For two decades, Rene Enriquez, aka 'Boxer', was a mob enforcer among the upper echelons of the Mafia. But he didn't work for the Italians. Or the Russians. He worked for the La Familia Mexicana, also knowns as La Eme, a powerful and fearsome mob organization that used a base army of approximately 60,000 heavily armed, loyal Latino gang members - the Surenos - to control California's crime world. The most dangerous gang in American history, they wave the flag of the Black Hand - and their reach is growing. In this riveting and bloody saga, Enriquez shares the story of La Eme with experienced investigative journalist Chris Blatchford. Unveiling the inner workings of this dangerous and powerful organization, Enriquez reveals how he devoted his life to the cause-only to find betrayal and disillusionment at the end of a bloody trail of violence that he followed for two decades. As gripping as it is terrifying, "The Black Hand" offers a window into a little known world and explores its implications for us all.

About the Author
Chris Blatchford is an investigative reporter and author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller Three Dog Nightmare. He has won numerous commendations and awards for his reports, including nine Emmy Awards and a Peabody for his investigation into Italian Mafia infiltration of MCA/Universal's music and home video divisions. He lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews
"Blatchford is well-suited to tell this story ... he captures the nuances and nihilism of the prison world ... The narrative is interspersed with fascinating prison arcana." -- Los Angeles Times "A gripping, powerful, chilling inside look at a criminal organization that is changing the organized crime landscape. This is a mob classic." -- Dominick Dunne "A fascinating, vivid and unforgettable insider's look at the bloody, secret and deadly Mexican Mafia. Chris Blatchford's compulsively readable wake-up call spares no one and names everyone, including the politicians who aid and abet this dangerous criminal organization, through corruption, maddening naivete, or political correctness." -- Joseph Wambaugh "A courageous and well-written expose on one of the most ruthless and powerful gangs of all, the Mexican Mafia. Chris Blatchford reaffirms his position as being among Americans greatest investigative reporters." -- Vincent Bugliosi, author of Helter Skelter "Chris Blatchford has hit a grand slam. The Black Hand is an important page turning book that will take you into a frightening dark world that shouldn't exist... but it does. It's riveting, and when you finish the book, you'll get up and lock your doors. Highly recommended." -- William "Billy" Queen, retired special agent ATF and bestselling author of Under and Alone "A fascinating look at the world of the Mexican Mafia, more ruthless than the LCN. A must read for law enforcement and a tribute to the courage of 'dropout' Rene 'Boxer' Enriquez." -- Joe Pistone, aka Donnie Brasco



Book Information
ISBN 9780061944185
Author Chris Blatchford
Format Paperback
Page Count 368
Imprint William Morrow Paperbacks
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Weight(grams) 386g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 23mm