3 out of 4 stars
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Dan "Tito" Davis, with the help of Peter Conti, chronicles his extraordinary life in this book, "Gringo: My Life on the Edge as an International Fugitive".
Born in South Dakota, in a family of modest means, Dan was the eldest of five siblings. From very early on what stands out is Dan's hunger to succeed, make money and be bigger than his circumstances. To this end, he worked multiple jobs, wrestled professionally and raced horses while still in school. At University, he got into the business of selling "White Crosses" i.e Speed or Amphetamine. He made millions, got involved with some dangerous people and spent a few years living a flashy life! During this period he did a stint in prison which brought him in contact with a few people who proved to be very useful later on in his life. He then started dealing in marijuana, and like every other business he started, this proved to be very successful too. But he got set-up by a friend and suddenly, he was facing the prospect of a long term in prison for a crime he did not commit. He decided, instead, to escape to Mexico, cutting off his ties with his family and country for (what he probably could never have imagined then) thirteen long years.
For the next thirteen years, he lives an incredible life - assuming different identities, different professions and traveling through diverse and out of the way places -but always living slightly on the edge, always looking over his shoulder. His years as a fugitive proved to be as diverse as if he were living completely different lives. He spent some years living alone, some in the heart of a drug cartel and some as a successful businessman. Being an essentially restless soul, with a keen sense of business, he was quick to spot opportunities and start new ventures which usually proved to be successful.
Very early in his life on the run, he makes himself a " Do Not" list - a set of rules for himself like not drinking, not making emotional decisions or not keeping in touch with people from his previous life - which he believed would minimize his chances of getting caught. Ironically, every time he got into trouble, it was because he had broken one of his own rules. He never stayed too long in one place, moving from Mexico to Medellin to Colombia, but it was Venezuela and a Venezuelan beauty who captured his heart and made him want to finally settle down. He got a few good business opportunities in Venezuela that he made the most of, and for a while, things were almost normal - or as normal as it could be for a man in his situation. But the drama in his love life and his association with an old friend unravels his carefully set new life and gets him caught and deported to the United States.
With its crisp writing and an essentially thrilling subject, this book is a page-turner! The sense of living on the edge and having to constantly be on the move comes through in the writing. However, reviewing the book proved a little tricky because of the curious and contrasting emotions of rooting for Dan Davis to stay one step ahead of his pursuers on the one hand and realizing on the other that he is a drug dealer on the run from the law. I had to make a conscious effort to leave the judgment aside. Having said that, the story does make one realize that some people are not meant to live ordinary lives! Whatever the reasons for his situation, it is incredible how he deals with the varying challenges that come his way. Not one to back down or let life knock him down, he dealt with whatever came his way and made the most of it. Some people have a "rags-to-riches" story- the number of times Dan Davis goes from rags-to-riches and down again is unbelievable! Whether as a millionaire or a person who had lost it all, he never lost his hunger to succeed and make the most of his opportunities.
A thrilling true story about a charismatic and interesting character, I give Gringo: My Life on the Edge as an International Fugitive 3 out of 4 stars and recommend it to readers who like a good crime and action story.
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Gringo
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