Serpico

I'm guessing most people, if familiar at all, are more familiar with the fictionalized film with Pacino. But this book is probably more in line with the more recent, and wonderful, documentary on the man. The author, the grizzled investigative crime journalist [[Peter Maas]], punches well above his weight both in the narrative construction and the writing. The story starts with Serpico shot and near death and then alternates between the aftermath of that violent confrontation and what led Serpico to the moment. More of the details of the corruption in NYPD is exposed here than in either of the film versions, providing a better explanation of the difficulties and danger he faced in standing as an honest cop. Without this context, Serpico show more might just seem like a renegade - but he's way more than that.

5 bones!!!!!
Highly Recommended! show less

Maas is supposed to be a recognized journalist but his soap opera-ish style and almost apologetic tone for having written a boring biography made it unreadable to me. he wanted to write a biography that wasn’t a biography. He wanted to write an interesting and dramatic novel about a Great Man in an exciting, literary way. I think he failed.

The sexist, womanizing, homophobic, and racist tone runs unabashedly through the book. While that in and of itself isn’t enough to turn me away since you have to expect to come across historical artifacts when you read older material, this coupled with the hyperbolized portrait of Mr. Serpico breaks down my belief that the facts presented in this book will be accurate. Maas’s attempt at show more objectivity seems feeble at best. I think i’m going to have to find another biography to read since i want facts about Serpico not anthropological grazing in the work of his journalist/biographer. show less

In tracing one man’s career in NYPD, Peter Maas is able to construct an impressive diagram of a large police department’s workings. Or, more specifically, its failings.

The research involved and the effort in organizing that research into a coherent book are staggering. If, along the way, Maas occasionally sees things too simply, it’s forgivable.

Frank Serpico was a rarity: an honest policeman who realized his loyalty should lie with the public he was paid to protect, not with cops who profited from misery. Years of trying to effect changes in-department slowly left the bearded officer from the Village more and more jaded until, finally, four badges walked side-by-side to enact unprecedented public disclosure.

Serpico’s story is a show more triumph of moral courage, the telling of his story a triumph of journalism. show less

Frank Serpico was a NY cop who not only refused to participate in corruption, but took measures to expose it and root it out, risking his life in the process. This book is a well written account of this man's life and career.

Pretty good account of a detective who fought against police corruption. Became a movie.

A great true story about a cop who gets in over his head. Al Pacino plays the guy in the movie Serpico. He's fabulous.

It was awhile ago. But I remeber liking it. Read it after I saw the movie.