The 1960s was a time of social and generational upheaval felt with particular intensity in the melting pot of New York City. A culture of corrup... read full description
reviews
Apr 27, 2011
Greg
rated it: 
I'm sure this book massively influenced, or at least helped create the market for the epic, dark cop movies and television shows I love. I don't care. I would rather watch the French Connection or the entirety of The Sweeney overdubbed poorly into Belarusan six or seven times straight.
The narration switches tense three times during the book without enough change in pace for the reader to realize it, fails pathetically in its attempts to make a cop into a counterculture, worldly playboy (he More...
The narration switches tense three times during the book without enough change in pace for the reader to realize it, fails pathetically in its attempts to make a cop into a counterculture, worldly playboy (he More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 09, 2011
Rebekkila
rated it: 
True story of a New York policeman who fights against the corruption he finds amongst his fellow plainclothesmen in the 1960's. The New York policeman were being paid off by gambling rings to keep their operations in business. The police were taking orders from the criminals. Disgusted by this Frank Serpico tried for two years to get people further up the chain to do something to bring respectability back to the uniform. I am not too surprised by this type of story having grown up with listening
More...
Oct 30, 2010
David
rated it: 
This was an eye-opening book for me. Before I read "Serpico" my idea of non-fiction was that it was a dry accounting of the facts in the order they happened. Such was not the case with this book. In fact, Maas chose to start the book at the end of Frank Serpico's career (as the movie did later) and explain how he got to that point. Forget "dry accounting of the facts" as well. The book reads far more like a narrative fiction, with vivid detail, well-explained characters, and
More...
Oct 19, 2009
Gossymotto
rated it: 
I picked up a few books from the '70's that my parents were getting rid of and Serpico was the standout of the pick. I remember the Al Pacino movie from my childhood and though it might be an interesting read. I never realized how bad the corruption was in the NYPD, hadn't remembered that much from the movie but this story was a real eye-opener. I really feel for the officers that go into law enforcement wanting to do a good and decent job only to get dragged down into this type of corruption. I
More...
Aug 10, 2010
David
rated it:
I find that reading on planes and in airports can be difficult due to distractions. I have to have a book with me that thoroughly captures my attention. Serpico did that admirably. Frank Serpico himself is quite the interesting character. He's hardly the one-dimensional hero he's made out to be. Rather, he seems irritable and self-centered at all times. Still, his dogged persistence was clearly necessary to confront the uniform wall of corruption around him. Pretty fascinating reading.
Mar 07, 2010
Beth
rated it:
I think I was a New Yorker in another lifetime because I love most things New York. This is another example, although it does show the seamier side of the New York Police Dept. Serpico is a one of a kind person and I hope he has finally found happiness after living through such a terrible time while trying to make a difference and live his life with honor and dignity. Highly recommended.
May 16, 2009
William
rated it: 
this is a decent account of a cop who is glorified beyond what he is worth. he tackles corruption, but leaves behind racism and sexism. he transcends these problems within america's police departments, but what he goes after is petty theft that could be solved through better legislative mandate. and on top of that, this is a pretty non-innovative exploration into the field of journalism.
Jul 19, 2008
Mortimer
rated it:
In tracing one man’s career in NYPD, Peter Maas is able to construct an impressive diagram of a large police department’s workings. Or, more specifically, its failings.
The research involved and the effort in organizing that research into a coherent book are staggering. If, along the way, Maas occasionally sees things too simply, it’s forgivable.
Frank Serpico was a rarity: an honest policeman who realized his loyalty should lie with the public he was paid to protect, not w More...
The research involved and the effort in organizing that research into a coherent book are staggering. If, along the way, Maas occasionally sees things too simply, it’s forgivable.
Frank Serpico was a rarity: an honest policeman who realized his loyalty should lie with the public he was paid to protect, not w More...
Dec 17, 2009
Michael
rated it:
The book, which quickly becomes addictive, is a great look at a seedy criminal enterprise flourishing within a stagnant bureaucracy. As with any large institution, people at the top seem unwilling to even examine problems it may be difficult to solve, preferring instead to bury them and stifle those who want to raise the issue. The look at New York City in the late 60s and early 70s as crime spiraled out of control while the underpaid, ineffective police department is consumed by corruption, sat
More...
Feb 24, 2011
Sean
rated it:
Fantastic biography and an accurate look into the day to day life of a New York Police Officer.
May 20, 2009
Ann
rated it:
This was one of those books that wasn't exactly a page turner, but it was always interesting. I'd put it down for days, then pick it up and be intrigued by the story all over again. The subject matter was pretty depressing...the optimist in me kept saying, "This all happened over thirty years ago. Things are different now." Still, it's depressing to know that police departments have ever been so corrupt, whether they are now or not.
Sep 20, 2011
Nancy
rated it:
This is a fascinating book, not just for its straightforward reporting of the events surrounding the massive police corruption in New York City in the late 60's and early 70's, but as a larger commentary on bureaucracy in large organizations and how change is effected in them. It's also a good reminder of the role of a free press in society, and why it's so important in bringing positive change.
Apr 06, 2008
Ryan
rated it:
Despite my best intentions and my love of the Al Pacino film, I could not get behind the real Serpico. He's a whiny drama queen and a poor sport. I spent the entire book rooting for the barely crooked cops he brought down. There's also too much information about his childhood weighing down the first 100 pages. This book needs a revision and a more balanced assessment of its subject.
Nov 20, 2010
Justin
rated it:
Very engaging true story of Frank Serpico, a cop who was willing to stand up to and expose corruption. Your opinion of police officers will probably be brought down by this book, but it is good to know that among those who abuse their power are good cops like Serpico.
The Pacino movie is OK, but the book is much, much better.
The Pacino movie is OK, but the book is much, much better.
Dec 19, 2010
Ms. Randorf
rated it:
Thought this would be an interesting window into NYC of the 1960s & 70s, but I found it lacking. More of a "hero woship" of Serrpiico than a view into what the force was like in the time period. Better read for that : the French Connection."
Oct 16, 2011
wally
rated it:
an incredible tale of one man, one only man who said here i stand i can do no other...he's lucky to have lived? through it. a disgusting story of those so-called men-in-blue who were willing to do what they did to this one only man.
Dec 17, 2009
Larry
rated it:
A tough Italian guy who has many girlfriends and who loves his mother reforms the NYC police department sometime in the 60's or early 70's. They say the book is nonfiction, but how does the author know what's going on in everyone's head?
Aug 08, 2008
Andrew
rated it:
The scope of crime and corruption in the United States during the '60's and '70's was truly massive. A "Nation of Laws" is endlessly fascinated by the breaking of laws. I'm no different than anyone else.
Nov 17, 2010
Mark
rated it:
Just re-read this. A great view into the seedy world of the NYPD circa 1970. Maas doesn't churn out great prose, but he manages to convey Serpico's disgust at the corruption all around him.
Jun 09, 2009
John
rated it:
Very interesting story, although I put it down after 100 pages to read other items. Since I own this book, I will come back to it, but it was easy for me to stop reading.
