The Black Hand: The Story of Rene "Boxer" Enriquez and His Life in the Mexican Mafia Mass Market Paperback – September 29, 2009

While Boxer is one of the worst kinds of people - someone who breaks his oaths and betrays his friends - this book is still a valuable look at the Mexican Mafia.

The narration had some issues in the first hour or so. After that the performance was excellent, in my opinion.Rene "Boxer" Enriquez chose a certain path it seemed because he wanted to be with the best, the most respected. These guys operating within the Mexican Mafia had to be in total control of themselves at all times except when they were drugged up, and they were almost all users of narcotics.The level of control that Rene and his peers demanded of themselves felt surreal to me. Their rules were strict, especially with regard to not being a coward and not hesitating. Imagine a lifestyle where you'd be required to kill somebody seemingly at the drop of a hat. So I can see how they were regarded by many as warriors and not just criminal offenders.The issues all the 'made' guys run up against are fundamentally the same as those for everybody, only with consequences that end up being violent and deadly for some unlucky member. It's all about what they call "politicking." That's the word they use: politicking. I have a new appreciation for that word now.The significant events were mostly prison stabbings. Once a prisoner gets stabbed, if he survives that event he will be marked as one who is likely to get killed at any moment. He can't recover.Basically, the guys are always reorganizing themselves based on individual power within the group. There's a lot to learn by listening to this book. Rene and his buddies aren't amateurs. Most aren't book smart but some are. They're all savvy when it comes to the pecking order and how every little thing brings the potential of change to the pecking order.I felt empathy for Rene as did the author. Maybe I was conned by a mean guy with charisma. Either way, I enjoyed the book.

Just finish reading this book and it easily replaced "Mafia Under-boss: Sammy the Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia" and Henry Hill's "Wiseguy" as the most intense mafia story Ive ever read. I must admit it changed my entire view of La Eme. Coming from a family that has had its share of camaradas and even a carnal (pg 6. Joe "Colorado") in this organization, Ill admit that I had a somewhat different view of La Eme. I knew they were responsible for lowering the drive-bys in the barrios and unlike the monsters south of the border, women and children are totally of limits. What I didn't realize was how plagued this organization is with power-struggles and politicking. Mob books have always interested me, and one thing Ive always noticed is that, if they were to actually follow their own rules they'd probably have less defections. From the books Ive read the story always seems to be the same, the hypocrisy of a broken organization always seems to be the main factor behind these defection. Most these guys would be willing to die for this thing that they grew up loving and believed in, its when they have that sobering moment of hypocrisy within a broken brotherhood (if you could even call it that), that they decide their life has better value. If you like mob book I highly recommend this one but be ready to go on a ride into the darkest places human evil can take you. The majority of this book is about that long, hard, dark ride but I think its a necessary ride the writer must take the reader so that the reader can appreciate the full weight of Renee's decision and redemption. This man (Renee) would take orders without blinking an eye and walk into situations fit only for a gladiator, only to come out the tired bloody victor eagerly awaiting his next assignment but its not until the end of the book, when Renee decides to leave the only life he has ever loved or known, that you see the true raw courage of a warrior.

