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Gene Hunt's Writings #1
The Rules of Modern Policing - 1973 Edition
'Don't move! You're surrounded by armed bastards!'
Viewers of Life on Mars could be forgiven for thinking that the police force of the 1970s lived by the maxim 'The rules are: there are no rules', yet it turns out that this was not the case. A fascinating historical document has now emerged which shows that there were indeed rules and in 1973 they were recorded on paper by none other than DCI Gene Hunt himself.
Divided into ten sections, The Rules of Modern Policing - 1973 Edition covers everything from interrogating suspects and undercover operations to driving and dress code. Several of the rules are illustrated with diagrams, and photographs of DCI Hunt himself illustrate the more physical parts of the job: how to hit suspects so you don't leave a mark; how to signal the importance of your arrival by crashing into inanimate objects (cardboard boxes are a perfect example here - lots of noise; no damage to your motor); how to roll over the bonnet of your Cortina without making a dick of yourself. Completing the book is an invaluable glossary of police terms, covering everything from blag to lag, and nonce to ponce.
An essential reference work for fans of Life of Mars, The Rules of Modern Policing offers a unique insight to seventies' law enforcement that will make you laugh until you cry like the wet little turd you are.
Viewers of Life on Mars could be forgiven for thinking that the police force of the 1970s lived by the maxim 'The rules are: there are no rules', yet it turns out that this was not the case. A fascinating historical document has now emerged which shows that there were indeed rules and in 1973 they were recorded on paper by none other than DCI Gene Hunt himself.
Divided into ten sections, The Rules of Modern Policing - 1973 Edition covers everything from interrogating suspects and undercover operations to driving and dress code. Several of the rules are illustrated with diagrams, and photographs of DCI Hunt himself illustrate the more physical parts of the job: how to hit suspects so you don't leave a mark; how to signal the importance of your arrival by crashing into inanimate objects (cardboard boxes are a perfect example here - lots of noise; no damage to your motor); how to roll over the bonnet of your Cortina without making a dick of yourself. Completing the book is an invaluable glossary of police terms, covering everything from blag to lag, and nonce to ponce.
An essential reference work for fans of Life of Mars, The Rules of Modern Policing offers a unique insight to seventies' law enforcement that will make you laugh until you cry like the wet little turd you are.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 16, 2024
A little treat courtesy of the Gene Genie himself. Sexist, laddish, intolerant, all of the hallmarks of Mr 1973 himself yet good fun as we all know this is sending up all of those attitudes displayed in the 1970s cop dramas such as 'The Sweeney' (ironic that Jack 'you're nicked mate' Reagan grew up to be Endeavour Morse....). 'Life on Mars' remains a brilliantly written and iconic series, an homage to a long gone age without the tweeness beloved of many a period drama (yes, the 70s are as much a period drama today as the Ian Carmichael Lord Peter Wimsey series was in the 70s but with better music) and with the added knowledge provided by the finale of 'Ashes to Ashes', Hunt engenders compassion as well as humour.
With annotations by DC Chris Skelton, this is written in the form of a handy reference with added tick quizzes and illustrations from the series. Great fun.
With annotations by DC Chris Skelton, this is written in the form of a handy reference with added tick quizzes and illustrations from the series. Great fun.
August 10, 2020
A good light-hearted read and a reminder of how good the Life on Mars series and of course, the Guv!
February 11, 2021
The definitive non PC guide to policing.
April 12, 2008
A little treat for myself, ordered from England. And totally worth the six quid I spent. Taking the form of a policing manual written by the Gene Genie himself (with notes and doodles by DC Skelton), this is one of the best tie-in type books I've ever encountered. The real author (some guy named Guy) has got Gene's voice down pretty well—it's very surface Gene, but if he really were writing a book like this (perish the thought), it would be. And it's legitimately very funny—I'll admit, I LOL'd. (There are also a bunch of photos of Philip Glenister being a hotass—I AM PRO!) If you're a fan of the show (Life on Mars, for those of you who weren't paying attention/can't read my mind), you'll almost certainly like this.
And if you're not a fan...well, why AREN'T you? *wants everyone to share her latest obsession, dammit*
And if you're not a fan...well, why AREN'T you? *wants everyone to share her latest obsession, dammit*
April 23, 2014
La BBC ha una bella abitudine: realizzare guide e manuali deicati alle serie tv più di successo (una volta si faceva anche da noi per le serie RAI). Questa volta è toccato alla serie poliziesca "Life on Mars" e al personaggio, poco politicamente corretto (ma siamo in pieni anni '70), di Gene Hunt, DCI della polizia di Manchester. La copia in nostro possesso è quella del DS Christopher "Chris" Skelton, completa di appunti, disegni e commenti sugli altri membri della squadra e sulla sua vita vissuta. Vengono riproposte foto e immagini varie dalla serie più una guida alle regole "migliori" di Gene Genie. Inutile dirlo, solo per appassionati.
November 13, 2016
Deader than cat in Chinese restaurant.
This book-let reads like prolonged anecdote. Sometimes it's funny sometimes it's not, though I appreciate dedication to the style. It's super short, for me it lasted or about 1.5h. Worth the 0.45 cents I paid it for in the second-hand shop, but if you plan to pay more than couple bucks for this consider yourself robbed.
p.s. Reminds me of the movie "Filth".
This book-let reads like prolonged anecdote. Sometimes it's funny sometimes it's not, though I appreciate dedication to the style. It's super short, for me it lasted or about 1.5h. Worth the 0.45 cents I paid it for in the second-hand shop, but if you plan to pay more than couple bucks for this consider yourself robbed.
p.s. Reminds me of the movie "Filth".
April 1, 2015
Well, what can you say about a book like this? It's funny and totally in keeping with the character from the TV show. I love the doodles and somehow, the publishers have even managed to get that sicky paper smell that I remember so well from our old text books at school! I snorted out loud in places, but probably not the sort of thing to read if you are easily offended or have a sense of humour bypass. Great!
July 5, 2009
Hilarious corollary product for the British TV Series, Life on Mars. If you've watched the show you can hear DCI Gene Hunt imparting his wisdom to you, personally.
And you'll giggle at the schoolboy-like additions to the illustrations.
And you'll giggle at the schoolboy-like additions to the illustrations.
August 6, 2011
Amusing addition to the series (Life on Mars). Not very long but fully in tune with the thoughts and opinions of the inimitable Gene Hunt (comments in marging by Ray Skelton)! Worth-while collectable for fans of the ground-breaking show.
March 5, 2011
I didn't see any of the much acclaimed Life on Mars series of which this book is a spin-off. but it was a light tickle all the same (enhanced and comfirmed by family anecdotes)
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September 25, 2012All I can say is that I'm not grass, so go buy a copy you nonce
March 18, 2015
If you like "Life on Mars" you will love this. Gene Hunt at his best.
January 4, 2020
One of the only books I've read that has made me laugh out loud at least five times. Would highly recommend to any fan of the show.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews