Patrick Radden Keefe: “London Falling”

Patrick Radden Keefe is an award-winning investigative journalist for The New Yorker, a bestselling author, and a film producer. His latest book, London Falling (in German: Der Sohn des Oligarchen), brings him to Europe and a rare visit to Munich: 

After the sudden death of their nineteen-year-old son, a London family discovers he had been leading a secret second life. Posing as the heir to a Russian oligarch, he became entangled with London's shady underworld, a realm of dealers and traders, conmen and criminals, in a city that, for years, was dedicated solely to attracting money – regardless of its source. 

London Falling is both a moving family story and an indictment of the forces that have turned London into a hub of money, power, and corruption. Radden Keefe previously gained worldwide acclaim for Say Nothing, a thrilling narrative about a notorious killing in Northern Ireland and its devastating repercussions, and Empire of Pain, which chronicles the rise of the Sackler family and exposes their pivotal role in the U.S. opioid crisis – a compelling case study on economic power and regulatory failure. Radden Keefe’s writing at once chronicles systems of power – how they are built, maintained and, as is often the case, abused – and the human stories contained within them. 

In conversation with Joshua Yaffa, he discusses his work as a journalist and author, and its lessons for Western societies as they face crises related to inequality, political violence, and democracy itself. Afterward, he will answer questions from the audience and sign copies of his books.

This event is part of the series Amerikahaus Book Talks. It is a collaboration between Amerikahaus, Bard College, Heinrich Böll Foundation and hanserblau.

Tickets can be purchased via https://eveeno.com/amerikahaus-londonfalling.

Organizers: Amerikahaus – Bavarian Center for Transatlantic Relations, Bard College Berlin, Heinrich Böll Foundation, hanserblau