Police Cars in Action (Enthusiast Color) [Paperback]

Robert Genat (Author)

Book Description

Series: Enthusiast Color | Publication Date: August 1999

A typical day in the life of a patrol car is no Sunday drive. These much-abused "black-and-whites" are often called upon to run three eight-hour shifts per day in the most inclement of weather. They may be pushed to full throttle after idling for an hour or more with all lights flashing. This close-up look at the high-intensity world of police cars in action brings to life the various models currently in service on dry streets, freeways, and gravel roads around the United States. Stunning color photography is accompanied by comparisons of specific models and a look at specialized equipment, training, and patrolling techniques.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Genat is a prolific author and photographer whose eclectic bibliography includes such MBI Publishing Company titles as Hot Rod Nights, Vintage & Historic Drag Racers, and Modern Police Motorcycles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks International (August 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760305218
• ISBN-13: 978-0760305218
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,431,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1999 information...great photos...great coverage, April 24, 2000

By 

Peter (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Police Cars in Action (Enthusiast Color) (Paperback)

Copyright 1999 says a LOT these days, especially with how technology changes so fast. The great aspect is all information is about police cars from 1991 onward...police cars currently on the STREET and not in some junkyard. The author kept this book late 1990s modern information and it shows in the photos.

The author also seems to predict the reader's questions and answers them by using citations from officers or explaining his points in full. He does not state something and leave you scratching your head as to what it means. Example: "Police cars have five antennaes of varying length." The author then explains what each antennae is and why the varying length instead of just saying the above sentence with no explanation.

Another nice aspect is the author knows a car is only as goods as it's driver. So the author writes about the human element and officers' opinions on the type of patrol cars they drive. From dispatchers to trainers to backups and K-9, this book goes beyond under the hood and outside the doors of the squad car to describe who and where support comes from to aid the officer in the car.

For the price, this book is a bargin because the author was THERE! And not just "there" but "there" as in he rode with five plus police departments across the USA. He took photos of the interiors, exteriors, officers, equipment, and car markings. A great resource for the police car modeler.

A great read and educational piece.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great pictures !!.................However..., July 21, 2001

By 

Sam Jones "RoninExec" (Enghien les Bains France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Police Cars in Action (Enthusiast Color) (Paperback)

This book is very well done, as are the other Motorbook ones on the subject of Police cars.. But if you are a real buff, the material will look very light...Basic explanations made for the profane or the 10-year old asking "where does the siren sound come from Dad ?"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All-around excellent book!, October 14, 1999

By 

Tom B (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Police Cars in Action (Enthusiast Color) (Paperback)

This book is a refreshing change from similar books because you don't get in over your head with technical data or historical backgrounds. This book is the ideal blend of photographs and written information for anyone with even the most modest interest in police cars, yet it covers enough ground to appeal to the most devoted enthusiast. The only complaint I have is a minor one, and it is that the author will sometimes word a sentence in a way that makes it seem like he is assuming all police departments use the same procedures he is describing. But this is probably more a question of personal taste in grammar than anything else. In all, this is a fantastic book.