Rating: 
Summary: Amusing and correct, yet a tad thin
Review: I liked it, but Bowden ain't no Colombian expert (and he doesn't claim to be one either). Hey, the guy just went to Colombia once or twice, and for brief periods each time. Most of the story he got from interviews and "dead" sources (books, newspaper stories, documents and stuff) without ever leaving the U.S., as he himself admits. Gotta say, he has impressive access to the Deltas and other U.S. Military personnel. Also, gotta say the lack of "on the scene" local color renders the book a tad thin. So, Bowden ain't trying to fool ya, but don't ya fool yourself. "Ten days that shook the world" this ain't, it never gets to be that personal. It certainly ain't "Dark Alliance", cause, unlike Webb, Bowden doesn't want you to "buy" any conspiracy theory, he just tells you a good, well-documented, yarn. This ain't even "Hell's Angels", where Gonzo had to hang with the Angel's for years (eventually getting stomped). So, amusing and correct it is, that's all.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting book on the life and death of a Columbian druglord
Review: This is a great book written like a novel. It is is exciting, interesting, and fast-paced eschewing all the garrolous logistical information that I don't care to read about anyway. The only drawback is that it contains a lot about esoteric goups such as the Army's highly classified unit Delta Force, Centra Spike, and the CIA. So it's hard to distinguish if a lot of it is fact. However, I strongly recommend this if you are interested in true crime, special ops, shadowy intelligence units, or just a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as Black hawk Down.
Review: After reading Black Hawk Down in its original form (a Philadelphia Inquirer serial), I was mesmerized by Mark Bowden's meticulous accounting of special ops and events spinning out of control.I was expecting more of the same from Killing Pablo, but I came away a little disappointed. Perhaps it was the implication that much of it would cover U.S. special forces involved in the hunt and killing. However, it focuses much more on Pablo Escobar's rise and gradual downfall, which was interesting, yet not near as interesting as Black Hawk Down. In all, it's a good story and worth a try. Just don't expect the edge-of-your-seat kind of story that was Black Hawk Down.
Rating:
Summary: Not Black Hawk Down
Review: Mark Bowden has certainly leveraged his contacts from Black Hawk Down to gain an insight not afforded to most, regarding the operations of US Special Forces. If you are looking for the fast paced action of Black Hawk Down, I don't think Killing Pablo is at the same level. Despite this, it is an extremely interesting read. I thought more could have been developed regarding some of the non-Delta players, particularly the other intel operators and how they fit into the operation (Centra Spike, CIA, etc...) But for documenting a very elusive and fascinating subject, Bowden has hit the mark once again.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome
Review: Great ground level view of the lengthy effort to bring Pablo to justice. Also confirms how important luck is in military endeavours.
Rating:
Summary: You can't beat supply and demand
Review: Mark Bowden's Killing Pablo tells the appalling tale of Columbian druglord, Pablo Escobar, the infamies he perpetrated on the Columbian government, and his rise and fall from power. Escobar and his soulless sicarios killed hundreds of government officials, police, soldiers and innocent civilians with assassination and bombing campaigns. Perhaps his biggest crime of all was his pride and egocentrism. Escobar had fully convinced himself and those in his employ that he was a hero of the people, using a great deal of his drug money to support Colombia's impoverished masses in an effort to subvert the government. The United States became involved in the effort to remove Escobar and his ilk during the 1980s. Killing Pablo also tells the story of Centra Spike, the CIA, Delta Force, the DEA and other U.S. agencies that took part in the manhunt and the dangerous line they tread to maintain the depth of their involvement. You can't help but admire the bravery of the Columbian citizens who stood up against Escobar despite the daily threats on their lives: President Gaviria, Eduardo Mendoza, Col. Hugo Martinez, and many other intractable Columbians who wouldn't sell their souls to the narco kings. Despite their victory over Escobar, you can't help but feel that little has changed in Columbia. Just the faces are different. The export of cocaine was little affected by the removal of the narcos who took power in the 70s and made billions selling cocaine to insatiable American narcotics consumers. While I found the narcos themselves to be barbaric and reprehensible, I feel shame that so many Americans make it possible for this type of criminal to exist because of their addiction to illegal drugs. Killing Pablo is an eye opener. That a fragile democracy like Colombia's was able to survive the ordeal that Escobar and the other narcos put it through is a testament to democracy and the resiliency of the Colombian government. In the end, they got their man, but as many of Bowden's interviewees observed, you have to wonder how much of the country's soul was sold to get the job done. Mark Bowden is an excellent investigative reporter and writes a terrific narrative. His Black Hawk Down, just recently made into a movie, was even better but both books are amazing journalistic works, showing us a side of the world that's unpleasant, but hard to look away from, too.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating tour into the big money world of the Columbian
Review: This is a well researched work and revealing look at the multi-billion dollar drug industry. The power, ruthlessness and machinations of Pablo are almost beyond belief. The story of his hunt a rollercoaster. My only (small) complaint is I felt is should have been a larger book... some of the events seemed to have been sped over. Still, an excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: continuous carnage
Review: Killing Pablo seems more like fiction than fact. The number of people who died during the hunt for Pablo Escobar was nothing short of insanity. By the time the book is over, even the maid has been killed. While so much death seems too depressing to keep a reader interested, the way in which Escobar manipulated goverment leaders and even the Catholic Church is what really drives the story. It seems a perfect fit for a Oliver Stone three hour epic.
Rating:
Summary: Contradictions.
Review: What I found fascinating about this book - apart from the story itself, which is fascinating - is Bowden's ability to tell the story in such a way that at times I actually sympathized for Pablo, and other times hated him. His telling of a story that is somewhat farcical and unreal at times (i.e. shutting down all usage of cell phones in Medellin, or the unending killing of so many innocent people) was very real. It's a page turner, and makes me want to learn more about how the demand for drugs will always inspire supply, which boggles my mind as to why the US is spending so much money attacking supply. The problem is at home.
Rating:
Summary: A not so long ago history lesson
Review: This is a great book for anyone interested in history, our government, or the rich and famous. Its fascinating to see how much power Pablo had during his life. Its also equally fascianting to see how many resources the U.S. government was willing to commit to the manhunt for him. This book is very well written and easy to follow.
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