I read the book about 1 to 2 years ago. This book shows the true realities of a "Chicano" growing up in California. Boxer as a child was exposed to drugs and violence. Later on he joins the Mexican Mafia and goes in depth describing the mafia life. I enjoy reading a book that shows a different lifestyle others live. From start to finish the book is good. This is a better book than Tony Rafael's Mexican Mafia which I also read. Rafael's book is more of a big court case investigation that puts a good number of Mafia members in prison. This book was a humbling look inside the gang lifestyle, or rather the elite gang lifestyle. It is a humbling look at a mans inner struggle and criminal minds. It is a respectful look at the creativity and resourcefulness that is inherent in every man, even uneducated and imprisoned. I would even describe these Mafiosos as intelligent learners, unfortunately the curriculum is violent and tragic. It is also a discouraging look at the Latino mentality, expectations, and leadership. When I finished reading I realized that my own warrior spirit is stifled. Every culture has its warriors, and the Latino warrior seems divided into two or three groups. The first is to be on Americas side, the second is to hold on to our Aztec or Mayan roots, and the third might integrate both. Mr. Enriquez's life is a kaleidoscope of lessons to be learned about being brown, criminal, and human. His courage to reveal this to the world is most profound.
What do You think about Mafia Chicana: Memorias De Rene (Boxer) Enriquez (2012)?
It was interesting to get an inside perspective on the notorious Mexican mafia. It was an ok book.
—Lexarexa2018
Excellent insights on prison gang suppression (just short of U.S. Constitutional violations).
—shib
All you wanted to know about the Mexican Mafia (and maybe some you didn't want to know).
—mcaj
