Realistic seemingly authentic look at LA police in Post WW2 ...
592992
Realistic seemingly authentic look at LA police in Post WW2 era. Sometimes jargon of the period interfered with my reading of the book. Plot was a bit convoluted as well.
1630406
Great action and seemed to give an authentic look at WWII.
2016599
Ghettoside is a compelling story of South LA, the LAPD, the victims and the assailants, and the detectives who work murders there.  Having lived in Los Angeles for forty-six years, and watched the LAPD through many incarnations, what stands out for me in this haunting work is that there are fewer heroes than villains among those who protect and serve.  The bureaucrats, the brass, the boys in blue (who disdain the City that employs them and the people they police) care less about protecting and serving, and more about statistics, rousting, "prevention" and surges.  The detectives in the South Bureau are the true embodiment of what the LAPD should be in each and every neighborhood.  Jill Leovy has written a haunting, powerful book that should be read by every Angeleno, and all those who care about their cities.
3795449
Close your eyes and envision a police badge.  Chances are your mental image will look something like the badge proudly worn by the men and women of the Los Angelis Police Department (LAPD).  This is not too surprising.  Since its formation in 1869, the LAPD has become legendary as one of the worlds premier law enforcement agencies.  Television series like "Dragnet," hundreds of movies, and literally thousands of books have portrayed various aspects of what the LAPD's motto represents: "To Protect and to Serve."  The essence of all of this can be gleaned by reading, My LAPD Journey, by Commander Keith Bushey, LAPD (Ret.).

The book takes the reader through the fascinating story of the author's quest to become a member of the LAPD, through the rigors of the police academy, and ultimately to his assignment as a "street cop."  The individual stories, vignettes, and antidotes run the gamut of human emotion from very humorous, to very sobering, to very depressing - the good, the bad, and the ugly.  But Commander Bushey's story goes far beyond the streets.  His extreme intelligence, personal drive, and ambition carry the reader along with him into the command structure of the department.  His assessment of the challenges and responsibilities encountered while serving in various division and area command assignments is captivating.  Along the way he gives the reader poignant insight into the difficulties he encountered toward the end of his career.  There's all this and much, much more in this really terrific read.
3975596
One of the more remarkable aspects to Frederick Forsyths The Day of the Jackal is how events are presented so realistically. The book is based on the true life attempts on French President Charles de Gaulles life, and Forsyth uses much of his experience covering news in France during the 1960s as well as thorough research to present a fictionalized account of these events.

The novel is structured in a way to first give a picture of the two sides, and then give a timeline for the events to follow. The first part of the novel, Anatomy of a Plot, gives background into OAS organization, their hatred for de Gaulle, and their efforts to find the perfect assassin to do the job. Deciding on a man who is only referred by the codename The Jackal, they set in motion the preparations for this attempt. Part two, Anatomy of a Manhunt, goes into the police forces attempts to identify and unmask this assassin, and figure out how, where and when he will strike. This builds to the final part, Anatomy of a Kill, which is a final confrontation between the two sides.

I was quite impressed with the way the author is able to present the two alternating plot lines to create a building sense of tension. When deputy commissioner Claude Lebel is appointed to take on this massive case, there is a sense of frustration and tension within their own police investigation and manhunt, as they butt heads on how to identify and stop the Jackal. Lebel has to get inside the killers head in order to figure out how he thinks and what his next move is and create a mental timeline. As we follow Lebel and his teams relentless pursuit of this nameless figure, we also follow the Jackals. The alternating movements really help to build to one brilliant, tension-filled conclusion, especially as each side tries to outmaneuver the other.

I though it interesting in that the two sides are presented in a neutral manner. The narrator does not favor one side over another, but gives insight into both assassin and police perspectives. The Jackal is presented as cold and calculating, yet suave (think James Bond as an assassin). He loves his women, and his loves his gadgets. He loves to life the good life (fine wine, good food, expensive hotels) once he has his priorities have been met. On the other side, Lebel is sort of a bumbling, imperfect, yet quite intellectual figure. He may be the perfect fit for this job because of his imperfections, however; he seems to see into things in a true light because of his detective-like knowledge. In short, he knows what he is up against: A real gentleman, thought Lebel, is as dangerous as a snake. They are always the worst kind for the policeman, the real gentleman. No one ever suspects them.

The Day of the Jackal is a gripping suspense and thriller, and finishes with quite a face-paced race to the finish in the final pages.
3048181
If you like cop stories and L.A. history this is the book to get!  The book is filled with first hand accounts of Los Angeles police officers from the 1940s to 2000s. Great stories of heroism along with gritty every day police work that would make good material for television and movies. I highly recommend this book.
2921722
The drug cartel violence that's ravaged Mexico over the last 15+ years is so horrific that I've largely shied away from some of the more popular entertainment whose plots are ripped from the headlines (for example, the TV Narcos, or the film Sicario). It felt a little perverse in some way -- so I picked this up somewhat gingerly, planning to give it 20-30 pages to see how it handled things.

