The California Kid - by Owen Hanson & Alex Cody Foster

About the Book

A compelling tell-all from the unique perspective of convicted felon Owen Hanson, The California Kid reveals the unbelievable story of one man's unexpected journey from troubled child to infamous criminal.

Book Synopsis

You've read the shocking one-sided tale of international drug kingpin Owen Hanson in The 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 multimillion-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 was finally gaining the respect he craved. 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 glamorous 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 respect of the people around him. The story that follows is almost too wild to believe--but Owen bears the 21-year sentence to prove it.

Review Quotes

"Take highlights from the best crime drama, the best story about someone who's gone wrong, Shawshank Redemption and Tony Robbins, and put them all together . . . and, then, you're still not close! Owen Hanson is a profoundly unique human and his stunning life path is going to inspire millions." --Richard Greene, Author and Political Communications Strategist

"Owen was living the life people make movies about before Netflix was even around. His life wasn't for show, it was for dough." --Luke Petitgout Former NFL Offensive Tackle, First Round Draft Pick, New York Giants

"I thought I knew my friend, but his secret life was like something out of a movie - a wild mix of The Wolf of Wall Street and Blow. Now, he's sharing his incredible true story. I'm hoping he'll write a second book, revealing even more details of his journey after his arrest. His transformation is an inspiration, and I can't wait to see what's next." --Derek Loville, Former NFL Running Back 3x Super Bowl Champ (2x Denver Broncos/ 1x San Francisco 49ers)

"What a fascinating book...one learns the inside of USC football, fraternity life, the mob, and prison. They're all intertwined. Owen's story is remarkable... you can't stop reading it." --Michael Levi, M.D., team podiatrist for the L.A. Clippers

"Blow meets Friday Night Lights: a wild, vividly-written tale of American addiction, greed, and betrayal." --Gus Garcia-Roberts, author of Jimmy The King: Murder, Vice, and the Reign of a Dirty Cop

"A deeply compelling story about a young man's rise from a broken middle-class home to the heights of organized crime. Owen, a self-taught Kingpin with just a USC degree, had no background in the criminal underworld, but excelled in it. He surrounded himself with wealthy college kids and adapted to their lifestyle. This is the essential true crime read of the year, a tale of ambition, excess, and the blurred lines between good and evil." --Evan Wright, Author of Generation Kill

"What a wild ride! Owen's story is bold and spectacularly unique, as he navigates the reader alongside his piercing insight and surprising candor. An inspiring tale of redemption unlike any other." --Lou Ferrigno Jr., Actor

"Owen's story is so intense and gripping--It's one of those tales that's so wild you'd think it was fiction, but it's all real. The journey he's been through is remarkable, and the best part is that it's clear he's on the brink of an amazing comeback." --Tray Rush, YouTuber and Entrepreneur

About the Author

Alex Cody Foster is the award-winning author of the true crime memoir, The Man Who Hacked the World, parts of which were included in the #1 Netflix film in the world at the time, Running with the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee. He is the founder of Ghostwriting University.