Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks

Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks

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  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-07-03 10:51:32
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Patrick Radden Keefe
  • ISBN:0385675453
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From the prize-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Say Nothing and Empire of Pain, twelve enthralling stories of misbehavior and skullduggery by one of the most decorated journalists of our time。


I read everything he writes。 Every time he writes a book, I read it。 Every time he writes an article, I read it。 。 。 。 He's a national treasure。 --Rachel Maddow, host of MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Blowout

Patrick Radden Keefe has garnered prizes ranging from National Magazine Awards to the Orwell Prize for Political Writing to the National Book Critics Circle Award for his meticulously-reported, hypnotically-engaging work on the many ways people behave badly。 In this collection, Keefe brilliantly chronicles the surprisingly corporate business practices of narcotraffickers, explores the intricacies of forging $150,000 vintage wines, tells the fate of a whistle-blower who dared to expose money laundering at a Swiss bank, and profiles the charmed life of a cheerful international black market arms merchant, among other bravura works of literary journalism。

The appearance of his byline in The New Yorker is always an event, and collected here for the first time readers can see his work forms an always enthralling but deeply human portrait of criminals and rascals, but also those who stand up against them。

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Reviews

Renee

This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review。 I've loved Radden Keefe's work since I picked up Say Nothing a while back, and I was delighted to get picked up for the ARC list of this collection。 A little scattered in theme, I certainly wouldn't have placed the article about Anthony Bourdain in this collection even though it was a refreshing end, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it。 Radden Keefe's writing style is empathetic, able to handle controversial and possibly rou This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review。 I've loved Radden Keefe's work since I picked up Say Nothing a while back, and I was delighted to get picked up for the ARC list of this collection。 A little scattered in theme, I certainly wouldn't have placed the article about Anthony Bourdain in this collection even though it was a refreshing end, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it。 Radden Keefe's writing style is empathetic, able to handle controversial and possibly rough topics with grace, which is what I'm always searching for in true crime。 He's personable and personal, understanding that there's always a victim, and goes out of his way to give an analytical but also very careful perspective。 I noticed this trait in Say Nothing, and it carried through here, particularly when looking at the Boston Bombing case and the Amy Bishop murders。 I'd recommend this to anyone who loves a good essay, and loves a variance of perspective。 。。。more

Shayla Scott

4。25 rating!

Natalie Sass

Not me immediately googling other books about some of the subjects of these essays。。。。I loved this essay collection。 I found each fascinating and very engaging。 Each one was a great introduction to the subject it introduced。 I can easily see myself spending the next year reading books focused on multiple subjects from this collection。

Julie Hudson

Thank you to LibroFM for the early audio edition。Not quite so keen on this style as a collection of articles, I prefer something more in depth to get your teeth into。Great research and very thorough, as is all Patrick Radden Keefe's work。 I particularly enjoyed the section on Amy Bishop as I'd been aware of her previously。 Thank you to LibroFM for the early audio edition。Not quite so keen on this style as a collection of articles, I prefer something more in depth to get your teeth into。Great research and very thorough, as is all Patrick Radden Keefe's work。 I particularly enjoyed the section on Amy Bishop as I'd been aware of her previously。 。。。more

Davi Kladakis

One of my new favorite nonfiction writers ever。

Rudi Pauwelijn

3 van de 12 verhalen gelezen maar het lukte me niet echt om er in te verdwalen, mss dat de andere verhalen mij meer zouden kunnen meeslepen , mis daad , alles (?) heeft zijn/ haar prijs , Mss niet veel rekening houden met deze rating , het boek kwam op het verkeerde moment /

Ben

Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an ARC of this title。I'm a big fan of Patrick Radden Keefe's work, and after the thrill rides of Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland and what I had already read of last year's Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty (much like Keefe, I'm a bit of a magpie when it comes to starting books and leaving them around my apartment in piles to be finished), this was a great collection of his work for the New York Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an ARC of this title。I'm a big fan of Patrick Radden Keefe's work, and after the thrill rides of Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland and what I had already read of last year's Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty (much like Keefe, I'm a bit of a magpie when it comes to starting books and leaving them around my apartment in piles to be finished), this was a great collection of his work for the New Yorker。 While there's some connection in the types of story Keefe chooses to tell in his work, it's really interesting to see how he applies his same lens to his subjects both when he can and can't actually speak with them to write a profile。 All in all, this was a delightful collection of complex stories, and I'm excited for whatever he's writing next。 。。。more

Hirondelle

I am pretty sure I already read a few of these, particularly I am hoping there is a reprint on the article on Amy Bishop, which I remember being absolutely devastating。 But I a collection sounds absolutely great, and from what I read of his on the New Yorker, he is a genius at that kind of length。 TBR or reread, eventually, slowly, bit by bit。。。。

