Leuci takes us into the world of the New York City Police Department at a time when the city was crumbling under its own weight, drugs were taking over the poorer neighborhoods, and crime was rampant on the streets and subways. But this is also a story of shattered illusions and personal loss, of endurance and healing, and, finally, of astonishing spiritual growth. Leuci describes his evolution from a naive rookie to a seasoned detective who believes that the only people he can trust are his fellow cops -- until he learns that even that might not be true. SYNOPSIS Leuci was a narcotics detective in New York City for 20 years during the 1960s-70s. Robert Daley told his story in the bestseller Prince of the City, which was made into a film. Leuci tells his own story now, taking readers into the world of the New York City Police Department at a time when crime was rampant. He describes his evolution from a naive rookie to a seasoned detective who finally realizes that he can't even trust his fellow cops. Annotation ®2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR FROM THE CRITICS Publishers Weekly Ex-cop Leuci presents an unflinching if familiar tale of the ravages of drug-related police corruption in New York City. The broad aspects of his story were previously treated in Robert Daley's Prince of the City, later adapted into a Sidney Lumet movie starring Treat Williams as Leuci. Here the author traces in detail the incremental steps that turned him from a naive and idealistic beat cop into an arrogant dirty one, who easily rationalized ripping off drug dealers and playing along with rampant graft. To his credit, Leuci doesn't sugarcoat or paper over his lies, his betrayal of the public and his family, or pretend that he was unaware at the time that what he was doing was wrong. These flaws make him a classic tragic figure, especially when he begins to make a belated effort to redeem himself by cooperating with the Knapp Commission. Though Leuci still lectures to police departments around the country, and presumably continues to follow the NYPD, his failure to comment on more recent scandals or offer insights as to how corruption could be minimized is unfortunate. Still, for those new to his story, this will be an eye-opening look at some of the wages of the war on drugs during the 1960s and '70s. Agent, Esther Newburg at ICM. (On-sale June 29) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. Library Journal It has often been said that the police are a type of fraternity bound together by a sense of loyalty and commitment. Leuci felt the ugly side of that brotherhood when he testified in a landmark police corruption trial, an experience portrayed in Robert Daly's Prince of the City. Having mined his cop experiences in several best-selling novels (e.g., Blaze), Leuci tells it straight in a gritty memoir that provides graphic and realistic descriptions of life in the NYPD, giving the reader an insightful glimpse inside the world of law enforcement. His fascinating personal stories range widely, reflecting U.S. history itself; for instance, he worked in Harlem during the 1964 riots and then only a few weeks later was guarding the stage at a Beatles concert, where a 19-year-old George Harrison helped him up when he tripped. Highly recommended for all true-crime and criminal-justice collections. Archetypal street-smart cop Leuci (Blaze, 1999, etc.) initiates us into the workings of the brotherhood of New York's finest a generation ago.

 HarperCollins Publishers 0380976269 / 9780380976263
Hardcover Very Good Condition New York 

Price: 17.33 USD