Marching Powder is the story of Thomas McFadden, a small-time English drug smuggler who was arrested in Bolivia and thrown inside the notorious San Pedro prison. He found himself in a bizarre world, the prison reflecting all that is wrong with South American society. Prisoners have to pay an entrance fee and buy their own cells (the alternative is to sleep outside and die of exposure), prisoners' wives and children often live inside too, high quality cocaine is manufactured and sold from the prison, and all the police from the governor downwards can be bribed. Under the surface is a frightening level of violence - Thomas's life was often in danger and one of his friends was murdered by the police when he threatened to expose the corruption in the prison. Thomas ended up making a living by giving backpackers tours of the prison - he became a fixture on the backpacking circuit and was named in the Lonely Planet guide to Bolivia. When he was told that for a bribe of USD5000 his sentence could be overturned, it was the many backpackers who'd passed through who sent him the money. Sometimes shocking, sometimes funny, Marching Powder is an always riveting story of survival.
About the Author
Rusty Young is an Australian lawyer who met Thomas McFadden on a tour of San Pedro. He was so impressed by him that he stayed there (voluntarily) for three months in order to write his story. Thomas McFadden is now a free man, teaching English in Colombia.
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Reviews
– Customer review on 12/03/2008
Someone told me about this book in 2004 and wanted to make it into a movie (has this been done?), eventually i picked this book for my book club and overall the reveiws were not great! There was a lot of suspicion as to how true the story was and whether Thomas was partially or entirely fabricated. There are definately events that you can imagine happening in that environment, some scary, some sad, some shocking, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend to anyone who has enjoyed travelling and can understand the politics and cultures of other countries, particularly poorer ones than our own. I would give it 3 out of 5!
Marching Powder tells the true story of Thomas McFadden's time in Bolivia's San Pedro Prison. A prison where inmates pay rent for their cells and high quality cocaine is made.
The book does not only describe the daily life of the inmates of this unbelievable prison but it also highlights themes of friendship, survival and determination.
Marching Powder tells the story of struggle and survival of drug trafficer McFadden, his highs and lows, friendships and the consequences of his actions.
Marching Powder is thought-provoking, captivating, funny and at times both horrific and sad. Overall it was a highly enjoyable read. I thought that Marching Powder was well written and Rusty Young (the author) did not over indulge in displaying the harsh and sordid conditions of the infamous San Pedro Prison.
I was recommended this book and I definately recommend it aswell.
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– Customer review on 12/03/2008
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