Tokyo Vice Audiobook By Jake Adelstein cover art

Tokyo Vice

An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan

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Tokyo Vice

By: Jake Adelstein
Narrated by: Jake Adelstein
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From the only American journalist ever to have been admitted to the insular Tokyo Metropolitan Police press club: a unique, firsthand, revelatory look at Japanese culture from the underbelly up.

At nineteen, Jake Adelstein went to Japan in search of peace and tranquility. What he got was a life of crime . . . crime reporting, that is, at the prestigious Yomiuri Shinbun. For twelve years of eighty-hour workweeks, he covered the seedy side of Japan, where extortion, murder, human trafficking, and corruption are as familiar as ramen noodles and sake. But when his final scoop brought him face to face with Japan’s most infamous yakuza boss—and the threat of death for him and his family—Adelstein decided to step down . . . momentarily. Then, he fought back.

In Tokyo Vice, Adelstein tells the riveting, often humorous tale of his journey from an inexperienced cub reporter—who made rookie mistakes like getting into a martial-arts battle with a senior editor—to a daring, investigative journalist with a price on his head. With its vivid, visceral descriptions of crime in Japan and an exploration of the world of modern-day yakuza that even few Japanese ever see, Tokyo Vice is a fascination, and an education, from first to last.©2009 Jake Adelstein; (P)2009 Random House Art & Literature Asia Biographies & Memoirs Crime Japan Journalists, Editors & Publishers Organized Crime True Crime Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing China Exciting Imperial Japan Mafia
Fascinating Underworld Exposé • Insightful Cultural Perspective • Authentic Emotional Delivery • Gripping True Crime

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Jake Adelstein has written and narrated a tremendous book detailing his time as a newspaper crime reporter and freelance crime journalist in Japan. He is probably one of the most knowledgeable Westerners on topics like the Yakuza and Japanese red-light districts, and to listen to a book which 1) expounds in great detail on such interesting subjects and 2) is quite entertaining is a sheer pleasure.

The author's narration is also excellent, not at all "over the top" as I have had to suffer through with many other audiobooks. In the end, it is Adelstein's honesty (both about his own inner thoughts and actions and the identities and places featured) that caused me to rate this book 5+ stars.

Out of 20 books in my Audible library, a handful deserve 5 stars. Only three deserve 5+ (the others are Snowball and The Greatest Trade Ever) because I was compelled to listen for 1+ hours/day.

Excellent, gripping and introspective

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If you’re at all interested in Japanese culture, crime, and/or journalism, you can’t go wrong with this. Listened to it in one sitting on a long train trip and enjoyed every minute.

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This book was simultaneously powerful, gripping, frightening, raw, and heart-wrenching. Probably the best autobiographical work I have ever read. The Japanese underworld is fascinating, the characters well-drawn, and the narrative superb. Kudos to this extraordinary author and amazing man!

A Must Read!!!

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Jake is a great reporter, writer and narrator to his own work, with an interesting background working around crime in Japan and reporting on the yakuza, he tells you his firsthand experiences in his own words and keeps you hooked all the way through. I won’t say too much, go ahead and listen for yourself!

Intriguing all the way through

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This is a very compelling audiobook. Adelstein does a great job of narration as well as having written a can’t-put-it-down tale.

Great book! Highly recommended for those interested in Japan, journalism, and good writing

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