It might be packaged as a hard-boiled, gonzo tour through Japans underworld, but this intricate tale keeps unfolding in unexpected ways Its tempting to call this story Chandleresque, but theres a depth of feeling and undercurrent of spiritual questing that goes beyond Chandlers remit. * The Sydney Morning Herald * Journalist Adelstein follows up The Last Yakuza with another illuminating blend of memoir and reportage As always, the authors ability to boil down Japans complex sociopolitical dynamics in sharp, often-humorous prose impresses For true crime fans, this is a treat. -- Publishers Weekly Mafioso, dirty dealings, true crime its all inherently interesting. And Tokyo Noir is exactly the sort of sequel youd want to the now-seminal Tokyo Vice. -- Unseen Japan Praise for The Last Yakuza:
Journalist Adelstein parlays decades of reporting on Japanese organised crime into a propulsive history of the yakuza. Drawing on interviews with both his yakuza and Japanese law enforcement contacts, he examines how yakuza groups obtained power Hes especially good at tracing the yakuzas political influence in Japan, explaining how they bribed and blackmailed legislators into opposing bills that would have curbed their influence. Painstakingly reported and paced like a thriller, this is a must read for anyone interested in organised crime. * Publishers Weekly * Praise for Tokyo Vice:
Tokyo Vice is about Japanese subculture. Adelstein instructs us in the vagaries of Japanese journalism and provides a gamy, colourful tour of the morally flexible areas of Japan, particularly in Tokyo. He also shows how Japanese police work and interact with journalists. Adelstein shares juicy, salty, and occasionally funny anecdotes, but many are frightening Adelstein doesnt lack for self-confidence but beneath the bravado are a big heart and a relentless drive for justice. -- Carlo Wolff * The Boston Globe * Praise for Tokyo Vice:
[ Adelsteins] juicy and vividly detailed account of investigations into the shadowy side of Japan shows him to be more enterprising, determined, and crazy than most Adelstein builds his stories with as much surprise and grit as any Al Pacino or Mark Wahlberg movie, blurring the lines between the cops, the crooks, and even the journalists Tokyo Vice is often so snappy and quotable that it sounds as if it were a treatment for a Scorsese movie set in Queens [ E]ven as he is getting slapped around by thugs and placed under police protection, Adelstein never loses his gift for crisp storytelling and an unexpectedly earnest eagerness to try to rescue the damned. -- Pico Iyer * Time * Praise for Tokyo Vice:
In this dark, often humorous journey through the underworld of Tokyo, Jake Adelstein captures exactly what it means to be a gaijin and a reporter. Whether he is hunting for tips in Kabukicho or pressing yakuza for information, it is an adventure only he could write. For anyone interested in Japan or journalism, this is a must read. -- Robert Whiting, author of Tokyo Underworld Praise for Tokyo Vice:
A gripping and absorbing read. Very few foreigners ever come close to discovering whats really going on in Japans closed society. Adelstein chases two major stories that pull him into a vortex of destruction, threatening his friendships, his marriage, and even his life. As he battles with profound issues concerning truth and trust, Tokyo Vice approaches a heart-pounding denouement. This is a terrifying, deeply moral story which you cannot put down, and Adelstein, if occasionally reckless, is an extremely courageous man. -- Misha Glenny, author of McMafia: a journey through the global criminal underworld
