Reviews (59)

I agree with another reader
Bill Buford does go analytical about half way into the book, this is a good book, 4 stars imho but not a great book and I would take a few things he says with a grain of salt; so in other words, I don't always believe what Bill says but it may be so. It is a candidate for one of those books that spurs on reading more books on the topic to see, "what in the world is going on here" and truly, when other reviewers mention other books to read, that is helpful.
Fascinating
Whether you are a fan of soccer or not, Among the Thugs is a very interesting insight into the minds and motivations of hooligans. An American now residing in England for years, Bill Buford recounts time spent in an attempt to understand the culture of violence that attracts so many young fans. Less about the game, and more about a seedy and fascinating sub-culture of the more belligerent fans of the sport. An excellent read.

Good read.
Interesting read. I grew up watching the games in England in the 80's and was unaware of quite the extent of violence that went on. This would be an ideal book for someone studying about crowd violence or football thugs. I did however find that the book was difficult to read in parts and did it not seem to flow. I thought some of the detailed analysis of crowds was un-necessary and would have preferred more detail on the thugs and violence. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. Great Britain    3. Hoodlums    4. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    5. Soccer    6. Soccer fans    7. Social aspects    8. Sociology    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Biography: general    11. Soccer (Association football)    12. Sports & Recreation / Soccer    13. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - Emergency Medical Services    2. Command and control at fires    3. Fire Science    4. Fire extinction    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    8. Medical / Allied Health Services / Emergency Medical Services    9. Firefighting    10. Fire fighting    11. Technology   

Subjects:  1. Criminal justice, Administration of    2. Criminology    3. Government - Judicial Branch    4. Law enforcement    5. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Prison administration    10. Sociology    11. United States    12. Law    13. Political Science / Law Enforcement   

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries & Terminology    2. Law    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Police, Private    5. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    6. Practical Guides    7. Private security services    8. United States    9. Law / Dictionaries & Terminology    10. Police & security services   

Subjects:  1. Business Law    2. Criminal Law - General    3. Criminal justice, Administrati    4. Criminal justice, Administration of    5. Criminology    6. Jurisprudence    7. Law    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Crime & criminology    10. English law: criminal law    11. Political Science / Law Enforcement   

Editorial Review

Most people know it's easier to get into prison than it is to get out. But for a journalist, just getting into Sing Sing, New York's notorious maximum-security prison, isn't easy. In fact, Ted Conover was so stymied by official channels that he took the only way in--other than crime--and became a New York State corrections officer: "I wanted to hear the voices one truly never hears, the voices of guards--those on the front lines of our prison policies, the society's proxies." Read more

Reviews (101)

Ted Conover's Keen Eye for Researching ..........
I bought this book for the interest in the subject matter and to also read about the author's personal experiences as a correctional officer and researcher. For the past few weeks, I read the book and can honestly say it is one of the best books on criminal justice written from "an outsider's experience inside." Ted Conover's role was to get the story. How many persons could honestly say they go in a prison to work on a book? Very, very few, probably the Ted Conover few.
Much Respect
I have to give the author credit.When he was denied the right to shadow a C.O. (Corrections Officer), he became one.This is not as simple as it sounds.He literally swore an oath to protect the inmates and the lives of his fellow officers.He worked the job with dedication, and got some great material out of it.I was wary, because I thought he might have been playing C.O.But, working in Sing Sing, you don't "play" anything.Bravo.

A Great Adventure Behind Bars.
Some investigative reporters will do anything for a story.We see it all the time on T.V. news.This one tends to live dangerously; he wrote about American Illegal Aliens in 1987 -- I wish he would do a followup as so much has changed in that regard in the past twenty years or so.
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Subjects:  1. American    2. Biography    3. Correctional personnel    4. Criminology    5. General    6. Law Enforcement    7. New York (State)    8. Officials and employees    9. Ossining    10. Ossining Correctional Facility    11. Penal Institutions    12. Politics / Current Events    13. Prisons    14. Sing Sing Prison    15. Social Science    16. Sociology    17. Current Events / American    18. USA   

