The Chinese Phantom
the hunt for the world's most dangerous arms dealer
Published on 29. August 2024
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-915590-69-5 (ISBN)
Description
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists who uncovered the Panama Papers, a gripping, real-life thriller following the authors' attempt to uncover the truth about one of the world's most wanted men.
Karl Lee, alias Li Fangwei, plays a key role in the secret struggle between the world powers, bypassing Western sanctions to supply dictators with the weapons they need to wipe out their neighbouring countries - or even to trigger a third world war.
For almost two decades, intelligence agencies have been hunting for Karl Lee. The FBI has put a $5 million bounty on his head, but nobody has been able to catch him. Now, four award-winning investigative journalists set out to find him.
Following the routes of his deliveries and his money, the authors track down Karl Lee's businesses in China and uncover his network of shell companies. During their investigation, they get embroiled deeper and deeper in the shady world of the Chinese phantom, and realise that Karl Lee is just a pawn in a much bigger game of modern warfare and international espionage.
Karl Lee, alias Li Fangwei, plays a key role in the secret struggle between the world powers, bypassing Western sanctions to supply dictators with the weapons they need to wipe out their neighbouring countries - or even to trigger a third world war.
For almost two decades, intelligence agencies have been hunting for Karl Lee. The FBI has put a $5 million bounty on his head, but nobody has been able to catch him. Now, four award-winning investigative journalists set out to find him.
Following the routes of his deliveries and his money, the authors track down Karl Lee's businesses in China and uncover his network of shell companies. During their investigation, they get embroiled deeper and deeper in the shady world of the Chinese phantom, and realise that Karl Lee is just a pawn in a much bigger game of modern warfare and international espionage.
Reviews / Votes
'The book is an accomplished piece of investigative journalism that sheds light on the inner workings of the global arms trade. The subject is urgent and timely.' * The Economist * 'A thrilling and globe-spanning account of the search for the world's most wanted man. The authors delve into the murky worlds of arms smuggling, sanctions-busting, and espionage. In their hunt for the Chinese phantom, they encounter suspicious police, atomic experts, and former spies, as well as a perplexing wall of silence from the Israeli and US governments. The book delves into international rivalries, and explores a shifting game of realpolitik featuring Beijing and Washington, Tehran and Moscow, London and Munich. Lucid, compelling, and vividly written.' -- Luke Harding, #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <em>Invasion</em> 'This gripping piece of investigative journalism follows its authors' attempts to uncover the truth about one of the world's most dangerous men and his involvement in Iran's ballistic missile programme ... The Chinese Phantom invokes a parallel world of deceit and lies ... This is a thrilling and eloquent read which will appeal to a wide audience.' -- New Books in German 'A fast-moving account about people and events which one day could rapidly lead to an even more dangerous world.' -- Stuart Parkes, NBG ReaderMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 237 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
496 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-915590-69-5 (9781915590695)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Christoph Giesen is the China correspondent of the German magazine Der Spiegel.
Philipp Gruell is a weapons expert and editor at Germany's leading public broadcaster ARD.
Frederik Obermaier and Bastian Obermayer won the Pulitzer Prize for their ground-breaking reporting on the Panama Papers.
Frederik Obermaier and Bastian Obermayer won the Pulitzer Prize for their ground-breaking reporting on the Panama Papers.
Translator Simon Pare studied French and German at the University of Cambridge. His previous translations include The Panama Papers by Frederik Obermaier and Bastian Obermayer. He lives in Switzerland.
Philipp Gruell is a weapons expert and editor at Germany's leading public broadcaster ARD.
Frederik Obermaier and Bastian Obermayer won the Pulitzer Prize for their ground-breaking reporting on the Panama Papers.
Frederik Obermaier and Bastian Obermayer won the Pulitzer Prize for their ground-breaking reporting on the Panama Papers.
Translator Simon Pare studied French and German at the University of Cambridge. His previous translations include The Panama Papers by Frederik Obermaier and Bastian Obermayer. He lives in Switzerland.