The New Centurians

Rating:
Summary: excellent examination of what makes cops tick
Review: "The New Centurions" came as a bit of a surprise to me. I read other Wambaugh works, but they were written more recently. This book was written back in the early part fo Wambaugh's career, and I feel under the false assumption that it was going to be inferior.
Boy, was I wrong. This is the most honest and perfect police novel I have ever read, and I liked it more than the author's later work (which I love).
"The New Centurions" focuses on the lives of three Los Angeles cops from bot camp to their 5 year anniversary on the force. Not a police procedural, the emphasis is rather on the lives of the characters and the various experiences they go through as police officers. Alternately brutal, funny, smart, sad, warm, philosophical, and ugly, "The New Centurions" is an extremely well-done piece of realistic fiction. These characters could be real.
I won't spoil anything here, but I have to recommend this book to anyone interested in the cop lifestyle. I'm going to give this book to my brother who has contemplated becoming a police officer, since I think the realism here can be an eye-opener.

Rating:
Summary: excellent examination of what makes cops tick
Review: "The New Centurions" came as a bit of a surprise to me. I read other Wambaugh works, but they were written more recently. This book was written back in the early part fo Wambaugh's career, and I feel under the false assumption that it was going to be inferior.
Boy, was I wrong. This is the most honest and perfect police novel I have ever read, and I liked it more than the author's later work (which I love).
"The New Centurions" focuses on the lives of three Los Angeles cops from bot camp to their 5 year anniversary on the force. Not a police procedural, the emphasis is rather on the lives of the characters and the various experiences they go through as police officers. Alternately brutal, funny, smart, sad, warm, philosophical, and ugly, "The New Centurions" is an extremely well-done piece of realistic fiction. These characters could be real.
I won't spoil anything here, but I have to recommend this book to anyone interested in the cop lifestyle. I'm going to give this book to my brother who has contemplated becoming a police officer, since I think the realism here can be an eye-opener.

Rating:
Summary: What is new in the Wambaugh World
Review: A centurion was literally a Roman officer in charge of a hundred-man contingent of soldiers in a legion of three to six thousand men. They were the front-line leaders who issued forth from Rome for five hundred years, beating barbarians into submission and maintaining law and order throughout the empire. Wambaugh applies this moniker to his unique tale of three rookies issuing forth from the police academy, fresh and idealistic as they set about to clean up Los Angeles.

They have a lot to learn. As it turns out, right and wrong aren't always clearly black and white. Bad guys populate both sides of the law. Rules are subject to interpretation. Justice is slow and convoluted. And life is not fair.

Wambaugh brings his unique real-life experience in LAPD to bear on this story, showing the maturation of cops in believable fashion. The book is a little dated in terms of police procedure, but the underlying story and message are same-day fresh. This is a cut above the typical cop's tale. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: After thoroughly enjoying "The Choirboys" I plodded thru this one.

There is no doubt it is extremely well written with some strong characters.

As I am fan of the fiction mystery novel, perhaps it was the more true crime aspect of the book that caused me to lose interest.

Certainly I will read more of Mr. Wambaugh's books, but I will be careful to assure myself it leans to the fiction side. It's for sure he's a wonderful writer...I just caught the wrong topic.

KVD

Rating:
Summary: What is new in the Wambaugh World
Review: I am not writing a review but I am seeking information on Joseph Wambaugh; more specifically what he has written lately. From what I can recall Finnigan's Week and Floaters are his most recent.

Does anyone out there know if Mr. Wambaugh is creating a book at the moment or if he has had something since the Finnigan's Week or Floaters.

I have read all of his books and I would rate them a 4 and 5. I am stuck on them. A great story teller, his humour lightens the terrible things humans can do to each other yet, at the same time, he makes us feel the pain felt by the victims and those close to them.

Hopefully, has, is or will be writing more.

Dan

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Novel
Review: I was required to read this book for a Law Enforcement class I'm taking in college. This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It offers a great perspective of the police for people who don't know anything about the police, or only know what they see on television. I look forward to reading more of Wambaugh's books in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Great look at the real LAPD and the heros behind it
Review: I've read The New Centurians about 4 times, and it seems to get better every time!! This book paints a fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) portrait of big-city front line beat coppers and what they endure every day, not what you see on the news or on "Cops". In this, Wambaugh's first book (and sort of an autobiography of his first 5 years with the LAPD), he gives life to his characters, and you will feel like you know them personally. If you, or someone you know is considering a career in law enforcement, this book will provide some insight what it means to be a policeman.

Rating:
Summary: gritty, realistic portrayal of life as a LAPD officer
Review: Wambaugh takes us beyond the "Adam-12 and "Dragnet" image of the LAPD in this gritty and realistic portrayal of three young police officers during their first five years on the force. During their tour, the men face the harsh reality of "Protecting and serving" the citizens of Los Angeles. He holds no punches, from the opening scene where a recruit almost gets choked to death in a self-defense class in Academy to the final scene where Officer Roy Fehler lies dying from a gunshot wound. As one reviewer stated, "like cops? read the New Centurians. Hate cops? read the New Centurians." Wambaugh's realism is what makes his books enjoyable to read. I am a long time fan of the NBC television anthology "Police Story" developed by Wambaugh in the 1970s, and reading books such as "The New Centurians" gives me an understanding of why the show was so successful.