Smoke Screen V's Mr Nice

[risingsun]

Having just read Mr Nice for the first time. I though it would be interesting to compare it to smoke screen.

I like both books. They both provide well written yarns of adventures in marijuana importation.

Smoke screens strength is that at time it is very very funny and provides detailed description of importation and then selling of the gear including prices. It also describes the level of corruption that existed in Florida during the late 70's and early 80's and political decisions that ended the corruption.

Mr Nice on the other hand was also importating to USA but using different methods and relying on a different kind of corruption to be succesful.

Both of the main characters are very charismatic drawing people to them and are able to do a deal.

Smokescreen does not go into the jail/punishment part of the importation in as much detail as Mr Nice.

This is probably the result of the publicity that Mr Nice generated from his two trips to court, and where he was incarcerated, which made more of a story to tell.

I highly recomment both books and while I believe that Allen was very upfront about his activities, I kind of get the feeling that Howard pulled off a few more deals than he is letting on. But then on the other hand Howard didnt bore me so much like Allen did with his usage of cocaine.

I recomment both books and even though they have a very similar topic they will leave you with a different feeling and understanding of the international marijuana business.