Patrick Radden Keefe, a renowned investigative journalist and author, discusses his obsession with crime and the intricacies of human behavior. He explores the motivations behind bad actions, drawing from his latest book 'Rogues.' The conversation touches on the January 6th insurrection, the legal implications of intent, and the ethical challenges journalists face. Keefe highlights the delicate balance of empathy in storytelling and reflects on how personal dynamics influence moral decisions, offering a nuanced view of societal issues.
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insights INSIGHT
Self-Deception and Justification
People construct narratives about their lives, trying to justify their decisions.
These narratives often involve self-deception, with individuals lying to themselves.
insights INSIGHT
The Allure of Moral Ambiguity
Stories with moral ambiguity, where characters defy easy categorization, are more compelling.
Simple narratives of pure good or evil are less engaging for both readers and writers.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Transparency with Sources
Be transparent with sources, informing them that the story will be published regardless of their participation.
This approach can encourage cooperation by emphasizing the potential benefits of engagement.
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Rogues brings together a dozen of Patrick Radden Keefe's most celebrated articles from The New Yorker. The book explores various themes such as crime and corruption, secrets and lies, and the boundaries between legal and illegal worlds. Keefe delves into stories including the forgery of vintage wines, the expose of money laundering at a Swiss bank, time spent with Anthony Bourdain in Vietnam, and the pursuit of an international black market arms merchant. His work is known for its meticulous reporting and engaging narrative style, offering a deeply human portrait of both criminals and those who oppose them.
Empire of Pain
The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
Ricard Gil
Patrick Radden Keefe
Empire of Pain is a comprehensive and damning narrative about the Sackler family, who built their pharmaceutical empire through aggressive marketing and questionable ethics. The book traces the family's history from their early success with tranquilizers like Librium and Valium to the devastating impact of OxyContin, which contributed significantly to the opioid crisis. Keefe's work is based on extensive research and exposes the family's ruthless business tactics, their influence on medical and governmental bodies, and their attempts to evade accountability for the harm caused by their products.
Say Nothing
A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Ariel Font Prades
Patrick Radden Keefe
The book delves into the bitter conflict in Northern Ireland and its aftermath, focusing on the lives of key figures such as Dolours Price, Brendan Hughes, Gerry Adams, and Jean McConville's children. It explores the civil rights movement, the Provisional IRA's bombing campaign, the 1981 hunger strike, the peace process, and the post-conflict struggle to understand crimes like McConville's murder. The narrative also incorporates the Belfast Project, a secret oral history endeavor that collected stories from former IRA members. The book is a panoramic history that captures the complexities and tragic consequences of the Troubles[1][2][5].
Patrick Radden Keefe is a staff writer at the New Yorker and the author of books including Say Nothing and Empire of Pain. His new essay collection, Rogues, features several of his most widely-read New Yorker articles, with a particular focus on criminals and con artists. Preet speaks with Keefe about the craft of long-form investigative journalism, what fascinates him about crime and corruption, and what motivates people to do bad things.
Plus, Preet discusses the January 6th Committee hearings and the importance of establishing former President Trump’s criminal intent in inciting the Insurrection.
Stay Tuned with Preet 
