The explosive memoir of legendary DEA agents and the subject of the hit Netflix series Narcos, Steve Murphy and Javier F. Peña\nFor the first time, legendary DEA operatives Steve Murphy and Javier F. Pena tell the true story of how they took down Pablo Escobar.\nColombian drug lord Pablo Escobar's brutal Medellin Cartel was responsible for trafficking tonnes of cocaines to North America and Europe in the 1980s and '90s. Colombia became a war zone as his sicarios mercilessly murdered thousands of people - competitors, police and civilians - to ensure he remained Colombia's reigning kingpin. With billions in personal income, Escobar bought off politicians and lawmen and became a hero to poorer communities by building houses and sports centres. He was untouchable.\nBut when Escobar became one of America's most wanted, agents Steve Murphy and Javier F Pena were tasked with ending his reign of terror. For eighteen months, Steve and Javier lived and worked beside Colombian authorities, finding themselves in the crosshairs of sicarios who were targeting them for the $300,000 bounty Escobar placed on their heads. Undeterred, they risked the dangers, relentlessly and ruthlessly separating the drug lord from his resources and allies, tearing apart his empire, and sending him underground and on the run from enemies on both sides of the law.\nFrom their rigorous physical training and early assignments in Miami and Austin, to the Colombian mission that would make their names, Manhuntersis the jaw-dropping true story of how the world's most infamous narco was finally put out of business.\n*\n"Riveting. A must-read for anyone interested in one of the major campaigns on the war on drugs." Publishers Weekly\n"A thriller-esque account...keep[s] the pages turning." Kirkus Reviews\n"A gripping insider account of the hunt for Pablo Escobar. Brilliant, bold, and no holds barred, this is an impeccable true crime story, told by the two brave men who risked everything to bring down the world's first narco-. A five-star read!" Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 'Spymaster'\n"Manhunters is a riveting account of two brave DEA Agents who put their lives, along with their families lives, on the line to fight the war on drugs in the US and Colombia. A must read on the take down of Pablo Escobar and the part they played in the investigation." Joe Pistone, a.k.a. Donnie Brasco\n"A fast-paced tale by two agents for the DEA who had the inside track on bringing down the most wanted man in recent U.S history." Bruce Porter, New York Times bestselling author of 'Blow' and 'Snatched'\n"Manhunters is a gripping story about two true patriots who were the difference makers in the final hunt for Pablo Escobar. They are heroes to a world that was otherwise held captive by the evil of the planet's first narco-. Their bravery is unparalleled, and we owe them a great deal of gratitude for their selfless sacrifices. It is an honor to know them and their story." ?Robert Mazur, New York Times bestselling author of The Infiltrator 
"Steve and Javier's experience on the front lines of the war on drugs over the last thirty years made them an invaluable source of information for us. Their contacts, both foreign and domestic, allowed us to put together a narrative of one of the most complex, poorly reported, and misunderstood chapters in our recent past." Eric Newman, Executive Producer, 'Narcos'\n"Steve Murphy and Javier Pena recount their involvement in the pursuit and ultimate victory over a savvy and ruthless killer who declared an uncivil war against his own country. Never failing to credit Colombian heroism in this gripping struggle, Murphy and Pena offer fresh details of the chase for Pablo Escobar that resulted in his defeat and reclamation of the country from the deadly forces of narco-terrorism. A must-read for any fan of Narcos!" Chris Brancato, Executive Producer, 'Narcos'\n"Steve Murphy and Javier Pena are the real deal; true heroes of the drug war. Man

Manhunters: How We Took Down Pablo Escobar

History

Peña, Javier F.

Murphy, Stephen E.

Americas

Headline

AS VISITOR TO HAVANA, SHOULD HE FOLLOW THE SAFE ROUTE OR PUSH THE ENVELOPE TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH? Read more in Chapter Eleven, "Issaquah (Mission Havana)"... A memoir of risk-taking, poignancy and redemption, On the Edge recounts University of Washington grad, Stephen Murphy’s odyssey east to Harvard Business School. Feel his pain as hopes come crashing down. Watch him struggle through Vietnam and Pacific typhoons, but find his way to Columbia Business School, later Brazil. How does he live in an infamous favela in Rio de Janeiro, as an international banker, or end up with Hollywood studios, fighting pirates? Run the gauntlet with him inside the Beltway in both Bush administrations, yet find a way to keep his cool. In twelve chapters focused on “turning points of life,” On the Edge: An Odyssey gives inspiration to professionals to land on their feet despite harsh circumstance. “Murphy's high octane adventures provide fast reading for those keen on showbiz south of the border," writes Steve Solot, author, Brazil Cinema Today, and president, Rio Film Commission. ‘’Stephen Murphy has indeed taken paths less travelled. This is a frank and personal discussion of success, failure and lessons learned by a Seattle boy who became a global wanderer.” -- Christopher T. Bayley, author, Seattle Justice; chair, Stewardship Partners; former King County Prosecuting Attorney.

On The Edge: An Odyssey

Biographies & Memoirs

Leaders & Notable People

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Professor Luke Shannon gets upbraided by a Cuban exile at Seattle University. Thirty years ago, Luke didn't keep his promise to Ana Sanchez, a high-profile dissident and his former lover. Her uncle was Cuba's deceased Hero of the Republic, General Arnaldo Ochoa. Luke promised to tell his story to the world. Luke finds out that Ana is still alive but in failing health. In Miami, he catches Cubana Aviacion's last flight to Havana. Then COVID-19 hits Cuba in 2020. All bets are off if Luke will prevail. His odyssey takes him through police interrogations, steamy salsa clubs and tropical storms. The Inspector, tipped off by Cuban intelligence, is intent on taking him down. Whom can Luke trust? Startling news slaps him in the face. Now he must escape. Can Luke keep his promise or will he die trying? Note: The demise of General Arnoldo Ochoa is a topic of debate among expatriates and cognoscenti of Cuba. Ochoa's military campaigns in Africa are still taught at the U.S. and Russian War Colleges. This book is based on 65 interviews of Cubans in-country and from exiles abroad. Its places and names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Havana Odyssey: Chasing Ochoa's Ghost

Literature & Fiction

United States

Book House Publishing

Professor Luke Shannon’s study mission to Brazil takes an ominous turn. Tatiana, a fiery student with indigenous roots, has a secret agenda. She seeks the killers of her cousin, “the guardian of the forest,” assassinated on All Saints Day 2019. Teaming up with a veteran reporter in the Amazon, they press hard to discover the truth. 
Those in power feel threatened and push back. A Colombian drug lord enters the fray, taking Tatiana, Luke, and the journalist down a dangerous path. São Paulo’s crime syndicate and Big Ag interests play for keeps. They’ll eliminate anyone who gets in their way. Who will prevail? 
Stephen Murphy interviewed over one hundred Brazilians for this book, told through the eyes of sixteen unsung heroes and heroines. They battle to save their rainforests, native people and fragile democracy in Brazil today. 
NOTE: Reporter Dom Phillips and indigenist Bruno Pereira disappeared deep in the Amazon jungle on June 5, 2022. My book is dedicated to them. Thanks to local villagers, the Federal Police arrested several suspects. 
But who ordered their murder?

Brazilian Odyssey

Genre Fiction

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