The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road

American Kingpin is a well-written and well-researched book that definitely informs the readers!!!!!! I liked reading this book mainly for the reason that he has a good part but also a part that was exploited by a bad use of technology!!! I would recommend this book to anyone!!!

Amazing book! Very well written with short chapters that keep you moving right along. I normally don't read books very quickly but could not put this one down! Recommend this book to anyone. Very informational and made me want to learn more about this story.

American Kingpin is an excellent book. Very well researched and presented in an exciting way. It provides a superb insight into the creation and operation of the Silk Road" as well as Ross Ulbricht.

Having some knowledge of the dark side, I couldn't help but cheer for Robert in some ways. It is absolutely amazing what he accomplished in a little over two years with just a laptop, says a lot about the power of technology..and don't think that his arrest stopped such transactions from going on. You can still buy whatever you want over Tor. His evolution from kind of a misanthrope to kingpin was fascinating, especially in light of the fact that he never lived the Kingpin lifestyle; no Ferraris, no yachts no bevy of babes in expensive restaurants. In some ways he remained the misanthrope albeit towards govenment not humankind, even wearing the same clothes years later. Its when his thoughts turned deadly does his immaturity become noticeable and in the end his downfall inevitable. This is a tale that could only happen today, the technology did not exist until a few years ago...but don't think that this is not a harbinger of things to come. If a 29 year old could develop the largest drug dealing site in the universe in a couple of years just think what hackers are targeting today. This book and this story can be construed as a warning if you take a look at it that light. In the end the book was more than entertaining and enlightening at the same time and very well written, sucked me right in from the beginning....maybe I'll just take a look at my laptop and see what I can really do?

I enjoy an occasional true crime book-- the drama and suspense. Sometimes these books remind us there are 'human wolves' among us. How little we really can know about what lurks in the heart and soul of a stranger we may meet. Or sometimes, as in the case of this book, we think we know someone until the bizarre truth is revealed and things are not at all as they seem.

In this great American tale of chicanery and deceit, a young man built and operated an enormous criminal organization. His friends never suspected. Money poured in and with great wealth came great power-- the power that inevitably corrupts-- power to have those who stand in our way killed. This empire of evil rose up swiftly and through the great efforts of great crime fighting professionals, it was snuffed out, the mastermind brought to justice.

Great plot, great characters, great action scenes and schemes, great drama and suspense, well researched and very well written, this book has it all. It is among the very best of true crime books I've seen. Perhaps, as true-crime books go, this one is second only to the classic standard-of-excellence set by Truman Capote in his masterpiece, "In Cold Blood."

Enjoy.

Author kept this book moving along at a good pace and hard to put down. He was generally unbiased and stuck to the facts. He shared differing opinions of others on various topics, but generally kept his personal opinions to himself. A sign of a great journalist. I love how he developed the characters of Gary and Jared. Two people who became heroes through hard work, good decisions, and commitment. In a world where we often see the unworthy rewarded, it was great to see these two get such deserved recognition.

From the beginning of the online underground drug sales website, to the stealing of millions by federal agents, this book rocks! Very hard to put down so plan on little sleep until you're done. Read on my fellow inquiring minds ... read on.

As other reviewers have mentioned, I hated to put this book down. It was funny, interesting and not too complicated to follow along. I hate how writers try to impressive by throwing out a bunch of big words no one uses. Author has a nice style that keeps you engaged in the book. Also you can clearly tell Bilton, did a lot of research to complete American Kingpin. Gives an chronological account behind the infamous Silk Road website. I learned a lot by reading this book, has everything failure, success, greed, pictures and scandal. I would highly recommend this book to anyone! It's a great book and after reading I was disappointed the book was over.

Liked the format it was written in. Very fluid and interesting all the way from page 1 to 330. Left feeling a real sense of who DPR actually is, A idealistic pussy. Sorry the young mans talent will be wasted Behind bars but better for society and the greater good.

This was a very well written and engaging book. I bought it on the recommendation of Casey Neistat and was not disappointed. The author does a good job of delving into the origin of the Silk Riad website and the creators mindset and motivations. A good summer read!