Blue Truth (Paperback)

~ Cherokee Paul McDonald (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A Vietnam veteran, McDonald joined the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,ck Chi. Style. aa Police Department in 1970, and he resigned 10 years later suffering from burnout. On occasion his work caused him pain, as when he had to tell a poor black man that the bicycle he had bought for his daughter was stolen. At other times it brought him into conflict with his superiors inok?aa the department, because more than once he killed in the line of duty--enthusiasticallyok?aa . Interspersed among the chapters about his career is the unhappy story of the collapse of his marriage. McDonald has written two novels, The Patch and Gulf Stream ; his debut in true crime is an auspicious one.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

A former Fort Lauderdale police sergeant and author of several police novels, McDonald here recounts the day-to-day activities he experienced in his 10 years on the force--pursuits and arrests, interviewing witnesses, first-aid emergencies, etc. McDonald describes the intensity of police work and the terrible psychological toll it exacts as he evolves from idealistic young cop to burned-out veteran. While he can be quite funny, e.g., when he describes strutting motorcycle cops, McDonald's language is crude and, at times, racist, and his attitude is very macho. Many detailed, violent scenes portray police brutality without apology, and, in fact, the message seems to be that violence in the cause of law and order is cool. For a better "inside" police book aimed at the general public, Bill McCarthy and Mike Mallowe's Vice Cop ( LJ 2/15/91) is less gratuitously violent and much more informative about how police work is done.
- Mary Jane Brustman, SUNY at Albany Libs.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Mass Market Paper (July 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312927738
• ISBN-13: 978-0312927738
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #972,965 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blue Truth: Walking the Thin Blue Line, November 1, 2002

By	Jorgen K. Roed (North Las Vegas, Nevada United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Blue Truth (Hardcover)

Over the past few years, I have read several "cop books;" some good, and some not so good. I have been a cop now for almost three years, and I can honestly say that "Blue Truth" is the best book I have read regarding law enforcement...period. McDonald truly captures the emotions, fears, and predjudice that every cop, whether conservative or liberal, faces each day. Being a cop is not an easy job sometimes, and McDonald captures this wonderfully. Thankyou, McDonald.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most realistic depiction of a cops life I've found., July 18, 1998

By A Customer

I am a full time police officer and if you want to know what it's like this book will tell you. Does not glorify the job the way most books do. Lets you in to the psyche of the day to day cop. Great job.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very realistic tale of the internal battle of an honest Cop, November 2, 1997

By	[e-mail] (Bennington Vermont) - See all my reviews

I am a Police Officer, and I can relate to what is said in this story. The method of description is one of a kind and first rate. This book is a must have for anyone interested in the profession, or anyone who wants to know what the Police really face on a day to day basis.