RMazin

Read an excellent collection of some of Keefe’s best articles from the New Yorker。 Each article is different in that it highlights some aspect of today’s world including: drugs, finance, mass killings, family strife and international trade。 Keefe focuses on a main protagonist and takes the reader inside that person’s world。 Although all these people are very different, in backgrounds and situations, they all seem to have an unshakeable belief in themselves – even if that belief is warped。 Perhap Read an excellent collection of some of Keefe’s best articles from the New Yorker。 Each article is different in that it highlights some aspect of today’s world including: drugs, finance, mass killings, family strife and international trade。 Keefe focuses on a main protagonist and takes the reader inside that person’s world。 Although all these people are very different, in backgrounds and situations, they all seem to have an unshakeable belief in themselves – even if that belief is warped。 Perhaps one of Keefe’s best skills is the ability to make these people relatable in the face of what they pursue and how they attempt to achieve it。 Even the essays that I assumed would be difficult to follow (arms dealings, finance, and mineral resources) were so well explained, that engagement was easy and informative。 Highly recommended。 Thanks to Netgalley/Edelweiss and the publisher for providing this title。 。。。more

Diane S ☔

Literary journalism and Keefe is certainly the perfect writer to bring to life some of these, many unheard of, incidents/people to our attention。 I had three favorites, the hunt for and the capture of the notorious drug kingpin, El Capo。 Do you know that he had 90 tunnels dug into the United States, many which were air-conditioned。 A wall wouldn't have helped here。 A chilling expose。Mark Burnett and the making of the Apprentice and the rebranding of Donald Trump。 I'm sure many are with me in the Literary journalism and Keefe is certainly the perfect writer to bring to life some of these, many unheard of, incidents/people to our attention。 I had three favorites, the hunt for and the capture of the notorious drug kingpin, El Capo。 Do you know that he had 90 tunnels dug into the United States, many which were air-conditioned。 A wall wouldn't have helped here。 A chilling expose。Mark Burnett and the making of the Apprentice and the rebranding of Donald Trump。 I'm sure many are with me in the wishing that this was one genie we could put back in the bottle。 Wonder if Burnett can sleep at night?The last story was the life of Bourdain。 A bittersweet look at the man and his career projectory。 All included I this book is well done ad oh so interesting。 。。。more

Cindy :: leavemetomybooks ::

I’m a big fan of Patrick Radden Keefe’s writing, but this collection of essays (most of which had been previously published in The New Yorker) was hit or miss for me。 My favorites were the opening essay about wine forgery (and the epic tools who spend a gazillion dollars on bottles of wine - fake or not) and the final essay, which was a profile of Anthony Bourdain。 The story of Amy Bishop and the Swiss Bank Heist were also really interesting, but a few others were a bit dull。 Overall, this was a I’m a big fan of Patrick Radden Keefe’s writing, but this collection of essays (most of which had been previously published in The New Yorker) was hit or miss for me。 My favorites were the opening essay about wine forgery (and the epic tools who spend a gazillion dollars on bottles of wine - fake or not) and the final essay, which was a profile of Anthony Bourdain。 The story of Amy Bishop and the Swiss Bank Heist were also really interesting, but a few others were a bit dull。 Overall, this was a really enjoyable and informative read with a variety of topics that could interest pretty much anyone。* thanks to Doubleday for the NetGalley review copy。 Rogues publishes June 28th。 。。。more

Elizabeth

I am avowed Patrick Radden Keefe fangirl, so this was an easy 5 stars for me。 It's very typical of PRK's work: well-researched, exquisitely told stories of murder, mayhem, conspiracy, intrigue, etc。 What I didn't know going in was that the book is a collection of his New Yorker pieces, many of which I had already read。 I probably could have figured this out by reading literally any description online, so I can only fault myself for being disappointed by that。 Said disappointment not withstanding I am avowed Patrick Radden Keefe fangirl, so this was an easy 5 stars for me。 It's very typical of PRK's work: well-researched, exquisitely told stories of murder, mayhem, conspiracy, intrigue, etc。 What I didn't know going in was that the book is a collection of his New Yorker pieces, many of which I had already read。 I probably could have figured this out by reading literally any description online, so I can only fault myself for being disappointed by that。 Said disappointment not withstanding, this is a great book, full of fascinating stories written by a master storyteller。 。。。more

Ietrio

Keefe wanted to be a writer。 His talent lacks, so he needs to go for gore, and ”true”。 Fear everything, obey the official press。

Jen Blab

Looking fwd to seeing the author in Philly next week!

