The Thin Black Line: True Stories by Black Law Enforcement Officers Policing America's Meanest Streets

by Hugh Holton

Book Overview

Meet the black men and women policing our meanest streets...LaVerne Dunlap: she infiltrated a drug gang and testified against them in court ... only to have the drug lords mark her for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312868200
• ISBN13: 9780312868208
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 318 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

High Praise

Hugh Holton compiled 28 stories from law enforcement officers, male and female, who all just happened to be African-American. The stories the officers tell could be told with the racism they most likely faced, instead the stories focused on the jobs they did and the reason they chose law enforcement as a career. Unfortunately, Hugh Holton passed away before the book was published, but his goal of showcasing these officers as heroes was fulfilled. The officers tell stories about some of their most memorable cases as well as those times they were fearful, and other times when things actually were worth laughing about. Each of the stories was told in the officer's voice and it was as if they were sitting in front of you talking, this enabled the collection to be genuine. These African-American law enforcement officers are an elite bunch because many started during the time of civil unrest in this country, but they took their jobs seriously and as much as they gave to it, they received in return. I smiled as I read several of the stories, but my heart pumped in pride at the immense satisfaction the stories revealed. No matter how these officers ended up in law enforcement, they did their job and did it with dignity and honor. For a bit of history on African-Americans in law enforcement in some of the larger cities in America, THE THIN BLACK LINE is a wonderful start. Reviewed by Cashana Seals of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Surprising, exciting, and moving. I recommed this one highly!

I don't usually read nonfiction, and, even though I love cop stories, I was reluctant to read this one because I kind of expected it to harp on racial issues. Nevertheless, my mother-in-law got it for me, and I figured that as a gesture... Anyway, I'm so glad I picked it up! I had this book pegged all wrong! It was exciting and funny and scary and eye-opening!! And, to my (pleasant, I admit it) surprise, the issue of race never really entered into any of the stories. I have so much respect for what these guys have done and are doing. Sometimes reality is just as entertaining as fiction! Plus, I discovered two great authors to read: Hugh Holton and Chris Saffran. If you like police stories or crime dramas (even if you don't read nonfiction), definitely pick up this book.