopoly in New York by cutting out middlemen and smuggling heroin directly from the Golden Triangle, using coffins. Selling "Blue Magic"—the purest heroin on the street—Lucas became one of the most powerful crime lords of his time, while rubbing shoulders with the elite in entertainment, politics, and crime. After his arrest, Federal Judge Sterling Johnson called Lucas and his operation "one of the most outrageous international dope-smuggling gangs ever."
This powerful memoir reveals the true story behind the 2007 film American Gangster, exposing a startling look at the world of organized crime.
In his own words, Frank Lucas recounts his life as the former heroin dealer and organized crime boss who ran Harlem during the late 1960s and early 1970s. From being taken under the wing of old time gangster Bumpy Johnson, through one of the most successful drug smuggling operations, to being sentenced to seventy years in prison, Original Gangster is a chilling look at the rise and fall of a modern legacy.
To gain the success he craved, Lucas broke the Italian mafia's monopoly in New York by cutting out middlemen and smuggling heroin directly from the Golden Triangle, using coffins. Selling "Blue Magic"—the purest heroin on the street—Lucas became one of the most powerful crime lords of his time, while rubbing shoulders with the elite in entertainment, politics, and crime. After his arrest, Federal Judge Sterling Johnson called Lucas and his operation "one of the most outrageous international dope-smuggling gangs ever."
This powerful memoir reveals the true story behind the 2007 film American Gangster, exposing a startling look at the world of organized crime.
Ratings and reviews
4.7
43 reviews
Ernestine Chapman
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October 5, 2019
More interesting & more importantly intriguing. More irrelevant images running through my mind like mystery of what happened. When my grandmother & grandfather had told me & it touched my heart. Watched the movie & reading about how Affordable African Americans are blessed now then before. God hands been on us.We use to own our house and buy buildings and businesses & grocery stores. So very inspiring and intriguing to me. To stay on a right wing pathway of life. What good for you just be careful about whose you with.What to be in life. Make a statement & discuss what around your way.Stay forces keep your head up reach for the stars. Think big about your family and future generations coming up a head. Roads won't be perfect or pretty but, regardless how much of time you have spent all your time getting and education out of life. Devil work shop is a terrible thing for you to waste. Stay prayer up in king Jesus twenty four seven at all times. He would never leave you home less.
1 person found this review helpful
A Google user
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this story fascinates me but i wonder if it's all true.some accounts having him saying his wife made him a gift of the coat,in the book he says he met with the furriers and picked out the fur.Richie Roberts says Frank has a tendency to exaggerate.even though i believe a lot is true,i think some of this is just bravado.he certainly is a colorful character though.
Frankie Torres
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May 5, 2015
I love that book.and I could see the movie over and over again.it bring me back to does old days in the 70s in nyc.
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
FRANK LUCAS is a former heroin dealer and organized crime boss who operated in Harlem during the 60's and 70's. His career was the focus of the 2007 film American Gangster.
ALIYA S. KING, a native of East Orange, New Jersey has been writing professionally since 1998 and has written features and music profiles for a bevy of magazines. Keep The Faith, her collaboration with singer Faith Evans, is a New York Times bestselling title.
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