Hollywood Crows: A Novel by Joseph Wambaugh
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Book Reviews of Hollywood Crows: A Novel
Book Review: Hilarious cop stories
Summary: 5 Stars
"Hollywood Crows" is a terrific novel, with colorful characters and an endless supply of cops-and-robbers anecdotes, sometimes hilarious and sometimes tragic, but always fascinating.
There's a plot too, but, really, who cares? It's the characters and the anecdotes that make the book so entertaining.
And if that's what appeals to you, then I highly recommend Wambaugh's "Choirboys," which was even more hilarious.
Book Review: L.A. Law and Disorder
Summary: 3 Stars
Having read this novel, my Wambaugh total is now up to - well - one, to be exact. It's about LA Cops and LA people, and provides a little peek into the sordid underbelly (apologies, but I always wanted to get an opportunity to say that) of life on the Hollywood streets.
The story isn't about the famous sign or the stars on the pavement, and it's not about black birds or old women, and to be quite honest, the plot isn't really that good in the first place, but the black humor and the low morality level is what keeps the reader turning the pages.
On the side of law and order (chung-chung!) we meet Matthew McConaughey-type surfer cops Flotsam and Jetsam, who have a knack for finding trouble and a lot of true grit (from the beach). There's veteran Bix Ramstead, a loving family man coasting towards retirement, and then there's potentially famous actor Nate Weiss biding his time before being discovered. There's a trio of strong female officers named Cat, Ronnie and Gert, and a few others including the officious and clueless Sergeant Treakle, but you can read about them for yourself.
On the civilian side, there's a weaselly little cokehead named Leonard, a strip club owner named Ali Aziz, his ravishingly beautiful wife (and ex-employee) Margot, and a Mexican pharmacist who's willing to turn the other cheek for a treat and a trick. You'll also find out what goes on behind the scenes with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and all the other characters on the strip.
Naturally, some of them come into contact while Wambaugh turns his all-too-human characters into the terribly obvious story-line, and although he blows most of the suspense by straight-out telling you most of the details, there are one or two little twists he keeps until the right time. He also hits pretty hard at police procedure and bureaucracy in the light of the need to maintain an untarnished image after the Rampart affair.
I'm gathering that he's written better books, and although I don't think this is one of them, it has enough juicy stuff to make you look.
Amanda Richards, July 22, 2008
Book Review: Welcome Back
Summary: 5 Stars
This follow on to Hollywood Station, is another unusual, informative, entertaining look at the LAPD Hollywood Division,with primary focus on the Community Relations Office. Wambaugh addresses in three plot lines, each of which harkens to his early 70'w work, policing LA in the 21st century under the aegis of a consent decree, hostile media, and an unsupportive police command structure. As always, Wambaugh stresses the extraordinary emotional toll inflicted by urban policing. The street vignettes are fascinating. Wambaugh's yearning (through "The Oracle" and his memory) for "the day" and his belief that the LAPD has been hobbled by political correctness run amok are crystal clear. Also interesting are the demise of the Choirboys/choir practice culture and the unconditional acceptance of female police officers. Welcome back to LA. Wambaugh's long soujourn in San Diego is thankfully over. Book Review: Wambaugh
Summary: 5 Stars
This like his last to a while to get moving but once it was rolling is was a great edition to his writting.Book Review: Solid effort
Summary: 3 Stars
It's good to get some of the real street stories. We know they are real, only real stories are this crazy. The plot is thin, but the human pain real, as officers damaged by what they have seen, fail. Well done.