A new kind of criminal kingpin has arisen: part CEO, part terrorist, part rock star. Unleashing guerrilla attacks, strong-arming governments and taking over much of the world's trade in narcotics, guns and humans, who are these new masters of death? What has happened in the Americas to allow them to flourish so? Ioan Grillo has gained access to every level of the cartel chain of command in what he calls the new battlefields of the Americas. He provides a disturbing understanding of a war that has spiralled out of control - one that people across the political spectrum must confront now.