The California Kid: From USC Golden Boy to International Drug Kingpin

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 15 ratings

Price: 12.24

Last update: 02-17-2025


About this item

You've read the shocking one-sided tale of international drug kingpin Owen Hanson in Rolling Stone, VICE, and the LA Times—but now he's ready to tell his side of the story.

A surfer kid from Redondo Beach, California, Owen Hanson was still in his twenties when he found himself the leader of a multi-million-dollar criminal empire. What began as an attempt to fit in with the rich kids at the University of Southern California soon grew into gambling and loan sharking, which then opened the door to drug trafficking and money laundering. Hanson wasn't just involved in this stuff—he excelled at it. Living the fast-paced lifestyle of the rich and famous, Hanson felt he was finally making his father proud, never mind the questionable ethics and obvious danger of it all. But with the cartel, a serious drug-abuse problem, and the pursuit of the FBI all threatening to overtake him, it wouldn't be long before his lifestyle caught up with him.

The California Kid follows Owen from his roots as a USC star athlete from a broken home, where his idolization of the rich and famous began, to his descent down a dangerous path where he would stop at nothing to earn the love and acceptance of his absent mother and the respect of his father. The story that follows is almost too wild to believe—but Owen bears the twenty-one-year sentence to prove it.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Mamashannon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating, you'll have a hard time setting this book down
    Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2024
    This book is phenomenal! It's one of those books you'll have a hard time putting down because it's that good, it truly felt like I was at a coffee shop with Owen while he shared is story with me. I do hope that he writes another book about what happend to him after his time in prison as I'm sure that would be just as captivating. As a parent of middle school age children I would not recommend this book for children under 18.
  • Love em
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025
    The California Kid by Owen Hanson is an engaging memoir that offers a raw and honest look into the life of a former professional surfer who rose to fame and then spiraled into a world of crime and corruption. Hanson, once a promising young athlete, takes readers on a personal journey through his troubled past, touching on his involvement in illegal activities, including drug trafficking and organized crime. His writing is candid and unflinching, as he explores the pressures of fame, the consequences of poor choices, and the process of redemption. The book provides a fascinating insight into the intersection of the surf culture and criminal underworld, with a focus on Hanson’s quest for meaning and transformation. While the story may be dark, The California Kid ultimately serves as a reminder of the power of second chances and personal reinvention.
  • Daisy
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a book!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
    Big O is BACK!

    WOW is all I can say! The minute I picked up this book I couldn't put it down. Talk about a thought-provoking book that makes you feel like you're watching scenes straight out of Blow and Goodfellas. Owen shares such epic stories of his rise and fall in life that is relatable to many. Just when you think you know what's going to happen next, the next story surprises you even more. Excited to what's to come for you guero. Can't wait to see all the projects that's to come.
  • sam vazin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great night time read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
    The California Kid is an amazing book that I can relate to being from the South Bay. This is one of those books where you can’t put it down. I finished it within a few days, haha it actually kept me up at night because I was so into it.
  • Logan Moore
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wild and Eye-Opening!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
    This book is a crazy ride! The California Kid’s journey from USC football star to a drug kingpin is unbelievable but so well-told. It’s one of those stories that’s almost too wild to be true, but it keeps you hooked the whole way through. Highly recommend!
  • Candice C Caro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow wow wow!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2025
    What an amazing read! I could not walk away. Definitely recommend this book very entertaining, and surprising.
  • Jeremy Chapman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
    As someone who grew up in Southern California and as a USC fan, this was a great read! Story telling throughout the book was perfectly executed and resonates with the reader. 10/10 would recommend!

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