War Stories: From a New York City Cop in the Seventies and Eighties

by Jack Fitzgerald

On any given hot summer night after eight hours of almost nonstop police work, it wasn’t unusual for one of the men to say, “Anyone up for a couple of cold brews?” The answer was always yes. At least a few, sometimes more than a few of our third platoon would be looking forward to spending an hour or so “unwinding from the stress” with brother officers while enjoying a cold beer.Every precinct had a “cops” bar where we could gather without concern about running into the guy we locked up last week. The bad guys knew that bar was off-limits and they were not welcome. They stayed away. After that first cold beer the conversation would usually begin with, “Let me tell you what happened to me and my partner tonight. You won’t believe it.” The storyteller would embellish his most recent policing experience and a good storyteller would always add just enough drama to keep everyone interested. Of course there was always a follow-up by someone with another story and that’s the way it would go until it was time to leave. Those stories became known as “War Stories,” as in, “Do I have a war story for you guys tonight!”

Genres: Crime

362 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2018

About the author

Jack Fitzgerald was born and educated in St. John's, Newfoundland. During his career he has been a journalist, a feature writer and political columnist with the St. John's Daily News; a reporter and public affairs writer with CJON and VOCM News Services; editor of the Newfoundland Herald and the Newfoundland Chronicle. During the last years of the Smallwood administration he was assistant director of Public Relations with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. He has also worked as Assistance Officer with the Department of Social Services. Jack Fitzgerald also hosted a regular radio program featuring off-beat Newfoundland stories on radio station VOFM.

As well as writing about unusual happenings relating to Newfoundland and Newfoundlanders, Fitzgerald has also authored a series of Newfoundland crime and punishment stories as well as Newfoundland historical publications.

Reviews

[John Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thin Blue Line

Outstanding read! Jack, you nailed it from start to finish . Definitely one of those books you hate to see coming to an end! Exactly the type of cop we need back in our cities. Commit a crime, you’re a criminal! Easy enough no gray area! Thanks Jack,
John F. Fitzgerald
Boston

[Steve Whittaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended book

Well written autobiography from a distinguished NYPD patrolman. Recommend for someone interested in what life was like (and probably still is) for a officer in the 70s & 80s NYPD.

[Nick Witkowich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book as the title states WAR STORIES.

Easy reading but a little to much on the I and makes.it sound like he was a.one man Department and the NYPD bosses have him a free hand, which is a little to much fiction

[James McWilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

War Stories

War Stories, a story straight from the mouth of the man in the street, true narrative with the human side of a tough job.

[Steve Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories from a great cop

Great read about the decades past of NYPD police officer. Covers just about everything a big city cop deals with in a long career.

[Donald L McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUPER READ

One great book, highly recommend any and all readers take the time to read..after 30 years in Law Enforcement, It made me very
happy my years were not in New York.!

[Darnell Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

It was good and the ending was good too. I wish there was more war stories about he kind of stories.

[Gary Goodson · Rating 2 out of 5]

So So Book

Not much to learn except an everyday life of a narcissistic NY Cop. Didn't learn anything about the crime wave in NYC.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great work.

Some great stories from a seasoned vet of the nypd. The 70s and 80s were a tough time to be a nyc cop!

[Xiomara Nunez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book

It was really cool to read about this being from the areas he talked about it was cool to learn some history

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Quick read as each chapter grabbed me and pulled me to the truth of the profession. NYPD has my thanks and respect. Would be a great gift for anyone in law enforcement.

[Ed]

great book!!!!!!!!!!!!