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The Shadow Catcher: A U.S. Agent Infiltrates Mexico's Deadly Crime Cartels [Hardcover]

Hipolito Acosta , Lisa Pulitzer
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)

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Book Description

April 17, 2012
Living under an assumed identity and risking his life were all in a day’s work for U.S. Government Agent Hipolito Acosta. He worked regularly in high-stakes undercover operations infiltrating Mexico’s murderous immigrant smuggling rings and drug cartels.

Acosta’s investigations are legendary, both inside law enforcement and the crime cartels he helped neutralize. He had himself smuggled from Mexico to Chicago with a truckload of poor immigrants; worked his way into the confidences of a gang of international counterfeiters; socialized with some of Mexico’s most vicious drug lords; arrested a female smuggler by luring her across the U.S. border for an amorous rendezvous; and was the target of multiple murder plots by the criminals he put in jail.

For three decades, Hipolito Acosta’s work routinely made national headlines, and he quickly gained a reputation as a daring crime fighter who used his intelligence and audacity to stay one step ahead of those who would kill him if his cover were ever blown.

Acosta’s stories read like chapters from a page-turning crime novel, but The Shadow Catcher is more than a front-seat ride through the criminal underworld along the U.S./Mexico border. This heartbreaking exposé goes beyond sensational headlines and medals of honor to divulge what an agent endures in order to ensure that U.S. law is enforced and to reveal the unseen human side of illegal immigration.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hipolito Acosta's world has been one of shadows and danger of a kind seldom seen or even imagined by the average American." --Hugh Aynesworth, Washington Times

“A gut-wrenching law-enforcement yarn, simultaneously frightening and uplifting.” –Kirkus Reviews

"Acosta's account of his undercover activities is not only an exciting read but also a strong refutation of those who see illegal immigration as a victimless crime. He is a true American hero with a great story to tell." --Jeff Davidow, Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico

"For much of its history, America's doors have been guarded by quiet heroes. Poli's story provides an unparalleled glimpse of their world from the front lines of the border wars. It was an honor to have seen his work in real time and to understand his work with the benefit of this book twenty years later. It is both timely and timeless in its lessons." --Former U.S. Attorney, Ira Raphaelson

"Acosta’s rare glimpse into international organized crime from a federal undercover agent’s point of view reads like an action thriller jammed with shady characters and dreamers. Where’s the sequel?" --El Paso Times

"Hipolito gives an insightful look into a world in which few people are allowed to witness. His stories gives us an eye opening account of the harsh realities that many undocumented immigrants encounter while trying to reach the United States. " --Jose M. Hernandez, Former NASA Astronaut

"The Shadow Catcher is a page turner for our time. You will not think of the immigration the same after reading it."--Tony Diaz, author and founder of Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say

"An interesting and often gripping glimpse of the seamiest aspects of an ongoing problem that both the U.S. and Mexico must confront." --Booklist

"The Shadow Catcher is a heroic narrative in which you not only find yourself infiltrating the immigrant- smuggling rings side by side with Acosta, but you also operate deep undercover to capture the criminals."--Texas Monthly

About the Author

Hipolito Acosta is the most highly decorated officer in the history of the U.S. Immigration and Nationalization Service. The son of Mexican-American migrant workers, Acosta rose through the ranks from Border Patrol Agent to a key position in the Department of Homeland Security. Acosta and his wife live in Texas.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Atria Books (April 17, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1451632878
  • ISBN-13: 978-1451632873
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #490,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
(31)
4.6 out of 5 stars
From start to finish I was almost unable to put the book down. D. J. Smith  |  5 reviewers made a similar statement
Acosta is a master in telling his life story in a credible manner. M. Garcia  |  8 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great POV April 22, 2012
Format:Hardcover
With so much focused on the "bigger picture", it's historically fascinating to see the point-of-view of an agent on the ground.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars MASTER AGENT March 30, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
Acosta is a master in telling his life story in a credible manner. I know... I worked him..

