Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks Paperback – June 6, 2023

This is the third book I've purchased and read authored by Patrick Radden Keefe.; all of them so markedly different; all so all uniformly PHENOMENAL.This book -- I don't believe it's a "stroll down PRK's Memory Lane," or something to the effect of "PRK's "greatest hits" (there's an unintended 'double entendre!'); he and his teams chose wisely as they beautifully constructed a book about lawbreakers/law enforcement/drug manufacturers/drug users/$$$moneyMoneyMONEY$$$...truly a book about Rogues, Charlatans, etc. Gripping, fascinating, scary, heartwarming and heart-rendering, exciting, minutely detailed, with absolutely incredible reporting and writing.If you've read this far, please check out my review of PRK's "Empire of Pain.". This book, extremely important in numerous ways, is so much different than " Rogues;' it's a book I would hope EVERY inhabitant of this planet should/would read. It's that brilliant, it's that important, it's a book (like, for example, Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs & Steel" which, in a larger context, explains in detail how the world works - and how it doesn't work). All while weaving a factual, nonfiction tapestry which deliciously reads like a Miss Marple mystery; "Rogues" decidedly works on so many levels...Now, this is not to say that "Rogues" is a "summer beach book;" it can be, and, perhaps PRK would argue, justly, that it's the type of "summer beach books" you'd want to read (remember, "Rogues," "Scoundrels" and "Grifters!" Oh My!) -- the stuff is plenty juicy... Just don't 'turn off your brain' -- not that it's a 'Webster's in one hand, "Guns, Germs & Steel" in the other type of book (again, I hope that somehow, every person on earth should read "Guns, Germs & Steel;" part of the enjoyment comes from learning FACTUAL info about how humankind got its start...and what followed...but a dictionary is an invaluable and most necessary resource when reading it); "Rogues" is a book with fleshed out and fleshy characters...a lot like "Casablanca," actually! The difference is that these folks are real, the facts around them are real, their actions are real, and many come with consequences that affect EVERYONE on our planet, directly or indirectly.PRK, if, for whatever reason you agree or disagree with my review/characterizations, let's chat...

It's hard to say anything that hasn’t already been said about this book, a compilation of twelve extraordinary New Yorker essays from Patrick Radden Keefe about some of the more colorful characters and stories of our time. After all, the book has sucked up an awful lot of oxygen in the literary room since its release in June of this year. It is the very definition of blockbuster and deservedly so.One thing that does strike me is that is can be easy to to view "Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks" as a book all about bad people. While bad people certainly factor in, several of the essays are actually stories of good people who've nailed bad people. Others, per the word “Rebels" that’s kind of hidden in the title, are decidedly not bad folks, just different thinkers, such as Mark Burnett and Anthony Bourdain. Not a huge deal, just something that's occurred to me.The larger thing that strikes me, however, and what really draws me to weigh in on a type of book I tend to leave to others, is what it is made of--and that is the great, old-school long form essay traditionally crafted by great writers for great magazines which when combined under one theme make for such excellent books. Joseph Mitchell's "Up in the Old Hotel" -- another anthology of New Yorker essays which came out in 1992 -- is a great example of this and if you've not read it, you must.Of course The New Yorker, where again the essays that make up "Rogues" originally appeared, is as strong and reliable as ever in that area, but with few occasional exceptions, it begins and ends there nowadays. And this is tragic. So if by expressing my delight in Keefe's great work I can flag this unfortunate truth and perhaps make some people think about it, then this time and energy of mine was well spent indeed.

As PRK says in the forward, in-depth articles can take the better part of a year to research and write. These twelve articles may have previously been published, but unless you caught them in the New Yorker you will find each story an absorbing piece of investigative journalism. Although he collects them under the title “Rogues,” I don’t think you need a theme. They’re all fascinating, well-researched, and insightful. The story on Mark Burnett, the man behind The Apprentice television show is particularly interesting in a “look what he wrought” kind of way.

Some of the stories were interesting and some were somewhat Grim. Well written stories about some people who were on the wrong side of the law.

As a long time New Yorker subscriber I had read most of these as they appeared, PRK has a great organizational style, and reading some of these again in a curated collection makes me appreciate his perspective all the more. My favorite story is that of the Thomas Jefferson wine bottles! They were wine bottles and not Thomas Jefferson’s bottles of wine. Both the con man and the tumid Mr Koch are flawlessly described and developed.Great collection from PRK. Thank you for making these essays accessible and so informative!

Very well written and easy to read. With such diverse story lines I just found some of the stories not my cup of tee. But, all in all, well written and interesting.

Great writer with terrific grasp and control of material. Some of these portraits just make you sigh. If only…..

The only chapter in this book I enjoyed was the last, on Anthony Bourdain. Probably sentimental on my part, I’m willing to own that. The rest of the book I can’t really review, as the other tales were too dense for me. It seems I’m a lazy reader.

I love Patrick Keefe's writing. It is always so beautifully crafted. Rogues does not disappoint. A totally fascinating grouping of rascals profiled by Keefe.

I wasn’t familiar with the author of this book, although when I heard about it, I decided I had to read it. I am sure that many readers might have read some of the pieces included in this anthology, as he writes for The New Yorker and has gained many accolades and awards thanks to his articles, his books, and his podcasts. In a time when fake news seems to dominate much of the public discourse, and the line between reality and fiction has become porous (at times, it feels like a sieve), the press should play an important part in keeping us informed. This is not always the case, unfortunately.This collection of essays illustrates what investigative journalism can offer people who want to learn more about a subject (individuals in this case) and goes deeper and beyond a loud and attention-grabbing headline.The description mentions some of the subjects treated in this book, and it would be possible to read just the articles one is interested in, as they are quite varied: from wine collectors and dealers (millions worth of fake bottles of wine anyone?), the sister of a Dutch gangster (not that I knew there were Dutch gangsters, but it stands to reason), people who pursue an explanation for the death of one of their relatives, financial scandals, mass shooters, Mexican narcos, TV producers (who “resurrected” Donald Trump), Bank heists, defense lawyers who defend death penalty cases, or famous TV chefs, among others, there is something for almost everyone.I didn’t know some of the cases or people Radden Keefe writes about, and even those I had heard about, in their majority I had never followed in any detail, but I read the book cover to cover and I was amazed by the amount of things I learned, and by how even-handed and deep an account the author achieved. In some cases, those he writes about collaborated with the pieces, in some, they refused to be interviewed, but even when they agreed to be interviewed, there are always other sources of information and other points of view depicted, to allow us to get a sense of how others see the individuals as well. Radden Keefe includes details of meetings and conversations but doesn’t become a part of the story. The book, and the articles, are about the people he investigates, and they are allowed to speak for themselves (if they want to). Otherwise, he creates as full a picture as possible with the information he can gather.The writing style is engaging, and the author builds up a story about all of the individuals and their actions that is gripping and difficult to put down. I marked many passages and memorable quotes, and I was surprised by how relevant their content is, considering that some of the pieces are more recent than others. Perhaps things and/or people don’t change that much after all. Ah, readers need to remember that this is a non-fictional work, and although all the articles include some kind of closure, it is not an ending in the traditional sense. So, be prepared for uncertainties, “to be continued”, and even some stories that end anything but “happily”.Those who already know the author will enjoy this book, even if they have read some of the pieces, although they can always check the index and see if there is enough new material for them. Those who haven’t but have a wide range of interests and are always curious about people and why they do what they do will find it fascinating. This is not a psychology treatise but reading it makes us wonder and think. And that is a great thing in these times. Highly recommended.

Brilliant read and very gripping would recommend

Not worth it.

Well written and highly engaging pieces on a range of topics from an accomplished journalist and author. Can't wait to read more from this author.