About the book
In this thrilling panorama of real-life events, the bestselling author of Empire of Pain investigates a secret world run by a surprising criminal: a charismatic middle-aged grandmother, who from a tiny noodle shop in New York’s Chinatown managed a multi-million dollar business smuggling people.
“Reads like a mashup of The Godfather and Chinatown, complete with gun battles, a ruthless kingpin and a mountain of cash. Except that it’s all true.” —Time
Keefe reveals the inner workings of Sister Ping’s complex empire and recounts the decade-long FBI investigation that eventually brought her down. He follows an often incompetent and sometimes corrupt INS as it pursues desperate immigrants risking everything to come to America, and along the way, he paints a stunning portrait of a generation of illegal immigrants and the intricate underground economy that sustains and exploits them. Grand in scope yet propulsive in narrative force, The Snakehead is both a kaleidoscopic crime story and a brilliant exploration of the ironies of immigration in America.
Editions of The Snakehead
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780385521307
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780307279279
- EBook
- ISBN 9780385530217
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780739382929
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781415963234
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781415963241
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9781415963227
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9780739382912
Read an Excerpt
In this thrilling panorama of real-life events, the bestselling author of Empire of Pain investigates a secret world run by a surprising criminal: a charismatic middle-aged grandmother, who from a tiny noodle shop in New York’s Chinatown managed a multi-million dollar business smuggling people.
“Reads like a mashup of The Godfather and Chinatown, complete with gun battles, a ruthless kingpin and a mountain of cash. Except that it’s all true.” —Time
Keefe reveals the inner workings of Sister Ping’s complex empire and recounts the decade-long FBI investigation that eventually brought her down. He follows an often incompetent and sometimes corrupt INS as it pursues desperate immigrants risking everything to come to America, and along the way, he paints a stunning portrait of a generation of illegal immigrants and the intricate underground economy that sustains and exploits them. Grand in scope yet propulsive in narrative force, The Snakehead is both a kaleidoscopic crime story and a brilliant exploration of the ironies of immigration in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Snakehead about?
In this thrilling panorama of real-life events, the bestselling author of Empire of Pain investigates a secret world run by a surprising criminal: a charismatic middle-aged grandmother, who from a tiny noodle shop in New York’s Chinatown managed a multi-million dollar business smuggling people.
“Reads like a mashup of The Godfather and Chinatown, complete with gun battles, a ruthless kingpin and a mountain of cash. Except that it’s all true.” —Time
Keefe reveals the inner workings of Sister Ping’s complex empire and recounts the decade-long FBI investigation that eventually brought her down. He follows an often incompetent and sometimes corrupt INS as it pursues desperate immigrants risking everything to come to America, and along the way, he paints a stunning portrait of a generation of illegal immigrants and the intricate underground economy that sustains and exploits them. Grand in scope yet propulsive in narrative force, The Snakehead is both a kaleidoscopic crime story and a brilliant exploration of the ironies of immigration in America.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Snakehead?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > True stories / true accounts of events > True crime
Where can I read a sample of The Snakehead?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780385521307
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Snakehead?
Patrick Radden Keefe
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Snakehead is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780385521307) and paperback(ISBN 9780307279279) and ebook(ISBN 9780385530217) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780739382929) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781415963234) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781415963241) and audiodisc(ISBN 9781415963227) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780739382912)
Where can I buy The Snakehead online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Snakehead from below
Where can I buy The Snakehead?