Reviews (2)

Im the Chief now
Great Book. Hard to read at times on mids, but now Im the CHief....Good Luck

Good read
I was tasked with reading this for a promotional test.It has lots of good infomation and makes for an easy read.Some of the chapters contain too much information making it difficult to retain but overall a good resource. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminal Law - General    2. Law    3. Leadership    4. Management - General    5. Personnel management    6. Police    7. Policy    8. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    9. Politics / Current Events    10. United States    11. Crime & criminology    12. Law / Criminal Procedure    13. Personnel & human resources management    14. Police & security services   

Reviews (3)

Save Your Money
If you're considering buying this book...save your money.This book is the same as the online study guide on the Border Patrol's website.It has the same questions and the same alternative language.It does have a couple full-length practice tests.I was hoping for some insight into the actual test or some "inside" information that may not be outlined on the Border Patrol's website or in its' study guide.I was VERY disappointed with this purchase.

INS Test Prep
I bought this book because I needed to study for the Immigration Inspector exam. Unfortunately, there isn't a book available for this exam, but this book was at least helpful. I took the test yesterday, and I was so glad that I had studied. There were 200 people taking the test, and at least I felt that I had a slight edge from studying. I wish there would have been more test exams in the book - there's only two. The Immigration Inspector test doesn't include any Spanish or Artificial Language sections, but I did use the Spanish section to brush up on my skills. It takes up to twelve weeks to get your results back, which the book doesn't mention. Good luck to all and study, study, study!!

Buy the blue one!
Until the third edition comes out (and that could be a while since this one is fairly new), this edition is the most up to date one available! The first edition still contains the old vocabulary portion which has been eliminated from the current Border Patrol test. If you wish to study the vocabulary section, I would recommend buying both books, but this is simply NOT necessary. This book gives you study tips, very realistic practice tests, and it helps you to find your weaker areas. Buy the blue one!Read more

Subjects:  1. Border patrol agents    2. Civil Service    3. Civil Service Occupations    4. Education    5. Examinations    6. Immigration Border Patrol    7. Law Enforcement    8. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    9. Study Aids    10. Study Guides    11. United States    12. United States.    13. Study Aids / Tests   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (164)

a true eye opener for personal safety
I think what I took away from reading this book was really a lesson in personal safety. I found myself really paying attention to everything going on around me and walking a little bit taller. This isn't for everyone but I found it a critical read living and working in the city at night. I actually was able to identify a bad scene unfolding in front of me and got my feet moving to avoid it. John Douglas presents the facts in a non-alarmist way while still putting great emphasis on what bad dudes are all about. This is a must read for anyone in law enforcement and anyone who likes to gain power through knowledge.

Good insights into human nature
This was a very interesting book describing the rise of criminal profiling in the F.B.I.John Douglas pioneered the combination of psychology and crimaal catching which has become so popular today, especially since Thomas Harris' Silence of the Lambs, which showed the public how this new science works (in an exaggerated form, of course).This book details how that science developed, what it's benefits are, and why it should be used, but unfortunately Mr. Douglas doesn't really tell us a whole lot about how exactly it works.He looks at case files, examines autopsy reports, then comes up with a profile of the killer.All of the cases he records in this book are cases he got right (one wonders how many he has gotten wrong, since he mentions having done hundreds and hundreds of cases, and he only mentions a few dozen), yet he never really bridges the gap between case file analysis and criminal profiling.Perhaps he doesn't want us to know, so that criminals cannot use that information to their advantage.If so, he should have explained himself, as the books cover and intro are rather misleading.
I CONFESS! I READ THIS BOOK!
Hey, I am not looking for a plea bargain here. I plead guilty to reading Mindhunter by John Douglas.
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Subjects:  1. Criminal investigation    2. Criminology    3. Murder - General    4. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    5. Psychology    6. Serial murder investigation    7. Serial murderers    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. True Crime / Espionage    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. True crime   

Reviews (2)

