Cop : A True Story

Rating:
Summary: Interesting book but writing lacks conviction...
Review: I enjoyed what this former LAPD officer had to say but found the writing a bit tedious and, well, lacking any real insight. I'm sure he meant well when writing these memoirs and with him personally I have no problem, I just don't think writing is his calling. He should stick to giving speeches, etc.

Rating:
Summary: Honest critique from a cop who lived it
Review: I found this book informative, interesting, inspiring and worrysome. Middleton is quit honest about the realities of life in the LAPD - the bravery, politics, and racism. The book leaves you inspired by the heroism of some officers and disgusted by the racism and abuse of others. COP takes the reader inside the life of street cops as no other book I've read.

Rating:
Summary: Honest critique from a cop who lived it
Review: I found this book informative, interesting, inspiring and worrysome. Middleton is quit honest about the realities of life in the LAPD - the bravery, politics, and racism. The book leaves you inspired by the heroism of some officers and disgusted by the racism and abuse of others. COP takes the reader inside the life of street cops as no other book I've read.

Rating:
Summary: Honest, to a fault.
Review: I respect Sergeant Middleton for his apparent honesty, but not for the way he neglected to effect a better police department during his time as a sergeant. I don't recall if I ever met him during my own 30 years on the LAPD, or during the four years I was in charge of trying to transform hundreds of top street police officers into effective supervisors at the LAPD Academy. In that respect I apparently must apologize for that small part I had in it. But if the reader wants to know what the streets of L.A. are like, and to experience in graphic detail the pressures and effects it can have on the proper supervision and guidance of otherwise fine police officers, read Mike's book, particularly the explanation on the effects of the use of deadly force.

Rating:
Summary: Honest, to a fault.
Review: I respect Sergeant Middleton for his apparent honesty, but not for the way he neglected to effect a better police department during his time as a sergeant. I don't recall if I ever met him during my own 30 years on the LAPD, or during the four years I was in charge of trying to transform hundreds of top street police officers into effective supervisors at the LAPD Academy. In that respect I apparently must apologize for that small part I had in it. But if the reader wants to know what the streets of L.A. are like, and to experience in graphic detail the pressures and effects it can have on the proper supervision and guidance of otherwise fine police officers, read Mike's book, particularly the explanation on the effects of the use of deadly force.

Rating:
Summary: A great book!
Review: Middleton means well, of that I am sure. However, he violates the cardinal rule of non-fiction writers by changing many place names into unrecognizable titles. For example, he claims to have worked undercover at a Los Angeles high school in the late 1960's. Why the need to change the name of the school? He changes a lot of street names and other details that make a non-fiction book much more interesting. He also bends way too far over to apologize for all the awful things he did as a young rookie. A lot of true crime/non-fiction readers take great joy into researching sections of the stories they read--they can't do this if the author is vague about details. If you want to learn about L.A.P.D. in the 60's and 70's, this is not the book.

Rating:
Summary: Middleton gives an unflenching tour with the LAPD
Review: The author gives us an insight into the Los Angeles Police Department of the last 20 years. We are taken from a time of vast open racism and outright sexual harrasment towards female officers to the present. I felt the author was bold and unflinching telling his own racial remarks. I congradulate him for his brutal honesty. It makes the book that much better to know the author was not trying to sensationlize his 20 year tour with our Nations best Police department the LAPD. Brutal and honest, this book tempts the reader to try to sleep before finishing!

Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: The powerful descriptions tied with Middleton's own emotions and thoughts show the humanity of the LAPD officers. They wear a badge, but they are much like the citizens they've sworn to protect. Middleton does a fantastic job of taking the reader for a walk in the shoes of an LAPD officer. I couldn't put this book down. You'll be glad you finally get to hear things from the view of a police officer so that you have both sides of the story - Officer vs. Media Stereotype. I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Worth reading!
Review: This is a well-written book, particularly valuable for its honesty. The author describes the racist culture of the LAPD and how he was drawn into it -- and how he escaped from it.

Rating:
Summary: it would be a privilege, and an honor, to meet him
Review: Very good book! Depicts his life as a cop from the very beginning!