This book is masterfully written.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Pokey
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is a very well written book. Keeps a person interested in every detail of the cases Mr. Acosta solved. Can not wait for a movie to come out of this book so much suspense in it. It is a very good book to read. Highly recommended.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book April 27, 2012
By RSC
Format:Hardcover
Great Book Hipolito (Poli) Acosta. Nothing has changed in all the years I've known you as you continue to excel in whatever you do regardless of any obstacles placed in your path. Your intelligence, personality and natural abilities have served you well working undercover allowing you to get close to many crooks who would not have given most UC's a second glance. As to the officers in your career who turned a cold shoulder to a "brother" in need, they should be ashamed and regret it for the rest of their lives.
Congratulations Poli and good luck on your next book!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars All I can say is WOW April 25, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
First of all I consider the Author Hipolito Acosta a friend. I am also a retired Agent from the old INS, have spent nearly 27 years as a Border Patrol Agent and Special Agent. Mr. Acosta's book brought back many, many memories or cases I too had worked on. However, I never had the occasion to go undercover like he did and put my life at further risk. From start to finish I was almost unable to put the book down. His descriptions about how things worked in the old INS, how cases were run OR not run, was very very accurate. Only somebody who had been there and done it like him could relate to many of those situations. This book is very, very factual and accurate. There is no "sugar-coating" of anything in order to be more politically correct or to make it a better story. He pulled no punches when he talked about political in-fighting between the Border Patrol,INS Investigations and U.S. Customs. One of his best qualities as a writer, in my opinion, is that while he may have been the person going undercover, and in the greatest danger, he went to great lengths to praise and thank his partners who helped to back him up and keep him and others safe. Many people would have downplayed the parts of others, but not this author.

Not only is Hipolito Acosta is a true hero as far as I am concerned for having done the things he did, he is a gentleman and a wonderful person too. In nearly 27 years I never met anybody like him. And now, he is a great author!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Shadow Catcher review May 16, 2012
By Archer
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I thought the book was well written. It is interesting to read about what law enforcement goes through to protect us. I enjoyed reading about the adventures the agents go thru to bring the outlaws to justice.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING - COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN May 14, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
if you liked Marcus Luttrell's the Lone Survivor you will LOVE this book

it was AMAZING I could NOT put it down

his look from the inside as a Federal Agent fighting crime against the cartel was truly riveting

Best Book I have read ALL YEAR
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Real Life April 26, 2012
By Becky
Format:Hardcover
To begin the book was non-stop action and suspense. It kept me in tuned through the entire book and was hard to put down. Never having been in a life threatening situation that Acosta has, but my heart was beating fast when his undercover cases got scary and he had no help. His work was unbelievable and I am thankful that he was able to live to tell about it. The way that Acosta places you in the moment is so vivid that you can smell the chili con carne and see multiple illegal's run for the border in the dark. The upsetting parts were that you could see all the hard work that he was putting into his undercover operations for such a small sentence for some of these criminals or the non-cooperation from other agencies. You can't help it, but to get frustrated along with Acosta. He keeps you grasping for more, keeps the book interesting and I am waiting on more to come. He truly is an inspiration and his work should be treasured in a book to have forever.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Everything old is new again
An engrossing expose of a social dilemma that has existed much long than I ever knew. I am a legal alien to the USA and have been short sighted about the circumstances that... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dianne S. Litherland
5.0 out of 5 stars A very hazardous line of work for those few who can do it.
This cop's story reads like a spy novel. Agent Acosta went into no man's land south of the border with no backup to trap some of the most dangerous criminals in North America. Read more
Published 3 months ago by bowman
5.0 out of 5 stars A Lawman extraordinaire
Very entertaining book. Unfortunately this human trafficking is still going on at this moment. Mr. Acosta is a true American hero. Read more
Published 4 months ago by roland estrada
5.0 out of 5 stars The determination of this man is very moving.
The twists and turns of Mr Acosta's life is amazing. I couldn't put the book down. I wish he would write a sequel.
Published 4 months ago by Eneida V. Pleasant
5.0 out of 5 stars If you want details of the Mexican Border that are well documented...
If you are looking for a book that's about shooting this is not for you,
There is some shooting but this is all about the facts and put together very well. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Gary J. Chenett
5.0 out of 5 stars The Shadow Catcher: A US Agent Infiltrates Mexico's Deadly Crime...
Great insights into many areas of immigration and crime cartels. A great read. Highly suggest reading this. It is a good book.
Published 6 months ago by Debbie Ruiz
5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC BUT TRUE!!!
The book was kind of slow starting at the beginning, but as I read more, I was absolutely fascinated. Mr. Acosta is a man of unbelievable courage. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Chris Z
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning
It was stunning to believe that someone would have the nerve to do the things he did to protect our borders.
Published 6 months ago by Ted Tiffany
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Fantastric book. Being a retired Border Patrol Agent myself, I can relate to the situations that Hipolito wrote about as I was stationed in some of the areas mentioned.
Published 6 months ago by larry weinbrenner
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
The book is well written and from a personal perspective. Good insightas as to what is happening at our borders.
Published 6 months ago by Reilly fan
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