Originally posted on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2010
Book Review
The book my dad wrote is called "Education of a Street Cop" and it's autobiographical of his life over the span of about four years. He chronicles stories and introduces relationships that are key to the development of his sense of self, as well as his sense of an ethical, well functioning society that is protected by its uniformed police force. The chronicles within this book offer readers a detailed look at what life was like as an officer working the graveyard shift in a middle class suburban county. But, not only does it offer a glimpse into the kind of adrenaline-racing calls that a police officer faces, it teaches the historical and philosophical evolution that affect the moral and ethics development within the structure of a police department at the time. The talented writer shapes each story (and even each relationship) into something that is important and meaningful to our understanding of what life is like as a rookie street cop is "educated."
I believe my dad needed to write this book. Not only are the stories captivating and engaging, but they each provide a specific and important "lesson" that is outlined so that we readers may better understand how the true stories within the book directly attribute to the morals and ethics my father hold, even today. The lessons are relational to the main character as he matures as a street cop. But, the author also matures as a man with strong moral values and in turn, he unwillingly develops a contempt for modern day interferences that come with government structure and systems. The main character so strongly desires to do his job the way he was taught: to be an agent of protection in the department he serves. But, his daily struggles to bring peace to the community are thwarted by his superiors time and again - and as we read through to the last page, we understand how this happens. As his audience, we find ourselves rooting for the author and the other main character in the story who exemplify simplicity and authenticity.
The book is written with each "lesson" or story providing an outline for the bigger picture, which involves a main character by the name of Giapappa. Giapappa is a man of mystery, much like the author. While reading, you can't help but root for these two men of honor, while hoping that their relationship will reveal itself to be one of hope and triumph. In the end, the reader is not disappointed; though the outcome is a far cry from triumph over the scandalous broken system of government oversight and regulation.
This book was dedicated to me and my brother. I first learned that my dad authored it on Christmas morning. I opened it as my kids opened their Christmas gifts under the warmth of the lit up tree. When I read the dedication, I found myself speechless and I quickly was overcome with emotion. This book is an amazing gift; it illustrates what kind of work my dad was doing while my brother and I were safe and warm in our beds at night and into the early mornings. The setting of this book occurs when I was about 2 years old, my brother four or five. While the vulgar language within the book will likely catch many of its readers off guard, I can admit that the filthy words were commonly overheard as I tried to get to know my father when I was a little girl. The vulgarity is not meant to be offensive to you or me, it is exemplary of the writer's authenticity and of the scrupulous nature of the graveyard shift at the time. I honestly admire my father's candidacy and transparency as he writes these true stories which portray his innocence and ignorance and later his wisdom and experience, despite the unavoidable upsets of alcohol, management, and untrustworthy relationships.
I believe my dad needed to write this book. Not only are the stories captivating and engaging, but they each provide a specific and important "lesson" that is outlined so that we readers may better understand how the true stories within the book directly attribute to the morals and ethics my father hold, even today. The lessons are relational to the main character as he matures as a street cop. But, the author also matures as a man with strong moral values and in turn, he unwillingly develops a contempt for modern day interferences that come with government structure and systems. The main character so strongly desires to do his job the way he was taught: to be an agent of protection in the department he serves. But, his daily struggles to bring peace to the community are thwarted by his superiors time and again - and as we read through to the last page, we understand how this happens. As his audience, we find ourselves rooting for the author and the other main character in the story who exemplify simplicity and authenticity.
The book is written with each "lesson" or story providing an outline for the bigger picture, which involves a main character by the name of Giapappa. Giapappa is a man of mystery, much like the author. While reading, you can't help but root for these two men of honor, while hoping that their relationship will reveal itself to be one of hope and triumph. In the end, the reader is not disappointed; though the outcome is a far cry from triumph over the scandalous broken system of government oversight and regulation.
This book was dedicated to me and my brother. I first learned that my dad authored it on Christmas morning. I opened it as my kids opened their Christmas gifts under the warmth of the lit up tree. When I read the dedication, I found myself speechless and I quickly was overcome with emotion. This book is an amazing gift; it illustrates what kind of work my dad was doing while my brother and I were safe and warm in our beds at night and into the early mornings. The setting of this book occurs when I was about 2 years old, my brother four or five. While the vulgar language within the book will likely catch many of its readers off guard, I can admit that the filthy words were commonly overheard as I tried to get to know my father when I was a little girl. The vulgarity is not meant to be offensive to you or me, it is exemplary of the writer's authenticity and of the scrupulous nature of the graveyard shift at the time. I honestly admire my father's candidacy and transparency as he writes these true stories which portray his innocence and ignorance and later his wisdom and experience, despite the unavoidable upsets of alcohol, management, and untrustworthy relationships.
No comments:
Post a Comment