COP: A Novel [Kindle Edition]

Daniel B. Silver (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Author and law enforcement officer Daniel Silver tells the story of a tattooed punk rocker turned rookie San Francisco policeman, Dougie Cohen. In his first year on the job, the stresses, horrors and frustrations, Dougie encounters take their toll on his patience, health,
sanity and love life. Dougie struggles with night terrors, addiction, disease and the loss of his former self to his new police persona. Dougie is on a collision course with the reality of urban law enforcement. He'll either break, or accept the fundamentals of what it means to be a real
cop."

About the Author

Daniel B. Silver has played many roles in his thirty-something-year-old life: child actor, punk rocker, musician, high school dropout, miscreant skateboarder, Food Not Bombs activist, comic book nerd, retail clerk, husband, homeowner, 911 paramedic, comedy website writer, poet, apartment renter, wannabe novelist, police officer and first man to set foot on Mars. Dan is lying about one of those things. He lives and works in San Francisco. ‘Cop’ is his first novel. Follow him @DangerSilver. Laugh with him or at him at www.dangersilver.com.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 454 KB
• Publisher: Oak Tree Press (April 27, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003JMELI8
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,977 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

It's not that I am - or have ever been - anywhere near smart enough to have some sort of grand design in my creative life. I didn't pay much attention in school, choosing instead to bury my face in books and comics of my own fancy. But, at some point in my early to mid teen years, I decided that the only way I was ever going to learn to write anything worth reading was to get my hands dirty, either metaphorically or literally - depending on the circumstances. So, at age eighteen, after a teenage wasteland of writing marginal, overly-dramatic poetry and playing in punk bands, I decided to move to San Francisco and work as an EMT.

After ten months on a transport ambulance, I went to paramedic school and became a 911 paramedic in Oakland, where I worked for about three years. It was an experience that showed me a whole new side of life: one filled with suffering, blight, pain, blood, vomit, joy, elation, and adrenaline. And, when that wasn't new and not quite as exciting anymore, I began the lengthy process of trying to become a San Francisco policeman.

Wouldn't you know it? They hired me.

I've been a cop for about seven years now. I've worked a variety of assignments: patrol, in investigations and undercover (something I'm fairly well suited for, because I've often been told I look like a ruffian). During my tenure as a copper, I've seen friends, coworkers - heroes - murdered in the line of duty. I've had close, close brushes with my own demise. I've learned what mortal terror feels like, and what seemingly terrible devices each and every one of us has inside to survive. I have done things I am not proud of, but many more that I am.

As an outlet for the stresses of my career, and because I think my hands have been suitably soiled during the last nine years of big-city public servitude, I write. I jot down poetry and post it on my 'professional' site. I compose silly satire for my stupid comedy site. And, in 2007, I finished the manuscript for my first novel. It's about a cop, who is the manic, considerably more crazy, bizarro version of me. You can download it on Amazon.com via their Kindle service.

My father, Stu Silver, is a writer by trade. He's written films, television, plays and probably the dictionary. (Or so he said to me when I was five.) He once wrote a screenplay that became a major motion picture. I'll give you a hint as to what it was called; it was about momma and a train... and throwing. In that flick, the protagonist, portrayed by Billy Crystal, says a line that stuck with me when I was a child and still does now that I'm almost a grown-up: "A writer writes, always." Maybe that's the grand design?

Thanks for reading, folks.

Dan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real cop novel, June 9, 2010

By 

J. Millspaugh (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: COP: A Novel (Kindle Edition)

Realistic, insightful, touching, humorous and extremely entertaining. Exposes segments of our society that few know exist. Brings to light what city police deal with on a daily basis in the streets; no grand criminal conspiracies, just real life. Exceptionally talented new author with an intriguing writing style. A must read!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cop story for a newer generation, May 3, 2010

By 

Laura Rucker "Check out Cop: A Novel. By Dan ... (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: COP: A Novel (Kindle Edition)

Considering that every police academy class consists mainly of men and women in their twenties, it seems logical that each crop of recruits comes with a cultural influence of its own. And when the rookie is of the Southern California-punker-liberal persuasion, you can expect a totally non-NYPD Blue flavor to the radio car banter on patrol.

This is a book about a Star-Wars-nerdy, Ramones-listening, tattooed San Francisco Police Acadamy candidate who has an affinity for Mel Brooks movies and comic books. The resulting flavor of Cop - A Novel is humorous, sarcastic, and irreverant. The experiences of Dougie Cohen are funny, engaging, frightening and enlightening. The psychological effects of being a new police officer in a gang ridden yet ultra liberal city provide for a story that is as frustrating as it is fascinating.

If you like tv shows like the Wire, Rescue Me and Southland, you will love this book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book which makes a difference., April 29, 2010

By 

C. Krumme - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: COP: A Novel (Kindle Edition)

Realistic view of officer's real life - an eye opener for those who have an officer friend or family member. Well written - tough but hopeful. Couldn't put it down.