This book describes U.S. intelligence's involvement with drug dealers and smugglers from World War II through Iran-Contra. It is a good summary, and worth consulting for its bibliography alone. Beyond summarizing the work of other writers and journalists, its unique contribution is the chapter on the complicity of the American banking system, especially the Chase Manhattan bank. When the dealing's done, someone has to launder the money, and those Wall Street suits belong in the police line-up right next to the creepy murderous Bolivian and Colombian cartel leaders. This book might also be considered a history of the CIA.

I suppose someday I should read a book about the CIA that paints it in a flattering light. If I ever come across such a book.