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Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld and the American Dream
Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld and the American Dream | Patrick Radden Keefe
5 posts | 7 read | 9 to read
In this thrilling panorama of real-life events, Patrick Radden Keefe 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. 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."
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ClairesReads
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We can always trust Patrick Radden Keefe for a compelling deep dive. This backlist treat is no exception. I knew very little about Chinese migration to the US in the ‘80s and ‘90s, legal or otherwise. This investigation into the Snakehead trade, through the case Sister Ping is narrative non-fiction at its best. You can‘t make this kind of story up.

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EmilieGR
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I thoroughly researched and fascinating examination of Chinese/ US immigration. With an analytical, yet sympathetic approach, Keefe uses the tragedy of the Golden Venture to examine the complexities of US immigration policies and the shady characters who exploit them. Keefe has a talent for making the most complex situations and ideas understandable.

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DcSunshine
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Again another fantastic book I couldn‘t put down by Keefe. This one opened my eyes to the history and darker side of Chinatown. It was well down to capture the many sides of human trafficking from China. I enjoyed the connection of politics to immigration, and the realization that it‘s not something you can stop. Recommend this book to all interested in history, politics, and more.

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Bethanyroe
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Such an interesting book. Having read one of his bios before, I came across this one! So glad I picked it up. A whole side of immigration I really haven‘t been aware of. Great read!

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The_Penniless_Author
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In 1993, a ship called the Golden Venture carrying 300 unauthorized immigrants from Fujian province, China ran aground off of Queens Beach. The ship had been commissioned by Sister Ping, an unassuming grandmother and noodle shop owner in NY's Chinatown who also presided over a multimillion-dollar global smuggling network. I worked on the edge of Chinatown for several years, and there wasn't a single resident I spoke to who didn't know Sister Ping.

The_Penniless_Author She's a fascinating character, who probably more than anyone is responsible for building Chinatown into what it is today. 3y
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