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The Reluctant Warlord
On the Trail of America's Most Wanted Man
by Patrick King
Before El Chapo and Escobar there was Khun Sa!
Dubbed the ‘Prince of Death’ he rose to power in the war torn jungles of Burma and by 1990, was the world’s biggest opium warlord — with a $2 million bounty on his head. But he was also a freedom fighter commanding an army of 30,000, to defend the Shan people from slavery by a brutal Myanmar regime.
In this compelling memoir, filmmaker Patrick King gives the first detailed account of Khun Sa’s entire life. It connects the warlord to historic world events and uncovers a lamentable saga of global corruption, greed and a conspiracy between governments, the CIA and drug lords.
Are yesterday’s mistakes — today’s regrets?
King recounts his unique relationship with the warlord and the bizarre world in which he lived — a ‘Rambo’ special forces colonel, ruthless mercenaries, a wild bunch of politicians, drug cartels, a blonde heiress, English lords and even shoes for Princess Diana — this story has it all.
More books from Patrick King
PATRICK KING entered the British film industry in 1967, as a trainee in props and wardrobe, working on films and television including ‘Waterloo’, ‘Patton’ and ‘Dad's Army’. During the same period he did military training at the Highland Brigade, Scotland, before transferring to the Army Reserve in London. With a thirst for real adventure he changed career in 1974, to established his own private security consultancy working successfully in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
In 1987 Patrick returned to the media and using his extensive contacts became a freelance investigative journalist for major British newspapers and for television current affairs programmes, including Central Television’s top rated The Cook Report, working extensively in the world’s many trouble spots.
By 1994 he began concentrating on historical documentaries, including a multi-award winning series about the Great Highland Bagpipe in peace and war, and has written, produced and directed for international broadcasters including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, A&E, History Channel, PBS and Italy’s Canale 5, winning several awards. He has also produced several musical albums and stage shows, is a voting member of BAFTA and the European Film Academy, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
