Product Description
From the fourth-generation NYPD officer and author of The New Yorker's "Cop Diary" columns comes an epic heart-and-soul dissection of what it means to protect, to serve, and to defend among the ranks of New York's finest.Amazon.com Review
As a Harvard graduate and regular writer for the New Yorker, Edward Conlon is a little different from most of his fellow New York City cops. And the stories he tells in his compelling memoir Blue Blood are miles away from the commonly told Hollywood-style police tales that are always action packed but rarely tethered to reality. While there is action here, there's also political hassle, the rich and often troubling history of a department not unfamiliar with corruption, and the day to day life of people charged with preserving order in America's largest city. Conlon's book is, in part, a memoir as he progresses from being a rookie cop working the beat at troubled housing projects to assignments in the narcotics division to eventually becoming a detective. But it's also the story of his family history within the enormous NYPD as well as the evolving role of the police force within the city. Conlon relates the controversies surrounding the somewhat familiar shoo! ting of Amadou Diallou and the abuse, at the hands of New York cops, of Abner Louima. But being a cop himself, Conlon lends insight and nuance to these issues that could not possibly be found in the newspapers.And as an outstanding writer, he draws the reader into that world. In the book's most remarkable passage, Conlon tells of the grim but necessary work done at the Fresh Kills landfill, sifting through the rubble and remains left in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11 (a section originally published in The New Yorker). In many ways, Blue Blood comes to resemble the world of New York City law enforcement that Conlon describes: both are expansive, sprawling, multi-dimensional, and endlessly fascinating. And Conlon's writing is perfectly matched to his subject, always lively, keenly observant, and possessing a streetwise energy.--John Moe ... Read more

Customer Reviews (119)

Got what I expected and more
Yes, it is a long read. Yes it seems confusing and too detailed at times. BUT, this is the real story of a Cop who started working a beat in the projects and worked his way up through narcotics til he made detective. Some reviewers complained that there was too much detail, too much family history, too many names etc.....Well if you want to know what it's like being a Cop in NYC this is for you. It gives a good description of a NYC Cop's life and career in NYC If you want a novel, a "nice" neat packaged story, then this book is not for you. I believe it is the great detail that allows for a good context in this book. If you want to see and experience life through the eyes of one particular Cop, then this is an AWESOME read. I couldn't put it down. It is not the grandiose life of a "famous" cop in NYC, it is just a true portrait of one NYC cop who comes from a family of LEO's. He gives the Good, the bad and the tedous nitty-gritty of big city Law enforcement. I am beginning my law enforcement career this year and I found this read provocative, insightful, and hilarious -I laughed out loud many times while reading this book.

Great Book
A look at the first years of the career of a NYPD officer.Conlon offers a unique perspective to life behind the badge.As a Harvard (not Howard) graduate, Conlon may have been likely to feel a certain sense of entitlement; he does not.As the brother of a cop, I know (not as well as some) that every cop's career is unique and has its own series of peaks and valleys.The author gives us an unapologetic look at his experiences and reflections of the job.

The most interesting aspect of the book, to me, was that Conlon did not seek an administrative role in the NYPD, as one would expect of a Harvard Man.He wanted the experience of being a cop and rather than aspiring to become a sergent and take the short road to the top, he seeks instead the detective's shield.Of course, we the readers follow Conlon along this path.

A great book that can be read and appreciated for what it is; a good look at the early career of one cop in the NYPD.Here's hoping Eddie Conlon writes another book about the rest of his career.If so, it'll certainly be on my list of books to read.

Good read, somewhat long
It's interesting that the NYPD allowed a sitting officer to write a book like this, all other books that I know of written by NYPD guys were done after they had left the department. The author is very poetic yet relatable in his writing style. He details his career path along with those of many others, with plenty of humor and good life lessons along the way. In some sections, however, he goes off on tangents about his family, or about famous NYPD cops, or history in general. It is very good overall, and even contains somewhat of a connection to Kerik's book in one part.

Wasted potential
I purchased this book in order to gain insight into law enforcement careers, and to find out if being a cop was for me. If you want to be a narcotics officer or a detective in New York City, then buy the book. If not, the focus of the book is very narrow - despite its incomprehensible length - and is horrifically boring. You will start skimming after about page 250.

Disappointing, but good for research into narcotics police work.

10 STARS
His writing flows. His sense of humor is spot on. Yes it's a little repetitious but given everything else so what! I was waking up two hours ahead of norm just to get back with Det. Conlon in the South Bronx.
He tells us about 9/11 and how he and other officers sifted through the remains of the World Trade Center. And how they used Falcons to keep seagulls away from body parts. Gruesome.

Yes the endless drug busts in and around the housing projects get old quick. But again Conlon's writing skill, humor and other experiences make up for it. I hope he keeps writing.

[] A while back I found a website with aerial photos of all the south bronx housing projects. My god how depressing. I couldn't even imagine living in such buildings. So stark and forbidding. Huge red brick(?) monsters. No balconies, small windows.Unfortunately I can't seem to find it now. [...]
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