John Lee Brook is the author of the bestselling Blood In, Blood Out: The Violent Empire of the Aryan Brotherhood, published by Headpress of the U.K. Headpress has just signed JLB to write a book about Santa Muerte and the Mexican drug cartels. So it seemed fitting to ask him some questions.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Sitting with a beautiful woman on a California beach, on a warm sunny day, near the end of August.

What is your greatest fear?

Having no one to love and no one who loves me.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Scipio Africanus at the Battle of Zama.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Impatience.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Intolerance. I simply can't tolerate people who are intolerant of others.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Books. I'll spend my last dollar on a good book.

On what occasion do you lie?

Only when being interviewed for magazines or newspapers or online outlets.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

Generally speaking, my looks. I always wanted to be drop-dead handsome.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

The words actually and typical, along with three or four choice swear words.

What is your greatest regret?

Being divorced by my first wife.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

I've had three great loves so far. It would be cavalier of me to assign prominence to any of them.

When and where were you happiest?

I sincerely hope that moment is still to come and lies somewhere in my future.

Which talent would you most like to have?

To play the piano.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I'd prefer to be more interesting, kind of like that guy in the ads on television - the most interesting man in the world.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

Remove the 'asshole' component from our genetic material.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

An archangel. It would be lovely to have wings and have God himself whisper in your ear.

What is your most treasured possession?

My loved ones.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Being unlovable.

Where would you like to live?

Where I do now, splitting my time between Montana and San Francisco.

What is your favorite occupation?

Formula One race car driver: driving cars unbelievably fast in the morning, then chasing temptresses across continents in the evening. Sounds wonderful.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Compassion.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Compassion.

What do you most value in your friends?

The ability to carry on an interesting and honest conversation.

Who are your favorite writers?

Don Winslow, Jack Vance, Iain M. Banks, Stephen King, Alistair Maclean, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, and E.M. Cioran. Oh, and mustn't forget Lewis Sperry Chafer. As you can tell, I favor the so-called hacks. However, I've always loved e.e. cummings, too.

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli in The Wind and the Lion.

Who are your heroes in real life?

King David, Elijah and the Apostle John.

What is it that you most dislike?

Emotional abuse of other human beings.

How would you like to die?

If possible, I'd prefer to skip that phase. Riding up to heaven in a fiery chariot a la Elijah sounds much more fun.

What is your motto?

Fuck that shit.

View the original article on blogcritics.org

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/Interview-John-Lee-Brook-Author-of-Blood-In-4048558.php#ixzz2D5WgAyYL

Headpress, the U.K. publishing house based in London, recently signed true-crime author John Lee Brook to pen a tell-all book about Mexican cartels and occult figure Santa Muerte. It is rumored that Mr. Brook, the author of the bestselling Blood In Blood Out: The Violent Empire of the Aryan Brotherhood, has made personal contact with cartel members, who have agreed to relate the grisly details surrounding death worship. A recluse, Brock travels back and forth from Montana to San Francisco,

In Tony Scott's 2004 action film Man on Fire, a journalist explains: "It's Santa Muerte. Death worship. There's a curse on you." Santisma Muerte is the cult of Holy Death, a corruption (some would say perversion) of the cult of the Blessed Virgin in Mexican Catholicism. The movie offers a glance into a real-life facet of Mexican organized crime. Because of the underground nature of organized crime, it transcends the boundaries of conventional business and emerges as a distinct subculture.

The Santa Muerte cult is most properly described as a set of ritual practices offered on behalf a supernatural personification of death. The personification is female for two reasons: because the Spanish word for death, "muerte," is feminine and because this personification is a sort of counterpart to the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The cult appears to be closely associated with crime, criminals, and those whose lives are directly affected by crime. Criminals, especially the Mexican drug cartels, identify with Santa Muerte and call upon the saint for protection and power, even when committing crimes. They adorn themselves with her paraphernalia and render her the respect worth of a deity.

The forthcoming book is eagerly anticipated by true-crime aficionados around the world. And sources indicate the movie rights to the book have already been optioned, with a screenplay in progress, though there is no confirmation.

View the original article on blogcritics.org

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/John-Lee-Brook-to-Write-New-Book-About-Mexican-4045109.php#ixzz2D5W15zAv

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2nd U.S. Printing

Good news!  The publisher -- Headpress of the U.K. -- has authorized a second printing of Blood In Blood Out in the U.S.  In effect, the U.S. distributor is sold out of the book.  Hubba, hubba!

Whew! Finally, It's Here.

The book arrived at the U.S. distributor's warehouse yesterday.  I was informed it takes a week or two for the book to percolate through to the bookstores, but that it will soon be there.

Hooray!! 

U.S. Release Date

The book is selling quite well in the U.K.:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/books/496778/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_b_3_4_last

Headpress, the publisher, which is based in the U.K., has decided to print the U.S. version of Blood In Blood Out in the U.S.  According to the publisher, Blood In Blood Out will ship from the printer (in the U.S.) on June 6th.  Which means the book should be available at bookstores and online shortly thereafter.

Can't wait!  I'd like to have a copy myself.  Ha, ha, ha. 

It's Out!!

Pleased to announce that Blood In Blood Out is officially OUT in Europe.  And official release in the U.S. will follow within a few days, according to the publisher.