Although I read it 30 yeas ago, I wanted to revisit it.... Joseph Wambaugh's The Onion Field. The true story of two police officers crossing paths with two robbers back in the 60s.. It ranks up there with Truman Capote's In Cold Blood.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints
It was made into a movie that was really well done. Both suspects were sentenced to death but was vacated when California ruled the death penalty cruel and unusual. (go figure that)
Another great Wambaugh book is 'Lines and Shadows' About the San Diego Police 'BARF' squad, Border Alien Robbery Force. The Cops went out every night into the smuggling Canyons at the Border to protect the Border crossers from being victimized by the smugglers/bandits who preyed on them. IIRC they were in shootouts every week.
'I am the danger'...Hiesenberg NRA Certified Pistol Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Life Member
Posts: 1454 | Location: Escaped from Kalifornia to Arizona February 2022! | Registered: March 02, 2006
I was in high school when I read that book. It really left an impression on me about how disgusting people can be. I watched the movie on a VCR after reading it. While the movie was good, it had nowhere near the impact that the book provided.
Posts: 249 | Location: Utah | Registered: June 16, 2007
The Onion Field is excellent! I've read it a couple of times. Another really good one is Echoes in the Darkness about a murder along Philly's Main Line. I lived there when it actually happened.
Posts: 677 | Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL | Registered: July 24, 2007
I remember throwing the book across the room several times while trying to read through the latter appeals phase. The endless legal bullshit, the dead witnesses, the whole process. That part was just too real and frustrating to read without wanting to hit somebody.
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. -Ecclesiastes 9:11
...But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory, but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. - Psalm 63:11 [excerpted]
Posts: 7467 | Location: Dallas | Registered: August 04, 2011
Originally posted by urbanwarrior238: It was made into a movie that was really well done. Both suspects were sentenced to death but was vacated when California ruled the death penalty cruel and unusual. (go figure that)
....
I thought that after several hearings and back forth Powell stayed in prison until he died just not to long ago?
This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it. -Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Joshua Painter Played by Senator Fred Thompson
Posts: 3682 | Location: Central Virginia | Registered: November 06, 2006
Originally posted by Pistolria: The Onion Field is excellent! I've read it a couple of times. Another really good one is Echoes in the Darkness about a murder along Philly's Main Line. I lived there when it actually happened.
Just ordered this one also. Thanks for the heads up.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints
