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Guardians in Blue
A fatherless boy growing up in a small Texas town is taken under wing by the local lawmen. They work with the town leaders to provide his basic needs and help him escape the shame and poverty of his circumstances. One in particular becomes his guardian.
He teaches the boy about life, how to face his fears, that honor is more important than comfort and that defending those who cannot defend themselves is the highest duty of a man. The boy learns the lessons well. He hears the call and his heart opens to it. He too becomes a Guardian.
He teaches the boy about life, how to face his fears, that honor is more important than comfort and that defending those who cannot defend themselves is the highest duty of a man. The boy learns the lessons well. He hears the call and his heart opens to it. He too becomes a Guardian.
- GenresMystery
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2016
72 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 23, 2017
Growing up fatherless with a mother still young enough to want to enjoy life the town's lawmen take the young boy under their supervision to teach him all a father would. To give him a sense of purpose and self esteem the town leaders agree to see that he is given every opportunity a child growing up with a father would have. He grows into a young man they can all be proud of and takes the things they have taught him into his adult life. Great read. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
February 23, 2017
Guardians in Blue is like an autobiography and yet it isn't. It's about how a small town of police officers took in a fatherless boy to help teach him right from wrong, how to be a friend, how to become a man. In the eyes of the boy, they were teaching him how to be a guardian to all kinds of people. It gives you the inside story of how a person feels on both sides of the law, and that, sometimes a kind word or just showing someone that you care can make all the difference in the world to that person and change their lives.I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book .
May 9, 2017
The publisher however the opinions expressed are those of my own.
The book is a slower read as each chapter is a story that tells the autobiographical timeline if one Texas police officer's experience from a boy to adulthood that drive him to becoming a policeman and one who guards the citizens he serves.
The book does get better in the later chapters and begins to keep you interest in the book however the writing is choppy throughout. Definitely not a book I normally would have picked for myself but an enjoyable enough read to recommend to anyone that enjoys police writings.
The book is a slower read as each chapter is a story that tells the autobiographical timeline if one Texas police officer's experience from a boy to adulthood that drive him to becoming a policeman and one who guards the citizens he serves.
The book does get better in the later chapters and begins to keep you interest in the book however the writing is choppy throughout. Definitely not a book I normally would have picked for myself but an enjoyable enough read to recommend to anyone that enjoys police writings.
January 18, 2018
This is the story of a 10 year old boy and his journey to becoming a police officer. Born to a single mum in Texas, the book is well written and an honest account of the life of the author in Texas. It is a slow read as each chapter tells of different incidents throughout his career. It is a real and exciting read of how things were done in the 60's and 70's. I would recommend this book and well done Ken Bangs for the account of his life. Thank you Net Galley for my copy.
November 14, 2018
What an absolutely wonderful book. My sister and her husband are LEOs and I honor them as much as they (and others) honor my husband & me as veterans. This book tells the story of a young man's life as he is raised to learn what it means to serve the people as an LEO. I was captivated by the story and couldn't put it down. I was pleasantly surprised to find the 2nd book and was able to start that book right away - doubled the enjoyment.
January 22, 2021
Ken Bangs' story seems to come straight out of a novel but it is the cold, hard truth. The story points out that not ALL police are racist and/or corrupt. I loved the way K.W. explains everything with easy to understand words. It is great how the Town Fathers would come together to help those in poverty. This book should be read by everyone. Highly Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 26, 2018
I'm not really sure if this is supposed to be an autobiography or fiction or narrative nonfiction, in which the gist of the story is true but fiction devices are used. I think it's basically the author's story, but he has included the POV of the bad guys in several chapters, and obviously he couldn't really know what they were feeling and thinking. Whatever it is, it is a compelling story. Unfortunately, it would be better with editing. In addition to a number of typos, one person is randomly called Senkle, Winkle, and Binkle.
July 21, 2017
Ok
This story is very different than my usual reads. It definitely took longer to read. I was riveted to it. I don't know if enjoy is the right word but I needed to finish an it and glad I did.
This story is very different than my usual reads. It definitely took longer to read. I was riveted to it. I don't know if enjoy is the right word but I needed to finish an it and glad I did.
April 4, 2019
Could have been good
Bangs should have used a good editor. The story was good but the dialog was stilted and description of events were muddled. Plus it was a little too preachy for my taste.
Bangs should have used a good editor. The story was good but the dialog was stilted and description of events were muddled. Plus it was a little too preachy for my taste.
