Hollywood Station, by Joseph Wambaugh & Adam Grupper (Narrator)
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This story about the daily lives of the men and women stationed in the Hollywood division of Los Angeles Police Department is an adventure that is sure to keep listeners absorbed from beginning to end. Wambaugh, a best selling author of police stories for many years but recently on hiatus, has come back with a bang. The main character, a veteran of 46 years called The Oracle is joined by young policemen "surfer dudes" Flotsom and Jetsom, as well as Budgie Polk, a policewoman and nursing mother, Set in the present, the story tells of the many restrictions that have come into existence since the Rodney King incident and how these new policies affect law enforcement.
The plot involves drug addicts, robbery, undercover detective work, and the Russian mafia, but the real story is the interaction of all the bizarre characters that exist in and around Hollywood Station. Wambaugh makes the listener an invisible, omniscient observer of the weird and wacky happenings that could only occur in Hollywood. There are humorous moments as well as heart-rending incidents throughout.
Hollywood Station is filled with inside
information about modern drug trafficking and the problems
police encounter in solving crimes and enforcing laws. The
author, a former police officer, skillfully weaves a story
that gives the listener the feeling of being there with the
police at each incident. His language is realistic and his
information is factual, making this a book that teaches as
well as entertains. At the end of the book, Wambaugh shows
his admiration and respect for his former colleagues by giving
acknowledgements and thanks to dozens of men and women of
the Los Angeles, San Diego and Palm Springs police departments.
I highly recommend this book, not only for the intriguing
plot, but for the insight into modern police work and the
world of criminals.
John
Mormon
1/14/07
