Most Popular Books by Dave Wedge

Sons of Anarchy meets The Departed in this fast-paced, high-wire act memoir from former ATF agent Ken Croke, the first federal agent in history to go undercover and successfully infiltrate the infamous—and infamously violent—Pagan Motorcycle Club, a white supremacist biker gang. Longtime ATF agent Ken Croke had earned the right to coast to the end of a storied career, having routinely gone undercover to apprehend white supremacists, gun runners, and gang members. But after a chance encounter with an associate of the Pagan Motorcycle Gang created an opening, he transformed himself into “Slam,” a monstrous, axe-handle wielding enforcer whose duty was to protect the leadership “mother club” at all costs. He befriended the club’s most violent and criminally insane members and lived among them for two years, covertly building a case that would eventually take down the top members of the gang in a massive federal prosecution, even as he risked his marriage, his sanity, and his life. With today’s law enforcement largely moving toward the comparative safety of cyber operations, it became one of the last of its kind, a masterclass in old school tactics that marked Croke as a dying breed of undercover agent and became legendary in law enforcement. Now for the first time, Croke tells the story of his terrifying undercover life in the Pagans—the unspeakable violence, extremism, drugs, and disgusting rituals. Written with bestselling crime writer Dave Wedge and utilizing the exclusive cooperation of those who lived the case with him, as well as thousands of pages of court files and hours of surveillance tapes and photos, Croke delivers a frightening, nail-biting account of the secretive and brutal biker underworld.

Veteran journalists Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge have written the definitive inside look at the Boston Marathon bombings with a unique, Boston-based account of the events that riveted the world. From the Tsarnaev brothers'' years leading up to the act of terror to the bomb scene itself (which both authors witnessed first-hand within minutes of the blast), from the terrifying police shootout with the suspects to the ultimate capture of the younger brother, Boston Strong: A City''s Triumph over Tragedy reports all the facts-and so much more. Based on months of intensive interviews, this is the first book to tell the entire story through the eyes of those who experienced it. From the cop first on the scene, to the detectives assigned to the manhunt, the authors provide a behind-the-scenes look at the investigation. More than a true-crime book, Boston Strong also tells the tragic but ultimately life-affirming story of the victims and their recoveries and gives voice to those who lost loved ones. With their extensive reporting, writing experience, and deep ties to the Boston area, Sherman and Wedge create the perfect match of story, place, and authors. If you''re only going to read one book on this tragic but uplifting story, this is it.

The true story behind the Ice Bucket Challenge

Based on exclusive, fresh reporting, the thrilling, definitive inside story of the pursuit, capture, and killing of legendary South Boston mob boss, James “Whitey” Bulger, detailing as never before his years on the run, how he evaded capture, and his brutal murder in prison. For the first time, Boston reporters Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge draw on exclusive interviews and exhaustive investigative reportage to tell the complete story of Whitey Bulger, one of the most notorious crime bosses in American history—alongside Al “Scarface” Capone and Vito Genovese—and a longtime FBI informant. The leader of Boston’s Winter Hill Gang and #1 on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, Bulger was indicted for nineteen counts of murder, racketeering, narcotics distribution, and extortion. But it was his sixteen-year flight from justice on the eve of his arrest that made him a legend and exposed deep corruption within the FBI. While other accounts have examined Bulger’s crimes, this remarkable chronicle tells the story of his life on the run, his capture, and his eventual murder inside one of America’s most dangerous prisons—”Misery Mountain”—in 2018. Interweaving the perspectives of Bulger, his family and cohorts, and law enforcement, Hunting Whitey explains how this dangerous criminal evaded capture for nearly two decades and shines a spotlight on the dedicated detectives, federal agents, and prosecutors involved in bringing him to justice. It is also a fascinating, detailed portrait of both Bulger’s trial and his time in prison—including shocking new details about his death at Misery Mountain less than twenty-four hours after his arrival. Granted access to exclusive prison letters and interviews with dozens of people connected to the case on both sides, Sherman and Wedge offer a trove of fascinating new stories and create an incomparable portrait of one of the most infamous criminals in American history. Hunting Whitey includes an 8-page photo insert.

