Reflections from the Pit [Paperback]

Michael Berish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2007

Bad things happen in the Pit, a notorious crime-infested ghetto in downtown Miami. Michael Berish's experiences as a Miami policeman for twenty-two years serve as fuel for these exciting, intense stories about life as a cop in a tough part of a big city.

There are 8 million stories in the Pit!

In the Seventies, Berish was a City of Miami police officer riding in the Pit, the Black ghetto in downtown Miami, and whenever one of those cycle of events that staggers you back onto your heels would happen, he'd turn to his partner and say: There are eight million stories in the Naked City; this has been one of them. Later in his career, he revised that adage to: There are eight million stories in the Pit; this has been one of them. He was never sure if any of his partners knew exactly what he was referring to (reference the movie or TV series), but they sure knew what he meant. What follows is a peek into that human swamp, into several of those eight million stories.

What the stories in Reflections are about.

Reflections from the Pit's approach to storytelling is unique in that all of these stories contain individual, quirky, off-center characters and focus on their basic character flaws while dealing with the social issues of the day. They are meant to be snapshots into the dark side of police work and deal with segregation, racism, sexism, prejudice, teenage prostitution, police brutality and its senseless violence, crazies who think they have been abducted by aliens, the murdering of transvestites, the lack of compassion and sympathy by the younger generation for their elders, the injustice and ineptitude of the legal system, the stupidity of criminals and the cowardice of police officers in the face of danger (the latter of which is rarely seen on TV), hangings from police cruisers, affirmative action, Cuban freedom fighters a.k.a. terrorists, the callousness of society towards the homeless, drug-dealing cops and corruption, bungled police stings, the don t get involved syndrome and the raping of the elderly.

Tales about the dark side of police work.

Some of these contes, or reflections, might amaze you; others may horrify you; several might amuse, while still others might impinge upon your inner emotions; and a few deal with such baser instincts as corruption, which the Magic City has a long history of: one of the earlier Chiefs of Police was indicted for first-degree murder.

If you are looking for politically or culturally correct stories, read no farther; these tales may not be to your liking; in fact, some stories are openly racist and sexist in nature, which is exactly what a police department is at times: a racist, sexist, prejudicial, homophobic, bureaucratic institution where brutality of all forms and every description (physically and mentally) and injustice abound.

These reflections, which cover more than one hundred years of history, give one pause for thought and a peek into the human swamp of life with Berish using his intimate knowledge of the Pit to bring these Miami cop stories alive.

Editorial Reviews

Review

MIKE BERISH'S STORIES IN HIS REFLECTIONS FROM THE PIT STUN YOU BY THEIR PORTRAYAL OF THE DAILY PERILS A COP FACES AS HE CONFRONTS DANGER, DECEIT, AND DISTRUST IN UPHOLDING THE LAW IN MIAMI.

MIKE SPENT TWENTY-TWO YEARS ON THE CITY'S POLICE FORCE. HIS BOOK'S POWERFUL FICTION VIVIDLY ILLUSTRATES THE CORRUPTION AND FURY ENDLESSLY STEWING IN THE PIT. ITS RELENTLESS INTENSITY POSSESSES AN AUTHENTICITY, HONESTY, AND DIRECTNESS THAT OBLITERATES SHALLOW TV SHOWS.

Syd Bradford

Editor and Publisher of Enigma Magazine Philadelphia, PA --Publisher of Enigma Magazine

From the early 1970's through the early 1980'S, MIKE BERISH and I worked obscenity vice cases in the City of Miami where Mike was first a Patrolman and later a Sergeant. He was the consumate 'cop'; none better. He lived the stories he relates in 'Reflections from the Pit,' and it is a wonder he was not himself a fatality or at least seriously damaged.

This book reflects the very 'soul' of honesty as well as the constant corruption involved in working as a beat officer.

Bill Kelly

Special Agent (Retired), Federal Bureau of Investigation --Bill Kelly, Special Agent (Retired) of the F.B.I.

From the Author

Michael Berish, author of REFLECTIONS FROM THE PIT

"I think, use my imagination, and write; therefore, I am."

"Every day I'm writing, I'm living. Every other day is just waiting."

Michael Berish

REFLECTIONS FROM THE PIT --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (August 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059545304X
• ISBN-13: 978-0595453047
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,627,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

While actor Don Johnson wore pastel jackets and a five-o'clock shadow as Sonny Crockett on television's "Miami Vice," I worked as a patrol officer, detective, and supervisor with the City of Miami Police Department for twenty-two years; thirteen of which were spent as an undercover detective in the REAL Miami Vice. I worked everything from Narcotics & Vice, Gambling, Prostitution and Pornography, to Dignitary Protection of President Jose Napoleon Duarte (of El Salvador) and Pope John Paul II.

My name is Michael Berish. My book, "Reflections from the Pit" was awarded BEST FICTION NOVEL (2nd Place) published in 2007 by the Public Safety Writers Association.