My first acquaintence with Rene Enriquez came in the early 1990's, during a week-long, Chris Blatchford exclusive on the Mexican Mafia.In that early 90's report, Blatchford revealed 'Boxer' as a cold-hearted Eme leader who (during his double-murder, double-attempted murder trial) turned calmly toward the camera lens of a courtroom news crew and broke into 'shoulder -shaking laughter'. Since then, I have been anxious to know more about this man.Like Blatchford himself, I too was floored when I learned (a few years ago) that Rene Enriquez had chosen to 'debrief' and to turn aside from his Gang. After all, not only had 'Boxer' previously demonstrated the Can't-stop-won't-stop mentality of a loyal Eme soldier (by laughing in the face of a possible death penalty situation) but had also risen through the ranks of Eme leadership to the highest echelons of Mafia power.Blatchford's long-anticipated book on Rene Enriquez does not, by any means, disappoint! To the contrary, it is perhaps the best first-hand account of the Eme's power, influence, ruthlessness and depraved potential in print today. (While "Mundo" Mendoza's seminal work provides an in-depth understanding and historical background of the first 25 years of the Eme's existence, Blatchford/ Enriquez bring readers up to speed on 'M' into the 21st century)Blatchford covers Rene Enriquez from his childhood in Cerritos (then surrounded by dairy farms) to his initiation (following his older brother's footsteps) into 'Arta/ Artesia X3', to his teenage years gang-banging against the likes of Hawaiian Gardens, Tokers Town & Norwalk, getting high, doing robberies and growing increasingly rebellious against his parents and against authorities.Blatchford follows Rene's graduation from Los Padrinos to Boys Republic to OC County Jail to Soledad, San Quentin & beyond. Rene speaks at length about his relationships with Eme leaders like "Black Dan" Barela who "read his Bible every day, but yet had a kill-first-talk-about-it-later attitude", "Topo" Peters who, after stabbing "Mon" 26 times in the LA County Jail's attorney room, urged "Boxer" to 'just plead guilty so we can go to our cells at Pelican Bay and watch color TV'.He talks about the execution of Nico Velasquez for converting from Eme to Christianity (an action which Rene Enriquez himself disagreed with strongly), and about "Kilroy" Roybal's conversion to Christianity after being stabbed in Tehachapi, and a plethora of other interesting facts.So much more can be said about Rene Enriquez's evolution/ redemption and about Blatchford's book. Much more than a mere book review can capture. The thing that struck me hardest, perhaps, was how utterly contrary to the popular/ romanticized version of Mafia the actual reality is.Contrary to the notion of Eme being a closely-knit fraternity of brothers bound by loyalty to one another, Rene portrays the incessant backstabbing, politicking and scheming of 'carnales' against one another; about the never-ending anxiety that "Boxer" carried with him from day one of someday ending up "In the hat" (ostracized and marked for death by his own 'brothers') for some small, inconsequential infraction.Contrary to the popular notion that power and 'palabra' (in the criminal world) is the be-all and end-all of life, Rene portrays with sober clarity that nothing could be further from the truth. Both Joe Morgan and "Topo" Peters died alone (and lonely) and in prison. (Not to mention that there were only a half-dozen attendees at "Topo's" funeral service).To end with a theological reflection: the devil's a LIAR...and a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy. For those youngsters who aspire to become 'carnales' and who are starstruck by the 'Big Homies' you hear and read about: don't take my word for it! Take it from "Boxer" Enriquez...someone who reached the heights of power in both the streets and the pinta...and concluded that it's all a massive (and evil) deception, and definitely NOT worth it!

It’s great book to read and it’s true story about Rene Boxer Enquirez

GREAT READ! The author Chris Blatchford did a great job in documenting the story. There are times I wanted to read and read and read on. Wishing Chris Blatchford much success and also wishing Rene "Boxer" Enriquez plenty of success and a life filled with happiness, health, family and love. Cheers!

The black hand liefert interessante Einblicke in die Struktur und Funktionsweise der Mexikanischen Mafia. Man kann Rene Enriquez's Leben nachvollziehen, wenngleich man sich vor Augen führen sollte, dass bestimmt nicht alles in diesem Buch steht, um sich eine sichere Meinung über ihn bilden zu können. Trotzdem hoffe ich für ihn, dass er zumindest seine letzten Jahre in Freiheit verbringen kann.

I bought this, for a change of reading material. I have read books about American Prisons, criminal life etc., but nothing about American gangs. It's gory, violent and brutal, so definitely not for the faint hearted! It's a glimpse of a side of life, that's absolutely horrifying. It's definitely an eye-opener. The author, and subject, Rene Enriquez, known as 'Boxer', have certainly come up with a no holds barred book. I can't wait to find a spare hour, to read some more. Excellent. Hope you enjoy it, as much as I am.

Excellent book. One of the best in its genre. Have read this book many times.

Interesting and crazy life Enriquez lived. Don’t always care for the authors sentence steucture though.