Shelby

I love you, PRK, but true crime does absolutely nothing for me。

Maudaevee

This was so interesting, I had a hard time putting it down!! I love narrative nonfiction like this, when it’s this well done。 I will definitely look for more to read by Patrick Radden Keefe。

Kennedy

Some stories were more interesting than others, but overall I was very entertained。 Since the stories were previously published as magazine articles, some were a little old, but the short follow-up of where things stand now was great。 It reminded me of David Grann's The Old Man and the Gun and The Devil and Sherlock Holmes。 Some stories were more interesting than others, but overall I was very entertained。 Since the stories were previously published as magazine articles, some were a little old, but the short follow-up of where things stand now was great。 It reminded me of David Grann's The Old Man and the Gun and The Devil and Sherlock Holmes。 。。。more

Rachel

3。75? As with any collection with no real overarching narrative, there’s gonna be some hits & misses。 Found the essays on mark Burnett/trump, anthony bourdain, Boston bombing case, & Amy bishop shooting to be the most intriguing。 I struggled to stay interested in the rest。

Katie

ARC provided by NetGalleySo good!

Elizabeth

2

Maria

Having been listening to mostly romances lately, this felt a bit like vegetables。 A bit harder to get through, but interesting and good for you。 I reckon I would have liked it even more had I not binged it。 Each story deserves time to unwind in your brain, after the ending that is invariably both banal and an absolute gut punch。 No satisfying endings here, but that’s what you get for reading nonfiction I suppose。 ALC copy

Kayla Tornello

This book showcased different rogues from around the world。 I enjoyed the variety。 It was interesting to find out about their lives in such detail。 I also appreciated that an update to the stories was included at the end of each one。 I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway。 Yay!

Migdalia Jimenez

This collection of true crime essays, previously published individually in The New Yorker, is an excellent sampler of the genre - with stories ranging on Dutch gangsters, vintage wine fraudsters, mass shooters, the life and captures of ‘El Chapo,’ the Lockerbie bombing, and more。 Each essay is a world of its own, with Keefe telling an exhaustive, thoroughly researched story, complete with a brief update at the end of every chapter。 Based in fact, sometimes philosophical, and always humanizing, t This collection of true crime essays, previously published individually in The New Yorker, is an excellent sampler of the genre - with stories ranging on Dutch gangsters, vintage wine fraudsters, mass shooters, the life and captures of ‘El Chapo,’ the Lockerbie bombing, and more。 Each essay is a world of its own, with Keefe telling an exhaustive, thoroughly researched story, complete with a brief update at the end of every chapter。 Based in fact, sometimes philosophical, and always humanizing, this is investigative journalism at it’s best- providing deep dives in an easily digestible format。 This book is perfect for those who enjoy settling in with long-form articles and readers who enjoy their true crime on the less-bloody side。 It’s also recommended for fans of Keefe’s previous critically acclaimed books Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland and Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty。Full disclosure - I received a copy of this book from Net Galley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Heather

A fantastic collection of essays about crime ranging from insider trading to murder, Patrick Radden Keefe's Rogues focuses more on the psychology behind many of the crimes than the cut and dry facts of the cases。 The facts are presented, but the emphasis is on the people involved and their motivations and actions。 Crime is ultimately about someone acting in a way that normal society doesn't find acceptable, therefore it is riveting to see how the thought process of these people work。 The fact th A fantastic collection of essays about crime ranging from insider trading to murder, Patrick Radden Keefe's Rogues focuses more on the psychology behind many of the crimes than the cut and dry facts of the cases。 The facts are presented, but the emphasis is on the people involved and their motivations and actions。 Crime is ultimately about someone acting in a way that normal society doesn't find acceptable, therefore it is riveting to see how the thought process of these people work。 The fact that the book is a group of essays and not completely about one of the crimes or criminals keeps the book fresh, even though any of these topics could probably have a whole book written about it。 The only issue with the book is that the reader might want to follow a rabbit hole of learning more about any of these given cases since they are all so interesting。 If the reader is looking for true crime and some of the psychology behind it, this is an excellent book that is well researched and thoughtful in its treatment of crime and criminals。 Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday books for the ARC 。。。more

Em

Keefe's writing is solid but pretty dry! I have a hard time focusing on audiobooks as it is, so this one didn't hold my attention。 Keefe's writing is solid but pretty dry! I have a hard time focusing on audiobooks as it is, so this one didn't hold my attention。 。。。more

Angie

I was fascinated by Patrick Radden Keefe's Empire of Pain, so was eager to pick up this collection of some of his New Yorker articles focusing on some of the world's worst criminals, scammers, and villains。 His various profiles cover El Chapo, international arms dealing, defense attorneys representing the worst of humanity, and more。 My favorite articles were "The Jefferson Bottles" about wine forgery, "The Worst of the Worst" about a defense attorney who reprents some of the worst criminals, in I was fascinated by Patrick Radden Keefe's Empire of Pain, so was eager to pick up this collection of some of his New Yorker articles focusing on some of the world's worst criminals, scammers, and villains。 His various profiles cover El Chapo, international arms dealing, defense attorneys representing the worst of humanity, and more。 My favorite articles were "The Jefferson Bottles" about wine forgery, "The Worst of the Worst" about a defense attorney who reprents some of the worst criminals, including the Boston Marathon bomber, and "A Loaded Gun" about a woman who shoots her colleagues at a university。 。。。more

