Book Review: The Job

In "The Job", Steve Osborne shares some of his best NY city cop stories!

Overview: Steve Osborne has seen a thing or two in his twenty years in the NYPD—some harmless things, some definitely not. In "Stakeout," Steve and his partner mistake a Manhattan dentist for an armed robbery suspect and reduce the man down to a puddle of snot and tears when questioning him. In "Mug Shot," the mother of a suspected criminal makes a strange request and provides a sobering reminder of the humanity at stake in his profession. And in "Home," the image of his family provides the adrenaline he needs to fight for his life when assaulted by two armed and violent crackheads. From his days as a rookie cop to the time spent patrolling in the Anti-Crime Unit—and his visceral, harrowing recollections of working during 9/11—Steve Osborne's stories capture both the absurdity of police work and the bravery of those who do it. His stories will speak to those nostalgic for the New York City of the 1980s and '90s, a bygone era of when the city was a crazier, more dangerous (and possibly more interesting) place.

Dawn's Recommendation: 4 of 5 Stars

(Warning: Book contains Profanity)

What I liked: The real-life stories are interesting and sometimes unbelievable!  Steve Osborne calls police work "the greatest show on earth" and you soon see why. You definitely get a taste for what being a cop in a big city is like. From chasing a perp through a subway tunnel to feeding hotdogs to a junkie, you will be entertained by his style of storytelling. It is refreshing to read, not only about his love for "the job", but about his stupid mistakes that could have cost him his life.

On a side note: Read each chapter like a short story. Otherwise you will feel like the author is sometimes repeating himself.

What I didn't like: The curse words. As a Christian, this is not normally a book I would have picked, but I heard an interview with the author on Fresh Air on NPR and the book sounded great (and it is)...I just had to skim over some. 

If you could share one true story from you job, what would it be?  I'll share mine in comments.