The story is a sequel to The Power of the Dog, something I didn't realize until after finishing it. Set some ten years later, it features the same hero, DEA agent Art (Arturo) Keller, and the same cartel leader, Adan Barrera. The cliche opener is that Keller is living a quiet life in retirement, only to be sucked back in to help track down Barrera after his spectacular prison escape. The plot unravels over a number of years as Barrera's group jockeys for supremacy among cartels, and faces a vicious new rival in Los Zetas. There are plenty of supporting characters: an idealistic journalist, a defiant town doctor, a traumatized teen soldier, government drones, and on and on and on. But at the end, it's really down to Keller and Barrera.

I have no idea to what extent the stuff described in the book is true -- I did look up a few of the incidents mentioned, and they were real. It all certainly felt authentic, which is really all you can ask of a work of fiction. By the end of the 700+ pages, I was exhausted by the grinding violence and more or less meaningless machinations between rival drug lords. But I wasn't ever titillated or entertained. The book feels very much like a very lightly fictionalized version of years of investigative journalism. It's not great fiction -- the characters are types, not individuals, and the pacing is too uneven -- but it does the job of taking the reader on a painfully vivid trip inside what is essentially a civil war.
161066
This book basically sits on the shoulders of a few select characters in a particular South Central, LA neighborhood. It is presumably semi (if not completely) autobiographical. The central character Garvy draws sympathy  and strength. You feel for him as he is bounced back and forth emotionaly  and physically in the trying neighborhood. It's not all gangs and guns like  one would think, especially if you have never been to South Central.  Moreover, we find a few characters seemingly trapped, physically but travel  the world mentally.  It's a good easy read.  A long plane car/plane/train  ride would go well with this book.
32152
What I liked most about the book was the air of authenticity about it. From the locations and history to the gun play and use of prose. I read this book during what little downtime I had during my military annual training, the vivid descriptions of how Ronin thumbed the hammer of his single action to get off 3 rapid shots had me wanting to try it with my issue Beretta!

I really enjoyed the fight scene descriptions and how the author was able to infuse the main character with some martial arts skills, but in a completely authentic and believable manner. I especially liked how the movements were described in a "what in the world was that!?" sort of way. This was pre-Bruce Lee, nobody back then would know what a side-kick was.

Finally, I liked how the injuries were believable, unlike modern Hollywood, you don't just walk off a savage beating or a gunshot wound. The recovery would be a long and painful process (if you didn't die of an infection first).

My only real criticism is I had a hard time following the story at times. The scenes jumped around a bit and it would take awhile for me to get re-oriented. Other than that, it was a very good read and I look forward to the next one.

Edit: I read the print version of the book, not kindle
911749
Quite well written.  As a law enforcement professional, this book was still engaging enough to entice reading, even after a long day "in the trenches".
3696351
This series is very realistic of the times it represents while still making it entertaining for the viewer. It is believable and also portrays the soldiers in a way that shows the internal conflict that was not publicized at the time.
3394381
a stunning and realistic enactment of a true to life drama
3623691
I was a big fan of The Wire and was thrilled that the same people made a series about my beloved New Orleans. Treme is the most authentic depiction I have ever seen of New Orleans and the Mardi Gras Indians, the general culture and especially the music culture.  The acting is excellent and real New Orleans musicians appear throughout and the real problems of the city are well portrayed along with the vibrant culture that, in spite of developers and terrible government, continues to survive there.  This series is a true portrait of New Orleans nowadays.  I purchased Seasons One and Two and look forward to purchasing and watching the following seasons.  Actors
2580853
The writing is terrific and descriptions of NYC & police procedures/environment struck me as very authentic.  My only quasi-negative is that main character's ethics/values were not adequately developed.  But that is a very minor point.  Without hesitation I recommend this book.
483024
Read this book when it first came out, while I was a Special Problems Unit Officer with the LAPD.  Its a fast read.  Very enjoyable.  Highly recommended.  Some of these dogs are just unbelievably accurate.
629486
Sgt Kocis worked a variety of assignments during an era of southern California policing that will never be repeated. His view from the inside of a patrol car will become your view as you read this captivating book. I recommend it to fellow officers as it will bring back memories and to non-cops for the view it will give you of the "real world" of policing.
Jerry Boyd
Chief of Police-retired
Former Sergeant, L A COunty Sheriff's Department
3626023
I like how they try to portray what actually happened to this company in WWII based upon eye-witness soldiers that were there. Very realistic.