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The Hollywood Kid
The Violent Life and Violent Death of an MS-13 Hitman
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Check link for latest rating. ( 392 ratings, 55 reviews)
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Format: Hardback
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The Hollywood Kid
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
The compelling story of the life and death of a Salvadoran gangster
The compelling story of the life and death of a Salvadoran gangster
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
As a boy, Miguel Ángel Tobar fled a small town in El Salvador torn apart by warring guerrillas and US-backed death squads. As a teen in Los Angeles, he fought discrimination and beatings by joining a gang, MS-13. By the time the US deported him to San Salvador, The Hollywood Kid joined a wave of US-bred gangsters, whose violence—in concert with corrupt officials—has, in turn, helped propel new waves of refugees.
The incomparable Salvadoran journalist Óscar Martínez got to know the Hollywood Kid and met with him as he first turned on MS-13, killing gang members, and then in turn was assassinated by other gang members. In intensely vivid scenes, Martínez and his anthropologist brother Juan tell the story of a violent life and death—and of the geopolitical forces that propelled a country into becoming one of the most violent on earth.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Hollywood Kid has been praised for its incisive look into the life of an MS-13 hitman intertwined with a broader exploration of El Salvador's gang culture and its ties to U.S. policies. The Martínez brothers combine investigative journalism with literary storytelling, shedding light on individual experiences amidst systemic violence. Reviewers have highlighted the book's gripping narrative, in-depth reporting, and its importance as a piece of investigative literature.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781786634931
Publisher: Verso Books
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 01 October 2019
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Verso Books
Contributors:
- Translated by John Washington
- Translated by Daniela Maria Ugaz
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 25.0mm
Width: 140.0mm
Height: 210.0mm
Weight: 410g
Pages: 320
About the Author
Óscar Martínez writes for ElFaro.net, the first online newspaper in Latin America. El Faro was awarded in 2016 the Gabriel García Márquez Prize for Excellence in Journalism. He is the author of The Beast and A History of Violence. Juan José Martínez is a sociocultural anthropologist from Universidad Nacional de El Salvador. He has studied violence and gangs since 2008. He has been a lecturer at Universidad Mónica Herrera and has worked as a consultant for several institutions such as Action on Armed Violence, UNICEF, Soleterre and American University.
Also by Juan Martinez
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The Hollywood Kid
As a boy, Miguel Ángel Tobar fled a small town in El Salvador torn apart by warring guerrillas and US-backed death squads. As a teen in Los Angeles, he fought discrimination and beatings by joining a gang, MS-13. By the time the US deported him to San Salvador, the Hollywood Kid joined a wave of US-bred gangsters, whose violence—in concert...Paperback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
Also by Óscar Martínez
View all-
A History of Violence
A History of ViolencePaperback$2199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Hollywood Kid
As a boy, Miguel Ángel Tobar fled a small town in El Salvador torn apart by warring guerrillas and US-backed death squads. As a teen in Los Angeles, he fought discrimination and beatings by joining a gang, MS-13. By the time the US deported him to San Salvador, the Hollywood Kid joined a wave of US-bred gangsters, whose violence—in concert...Paperback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
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