February 19, 2017
WOW
Very intriguing. Love the stories as they weave back together. Very realistic. Some typo errors but no big issue. Would read it again.
Very intriguing. Love the stories as they weave back together. Very realistic. Some typo errors but no big issue. Would read it again.
Read
February 6, 2017Guardians in Blue is a fascinating look into the lives of policemen in Texas. Written by Ken Burns, it details the life of one policeman, from the first time he decided he wanted to be police as a young boy until his eventual promotion to detective. All of the stories are true and happened to Burns.
Burns was the son of a single mother in the 50’s in a small town in Texas. At that time, being a single mother was a scandalous thing and no one would give his mother a break or give her a good job. One good man, Lawyer Powell, gave them a place to live and looked out for them. Lacking a father figure, Burns grew up learning from the men who worked as police in his town. They took him under their wings and trained him in how to survive, skills which served him well in life. He wanted to be a policeman after he saw how these men helped people. So, he made it his life’s goal to do just that.
After he grew up, he got hired as a police trainee. He was then drafted and went to fight in Vietnam. But, when he returned, he went to work full time as a policeman in Dallas. He learned quickly and rose through the ranks. This book details true stories from his experiences. As a rookie, in his fifth week of training, he and his trainer were involved in a shootout with a robbery suspect!
Each chapter tells of another incident in his long career. He tells about being razzed as a rookie. Then, earning the respect of his fellow officers. Then, finally being cut loose on his own after training. He tells of the criminals he had to deal with and their stories too. His stories give a fascinating look into the day-to-day of lives of policemen in a large city. The things they deal with are never the same day to day and they always have to be ready for something to happen.
If you like police stories, you should read this book. I have read plenty of fictional stories, but this one tells of the reality that the officers in our cities have to deal with each day of their careers. Sometimes, it is not pretty. Other times, they get to be heroes. Most often, it is stressful. This is a police story like you haven’t read before. It’s got all the excitement of fiction, but it is all real.
The writing keeps up a steady pace throughout the book. The narrator is Ken Burns himself. He writes very well and sometimes uses terminology that is specific to Texas. For example, I didn’t know what a Tush Hog was! Thankfully, there is a handy glossary of terms in the back of the book. I learned that a tush hog is a particularly brutal criminal. Also, a ‘rabbit’ is a tracking device attached to a car! All the other police terminology is explained in the glossary too.
The author did a good job with this book. The stories are exciting and maintain a sense of being there right along with him as he learns his craft. It would be a good book for someone looking to become a policeman to read. It’s also great as a documentary of how things were done in the 60’s and 70’s. Some things have changed, such as radio codes, etc. but otherwise the work of the officers is pretty much the same – finding the bad guys and stopping them!
I’d like to thank NetGalley and the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Burns was the son of a single mother in the 50’s in a small town in Texas. At that time, being a single mother was a scandalous thing and no one would give his mother a break or give her a good job. One good man, Lawyer Powell, gave them a place to live and looked out for them. Lacking a father figure, Burns grew up learning from the men who worked as police in his town. They took him under their wings and trained him in how to survive, skills which served him well in life. He wanted to be a policeman after he saw how these men helped people. So, he made it his life’s goal to do just that.
After he grew up, he got hired as a police trainee. He was then drafted and went to fight in Vietnam. But, when he returned, he went to work full time as a policeman in Dallas. He learned quickly and rose through the ranks. This book details true stories from his experiences. As a rookie, in his fifth week of training, he and his trainer were involved in a shootout with a robbery suspect!
Each chapter tells of another incident in his long career. He tells about being razzed as a rookie. Then, earning the respect of his fellow officers. Then, finally being cut loose on his own after training. He tells of the criminals he had to deal with and their stories too. His stories give a fascinating look into the day-to-day of lives of policemen in a large city. The things they deal with are never the same day to day and they always have to be ready for something to happen.
If you like police stories, you should read this book. I have read plenty of fictional stories, but this one tells of the reality that the officers in our cities have to deal with each day of their careers. Sometimes, it is not pretty. Other times, they get to be heroes. Most often, it is stressful. This is a police story like you haven’t read before. It’s got all the excitement of fiction, but it is all real.
