Buccaneer: The Provocative Odyssey of Jack Reed, Adventurer, Drug Smuggler and Pilot Extraordinaire

Having been in the game myself as a convicted cocaine smuggler, I have a different perspective of this book. Sadly Jacks biggest contribution to his incarceration..is himself. Here's an excerpt from Bricks From Castles: "The most important evidence seized by the local law enforcement was the suitcase left by Jack Carlton Reed. In the suitcase was Reed's life history, lots of incriminating papers and photos including the famous picture of Carlos Lehder snorting cocaine, which belies Jack's statement that Carlos only did pot, with Steven Yakovac, a confederate, was one contained in the suitcase. The suitcase was a gold mine for the federal officials in the prosecution of the entire organization." And although I applaud his decision not to cooperate, Carlos on the other hand had no problem cooperating and is currently being held in WITSEC at some unnamed Federal prison where he continues to make appeals based on his cooperation. I have no doubt that Jack led a very interesting life, but most of the book is devoted to his personal meanderings about his interpretation of anti establishment life, his obsession with a 14 year old girl and life in Panama after his occupation as a pilot flying tons of cocaine into the US. I have no argument about the rationalization about drug smuggling but the naivete about the damage that cocaine has done, especially the derivative, crack is both self serving and neglects that for all of us smugglers it was about the money and yes the thrills. "Smuggling is not a job its an Adventure" as one of my favorite vintage T-shirts exclaims. If you want to read about pilot smugglers there are a ton of better books that truly outline what is was about with more detail the actual smuggling and less detail to personal philosophy available. Essentially this is a love story about two people. Jack and himself and Jack and the author. The one thing that rings true is that in the end Jack found a muse to tell his story and for one who has experienced long incarceration, I'm glad that in the end before he died that he found someone to tell his story and that he experienced freedom, albeit for a very short time but nevertheless freedom and that he was able, in the end, fly free.

Just finished reading BUCCANEER and I must convey what an amazing job MayCay did putting the manuscript all together.I knew Jack as a young man. I have been searching to see what ever happened to Jack as I had lost contact with him just after he was freed from the counterfeiting sentence; plus, I knew that he was in some sort of mess as a result of the smuggling issue from an LA Times article published in 1987.I only knew Jack for about 4 years before he disappeared from the So Cal scene and wondered all through my adult life what actually happened to Jack. After reading this book that question was answered and much more of an insight as to what made Jack so special comes out “loud and clear.” As a young man I saw these amazing qualities in Jack which did include the lust factor. It was fascinating to read Jack’s own words about how he discovered who he really was and how he made the sacrifices to achieve “his freedom” from society’s shackles.Yes, Jack did transport drugs, which was an unlawful act. And as the book stated the penalty for such would have been about an 8 year sentence. As I read the book I came to the conclusion the real story that comes blaring out is how Jack reconciled his role on this earth and what had troubled him in the early stages of life. He was able to come to grips with that during his 20 plus years behind bars. Just think how many of us have had similar thoughts about our lives and how so many never are able to really grasp the full meaning of their time on this earth.Readers will love the adventure aspect of this book and then be surprised to learn that Jack Reed was very much a true philosopher and an open and honest autobiographer. MayCay’s epilog is touching and real and gave Jack something very special to think about during his last days here on earth.A great read!Steve Lewis

Most people my age remember the trial, one of the longest if not THE longest drug trial in our lifetimes and the magnetic man that stood in the center of the fray. Jack Carlton Reed. The book is told primarily through his own words fleshed with detailed notes by award-winning author MayCay Beeler. They bonded through flight, hers a career as a professional pilot and his life, a private pilot who moved drugs to support a lifestyle that was initially very self-centered and later evolved into a reflective life off the grid. At first I didn’t like his character, the bragging, his penchant for teen girls, his casual attitude about what drugs can do to society, but slowly, due to the writer’s skill, I started to see a deeper picture to him. Whether you like him or hate him, you can’t help but be impressed that he had a fierce personal code regarding life and friendship and he would not stray from it. The trial is told with enough explanatory actions that the reader understands the nuances of it and how the outcome was going to play out, a non-violent offender getting two life sentences when violent rapists can see only a year or two in prison. The epilogue is a stunning piece of writing and reveals a man deeply changed by what others would perceive as mistakes, things to him were simply a part of the journey to the unbroken spirit he became.

MayCay Beeler has written a thought provoking and honest account of the life of Jack Reed. "Buccaneer" brought back great memories for us, as we enjoyed Jack's company almost weekly for a year and a half before his final trip out of Canada. During this time Jack shared his many interests with us, racing, flying, showed us albums and pictures. Jack was a visitor to our home and had us visit his home on Norman's Cay. We all know now, how Jack made his living, but our memories are of a soft spoken man who certainly had a great appreciation for nature and the places and people around him. We knew he had a great deal of money at his disposal, but it wasn't all about money with him. It wasn't look what I have see what I can do. We always felt he thought life was a big game, money the necessary evil, its acquisition the sport. The reality is Jack was a drug smuggler, enjoyed life on ill gotten gains, did go to jail, and he did pay for his crimes. But for whatever reason he chose his life's path, he was to us a very special person, extremely intelligent and talented. Ms. Beeler, brought our memories to life again, and now, as then, we are still intrigued with the man.

Very informative read.