The thrilling behind-the-scenes account of how the NFL''s most sensational scandal culminated in sports history''s greatest comeback, featuring dozens of exclusive interviews with Patriots players -- including Tom Brady himself. In January 2015, rumors circulated that the New England Patriots -- a team long suspected of abiding by the "if you ain''t cheating you ain''t trying" philosophy -- had used under-inflated footballs in their playoff victory against the Indianapolis Colts. As evidence began to build, however, a full on NFL investigation was launched, exploding an unsubstantiated rumor into an intense scandal that would lead news coverage for weeks. As shockwaves rippled throughout the NFL system, the very legitimacy of one of the league''s most popular teams and their star quarterback began to erode, even as the Patriots and Brady went on to win that year''s Super Bowl. But as the celebrations gave way to the offseason, the investigation only intensified, reopening old wounds between the Patriots'' powerful owner, Robert Kraft, and the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell. Brady was devastated and seemingly more nervous in front of a judge that on a game-winning drive. When the dust settled, Brady would be able to play again - but only after watching the first four games of the 2016 season from his couch. The pressure couldn''t have been more intense: Brady''s legacy was at stake. If he failed to return to his usual self, all the critics and even the history books would have to put a giant asterisk next to his name, signifying one thing: he was a cheater. 12 is the propulsive story of this gritty comeback. It''s a drama that unfolds in the locker room, the court room, and under the brightest lights in all of sports -- the Super Bowl. Now for the first time, readers will have an exclusive look into Tom Brady''s experience and the NFL''s shocking strangle-hold on their players. With unprecedented access to Brady himself, his teammates, and his lawyers, we will see just how a football legend went up against one of the largest corporations in the world to stage the greatest comeback in NFL history and emerge a god of the gridiron.

Kestääkö poliisin pää kaksoiselämää? Poliisi soluttautuu pahamaineiseen Pagan’s-moottoripyöräjengiin Yhdysvaltojen itärannikolla tarkoituksenaan hankkia näyttöä aseista, huumeista – ja koko väkivaltakoneistosta. Ken Croke on mukavaa elämää viettävä huumepoliisi ja rakastava perheenisä. Vuonna 2008 hän soluttautuu Helvetin enkeleiden verivihollisten, valkoista ylivaltaa vaalivan Pagan’s MC:n, Long Islandin -osastoon. Peitetehtävä venyy kahden vuoden mittaiseksi kissa ja hiiri -leikiksi, jonka aikana Croke käy läpi tuskallisen ja nöyryyttävän tien prospektista asekersantiksi. Oikean persoonan ja valehenkilön välinen ristiriita raastaa: Mistä poliisi-Ken alkaa ja mihin rosvo-Ken loppuu? Kuinka toimia lain puitteissa keskellä raakaa järjestäytynyttä rikollisuutta? Ken Croke on monissa peitetehtävissä marinoitunut, eläkkeelle jäänyt ATF:n agentti ja apulaisjohtaja. Hän on yhä ainoa lainvalvoja, joka on onnistunut soluttautumaan Pagan’s-moottoripyöräkerhoon. Croken päästä on luvattu 50 000 dollarin palkkio. Dave Wedge on pitkän linjan tutkiva toimittaja ja kirjailija.

Most know Marvelous Marvin Hagler from his epic battles against Tommy Hearns, Roberto Duran, and his controversial split-decision loss to Sugar Ray Leonard. But it is his escape from riot-torn Newark in the late 1960s, the unbreakable bond he built with the Petronelli brothers, and his 1980 title fight against Britain''s Alan Minter--with its deep racial overtones--that tells the real story of Hagler. In Blood & Hate, New York Times bestselling author Dave Wedge tells the riveting and inspirational tale of how Hagler overcame incredible odds, joined with Goody and Pat Petronelli to rise through the rigged ranks, and morphed from a fatherless teenager in Brockton, Massachusetts, into Marvelous Marvin Hagler, one of the top boxers ever and the longest-reigning undisputed middleweight champ in history. Through exclusive interviews with Bob Arum, the Petronelli and Hagler families, and a who''s who of the boxing world, Blood & Hate reveals fascinating details about Hagler''s early life as well as the legendary Minter fight, and once and for all delivers the definitive chronicle of Marvelous Marvin Hagler.