Midnights: A Year With the Wellfleet Police (Hungry Mind Find)

Rating:
Summary: An entertaining look at small town police work
Review: I have long enjoyed Alec Wilkinson's work in the New Yorker, so it was a treat to discover "Midnights." It's a marvelous read. Wilkinson's style is spare and elegant, and his candor about his shortcomings as a cop makes for some hilarious moments. I plan to buy a copy for my policeman brother-in-law, but anyone will enjoy this fine book.

Rating:
Summary: Cape Cod Cop: a.k.a. Officer "Crash"
Review: I won't tell you why Alec Wilkinson was given the dubious nickname of "Crash" while he served on the Wellfleet Police force. You'll have to read the book to try and figure that one out! What I can tell you is that Midnights is one of the most amusing true stories I have ever read. It's like a real-life Mayberry.. Barney Fife and all! Originally published in 1982, Wilkinson describes his personal experiences as a small town cop on Cape Cod. Fresh out of college with a music degree, he was looking for work in the summer of '75. Wilkinson gave law enforcement a try. So what if he had no police training! As you will read, it was one bizarre summer and off-season that followed. Memorable too. And Wilkinson candidly recounts his year with the men in blue, often with sidesplitting humor! It's no wonder why this comical gem is back in print.