Customer Reviews

All the Centurions: A New York City Cop Remembers His Years on the Street, 1961-1981

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4 star:		(2)
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The revelations in this book are not diluted by the distance of three decades. Rampant graft, dirty cops, obscene rationalizations and the grim necessity of fighting scum all play a part in this unflinching look at the reality of New York's war on drugs during the 60s and 70s. The author is painfully candid about his faults and his participation--he was corrupt and is not shy about saying so.

Now the author offers unique insight into how it happened, and in telling it, shows by example how we can prevent repetition of history. The author is at his strongest when blunt and forthcoming in his endearingly dry tone. He refrains from opining and offering simplistic answers or steps to prevent such events from continuing to happen in departments across the country--and in refraining, his statement is that much stronger.

A piece of American history told in brisk, compelling style. Excellent for crime libraries.

I have had Leuci as a college professor, and after reading this book I can again remember his class lectures. The reality in his writing is sometime scary. This book is not just a cop story, it releases the truths behind police corruption. This book is the perfect compliment to "The Prince of the City" Finally, the book is written first hand by the person that went through it all. Highly Recommended!!

This novel was a page-turning, absolutely riveting account of Detective Robert Leuci's twenty years as a narcotics detective in New York City. And what an account...from inside stories about a young Rudy Guiliani to one-on-one conversations between Leuci and Mario Cuomo to descriptions of the Harlem Riots and undercover narcotics investigations that make you feel like you were there, this book has something for everyone. As if that were not enough, Leuci's life story takes the reader through his Hollywood experiences and even on stage with the Beatles. I highly recommend this book -- the best true crime novel I've ever read.

The true story of NYPD detective Robert Leuci, from his wide-eyed entry into the Police Academy through his rise to Narcotics Detective and then ultimately to his descent in one of the largest investigations of legal system corruption ever. Throughout his career, Detective Leuci worked alongside drug dealers, mob figures, infamous police officers (Serpico, the French Connection detectives) corrupt defense lawyers, district attorneys and even some up-and-coming New York politicians (Mario Cuomo and Rudolph Giuliani). Through it all, he pulls no punches in recounting not only the weaknesses and strengths of others, but also his own failings as a cop and as a husband.

Extremely revealing look at the dark side of the criminal justice systems conspiracy of bitterness, greed, cruelty and ambition where just about any case could have been bought for the right price. I found the book to be both a fascinating and depressing look at a very troubling time in NYPD history.

This excellent read chronicles the authors career in the NYPD between 1961 and 1981. He writes about his days from a naive rookie to his time on the Tactical Patrol Force and Narcotics enforcement, till he testifies before the Knapp Commission. He offers valuable insight to the culture of graft that permeated not only much of the N.Y. Police Department but the also much of the legal and political system at the time. Interesting as well are his observations on the young Rudy Giuliani.

I very fine book. A great read. It was exciting and gripping. The story kept me captivaited for the duration. I myself am a police officer who works nights. I work six day rotations and finished it in one rotation, couldn't put it down!

If you love stories about the mafia, police corruption and New York City's crime-ridden streets in the '60s and '70s -- and how could you not? -- you'll love this book as I did. Leuci's life story takes you into the heart of police and crime drama that most people are never exposed to, and he is very candid and real about his own flirtations with corruption over the course of his career as an elite NYC narcotics detective. I highly, highly recommend this book for the action, the insights and the look at a life story that is truly amazing. Reading Leuci's own words, it's easy to see why Robert Daly wrote a best-selling novel about him and Sidney Lumet made a critically acclaimed movie about him.

The book was a blatent example of what happens when you rationalize ostensible minor behavior and accept a lower standard. Standards of behavior and high moral standard are necessary for each of us to maintain. Very similar to the "broken window" theory when fighting crimal behavior we can not dinminish our standards. If it is wrong it is wrong and we cannot look the other way.