"Excellent start for novice or those interested in CSI"
Mark R. Hawthorne's "First Unit Responder," CRC Press 1999, ISBN 0-9493-002-1, is a 6 chapter 98-page guide book for uniformed officers working in the field who frequently are the first to arrive for a potential crime scene investigation(CSI). Rookies or veterans, Cops to firefighters to EMT's
As a law enforcement instructor at a police training facility, I found this book to be fantastic for the new recruits we train. As a retired police officer/Crime Scene Analyst, I also realized it would be great for some veteren officers and non-law enforcement personnel to review. Mark Hawthorne has kept the technical information on an easily understandable level. He has covered, in 90 pages, what would take hours of personal instruction. I found the test questions and answers extremely helpful in preparing reviews. This book can be picked up by the patrol officer, and if READ, could furnish much of the information to properly document most any crime scene. I would recommend this book to any basic law enforcement instructor or new police officer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crime scene searches    2. Criminal Evidence And Analysis    3. Criminal Investigation    4. Criminal Procedure    5. Evidence    6. Evidence preservation    7. Evidence, Criminal    8. Forensic Science    9. Handbooks, manuals, etc    10. Law    11. Legal Reference / Law Profession    12. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    13. Courts & procedure    14. Criminal law    15. English law: criminal law    16. English legal system: law of evidence    17. Law / Forensic Science   

Reviews (21)

the missing links
Great book, and even if only 10% of it happened, the average person would be crapping their pants in those situations.What I'd REALLY like to read is those thousand+ hours of tape transcripts.It would likely provide some of the missing links to further details as mentioned by other reviewers here.

Pretty good, quick read!
Doesn't get bogged down in a lot of details; however, because of this, it feels a little 'bare bones'...but this is probably because of disclosure issues and confidential materials.

Amazing Bravery
Thank God for William Queen!!!I just finished his book -Under and Alone - and am amazed at what this man went through to get the bad guys.What a great human being!I loved that part at the end of the book where he writes about knowing that these were serious bad guys that needed to be put away - but there was another factor - after living with them for 2 1/2 years he had witnessed it, lived it, felt it, and understood the love that these guys felt for their brothers, him included. That gave me goosebumps.There was a thin line there for him.Not everything is black or white.Sometimes there is that gray area.I hope that he remains safe and can have happiness in his life.He certainly deserves it!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. California    3. General    4. Motorcycle gangs    5. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    6. Queen, William    7. Specific Groups - General    8. True Crime    9. Undercover operations    10. True Crime / General   

Reviews (10)

RAIDS - Excellent Manual
I am a Police Officer in Colorado, and a former Active Duty Marine... I have to say that this book is a great source of information for High Risk Entry operations.
Excellent primer for SWAT students.
This book is well written, and covers SWAT topics at a more realistic entry level vs. other texts I have seen having SWAT in their title.Would highly recomend to those wanting to have a section in their library titled SWAT tactics/Inddor Urban Combat in it.

New 2005 revised edition
RAIDS was first published in 1991 but has recently been totally revised and up-dated to better reflect changes in STTU tactics and terminology for Raid planning and operations.
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Subjects:  1. Police & security services   

Reviews (1)

Perfect guide for anyone interested in the FBI
I was interested in being a special agent with the FBI before reading this book and after reading it I am even more interested.This book was very good at explaining the application process for the FBI.Also gave info on a wide range of topics from the history of the FBI, to what an agent does.Anyone interested in a career as a special agent should read this for guidance and valuable insight on this career.It was very helpful to me and can help you out as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Career Planning (General)    3. Career/Job    4. Careers - General    5. Careers / Job Opportunities    6. Federal Bureau of Investigation    7. Forensic Science    8. Law Enforcement    9. Officials and employees    10. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    11. United States.    12. Vocational guidance    13. Advice on careers & achieving success    14. Criminal investigation & detection    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Criminal Evidence And Analysis    2. Criminal Procedure    3. Criminal investigation    4. Evidence    5. Footprints    6. Footwear    7. Forensic Science    8. Identification    9. Jurisprudence    10. Law    11. Legal Reference / Law Profession    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Criminal investigation & detection    14. Law / Forensic Science    15. Police & security services   

