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

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. The author is one brave man, he was a undercover agent who dealt in everything from catching illegals of course but his main talent was capturing forged ID's, social security cards, birth certificates and Millions of counterfeit American money bills of all denominationsYou name the demoniation and he would find them. The book is a detailed clear and consise record of what's happening on our Southern Mexican Border that goes all the way to Chicago and cities all over America. He had to have details to make the arrests of some big time American citizens and iIlegals who were profiting primarily on phony ID's and money.....and then also robbing Mexicans who paid them thousands to get in this Country only to be left broke, alive or dead along the trail.This man had balls of iron, he put himself in harms way so often and lived with the them and was considered to be part of their gang, He gave up so much for America and time with his family to arrests these pukes. A true American......It's a tell all that will shock you. Of course few arrests are made as so many Americans and Mexicans are willing to sell their souls and the freedoms of others out for the almighty dollar.He is a well Decoracted CIA and DEA Agent that sadly in the end did not complete as much as he wanted because of the dishonest people working in the American Government. But he did his best.What he did accomplish is amazing and how he did it is even more amazing. Frankly I am proud to know we have men and women like this willing to do what they can to keep a wide open border shut as much as they can, while their bosses work against American laws to take money from so many people from the poor illegal who is promised citizenship here to the chumps here in the States that are selling us out.It's very easy to see why and how a thing such as "Fast & Furious" happened and why we have this leaders at the very top of our Government walking free laughing in our faces as they rip us off. I Salute this man he is indeed a American Hero.

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!

Although interesting at best, the author fails to adequately explain the impact or outcome of his efforts. He tells his story and the end result is a basic few lines that they were arrested and prosecuted. No explanation of the impact of the arrest, etc. There is no fluidity to the chapters and the author fails to take a stance on immigration which many look to an officer in his position to do as informed as he states he is of the situation. Written at a high school level, the book is a very quick read. Two typos were found in the text.

Great book. Having been in the "investigating business", myself (with a different Gov agency) during much of Poli's period of employment with Border Patrol/INS, I had heard of many of his undercover adventures from several individuals who worked within his agency. After he transferred to the El Paso office from Chicago, I had the great privilege of meeting him at the El Paso Fed courthouse. We briefly shared a few stories about his early life, I also attended the SRSU, Alpine and was familiar with the area of his upbringing, Presidio, Redford, Marfa, etc. He was respected and held in high regard by all who knew him and those who knew of his work. I am so glad that someone convinced him to put some of his stories into writing. I hope there is more to come.

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.Have to admit that I was disappointed in the fact that even though he endangered his life and the life of his family so greatly, that the people he arrested got off so easily. It "pains" me to think that the people responsible for properly handling these terrible criminals did not do their job and it is evident to me that they are still not doing their job. That is why there are so many illegals in the U.S. today. All of these problems with illegals should have been stopped properly.Yes, I feel sorry for the illegals, but their own country should be ashamed of not treating them properly - not us.

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 illegal aliens face. I am much more tolerant than I used to be. This read helps me to form opinions on the proposed legislation.

Good book. Kind basic in the details but still conveys what a scary world it is.