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Blue Blood
List Price: $26.95 Our Price: $18.86
Hardcover - 12 April, 2004
Riverhead Books
Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours
Author: Edward Conlon
ISBN: 1573222666
Number of Media: 1
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| Hardcover Description As a Harvard graduate and regular writer for the New Yorker, Edward Conlon is a little different from most of his fellow New York City cops. And the stories he tells in his compelling memoir Blue Blood are miles away from the commonly told Hollywood-style police tales that are always action packed but rarely tethered to reality. While there is action here, there's also political hassle, the rich and often troubling history of a department not unfamiliar with corruption, and the day to day life of people charged with preserving order in America's largest city. Conlon's book is, in part, a memoir as he progresses from being a rookie cop working the beat at troubled housing projects to assignments in the narcotics division to eventually becoming a detective. But it's also the story of his family history within the enormous NYPD as well as the evolving role of the police force within the city. Conlon relates the controversies surrounding the somewhat familiar shoo! ting of Amadou Diallou and the abuse, at the hands of New York cops, of Abner Louima. But being a cop himself, Conlon lends insight and nuance to these issues that could not possibly be found in the newspapers. And as an outstanding writer, he draws the reader into that world. In the book's most remarkable passage, Conlon tells of the grim but necessary work done at the Fresh Kills landfill, sifting through the rubble and remains left in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11 (a section originally published in The New Yorker). In many ways, Blue Blood comes to resemble the world of New York City law enforcement that Conlon describes: both are expansive, sprawling, multi-dimensional, and endlessly fascinating. And Conlon's writing is perfectly matched to his subject, always lively, keenly observant, and possessing a streetwise energy. --John Moe |
| Reviews From Our Customers
Where's the editor? I agree with all the negative reviews of this book.
How do you make such a potentially great story into a ponderous, over long and poorly edited book? The author and the editors have succeeded in just that. I also don't understand the favorable professional reviews that the book received. I have found, in general, far more accuracy in the customer reviews published here than in any other source, and will in the future read up here on a book before purchasing.
I am trying to imagine the author spending so many hours writing a book like this with so many obvious flaws and not being sent back by any editor worth their salt for extensive cutting, refocusing, and rewriting before rushing this thing into print. Shame on the unscrupulous editors and publisher that let this one get away.
Blah, Blah, Blah, Blood I've finally made my way through Blue Blood. If this represents the first seven years of author Conlon's career with the NYPD, I suppose we owe him thanks that he didn't wait until retirement to write his book. By my math, that sucker would come in at over 1500 pages, and if the first seven years are any indication, would've been as boring as watching Conlon count to one million (the rumored payday for Conlon on this tome).
Nothing happens in this book, or more appropriately, nothing of interest. Even most of the arrests seem to occur on Conlon's days off. I hope the fellas on the squad got a share of the advance; after all, it's their stories he's telling. Hey Eddie, I want my money back. P.S. Yes, we KNOW you went to Harvard. Give it a rest.
I Learn Again Not to Trust Reviews I bought this book because of enthusiastic reviews. But, "blah blah blah" is right! I wish I could remember which reviewers recommended this book. I want always in the future to do the opposite of whatever they suggest. (Maybe they were among Conlon's many relatives?) How did Conlon get through a Harvard English class? Boring disorganized worthless badly-written book. Sophomoric at best. Waste of money; waste of time. Mr. Conlon do not write again. Please. |
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