Henri

I expected perfection from the author of brilliant 'Empire of Pain' and 'Say Nothing'。 This book delivered。 Firstly, on the format。 This is a collection of 12 of the best and most fascinating long articles written by Patrick Radden Keefe in his time as the writer for New Yorker。 The best thing about this book is the breadth of research and the wide eye opening variety of topics on offer。 In the space of 350 pages PRK takes you from the gang killings in Rotterdam to the world of $2000000 fine win I expected perfection from the author of brilliant 'Empire of Pain' and 'Say Nothing'。 This book delivered。 Firstly, on the format。 This is a collection of 12 of the best and most fascinating long articles written by Patrick Radden Keefe in his time as the writer for New Yorker。 The best thing about this book is the breadth of research and the wide eye opening variety of topics on offer。 In the space of 350 pages PRK takes you from the gang killings in Rotterdam to the world of $2000000 fine wine fraud, to the offices of Steven Cohen and one of the greatest financial scams of the century。 One of the things I kept thinking about is the private world of a journalist/investigator like PRK。 On monthly basis he meets with people that have incredible stories to tell, the day to day travails of ordinary people must become a boring side interest。 The stories are perfectly sized - fantastic for a story per day ratio although if you're like me and find yourself thoroughly immersed - up to three a day is certainly very understandable! I find that the quality of the writing is just as immersive as you'd get in his longer works such as EOP and SN。 This is literary journalism at it's best and I would recommend it to everyone。 P。S in a good way this reminded me of Eric Hobsbwam's book Bandits in which he profiles some of the most infamous bandits of his age, in some way Rogues adapts the famous historian's work to the new century。 。。。more

Steph

I loved Empire of Pain and was really excited to get an ARC of Patrick Radden Keefe’s newest book Rogues。 The book is made up of short true crime stories on a variety of topics and each was fascinating! All were of course very well researched and easy to read。 I loved the format because I could do one story at a time, set it down and pick it back up when I had a minute again to start the next one。 The only story that didn’t quite fit the book to me was on Anthony Bourdain。 While the book title d I loved Empire of Pain and was really excited to get an ARC of Patrick Radden Keefe’s newest book Rogues。 The book is made up of short true crime stories on a variety of topics and each was fascinating! All were of course very well researched and easy to read。 I loved the format because I could do one story at a time, set it down and pick it back up when I had a minute again to start the next one。 The only story that didn’t quite fit the book to me was on Anthony Bourdain。 While the book title does include rebels, the other articles all focused on criminals making this feel like a bit of an odd duck。 I definitely recommend this one to true crime and non fiction fans, there is a great mix of interesting and compelling articles。 。。。more

Sarah

I didn't realize when I requested an arc of Rogues that it was a repackaging of articles published in the New Yorker; which on its face isn't an issue, but I wish I'd looked into it more before committing to the book。I loved the first article about fraudulent wine sales - which emobdies the title of Rogue - my favourite crimes are victimless ones (which, to me, selling fraudulent wine to a Koch brother is definitely victimless), however, as we go on to El Chapo - we've just lost the thread on ro I didn't realize when I requested an arc of Rogues that it was a repackaging of articles published in the New Yorker; which on its face isn't an issue, but I wish I'd looked into it more before committing to the book。I loved the first article about fraudulent wine sales - which emobdies the title of Rogue - my favourite crimes are victimless ones (which, to me, selling fraudulent wine to a Koch brother is definitely victimless), however, as we go on to El Chapo - we've just lost the thread on rogueish behaviour。The articles are interesting looks at various crimes and criminals, beyond the splashy headlines - however the lack of throughline with respect to the types of crimes turned me right off。 I wanted more on scammers, than what we got。Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc for review。 。。。more

Anjali

A collection of twelve articles by Keefe, excellently written and researched, mostly about various criminals around the globe。 The last article, a feature on Anthony Bourdain, definitely felt a little out of place in this book。 Some of the subjects were more interesting to me than others, and overall I have to admit to feeling a little depressed about how many awful people there are in the world and the lengths they'll go to achieve money and power。 Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for A collection of twelve articles by Keefe, excellently written and researched, mostly about various criminals around the globe。 The last article, a feature on Anthony Bourdain, definitely felt a little out of place in this book。 Some of the subjects were more interesting to me than others, and overall I have to admit to feeling a little depressed about how many awful people there are in the world and the lengths they'll go to achieve money and power。 Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for a digital review copy。 。。。more