Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Guy Writes Boring Biography
Review: As biographies of interesting people go, especially for a guy as colorful and gutsy as Bernard Kerrick, this book is disappointingly BORING.
The book is poorly written, with an over-emphasis on Kerrick's childhood and alcoholic/prostitute mother who was murdered after he was taken from her custody. The book becomes mildly engaging in the chapters where Kerrick takes over running Rykers Island and subsequently the NYPD, but the book waits far too long before bringing us up to modern events.
Another strong criticism is Kerrick's persistance in constantly singling out NYPD officers by name and carrying on about how great they are, what heroes, their sacrifices etc. Yes, fine, we get it. They are heroes. But this book is about YOUR life. Its as if he promised like 200 drinking buddies to include their names in his book and didn't want to reneg. Also, the butt kissing to Guliani teeters a bit on the excessive. Yes, Guliani is a grat man and kissing his butt is OK-just do it on your own time Bernie.
Rating: 
Summary: Forget the media lies!
Review: Sure, you can read all those articles telling you what a con man low-life husband AND girlfriend cheating [...] he is. sure, you can realize that even St. Rudy apologized for suggesting him for W's big job offer.
But don't you REALLY want to believe in something more? Ignore what the "news" says, and trust in his words.
Really, it's OK. Just trust him.
Rating: 
Summary: OUTSTANDING .... arrest warrant
Review: By now (December 12, 2004) we've learned a few facts about self-promoting blowhard BERNARD KERIK. How marvelous that "The Lost Son" has already been optioned for development as a major motion picture - it has the potential to become the funniest biopic since "Mommie Dearest." I do hope the screenwriter will include a role for JENNIFER LOPEZ as the illegal domestic worker (J-Lo was great in "Maid in Manhattan") and wouldn't MARGARET CHO be wonderful as Bernie's abandoned Korean daughter?
Rating:
Summary: THIS MAN IS GOING PLACES
Review: This book is riveting and inspiring. Bernard Kerik is a leader for all times and this book outlines basic philosophies any leader should know. He is the one who should be credited with turning around the city of NY and making it a safer place. He is one of the men behind the success of Mayor Giuliani. But the book is much more...it's touching and hopeful and shows how a man can overcome many obstacles even when he has a rough start in life. The depiction of Sept.11 also answered many questions for me. I highly recommend this book for everyone, but especially for people looking for direction and especially for professionals in leadership positions seeking inspiration and direction.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Blue Print for Next Homeland Security Secretary
Review: Bush should have tapped this guy sooner, BUT hey better now than never. Former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik's life of a lost mom, bullets, SWAT Raids, and the epicenter of world terrorism are all chronicled in a flowing narrative. LOST SON is a gritty and detailed account of a New Yorker going from school kid, to Army MP, Street Cop, Detective, NARC, Corrections Commissioner, and later NYPD Commish. Kerik is a flawed guy like anyone else, but you forget it reading the fact is stranger than fiction accounts of him and the NYPD. This beats Serpico, hands down! Kerik is also chronicled in his friendship with Mayor Rudolph W Guiliani from the days of Rudy as federal prosecutor tapping Kerik for DEA and Mob busts, to September 11, 2001 when both are trudging from the World Trade Center ruins at Ground Zero. Kerik is a credit to New York, the US, and just mankind in general. Go Bernie! I'm not a New Yorker, but this guy was cool. Bruce Willis could play him in a film, or Michael Chiklis from The Shield, or Tom Sizemore. James Woods, Rudy all the way.
Rating:
Summary: Read it and learn from it - no matter your position!
Review: So many - most, in fact - of our law enforcement managers would learn a great deal from "Beezie" Kerik! I'd say that a majority of them have no clue what real leadership is. Too many are merely in their position for the semblance of power and the better paycheck.Kerik details his life - sad, joyous, adventurous, depressing, and magnanimous - in a very readable and enjoyable way. I've been in law enforcement for 17 years and have learned a great deal from this book. I only wish I had the honor to work with and for him. (Perhaps he'd consider a Chief's position here?!)
Rating:
Summary: Bernard B. Kerik, Hero & Inspiration
Review: This is a book that you won't want to put down. Kerik is an amazing human being who overcame more obstacles than most people ever have to face. He did it on his own, from "the inside out", and shows us that we have much more within us to succeed, than we think. Some might consider it a "man's book", but instead, I think of it as a study in determination, heart, bravery and compassion. I recommend it to everyone.
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