When it was first published in the mid-seventies, Snowblind established itself as an essential piece of true crime writing. The story of the legendary Zachary Swan, a mover in the cocaine trade in the sixties who set the standard for all who followed, Sabbag's riveting account is a compulsive insight into an underworld populated by crazy characters and riven by paranoia. The result is an illuminating and wild book that influenced a generation of writers and smugglers.
'the wild and witty account of a scammer - A book that takes you on a heart-stopping, nerve shattering ride'
'**** Sabbag's vintage hard-boiled reportage flows like fiction.'
Heat'a twenty-four carat classic'
The Crack'knowledgeable and well-researched'
Highland News'The best drug book - Sabbag has told his story with pananche, passion and a firm hold on the facts. Swan's story takes in seriously good drugs, bad characters and ugly luck.'
Bizarre'a smart, fascinating and dryly witty guidebook to the classier end of the chemical underground'
Crime Time'a compulsive insight into the cocaine underworld which captures all the double dealing, crazy characters and over-the-shoulder paranoia.'
Stirling Observer'brilliantly researched, candidly written and well worth the read. Superb stuff.'
Mix Mag'Sabbag's insightful diary is a blow-by-blow account of the charming rise and fall of Swan, a sort of American Howard Marks - Sabbag is an incisive reporter and a stylish class-A writer - he includes an excellent brief history of cocaine and a radiant portrait of Seventies Harlem - who ensures that Swan's history remains completely unadulterated.'
The Times'It's a classic work from the literary underground - Snowblind's about to find a new generation of fans keen to take in its potent lines.'
The List'An entertaining and hip read, Snowblind looks set to hit the druggy bestseller charts and perhaps even wobble Howard Marks' Mr Nice off the top.'
Maxim'Sabbag's tone is pitched close to the reportage style which characterised Bob Woodward's John Belushi biography, Wired, giving it a documentary feel that works entirely to its advantage. The anecdotes are great, too. A book any aspiring Tony Montanas would be advised to own.'
Uncut'meticulously scripted account of the life of gentleman coke smuggler Zachary Swan'
Select'It's marvellous to have the book back in print.'
Time Out'makes membrane-zingingly good drama-documentary - a nifty piece of re-packaging'
Esquire'un-put-downable - the best book ever written about cocaine'
Loaded'An extremely rare cut of dry wit, poetry, rock-hard fact and relentless insight into modern American morality.'
Rolling Stone'One of the best books about drugs ever written.'
Robert Stone'Snowblind has stood the test of time. He is still the best.'
Howard Marks