Subjects:  1. Insurgency    2. Iraq    3. Iraq War, 2003-    4. Middle East - General    5. Occupied territories    6. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    7. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    8. Political Science    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics/International Relations    11. 21st century    12. Asian / Middle Eastern history: postwar, from c 1945 -    13. Political Science / Law Enforcement    14. War & defence operations   

Subjects:  1. Africa - South - South Africa    2. History - General History    3. Military-Political Relationships    4. Political Ideologies - Democracy    5. Politics/International Relations    6. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    7. Police & security services    8. Political Science / Democracy    9. Republic of South Africa   

Reviews (19)

Eaves dropping on the Ranger world
This is a fascinating look into the experiences of a Texas Ranger. I was born in Texas but had little idea what it meant to be a "Texas Ranger."Joaquin Jackson has written an incredibly truthful book that not only gives the reader a look into his Ranger world, but thrillingly allows us to peek into his conscience and eaves drop on his values system.
Understanding the Texas Ranger
Joaquin Jackson provides an insightful excursion into the mind and deeds of a Texas Ranger.He does not attempt to aggrandize his labors, and expresses reasonable concern about how political agendas can and often do impede effective law enforcement. There are passages that were seemingly added by a technical writer (e.g., description of the terrain and historical points), which detract from the highly personal message that comes from the heart and soul of Ranger Jackson.As a professor who works with law enforcement, I increased my awareness of how the officer must be highly dedicated and willing to sacrifice personal gain for public service, as well as face a constant barrage of criticism from many sources and accept that threat to safety is a ever-present condition.This book is excellent for understanding the psychology of a Texas Ranger.

What a life
One of the few biographys/autobiographys I've ever enjoyed. A rich tale of life in the Texas Big Bend country as seen through the keen eyes of a Texas Ranger. Filled with both tragic and humorous tales of life on the border and hilarious accounts of famous and infamous Rangers throughout history. I'm truly envious of a man who loves his profession as much as Jackson. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1935-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. History    5. History: American    6. Jackson, H. Joaquin    7. Jackson, H. Joaquin.    8. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    9. Specific Groups - General    10. Texas Rangers    11. United States - State & Local - Southwest    12. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (1)

An International Perspective on Foreign Legal Systems
"Comparative Criminal Justice Systems: a Topical Approach" is a study of a few foreign legal systems with a political approach and an "international perspective". According to the author, Phil L. Reichel, the goal of his book is to extend the reader's knowledge about other countries, their citizens and their cultures but most important to find ways to improve society; not only at a local but at a global level as well.Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminal justice, Administrati    2. Criminal justice, Administration of    3. Criminology    4. Cross-cultural studies    5. Japan    6. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    7. Political Science    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Sociology    10. Comparative law    11. Crime & criminology    12. Criminal law    13. Political Science / Law Enforcement   

Reviews (9)

You want this book
I've taken the basic exam, and did ok. Unfortunately military points, and other factors I wont get into here, okay is not enough. This book is the exam. The methods he recommends using involving making up your own stories to help with memory (something with sex usually works for me)has its advantages, although I think he overplays it in the book. I'm not completely through it, I still have mathematics left, but at this point I must say it is worth the money. And in my humble opinion, you get what you pay for, and more. However this is just 1 of 2 books with the words "Police Exam Prep" in the title that I bought, I'll let you know how the other one turns out.

Police Exam
The service is well and to received the book in a matter of days help built my relationship, knowning that I can received my books with out any delays.

What a waste of time...
I feel like I have wasted money on this book. It turned out, I didn't need this book to study for the police test. All of the time and energy I put into getting the information about the test, and the police test was nothing I'd expected it to be. PLEASE, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civil service    2. Examinations    3. Examinations, questions, etc    4. Police    5. Police Science    6. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    7. Political Science    8. Professional - General    9. Study Guides    10. Tests    11. United States   

Subjects:  1. Handbooks & Manuals    2. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    3. Politics - Current Events    4. Reference