RatSnakes, Vincent A. Cefalu
RatSnakes, Vincent A. Cefalu
3 Rating(s)
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RatSnakes
Cheating Death by Living a Lie; Inside the Explosive World of ATF’s Undercover Agents and How We Changed the Game

Author: Vincent A. Cefalu

Narrator: Tom Taylorson

Unabridged: 9 hr 44 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/28/2019


Synopsis

Get ready to infiltrate the dangerous, secret world of criminals and cover identities by way of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), where the world’s greatest undercover agents are known as RatSnakes.RatSnakes are rarely, if ever, visible to the public that they move among and risk their lives to protect. In fact, thanks to their cover personas, they are often assumed to be members of the clandestine criminal world that they investigate. Real-life undercover work is a far cry from the sexy, candy-colored world seen in Hollywood movies. Only those who are strong and clever enough will get inside and survive.Vincent A. Cefalu would know. He spent thirty years as an ATF undercover operative, in assignments ranging from the Symbionese Liberation Army to Asian organized crime. He has infiltrated notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs as well as splinter groups of the Ku Klux Klan. In RatSnakes, he provides a transparent look at the organization and the operatives with whom he risked his life.Part field guide, part heart-pounding thrill ride, RatSnakes takes listeners on a tour of what it’s like to confront death on a daily basis. En route, Cefalu gives us a look at the on-the-job techniques of kicking in doors, orchestrating “street theater” to ensnare criminals, and making high-stakes gun buys. His irreverent, explicit stories from the inside are a mix of danger and unexpected hilarity that will have listeners laughing one minute and then biting their nails when things break bad.Immersive and brutal, RatSnakes offers an in-depth and eye-opening look into the lives of an elite group of men and women who volunteer to do things most couldn’t and wouldn’t stomach. Civilians with common sense and good judgment run from danger, while RatSnakes sprint toward it—smiling.

About Vincent A. Cefalu

Vincent A. Cefalu was born and raised just north of San Francisco in Marin County, California. After a troubled youth and lackluster academic performance, he enlisted in the US Marines, where he spent six years in the military police and ultimately served in a classified Special Operations unit. The hook was set. Continuing to pursue his law enforcement career, he joined the Athens, Georgia, Police Department while finishing his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in hopes of securing a position in federal law enforcement. After being hired by and spending a couple years with the US Customs Service chasing drug smugglers in south Florida, Vince had a life-changing experience with some very scary ATF special agents, and, as they say, “the rest is history.” Vince had found a home. Later, earning a master’s degree in the psychological sciences, Vince’s trajectory took him into the shadows of undercover work, SRT (special response team member and hostage negotiations).

About Tom Taylorson

Tom Taylorson earned his bachelor's in theater arts performance and went on to build a reputation as a Chicago-based actor. He has lent his voice to a multitude of television and radio commercials, video games, animation, and audiobooks. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Cathy on May 26, 2019

RatSnakes by Vincent A. Cefalu Cheating Death by Living A Lie: Inside the Explosive World of ATF's Undercover Agents and How We Changed the Game Reading the memoirs and anecdotes of Cefalu’s years working for the ATF was both interesting and eye opening. I learned a bit of the history and jobs that th......more

Goodreads review by Randal on May 08, 2019

RatSnakes....the name given to undercover ATF agents. The author served as a RatSnake for over twenty years. This book is his story, and the story of other undercover ATF agents he served with. The book is a fast read. I found it very hard to put down. The stories Cefalu tells, and the situations he......more

Goodreads review by Dawn on June 24, 2019

As self professed true crime nerd, this freshman page turner by SA Vince Cefalu hit all the chords for me. There were plenty of “good guys/bad guys” stories from SURE, but I think some of my favorite parts of Ratsnakes were the history of the BATF and what the agency (and the agents) have endured ov......more

Goodreads review by Brian on January 27, 2021

Ever leary of super-cop books I almost didn't read this one. Now I'm done I don't know if I can call the author a super cop... Because he really didn't tell us much. Rather the book was a few interesting ancidotes and tons of ATF rules and policies. Even if he tried to skip most of his career and fo......more

Goodreads review by Ileana on September 27, 2021

What an interesting memoir. Vincent A. Cefalu spent 30 years as an ATF undercover operative, in assignments ranging from the Symbionese Liberation Army to Asian organized crime. He has infiltrated notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs as well as splinter groups of the Ku Klux Klan, and in this book, he......more


Quotes

“Cefalu bares all and lays out the gritty and true life of an undercover agent and the workings of the ATF. A must-read for law enforcement and the public.” Joe Pistone, former undercover FBI agent, alias “Donnie Brasco”

“Vincent Cefalu is the real deal. In RatSnakes, he takes us on a wild ride through his dark world of paranoia, danger, fear, hard-living, hard drinking, and the chase. In the end, it’s a gripping story revealing how some of our most effective federal undercover agents earn their chops, make their living, and work to protect their fellow Americans in ways that usually go unrecognized.” Sharyl Attkisson, investigative correspondent

“The LE Undercover community is limited to those who are born with the ability to take on some of the most dangerous, ‘up close and personal’ assignments. In that select group, Vince Cefalu is one who stands out because of his bravery and his ability to walk undetected among the most hardened criminals. A real badass who I’m proud to call my friend.” Joaquin “Jack” Garcia, former undercover FBI agent and author of Making Jack Falcone