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FIVE AND TWENTY: An NYPD Cop Story
Want to know what it's like being a rookie cop in one of the most dangerous precincts in America?
Originally released in 2003 as "Lost The True Story of a Disgraced NYPD Cop," FIVE AND TWENTY is the thrilling story of a promising police career cut short.
"In the past, I desperately wanted to prove to the world that I was a good writer, a good cop, and a good person.
Now, I've got nothing left to prove. In this revised edition, I have only one To set the record straight." - Robbin Ramos
After reading this book, you won't be able to look at the New York City Police Department in the same way again.
ROBBIN RAMOS is a child of the Bronx, a magna cum laude graduate of Lehman College-CUNY where he was honored with membership in Phi Beta Kappa and won awards for journalism and fiction writing.
Currently, he is married and lives in Hartsdale, New York.
Originally released in 2003 as "Lost The True Story of a Disgraced NYPD Cop," FIVE AND TWENTY is the thrilling story of a promising police career cut short.
"In the past, I desperately wanted to prove to the world that I was a good writer, a good cop, and a good person.
Now, I've got nothing left to prove. In this revised edition, I have only one To set the record straight." - Robbin Ramos
After reading this book, you won't be able to look at the New York City Police Department in the same way again.
ROBBIN RAMOS is a child of the Bronx, a magna cum laude graduate of Lehman College-CUNY where he was honored with membership in Phi Beta Kappa and won awards for journalism and fiction writing.
Currently, he is married and lives in Hartsdale, New York.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2022
18 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 4, 2022
Writing (or reading) an autobiographical piece is not like doing so with a work of fiction. With true stories, there’s so much added pressure. Did I remember that correctly? Are my feelings leading me to wrongly defame others or exaggerate the situation? And of course the ever-looming: what if nobody believes me? When it comes to true crime such as ‘Five and Twenty,’ these demands are especially powerful.
I mention all this because I feel Robbin Ramos has managed to present his case- a story that is clearly incredibly dear to him- without dramatizing things past their basic truths. That said, he fully relays the anger, excitement, hopefulness, and hopelessness of his experience in a way that had me feeling just the same on his behalf.
‘Five and Twenty’ tells the story of a young man who, much on happenstance, decided to take the tests and training to become a cop within the New York Police Department. It wasn’t something he had been thinking on for anytime prior, but rather having randomly heard of the benefits of the career, thought he’d give it a shot. When he passes and is approved for probation, he quickly finds how much being a police officer means to him, as if he had been longing to become one for years.
But we knew from the beginning this wasn’t going to go well.
The book alternates between Robbin’s mostly happy days as an officer and the end days of his career until finally, the two eras meet up. I really loved this technique. Not only does it keep the reader on their toes emotionally to make the entire experience quite intense, it perfectly illustrated just how rapidly your whole life can change. Something you would never anticipate in this moment might come to pass in the next second.
I’m not talking just about a life event. I’m also referring to, as this story shares, how tentative relationships with the people around you truly are. In the light of “concrete evidence,” your trust of each other amounts to nothing. After all, which would you believe? The nice guy coworker with a clean track record or the identical results of repeated laboratory tests? Really think about that one…
I don’t want to say anything else so I can avoid spoilers. Do go and check the story out if anything here appeals to you. Heads up! If you’re like me, you’re going to be extra angry at a certain fine print detail about those lab tests that is revealed during the conclusion.
I mention all this because I feel Robbin Ramos has managed to present his case- a story that is clearly incredibly dear to him- without dramatizing things past their basic truths. That said, he fully relays the anger, excitement, hopefulness, and hopelessness of his experience in a way that had me feeling just the same on his behalf.
‘Five and Twenty’ tells the story of a young man who, much on happenstance, decided to take the tests and training to become a cop within the New York Police Department. It wasn’t something he had been thinking on for anytime prior, but rather having randomly heard of the benefits of the career, thought he’d give it a shot. When he passes and is approved for probation, he quickly finds how much being a police officer means to him, as if he had been longing to become one for years.
But we knew from the beginning this wasn’t going to go well.
The book alternates between Robbin’s mostly happy days as an officer and the end days of his career until finally, the two eras meet up. I really loved this technique. Not only does it keep the reader on their toes emotionally to make the entire experience quite intense, it perfectly illustrated just how rapidly your whole life can change. Something you would never anticipate in this moment might come to pass in the next second.
I’m not talking just about a life event. I’m also referring to, as this story shares, how tentative relationships with the people around you truly are. In the light of “concrete evidence,” your trust of each other amounts to nothing. After all, which would you believe? The nice guy coworker with a clean track record or the identical results of repeated laboratory tests? Really think about that one…
I don’t want to say anything else so I can avoid spoilers. Do go and check the story out if anything here appeals to you. Heads up! If you’re like me, you’re going to be extra angry at a certain fine print detail about those lab tests that is revealed during the conclusion.
May 16, 2022
This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/3LkMotM.
I was accused of something as an NYPD cop. Maybe you've heard the story, maybe you haven't. Believe what you may, but I am here to set the record straight once and for all. Because one word ended all of my plans for the future. Effectively killing my mantra: five and twenty.
I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have read a book for the author in the past and absolutely adore him, so when he messaged me saying he had a new book out and if I would review it I told him yes. No questions asked. So, the fact that this book is a non-fiction, something I do not read, is on me. I have lectured him on this considering he has known me long enough where I assumed he knew that. None-the-less, I am not one to go back on my word and the review will be honest.
Lucky for him Robbin knows how to spin a tale and while factual it wasn't boring. It read like a thriller, although if you took out all the information leading up the the big event and just focused on the event itself there wouldn't have been enough content for a book. I'm sorry he lost his job and I feel for him. It was a bad situation. In a way I understand the NYPD point of view as well. They have had a lot of bad put on them over the years and they don't want the risk from within their forces. I get it. Still sucked for Robbin, though.
Like I mentioned, I don't normally read non-fiction. In fact, this is the first one I have ever finished and will likely be my last if I have anything to say about it. That being said if you are going to read a non-fiction book this should be the one you take the chance on. I'm not going to say it's going to open up a whole new genre for you. I highly doubt that. But, it is interesting and you will get caught up in the drama of it all. I blamed one person till the last and I'm not completely ruling it out. I'll leave what I mean by that up to you to find out as you read this book for yourself.
I was accused of something as an NYPD cop. Maybe you've heard the story, maybe you haven't. Believe what you may, but I am here to set the record straight once and for all. Because one word ended all of my plans for the future. Effectively killing my mantra: five and twenty.
I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have read a book for the author in the past and absolutely adore him, so when he messaged me saying he had a new book out and if I would review it I told him yes. No questions asked. So, the fact that this book is a non-fiction, something I do not read, is on me. I have lectured him on this considering he has known me long enough where I assumed he knew that. None-the-less, I am not one to go back on my word and the review will be honest.
Lucky for him Robbin knows how to spin a tale and while factual it wasn't boring. It read like a thriller, although if you took out all the information leading up the the big event and just focused on the event itself there wouldn't have been enough content for a book. I'm sorry he lost his job and I feel for him. It was a bad situation. In a way I understand the NYPD point of view as well. They have had a lot of bad put on them over the years and they don't want the risk from within their forces. I get it. Still sucked for Robbin, though.
Like I mentioned, I don't normally read non-fiction. In fact, this is the first one I have ever finished and will likely be my last if I have anything to say about it. That being said if you are going to read a non-fiction book this should be the one you take the chance on. I'm not going to say it's going to open up a whole new genre for you. I highly doubt that. But, it is interesting and you will get caught up in the drama of it all. I blamed one person till the last and I'm not completely ruling it out. I'll leave what I mean by that up to you to find out as you read this book for yourself.
October 29, 2022
You could call this a memoir, or perhaps a nonfiction novel. Whatever you call it, Five and Twenty is a detailed account of the making of a New York cop in the 1990’s, in addition to a mystery that destroys that cop’s career almost before it has begun. The sad thing (for the cop) is the mystery never was resolved satisfactorily, although several possible explanations were offered. The rules of a hierarchical system are fixed and answer all questions with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. There is no room for possibilities.
