Penguin American Cops True stories from the front line.

by James Patterson

For these men and women, it isn't just a job. It's a calling.PROTECTThey are our eyes. Our ears. Our protectors. Those who wear a badge, doing their best to help people.SERVEThese cops serve their communities. They serve their country. They're in the business of saving lives-even at the risk of their own.DEFENDThese patrol officers and K9 handlers, sheriffs and detectives reveal what it's really like to wear the uniform, to carry the weight of the responsibility they've been given.American Cops is the extraordinary first-person account of America's police force._____________________________Praise for James Patterson'The master storyteller of our times' Hillary Rodham Clinton'James Patterson is the gold standard by which all others are judged' Steve Berry'No one gets this big without natural storytelling talent' Lee Child'Nobody does it better' Jeffrey Deaver'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' Ian Rankin

Genres: Crime, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

Published December 7, 2023

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Klare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. Very eye opening, much more PTSD and mental health issues than you realise.

[Jorgen Lundgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some horrific stories and some heart warming ones..

[Chelsea May xxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be really hard hitting to read as some of the stories by the American police in this book hit me really hard and some of them had me crying and gasping out loud in shock. I never really understood what went into policing the streets and what police officers did in there job roles but this has really opened my eyes to what they do and I give them credit for going out ever day and dealing with the good things as well as the very bad things. This is such a interesting read and you get to learn so much. I liked that we got different stories from loads of police officers and that e got to hear there stories. Overall amazing book xxx

[Kay_PlaxyXD · Rating 3 out of 5]

'American Cops' is a small glimpse into the every day life of a police officer. It is told by officers themselves recounting cases they have taken part in. It gives insight to multiple other police departments other than the very well known ones. It is quite fascinating, reading what made them chose police a a carrer and their ambitions.

The part I enjoyed most was the officers willingly talking about the PTSD they get from encountering graphic cases and how they suffered with it before becoming strong enough to confront it. The officers acknowledge how a majority of officer death is from sucide than in active duty. It showed how before the police agency would terminate any officer going into therapy as it made them appear weak which caused officers to stop trying to reach out more. I enjoyed the story of Tom Vento as it discusses all of this.

Though I will say that it came to mind, more than once, that this book might be a way to get good press for the police in the US in a time where they really need. I'm sure there are many cops out there that genuinely do there jobs, but there are also the ones who do it for the power trip and, unfortunately for the police, their crimes out weight the good in the eyes of the public. There are still bad cops out there and the police agency doesn't crack down on them nearly enough.

Furthermore, the amount of time the officers mention being disrespected by citizen just because of the crimes of other cops. I remember one cop saying something along the lines of 'if I didn't care about you (the specific neighborhood he was patrolling was a black dominated and troubled one) why would I come everytime you call me (the police) fir help.' I just thought this was a very sarcastic thing to say as these people have been notoriously mistreated by the police and he is confused why they still don't trust him. Yeah, I wonder why.

There were some other stuff that was a little suspicious but I won't go into it as much as it would take too long. This wouldn't be a book I would recommend to others as it seems like police propaganda to me.

[Steven Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Police officers risk their lives every day to protect and serve our homes, families and communities. Here is “a notable collection of heartfelt stories from the front line told with honesty and compassion” (Kirkus).

Protect

These men and women are our eyes. Our ears. Our protectors. Those who wear a badge, doing their best to help people.

Serve

These cops serve their communities. They serve their country. They’re in the business of saving lives—even at the risk of their own.

Defend

These patrol officers and K9 handlers, sheriffs and detectives, reveal what it’s really like to wear the uniform, to carry the weight of the responsibility they’ve been given.

This is a calling. This is the job.

“Walk the Blue Line is the book that the law-enforcement community has been waiting for. These stories showcase the courage, the hurt, the anger and the joy that can be found in every officer’s DNA—and above all, their commitment to making difficult situations a little bit better." —Jim Pasco, Executive Director, National Fraternal Order of Police

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in the cops’ on words, this was reasonably interesting and an eye opening look into what their experience day to day on the job. Each and every one of the stories involved a police officer who genuinely cares about the people that they “serve and protect.” It did cross my mind that this could be a case of some good publicity for the police in the US in a time when they badly need it. Though of course, I am sure that there are many many police out there who are genuine about their jobs, there are also many on power trips. And I have met at least two myself. Either way, I support what James Patterson is trying to do here.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as an audiobook.
Short interesting stories, told from the police perspective.

There’s a lot in the press about the negatives of American policing, and whilst I definitely don’t think this book was balanced (it’s all ‘cops’ telling their side of the story, and they’re only going to talk about what they’re comfortable to share, obviously) I think it will give me balance when I read stories about police brutality (ie that I will remember that probably the majority of American police want to do good). Plus it was an enjoyable listen.

Nb some graphic stories, so caution if you’re not into that!

[Adam Murfet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really insightful look into the lives of real cops. Interesting the common theme is there is not enough support for trauma and PTSD and it’s frowned upon to get help and acknowledge a problem until the last couple of years. That seems a shame. However, really good, honest first person accounts.

[Becci Linney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book, full of short but fascinating stories from the front line. Perfect coffee table read to keep coming back to, assuming you can put it down!
One of my favourite reads of the year

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

[Alison Bruce · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept waiting for this to go somewhere. Interesting vignettes but read more like several dozen drafts for autobiographies thrown together.

[Martin Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book,some great stories in it

[Jessica Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent if you like a real life read. Each chapter is a new person telling their police story/experience.

[Lynn Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best analogies about the people in blue I have ever read.