Customer Reviews

A Cop's Life: Philadelphia, 1953-1983

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a departure from my normal reading genres, but a friend recommended I read it and I'm glad he did. It is written in an unpretentious, personal narrative writing style of an uncle to a nephew (Grubb to Cole). The book draws you into the world of a rookie cop, poorly equipped and trained by today's standards, in Philadelphia in the 1950's. Mr. Grubb takes us back into his world and provides lessons in both history and humanity. What impressed me most was the quiet, unassuming professionalism and personal character Mr. Grubb demonstrated while working in some of Philadelphia's toughest neighborhoods peopled with pimps, prostitutes, pushers and junkies -- good cops and bad. This book is nothing like the sanitized TV cop shows of today. It is instead an accurate account of a difficult job in a different time. Check it out. I think you'll enjoy it.

i really enjoy reading this book used to date a police officer in this date and he also was in the same district. if you enjoy police work you well enjoy this book

Reading "A Cop's Life" was like sitting down and listening to Thomas Grubb telling his life's story. Allan Cole transcribed Mr. Grubb's experiences with loving care. Well worth reading!

If you want to know what it is really like to be a police officer in "real life", you must read this fun, informative book. The style is, informal, real, refreshing, and very enjoyable. I could not put this book down. If you are like me and enjoy understanding your world a little better then this book belongs in your personal library. I loved it!

I thought it most interesting that Mr. Cole and Mr. Grubb have won highest praise possible - the good opinion of police officers themselves. Here are just a few of the comments I read on the back of the book: "'A Cop's Life'" is a must read by anyone who ever wore the uniform or badge!" - Robert V. Eddie, Recording Secretary Philadelphia Lodge #5 Fraternal Order of Police; "If you like the inside story, if you like dealing with facts and not fluff, then you will love reading 'A Cop's Life!'"- Michael G. Lutz, President, Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police; "I thoroughly enjoyed 'A Cop's Life.'" It was both witty and right on target." - Bill Pawley Inspector, Retired, Philadelphia Police.

I can only give this three stars and I graded it on the curve as I wanted to like the book.

This is a book that needs a better narrative device, you have to work at it to finish and that is shame as there are some gems here in the stories.

I never buy these self published books and if had not been for Allan Cole name I would have passed, but I liked his work with Chris Bunch.

It read like it was dictated with out much thought on how the spoken word is different from the written and an author like Allan Cole should of helped his uncle more by telling him that and seen that a better narrative would of make this a much better read.

As I said there are some great stories here, but the bit of Mr. Grubb talking via a tape to his nephew got old by chapter three.

Not having ever been a cop but only live near a few of them as I grew up in Olney and know a few as friend, well as much as any non cop ever knows of a the life, I do think it is honest portrait of the times and life of a Police officer in Philadelphia who live and worked during a time when the City changed as did the department and the people who worked there.

So If you want to try and understand cops this is worth reading as it shows you how far things have come since 1953 and yet how much they stay same. If all you know is TV or fiction cops this will be an eye opener, but this is book that could have been so much more.