The Dragon Syndicates: The Global Phenomenon of the Triads [Paperback]

Martin Booth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2001

With unflinching candor, Martin Booth -- Booker Prize nominee and author of the critically acclaimed Opium: A History -- here unfolds the full story of the Chinese Triads, which, according to UN sources, now pose the greatest potential criminal threat the world has ever known. From San Francisco to Amsterdam to Bangkok to Johannesburg, everywhere, everyday, the Triads are turning crimes like extortion, gambling, international prostitution, illegal immigrant smuggling, money laundering, fraud, corruption, arms, and narcotics into vast profits. This comprehensive history of the Triads traces their evolution over more than two thousand years from obscure parochial Chinese brotherhoods to an international criminal organization. It examines the archaic quasi-religious rituals that have for centuries bound the members of this now global fraternity. It recounts the exploits of patriots and outlaws. It explores the Triads' instigation of the Tong Wars in America, their collaboration with the Allies against the Japanese in Malaya, their collusion with the CIA in Vietnam. It chronicles their escalation of the heroin trade to Europe and the United States. It shocks, and it compels.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In an indisputably important and extravagantly detailed account, Booth (author of the lauded Opium: A History and Booker-nominated author of the novel The Industry of Souls) examines the history of the notorious international crime groups known as the Chinese Triads, whose roots lie in ancient secret societies with traditions of religious and political dissentAparticularly in the Hung Society of the 18th century. As Chinese emigrants spread around the world, so did the societies, metamorphosing into today's international terrorist networks. The Triads have an oddly checkered history of both criminal activity and patriotism (they supported Chiang Kai-shek and assisted the U.S. during the Vietnam War). Booth's narrative details the dizzying array of their criminal actionsAincluding kidnapping, credit-card fraud, software piracy, international prostitution, illegal immigrant smuggling and Internet pornographyAas it explores the lives and crooked partnerships of such legendary Triad power brokers as the Green Gang's far-rightist Big-eared Du, and the 14K, which maximized the mid-century heroin market. Booth also documents the Triads' infiltration of the business and social mainstream and their current exploitation of the Hong Kong film industry. He deserves commendation for addressing this risky subject (these groups are not above murdering journalists) and for shredding the Triads' centuries-strong web of ritual and patriotism. 16 pages b&w photos not seen by PW. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This colorful popular history of Chinese secret criminal societies, which the author (Opium: A History) collectively labels the Triads, cuts a broad swath through Chinese history from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) to the present and from the China mainland to the far-flung communities of the Chinese diaspora. The best chapters of the book focus on Hong Kong, where a network of criminal syndicates, held together by blood oaths, patronage, and avarice, has long dominated vice, gambling, and prostitution and engages in extortion, racketeering, kidnapping, counterfeiting, and smuggling. The historical chapters are less convincing. Booth sweeps a large variety of secret societies into his catchall category of the Triads and reduces modern Chinese history to a vast and convoluted criminal conspiracy. Nevertheless, the cast of bizarre characters, the often-gory details of Triad crimes, and the intersection of the criminal and political worlds make for fascinating reading. For larger public and academic libraries.DSteven I. Levine, Univ. of Montana, Missoula
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (August 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786708697
• ISBN-13: 978-0786708697
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #720,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Effort, But Lacking & Confusing., August 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dragon Syndicates: The Global Phenomenon on the Triads (Hardcover)

As an outsider attempting to study, then explain the history of Chinese secret societies and organized crime, Mr. Booth obviously conducted extensive research. For this he should be commended.

Yet, as a native-speaking Chinese , I was confused by the translations, which were inconsistent throughout the book. More importantly, it appeared that major crimes were also reported, simply to include them but totally missing their true origin, motive and intent.

For a better understanding of Asian organized crime and its impact on our communities, readers are encouraged to pick up "Chinese Playground" by Bill Lee, "Fires of the Dragon" by David Kaplan, and "The Dream Shattered" by Du Phuoc Long.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling History With Significant Current Impact, July 28, 2000

By 

Ian L. Sitren - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dragon Syndicates: The Global Phenomenon on the Triads (Hardcover)

The "Dragon Syndicates" is well written, compelling reading and detailed without being ponderous. Mr. Booth writes not only about the Chinese Triads and the many crimes that support their membership around the world, but also of the history of these secret societies.

From two thousand years ago, the author describes the beginnings of the Triads, the relationship they have had in the history of China as well as the rest of the world. I was amazed to learn of the significance of the Triads in the major political events throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

My practice as a Private Investigator in the upper levels of corporate issues and litigation has brought me into a familiarity of dealings with such issues as organized crime around the world. Many of the matters that corporations are faced with today must be viewed in the light of dealing with these crime syndicates.

I have also traveled in Hong Kong and Macau which are locations discussed in many aspects of this history of the Triads. And as such found it especially interesting to relate the places I have visited with their discussion in the book.

I very much recommend this book to anyone with an interest in global affairs, global crime or the history of China.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling account of a true underworld empire, July 27, 2000

By 

Mr Vess (Cracow) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dragon Syndicates: The Global Phenomenon on the Triads (Hardcover)

I have been an avid reader of books on true crime for quite a time. However, as far as books on organized crime went, until recently I concentrated on those dealing with the Mafia. I found this book almost by accident and thought for a long while. Certainly, I knew of the Triads, but was their full story worth reading? Eventually, I decided to buy Martin Booth's book. Dear heavens, what a good choice I made! The book proved to be a thrilling and captivating account of an underworld empire of whose actions and dealings we often hear, usually not realizing the existence of the powers behind them. It is truly fascinating - and once you read it, you will see a lot of things and events in today's world differently. Not only that; you will also have to take a different look at world's history, since the book - in a particularly fascinating and captivating part - shows the involvement of the Triads in major historical events, and the way they literally shaped a considerable part of the world. Thrilling and highly recommended, just for everyone, not only for those interested in true crime. And for the latter - a must read.