The writing keeps up a steady pace throughout the book. The narrator is Ken Burns himself. He writes very well and sometimes uses terminology that is specific to Texas. For example, I didn’t know what a Tush Hog was! Thankfully, there is a handy glossary of terms in the back of the book. I learned that a tush hog is a particularly brutal criminal. Also, a ‘rabbit’ is a tracking device attached to a car! All the other police terminology is explained in the glossary too.
The author did a good job with this book. The stories are exciting and maintain a sense of being there right along with him as he learns his craft. It would be a good book for someone looking to become a policeman to read. It’s also great as a documentary of how things were done in the 60’s and 70’s. Some things have changed, such as radio codes, etc. but otherwise the work of the officers is pretty much the same – finding the bad guys and stopping them!
I’d like to thank NetGalley and the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
June 27, 2016
This was a story that needed to be told. It was entertaining, fun, and real. I loved the structure of this story as it had intermingling perspectives following both the law and the lawless at times with a combination of long and short stories all balancing each other out. It was a complex feat made to look easy. It was beautifully constructed and very educational for someone who has never read a police orientated book. You were not overwhelmed with the lingo and policies as you were introduced to it all as you started your first day at the police academy with K.W.
Some of my favorite movies are the ones that are based off of real life events because as soon as the movie ends the facts flash across the screen as to where these people are at in life now and that is just another thing I love about this book. You get to hear all these adventures and then the epilogue contains the briefing of where each of these stories ended up even the pellet gun that is now in the hands of K.W.'s grandson. It just creates even more excitement for what you just finished reading.
The story introduces you to a small town boy and the struggles and heroism of a town as they are drawn together to raise this boy. It was an inspirational, heartwarming story that could easily be portrayed into a movie. As the boy grows up, he becomes a police himself and the story then follows both sides of the law. The reader becomes immersed in the drama of the day to day life or death scenarios that arise. He includes rotating sections from both his and the criminals point of view that had you realizing just how hard being in law enforcement really is.
You got to know the armed robber that was shot down on his first offense, the drug addict that would do anything for his next hit, and even the addict that was high and on a stabbing spree. The story line followed K.W. as he becomes a guardian and the good, the bad, and the ugly that goes along with that responsibility.
K.W. has the perfect balance throughout the story so that you really understand all the scenarios that shaped him, from the ones he was fully immersed in to the ones that he tipped his toes into because of his snitch or happenstance. I loved this story and enjoyed sharing tidbits as I read with others about some of the bizarre scenarios that arose. The more you read, the more you fall in love with this story. I'd highly recommend this to any audience.
Some of my favorite movies are the ones that are based off of real life events because as soon as the movie ends the facts flash across the screen as to where these people are at in life now and that is just another thing I love about this book. You get to hear all these adventures and then the epilogue contains the briefing of where each of these stories ended up even the pellet gun that is now in the hands of K.W.'s grandson. It just creates even more excitement for what you just finished reading.
The story introduces you to a small town boy and the struggles and heroism of a town as they are drawn together to raise this boy. It was an inspirational, heartwarming story that could easily be portrayed into a movie. As the boy grows up, he becomes a police himself and the story then follows both sides of the law. The reader becomes immersed in the drama of the day to day life or death scenarios that arise. He includes rotating sections from both his and the criminals point of view that had you realizing just how hard being in law enforcement really is.
You got to know the armed robber that was shot down on his first offense, the drug addict that would do anything for his next hit, and even the addict that was high and on a stabbing spree. The story line followed K.W. as he becomes a guardian and the good, the bad, and the ugly that goes along with that responsibility.
K.W. has the perfect balance throughout the story so that you really understand all the scenarios that shaped him, from the ones he was fully immersed in to the ones that he tipped his toes into because of his snitch or happenstance. I loved this story and enjoyed sharing tidbits as I read with others about some of the bizarre scenarios that arose. The more you read, the more you fall in love with this story. I'd highly recommend this to any audience.
February 11, 2017
An incredible true story that reads like fiction
This story was far from the usual read. A young fatherless boy who is blessed to have some special men in his life to guide and protect him. From that experience, he goes on to protect many others. A very heartwarming true tale.
This story was far from the usual read. A young fatherless boy who is blessed to have some special men in his life to guide and protect him. From that experience, he goes on to protect many others. A very heartwarming true tale.
April 23, 2017
Guardians in Blue
This story reminds you though there are evil people in the world, there are good people, angels, out there too.
This story reminds you though there are evil people in the world, there are good people, angels, out there too.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews