Tapping Into the Wire: The Real Urban Crisis

by Peter L. Beilenson

Story lines from The Wire challenge public perceptions about the deadly, real-world connections between drugs, crime, and poverty. Did Omar Little die of lead poisoning? Would a decriminalization strategy like the one in Hamsterdam end the War on Drugs? What will it take to save neglected kids like Wallace and Dukie? Tapping into 'The Wire' uses the acclaimed television series as a road map for exploring connections between inner-city poverty and drug-related violence. Past Baltimore City health commissioner Peter Beilenson teams up with former Baltimore Sun reporter Patrick A. McGuire to deliver a compelling, highly readable examination of urban policy and public health issues affecting cities across the nation. Each chapter recounts scenes from episodes of the HBO series, placing the characters' challenges into the broader context of public policy. A candid interview with the show’s co-creator David Simon reveals that one of the intentions of the series is to expose gross failures of public institutions, including criminal justice, education, labor, the news media, and city government. Even if readers haven’t seen the series, the book’s detailed summaries of scenes and characters brings them up to speed and engages them in both the story and the issues. With a firm grasp on the hard truths of real-world problems, Tapping into 'The Wire' helps undo misconceptions and encourage a dialogue of understanding.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Sociology

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Dachokie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Please Leave “The Wire” Alone …

This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine program which included a free advance copy of the book.

I believe HBO’s “The Wire” is arguably the best television series ever made. Ironically, I was in the midst of re-watching season 2 of the series when I started reading Peter Beilenson’s TAPPING INTO “THE WIRE”. I always felt that the show served as an eye-opener for those wondering about the problems facing many large American cities and was anxious to see the angle the book would take with it. Unfortunately, my initial excitement slowly subsided after the first few chapters, eventually turning to irritation by the book’s end as I realized the nature of the book involved using selectively creative (and in some cases, inane) interpretations of “The Wire” simply as a prop to push an agenda.

The biggest issue I had with this book was that it will probably ring hollow to those who haven’t seen “The Wire”. While I felt the author was effective in summarizing scenes and characters from the TV series, I realize that those who haven’t seen or aren’t even aware of the show’s existence may feel somewhat “left out” due to it being a major part of the book’s theme. Although the book IS readable to all, seeing “The Wire” (all five seasons) is probably a pre-requisite to fully understand how it relates to the author’s opinions.

I honestly did not know what direction TAPPING INTO “THE WIRE” was going to take when I started reading it. My initial thought was that it was designed to give fans of the show a “real-life” follow-up as to how the lives of those portrayed in “The Wire” would continue had the series not ended. I thought the idea of using Baltimore’s real-life crime and drug problems as means to continue the storyline very intriguing. I was wrong. The author is a politician (and the son of a politician) and it only takes a few chapters to realize that TAPPING INTO “THE WIRE” is merely a political party-themed outline of “solving” the urban problems presented by the “The Wire”. Considering the author spent 13 years as Health Commissioner of Baltimore, readers might also interpret this book as a means of defending/excusing the unflattering image of social and moral decay presented by a show that arguably showcases the results of his term in office. TAPPING INTO “THE WIRE” had promise until I felt I was in the middle of yet another “right vs. left” political argument regarding the same partisan hot-button national issues of guns, drugs, environmental issues, education and even obesity … all with an urban backdrop. While the author does make some salient points on several topics, I felt I was forced to hear a one-sided perspective of all issues with an occasional hint of a campaign speech and it’s “we did this and it worked … until those narrow-minded ninnies on the other side of the aisle forced us to stop” theme.

Once I accepted that I was in the middle of reading a political “cure all” for decaying urban centers, I focused more on the author’s use of the “The Wire” to pitch his points. Again, I thought the book had some common sense approaches to some of the issues. But, the author took some serious liberties with “The Wire” to argue some points. For example, Beilenson suggests the possibility of dust from lead-based paint prompting a pre-teen character on “The Wire” to kill. Believe me, the character in question, Kenard, was progressively shown to be a heartless thug throughout the show … more because of a gradual indifference to all the violence he witnessed/experienced than paint dust. Lead-based paint dust has been demonized at the federal level for decades (Sweet’n Low was subjected to a similar vilification), implying that it causes kids to kill is over-the-top, in my opinion. Another (laughable) stretch is the author tying a morbidly-obese, middle-aged drug lord on “The Wire” (“Prop Joe”) to the junk-food/obesity “crisis” in poor neighborhoods and lauding his attempt to push “fresh fish and vegetables” as staples on the school menu. Coincidently, most of the poorest characters on the show (“Bubbles” and all the kids from season 4) are more fit than the “non-poor” characters … “Joe” is a sad “prop” for this rather weak argument. Not once does the author elicit any expectation of anyone assuming a degree of personal responsibility (portion size and lack of physical activity aren’t even addressed as being arguably more problematic than simply what food is being eaten) … and what kid looks forward to a school lunch consisting of “fresh fish”? The BMI (Body Mass Index) that Beilenson refers to in this particular chapter is an archaic, overly simplified and misleading "tool" used by the federal government as a crude method to determine an individual's "healthy weight" ... it totally ignores muscle mass as a weight factor (it calculated me being on the brink of obese when I was at 2-3% body fat for a bodybuilding competition). Most anyone with an athletic build would fall into the "overweight category" ... any BMI-based study deserves scrutiny as its only useful purpose is to generate phony stats to support using the word "crisis".

Although Beilenson does target political corruption as being part of the “urban crisis”, he waits for the last chapter to address it and conveniently cherry picks two easy targets from the show (“Mayors Royce and Carcetti”) as examples of politicians who make promises for nothing more than political gain. There is no reference, however, to the most egregiously corrupt character on the show: “Clay Davis”. “Davis” represents the lifelong politician who has made a lucrative career of hoodwinking constituents and making sweetheart deals with drug dealers and corrupt businessmen. “The Wire” clearly implicates political corruption as being a huge source of the urban problem. Oddly, Beilenson (a politician) skimps on hitting this issue. The media’s role in the “real urban crisis”, represented by the fifth and final season of “The Wire”, is not even approached by the author. Another theme ignored is the systemic abuse within the legal system (cops, lawyers and judges). The author tends to selectively steer the book toward topics that highlight his own career successes while overlooking other factors.

Overall, TAPPING INTO THE WIRE was a disappointment as I constantly felt the author was trying to excuse or defend his tenure as Health Commissioner and the administration he served under. With the author’s job ending prior to “The Wire” first being aired; it certainly seems logical that the show’s portrayal of a blighted Baltimore reflects the unflattering result of his term in office. Honestly, I would have preferred the author simply detailing his take on urban issues/solutions rather than using a critically-acclaimed TV series as a gimmick. The book comes across as a little too sanctimonious and political … the parallels to the TV show are somewhat misleading from time-to-time. For those wanting a visceral and unforgettable image of urban issues, there is no substitute for watching all five seasons of “The Wire”.

[Kerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was completely absorbed in the first couple chapters, but Beilenson lost me towards the end. I was excited by the dissection of "The Wire" to open up conversation about the "real urban crisis". I enjoyed the way that the author designed each chapter as a social issue presented by events from the show. However, I can see how some of the touched upon issues were a stretch from the actual show. As the book progressed, it seemed to be more focused on the authors work and accomplishments as the head of public health for Baltimore City and less about progressive thinking and ideas that "The Wire" provoked. Overall, a quick informative read on the recent public health history of Baltimore as evidenced through the show.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book by a doctor who takes a look at the social problems addressed in The Wire and applies them to what he knows about Baltimore and urban areas of the United States. The problem is that most of the problems the author addresses are widely known and he deals with them too shallowly to really get a grasp of the seriousness of the situations. The tie ins to the TV show is pretty tenuous too. Still it may be good for film students who are studying the show in college course.

[Jeramey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever use of The Wire to engage readers in a review of public policy and public health. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Christa Van]

This is a great primer on domestic social issues illustrated with examples from the best television show ever made.

[Mitchell Northam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A scholarly look at the show, leaning on research, interviews and personal experiences of the author. I was really struck by the first few chapters, then my interest dwindled a bit. Still, it’s a solid companion piece to the show.

[Brian Kovesci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at the underworld of Baltimore through the cinematic lens of The Wire, while responding to The Wire with real stories from a man who attempted to make Baltimore a better place.

[Keith Gabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Public health policy is a subject that would make most readers pass over a book. This book, however, is quite compelling, as it takes the subjects addressed in the TV show, "The Wire", as launching points into discussing how Baltimore City's mayor and head of public health attempted to address those issues, both positively and negatively.

[Brian DiNitto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to continue the discussion about violence, addiction, child needs in our society. It is easier to talk about within this fictional context, but no less important.