The author details an incredibly painful time in his life in unflinching detail. None of us can ever know when we face a hopeless barrier to a cherished goal what new goal life will provide us. I (along with many others) would not have been able to read this story of determination and resilience if Robbin Ramos hadn’t embraced his real calling as a writer.
The author details an incredibly painful time in his life in unflinching detail. None of us can ever know when we face a hopeless barrier to a cherished goal what new goal life will provide us. I (along with many others) would not have been able to read this story of determination and resilience if Robbin Ramos hadn’t embraced his real calling as a writer.
April 8, 2022
A former Cops Confession
This book reads more like and admission of guilt, than a defense of himself.
While he may not have knowingly ingested the cocaine he tested positive for, he should have known better.
He even admits in the book about socializing with friends who smoke marijuana In front of him.
With less than two years on the “Job” six months of which is academy training, this books lacks any first hand knowledge of what a New York City Police officer rally is.
Not a recommended read if you are looking for a book about True New York Cut Police Officers.
This book reads more like and admission of guilt, than a defense of himself.
While he may not have knowingly ingested the cocaine he tested positive for, he should have known better.
He even admits in the book about socializing with friends who smoke marijuana In front of him.
With less than two years on the “Job” six months of which is academy training, this books lacks any first hand knowledge of what a New York City Police officer rally is.
Not a recommended read if you are looking for a book about True New York Cut Police Officers.
June 25, 2023
Chris has always wanted to be a cop. He did some things to prepare for it. But his drug tests kept coming back positive for drugs. He didnt understand this - he never took any drug before. But in the process he was given some other duties to perform but nothing like he wanted - just boring things like writting parking tickets. Every test that was taken showed positive again. He tried to get a attorney to fight to get his job back but that didnt help any. Why did he keep testing positive for drugs? He was a honest cop but was treated like a druggie.
September 6, 2023
When life gives you lemons
Sometimes, this is happen in life that makes absolutely no sense. When one is accused and he knows completely that he is innocent, sometimes you have to accept what is and carry on. Lift yourself up and continue down a different path. It won't be what you planned, but things can arrive at a good place.
Sometimes, this is happen in life that makes absolutely no sense. When one is accused and he knows completely that he is innocent, sometimes you have to accept what is and carry on. Lift yourself up and continue down a different path. It won't be what you planned, but things can arrive at a good place.
January 20, 2025
An Unforgettable Journey Through the NYPD
FIVE AND TWENTY is a gripping memoir that offers an unfiltered look into the life of an NYPD cop. The author’s storytelling is raw and heartfelt, immersing me in the challenges and triumphs of law enforcement. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the realities of policing. I highly recommend it!
FIVE AND TWENTY is a gripping memoir that offers an unfiltered look into the life of an NYPD cop. The author’s storytelling is raw and heartfelt, immersing me in the challenges and triumphs of law enforcement. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the realities of policing. I highly recommend it!
January 1, 2024
Good, sad turn off events for one NY policeman.
I enjoyed this book but it was a sad story. It was a bit slow at times but it was part of the life of this man who apparently did not deserve the rotten luck he was handed. Light reading, interesting story.
I enjoyed this book but it was a sad story. It was a bit slow at times but it was part of the life of this man who apparently did not deserve the rotten luck he was handed. Light reading, interesting story.
June 3, 2024
I found this book to be enjoyable, although it was a poignant tale. At certain points, the pace seemed to drag, but every moment was a part of this man's life story. He certainly did not deserve the unfortunate circumstances that he faced. Overall, it was an easy read with an intriguing narrative.
March 6, 2025
Heartache and humility
Great read. Brutally honest. Thank you for sharing such a personal time and for sharing this wisdom also. Worth the read
Great read. Brutally honest. Thank you for sharing such a personal time and for sharing this wisdom also. Worth the read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews