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The Cornbread Mafia: A Homegrown Syndicate's Code of Silence and the Biggest Marijuana Bust in American History Audiobook
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(3.07) - 145 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Author James Higdon—whose relationship with Johnny Boone, currently a federal fugitive, made him the first journalist subpoenaed under the Obama administration—takes listeners back to the 1970s and '80s and the clash between federal and local law enforcement and a band of Kentucky farmers with moonshine and pride in their bloodlines. By 1989 the task force assigned to take down men like Johnny Boone had arrested sixty-nine men and one woman from busts on twenty-nine farms in ten states, and seized two hundred tons of pot. Of the seventy individuals arrested, zero talked. How it all went down is a tale of Mafia-style storylines emanating from the Bluegrass State, and populated by Vietnam veterans and weed-loving characters caught up in Tarantino-level violence and heart-breaking altruism.
Accompanied by a backdrop of rock-and-roll and rhythm-and-blues, this work of dogged investigative journalism and history is told by Higdon in action-packed, colorful and riveting detail.
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"I just got to watching this T.V series Justified and I remembered this book. Now the T.V. series is all made up of course but this book is the real deal. And I give it a real four and a half stars. The author has done a fantastic job of researching the history of the backwoods Kentucky marijuana growth and distribution empire that has roots as deep as the biggest tree in the holler. I really like that he shows the history of the area as well to show how almost all cause and effect come together to make what it has become. And the T.V. series isn't half bad either. The T.V. series has nothing to do with the book but the creators have done such a good job with it that when you read this book you see a lot of similarities. And with the author growing up in the area I believe this would be the only way anyone in the area would be willing to talk as it seems outsiders are not so welcome an regarded with heavy suspicions."
— Robert (4 out of 5 stars)
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“[A] lucidly spun tale…Think Tarantino on Kentucky bluegrass, scored with Creedence and vigorously reported.”
— GQ -
“The history of the region, the details of the crimes and way of life, make for a strangely compelling book and an insight from another angle into our own recent past and present.”
— Daniel Woodrell, author of Winter’s Bone -
“A tale that is so rich and utterly startling that it’s honestly hard to believe in parts. But Higdon’s research is smart, and his writing is smooth. He’s especially good on the history of this American saga, which may have fallen through the cracks of time without his hard work.”
— Ann Hagedorn, author of Wild Ride
The Cornbread Mafia Listener Reviews
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" I enjoyed it very much since I am from Kentucky. "
— Betty, 1/20/2014 -
" The Cornbread Mafia is a very interesting book for people that like books about Kentucky history, marijuana, and a little bit of violence. This book dives deep into the culture of Marion County, Kentucky and its unapologetic views on marijuana growth and cultivation - views stemming from as early as the prohibition era. The only reason I even had the idea to pick up this book is because it was recommended to me by the author's sister. I am quite glad that I purchased this book and will now recommend it to anyone that I think will enjoy it (which is most people). Take a chance on this book. You will surely walk away after reading it with a different perspective on many different issues. "
— Kelly, 1/18/2014 -
" Good book about Johnny Boone and his Minnesota connection. "
— Stevenr, 1/14/2014 -
" I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story is rich with details which make it easier to envision what was going on. I read the audiobook version and had one problem.. The narrator's voice sometimes caused me to space out. It was pretty flat at times.Other than that, It's a pretty good read. "
— Xavier, 12/30/2013 -
" Interesting especially if you are from Kentucky. Open ended. It will probably be a movie someday. "
— Michele, 12/23/2013 -
" hard to believe this is true "
— Becky, 12/18/2013 -
" Very interesting read! Who knew there was so much pot in Kentucky!? "
— Kim, 11/23/2013 -
" Very disappointed how this book turned out. I (like many others from Nelson/Marion County) was really looking forward to this book. It turned out to be poorly edited version of half-truths with many things totally excluded. Had high hopes for this book, but couldn't be more disappointed. "
— Taylor, 11/19/2013 -
" The book was a little slow to get started with a detailed history of the county given by the author. The main portion of the book concerning "The Cornbread Mafia" and their activities was very interesting. Then the book slows down around chapter 11 or 12 as the author tied up loose ends. "
— Michael, 11/9/2013 -
" This book was very interesting for the first half and then seemed to get bogged down with too many names and details. "
— L, 8/27/2013 -
" In the late 90's my friends all passed around "Land of Opportunity" about the crack boom in Detroit. This is the redneck version with Mary Jane instead of crack. It is fucking awesome... "
— Jeremy, 7/12/2013 -
" I only made it halfway through this book. Despite the interesting subject matter (bootlegging, illegal drugs, bank robbers...), it reads like an assignment in a history class. It just couldn't hold my attention. "
— Gary, 6/30/2013 -
" Great story and thorough reporting, but poor editing left it practically unreadable in parts, particularly toward the end. Trim it by a third and give it a tough edit and you'll have a winner.... "
— Mark, 4/27/2013 -
" loved the history...but got bored with mafia hijinks. "
— Mia, 3/13/2013 -
" A good read especially if you live in kentucky and are familiar with the area. "
— Jeff, 10/17/2012 -
" Loved it! More history of KY. Not proud of it but great to know. "
— Maggie, 10/4/2012
About James Higdon
James Higdon has worked for the Courier-Journal in Louisville, the New York Times, PBS Frontline‘s Tehran Bureau; contributed material to The Prairie Home Companion; and researched the NYPD for the police drama series NYC-22. His reporting relationship with Johnny Boone landed him in the crosshairs of a federal manhunt, making him the first journalist subpoenaed by the Obama administration.
About the Narrators
Paul Boehmer is an American actor best known for his numerous appearances in the Star Trek universe, in addition to Frasier, Judging Amy, Guiding Light, and All My Children. He is a 1992 Masters of Fine Arts graduate of the Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Delaware. As a narrator, Paul has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as an Audie Award.
Paul Boehmer is an American actor best known for his numerous appearances in the Star Trek universe, in addition to Frasier, Judging Amy, Guiding Light, and All My Children. He is a 1992 Masters of Fine Arts graduate of the Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Delaware. As a narrator, Paul has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as an Audie Award.