Judge's comments on book: "This is an intriguing book with many fascinating stories that certainly reveal a side of police work that's seldom written about or shown on television. The author has a unique voice with a spark of humor that keeps the reader turning the pages. The characters were three-dimensional and intriguing to read about--police and criminals. All the dialogue was crisp and realistic. For anyone wanting to know the nitty-gritty and often dark side of police work, this is the book to read."

E. Howard Hunt (American author of 63 novels, C.I.A. spy, and coordinator of Watergate) had this to say about Mike's work: "That fellow (Berish) has a real talent for writing a story. That's excellent work."

www.realmiamivice.com

I have a second book that just came out entitled: "BAD COP, NO DONUT."

This is an anthology by fifteen cops and writers (I happen to be fortunate enough to have been selected as one of those fifteen cop/writers) from Miami to Maine and New York City to Los Angeles with stops in New Orleans, Montana and Maryland.

It's an anthology with stories about the dark side of police work: cops who partake in police brutality, murder, bribery, pay-off's, bank robberies, pyromania, and laundering money.

In this book you will find: Good cops gone bad, bad cops gone worse, police in the city, sheriffs on the hunt, cops on the beach, cops on the take, fights to the death, ninjas and nunchuckas, hookers and dealers, good guys and bad guys, and the Devil's own cop.

It's a book you won't easily forget.

Testimonials reference: "BAD COP, NO DONUT."

"Bad Cop, No Donut includes some of the most riveting stories I have read to date. It's a top-notch crime fiction anthology."
Donald Bain, author of the "Murder, She Wrote" series.

"A ride-around with some of the best cops and best cop writing in the business!"
David Black, author of The Extinction Event and writer for CSI Miami and Law & Order.

"This collection is written by a squad of fine writers--some of whom are current or retired real-life cops. Gritty, hard-hitting, authentic, and edgy--and guaranteed to keep you turning the pages."
Raymond Benson, author of the James Bond anthologies "The Union Trilogy" and "Choice of Weapons."

"Nobody writes about these guys. These are the cops we keep locked in the deepest, darkest precinct basements. Now they're out. And the reader is in for a rare treat in these wild, wonderful, and all too real, stories. It's about time."
Lt. Ed Dee, NYPD (ret.), author of The Con Man's Daughter.

"Bad Cop, No Donut is a fast paced journey through the darker side of law enforcement. Not only are the stories written by seasoned cops, but they are road-tested writers, as well. It is a page-turner in the classic sense - you really will be asking yourself 'what could possibly go sideways next? With this anthology you will make the trip in law enforcement from bad to worse, with an occasional side trip to redemption - well, almost."
Lt. Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), author of Leadership: Texas Hold 'em Style.

MY WEBSITE IS www.realmiamivice.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It! Roller Coaster Ride!, December 30, 2007

By 

M. Amor "Miami fan" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reflections from the Pit (Paperback)

I have read other great stories by Michael Berish and it was a treat to read this book. This is not just another cops & robbers book; rather, this book, REFLECTIONS FROM THE PIT, is a great collection of the most unusual, weirdest stories about both the cops in Miami and the characters & criminals they meet and deal with on the street.

His uncanny and witty remarks, and his piercing penetrating defiant look at police work and human nature, make reading this book (which is filled with high octane action) an unforgettable adventure. You'll experience a kaleidoscope of emotions that range from the heart-felt to the sublimely incredulous! These stories are truly snapshots into the dark side of police work. It'll an exceptional read and hard to put down, but when you finish, you will say to yourself: "I never knew people like that, including the cops, ever exited."

I found a link to some of his other short stories at the bottom of his Home Page on his website at: [...]

M. Amor

5.0 out of 5 stars Reflections from the Pit, May 11, 2010

By 

Michael Berish "Michael Berish, author of ... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reflections from the Pit (Paperback)

"Reflections from the Pit" was awarded BEST FICTION NOVEL (2nd Place) published in 2008 by the Public Safety Writers Association.

Judge's comments on book: "This is an intriguing book with many fascinating stories that certainly reveal a side of police work that's seldom written about or shown on television. The author has a unique voice with a spark of humor that keeps the reader turning the pages. The characters were three-dimensional and intriguing to read about--police and criminals. All the dialogue was crisp and realistic. For anyone wanting to know the nitty-gritty and often dark side of police work, this is the book to read..."

"That fellow (Berish) has a real talent for writing a story. That's excellent work."

E. Howard Hunt

(American author of sixty-three novels, C.I.A. spy, and coordinator of Watergate.

President Richard M. Nixon once referred to him as "a prolific book writer.")

Reflections from the Pit

5.0 out of 5 stars A world unknown to most people, January 9, 2008

By 

C. Signor "bubbascas" (Yorba Linda, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reflections from the Pit (Hardcover)

Most people are sheltered from what happens in the experiences of this dedicated cop. I was surprised and intrigued by the stories in this book. We often forget what police do to protect and serve. Must read to experience what life is all about in "the pit."