Down by the River: Drugs, Money, Murder, and Family

Many different worlds collide in the dusty, sprawling metropolis of El Paso/Juarez, igniting a culture of chaos. This conflagration is fueled to levels of heroic proportions by economic opportunity. The biggest opportunities arise from the official American goals of stopping the illegal drug trade, the so-called War on Drugs. Profits previously unimaginable are within reach for the daring in a black market created by drug prohibition laws. Consequently, 'greed' violently governs lives on both sides of the border with the protection, or camouflage, of law enforcement and government on both sides of the border. In "Down by the River," Charles Bowden investigates and records for history a collage of bizarre events at the frontlines of a war that can never be won. I'm from El Paso. I have encouraged people for many years to open their minds to the murderous results of this war on drugs-but with limited success and much frustration at times. Now others can and do comment readily to me because this eye-popping book is now available as credible social research. Charles Bowden has provided us with facts, names, dates, researchable footnotes, and irrefutable grounds to support what we already know and feel. Most everyone around here remembers the sad story of the Jordan family, around whom the book centers. Many people agree with Phillip Jordan, the eldest brother of this local family, who believes his youngest brother Bruno was killed with an Uzi in a carjacking as a warning from the Juarez cartel to 'back off.' Was this a nasty hint for Phil to drop his announced plans to increase DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) success in his hometown? Anyone who has heard the story has an opinion similar to mine, and, in my opinion, it was a dire warning. His brother's murder occurred as Phillip Jordan was in the process of filling his promotion with the DEA to head the El Paso Intelligence Center, or EPIC.Seeing in print the details of local daily newspaper stories supported with what I've only heard in whispers is at the same time affirming yet even more frightening. With so much documentation available to so many, why aren't we approaching these issues with more realism? Why are so many people paying so dearly with their lives or time in prison? The borderland that surrounds the Rio Grande is like a test tube for corruption. What happens here can happen anywhere if left unchecked. We cannot continue on our current path and expect to achieve any success, nor can we abruptly legalize the most popular illegal drugs without major global repercussions. We need to see the truth and deal with it.According to Bowden, pragmatic patriotism may be at the heart of many of the sophisticated and driven businessmen, narcocorridos, when they employ thousands and build roads, churches, schools and more. Ironically, here in the United States public funds continue to be routed away from education and public health and towards law enforcement and harsher punishments. Our leaders

You want the true story about the "War On Drugs"? Then don't wait and buy this book NOW. Bowden takes you right inside what's going on with this so called war, and the people who get hurt by it. Once you pick up this book you won't be able to put it down. Charles Bowden is one of this country's great reporters/writers.Jay MarvinWLS RadioChicago, IL

This is a very well written and informative book. It is more than just about the drug trade and the DEA. It provides insights into Mexico and its government that are unique and normally untold by our American media. Yes, this book is about the drug trade, but it is about much more. It is also about Mexico's government and its leaders, and the relationship between the US & Mexican governments, and corners of Mexican society. Those who just focus on the main storyline of the murder & the DEA agent are missing the forest for the trees. For example, the accounts of how events are reported in the Mexican press are fascinating. It is very interesting to see how things get told in Mexico and how news events are reported. You will also be stunned by some of the facts regarding Mexican government and the drug trade. Bowden's statistics are startling and they are meticulously footnoted in the index. He does a fantastic job of providing facts.I would compare this book very much to the movie Traffic. The scene and the topic are similar. And both are done very, very well. Both will also expose the drug trade in a way we Americans aren't really used to.

As a former participant in the drug war (on the wrong end), I will assure you this is an accurate portrayal. Participants on both sides of the issue are decimated, and people prefer to bury their heads and hide from this reality, a reality that may be the most critical problem facing our nation.This book is extremely well written. My hat is off to Mr. Bowden.

Why would someone take 7 years of their life to write a book? Find out and read this book. It's not fiction, but when you read about the lives of those affected, including the author, you will wish it was. You won't want to think too long about how great amounts of money can change the way things should be. How money levers the honest officials in other countries and the U.S. into submission or how it lifts the greedy into powerful positions will shake you. The amounts of that money will be beyond comprehension. Want to know how the soldiers in the war on drugs are regarded and treated by those you think are their best advocates. Will the war ever be won or even end? This book will hold your attention, I highly recommend it.