My Father's Gun: One Family, Three Badges, One Hundred Years in the NYPD

by Brian McDonald

An intriguing memoir of a family of Irish-American cops in New York City traces the lives and careers of three generations of NYPD officers, from the author's maternal grandfather, who paid the price for standing up to corruption, to his precinct captain father, to his older brother, Frankie. Reprint.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 2013

About the author

Brian McDonald contributes frequently to New York City newspapers, including The New York Times. His first book, My Father's Gun, won critical raves and became the subject of a major History Channel documentary series. McDonald is also the author of Last Call at Elaine's, Indian Summer, and Safe Harbor: A Murder in Nantucket. He lives in Manhattan.

Reviews

[Lucy Fifield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super cool- I loved the stories and the cop family pride. It was interesting to hear about the evolution of the NYPD and the slow transitioning from a totally corrupt and warped department to a very successful one in the end with Frankie. I liked how McDonald honestly depicted all of his family members and did not leave out the ugly bits.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an inside look at the New York Police Department viewed through the lives of three generations of the McDonald family. Brian McDonald intertwines the history of his maternal grandfather, his father, and his brother with the story of the NYPD from the days of Tammany Hall to the modern day NYPD. While at the same time illustrating his book with the sorts of war stories about life as a cop that give readers an insider's feel, the reader get to learn and understand the strengths, weaknesses, and hardships of a cop's life.

[elizabeth akin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Memories

As an ex Pearl River resident, I found Brian's memoir extremely satisfying. The description of the hamlet brought back many memories of my days delivering The Bergan Record and my high school days with Frankie and Pam. Brian brought out the character of each NYPD officer with such insight that you made an immediate connection. My Father's Gun is a great read . You will feel as though you grew up with the characters.

Mike "Pop" Lipscomb

[Sean Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read for NYPD MOS

Close to the heart, echoing memories of a 20 year career, this book holds everything so near and dear of my life as well as many others in the NYPD. From the South Bronx to Pearl River, the traveled path of murder and drugs to the escape upstate, Brian McDonald captures the essence of our NYPD lives.

[Stephan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this autobiography. The author grew up with a father and brother who were NYPD Officers, as well as his grandfather on his mother's side. In this life story, the author gives the reader various history lessons about the NYPD and how each of his relatives served. It didn't white wash anything.

Great read

[Allen Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It’s a simple tale told from the inside of a cop family. The insights were nothing mind boggling or revolutionary. They were just the simple truths that come along with being part of a police family. This is well worth the read.

[Rebecca]

DNF

[Sheri S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

McDonald gives accounts of his grandfather (maternal), father and brother's experiences in the NYPD. He recounts some of the history of the NYPD and the corruption that colored its early years. McDonald's grandfather was not involved in the corruption though it was rampant. McDonald's father also served in the NYPD and advanced up the ranks and was a detective and squad commander. He writes about his relationship with father as well as his own thoughts about becoming a policeman. Finally, McDonald describes his second oldest brother, Frankie, and the path he took towards becoming a police officer. Frankie was a successful policeman and decorated officer who worked on many high profile crimes. McDonald talks about the toll that police work can take on a family as well as the camaraderie that develops within this profession.

[Nichole · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very interesting history of a family's service; the cop talk and stories are vividly told. A bit too heavy on the history (I wanted more memoir), and the stories felt a bit disjointed at times-- other than the familial connection and chronolty, there didn't seem to be a larger narrative arc bringing them all together.

[Threebarks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Secondhand stories are interesting, writer's perspective is self-serving and transparent.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book about truth of police work and the NYPD

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but ultimately not really gripping tale of three generations of cops in NYC. If I could I would have given it 3.5 stars.

[Barb Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little hard to read - very detailed and wordy. But really interesting story and look into "cop culture".

[Regina Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the documentary for Police and Society class, now I've finally read it.