Dark Alliance

The CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion

By: Gary Webb

Narrated by: Christian Rummel

In July 1995, San Jose Mercury-News reporter Gary Webb found the Big One - the blockbuster story every journalist secretly dreams about - without even looking for it. A simple phone call concerning an unexceptional pending drug trial turned into a massive conspiracy involving the Nicaraguan Contra rebels, L.A. and Bay Area crack cocaine dealers, and the Central Intelligence Agency. For several years during the 1980s, Webb discovered, Contra elements shuttled thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States, with the profits going toward the funding of Contra rebels attempting a counterrevolution in their Nicaraguan homeland. Even more chilling, Webb quickly realized, was that the massive drug-dealing operation had the implicit approval - and occasional outright support - of the CIA, the very organization entrusted to prevent illegal drugs from being brought into the United States.

Within the this audiobook version of Dark Alliance, Webb produces a massive amount of evidence that suggests that such a scenario did take place, and more disturbing evidence that the powers that be that allowed such an alliance are still determined to ruthlessly guard their secrets. Webb's research is impeccable - names, dates, places, and dollar amounts gather and mount with every page, eventually building a towering wall of evidence in support of his theories.

After the original series of articles ran in the Mercury-News in late 1996, both Webb and his paper were so severely criticized by political commentators, government officials, and other members of the press that his own newspaper decided it best not to stand behind the series, in effect apologizing for the assertions and disavowing his work. Webb quit the paper in disgust in November 1997. This audiobook serves as both a complex memoir of the time of the Contras and an indictment of the current state of America's press; Dark Alliance is as necessary and valuable as it is horrifying and grim.

©1999 Gary Webb (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Gripping complicated story

What made the experience of listening to Dark Alliance the most enjoyable?

As the child of the 1980's I vaguely remember hearing phrases like Iran/Contra/ & something about how crack was the latest plague of the far off innner cities. It was a treat -as an adult- to finally hear the entire story in such an engaging format.

What about Christian Rummel’s performance did you like?

What can I say- the man's a master.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Great book and really opens your eyes.

I really enjoyed this book and still shocked in what is told in this book. The story is told very well and gives a great break down of the events backed with facts that can be verified. Extremely upsetting and sad to know what happens to him for telling the truth. The only down side to the book is the person narrating it. I didn’t need the the different accents and plays a lot on stereotypes as to how certain races speak.

Demonstrative, overwhelming amount of detail

Informative, narration pleasing to the ear. Eye-opening and at times suspenseful. Accurate with details and interviews.

love it

very informative. I really enjoyed it. the reader was great with the change in voices

Necessary reading.

In the eyes of your government, the ends justify the means. Want to topple communist governments of third world countries? Enable their criminals using our intelligence resources and taxpayer money. Then lie about it to the American people about it. I've read the rebuttals to this series and while some of the connections may be stretched, if even a tenth of these allegations are true, you have no reason to trust your government or the media. Oh, and the narrator is pretty good.

Must read

Gary Webb died so you can read this book. That’s all. Read it and take notes.

Excellent

It’s read with distinctive voices for different characters. Very informative book on how drugs, politicians, the mainstream media and law enforcement work hand and hand. Definitely a good listen!

Most definitely a great read!!

I loved it because this man was a true investigative journalist it shed light on things that normally don't get reported much less substantiated.

Very disturbing and very good

I was surprised by how deep into the weeds the author got in order to lay out his case/story, but I can understand why. There were a few times I considered skipping ahead when there was so much that felt like I was listening to a court transcript, but those parts, while a little boring, were relevant to the story. Very glad I listened.

Required reading for anyone in America

The heading here days it all really! Must read, or inn this case listen to.