Customer Reviews
Excellent, if now dated - By: catholic reader, 26 Nov 2008 
I read this when it first came out, & thoroughly enjoyed it, someone borrowed my copy & never returned it - a crime there, surely. It was equally as impresive the second time around although it is dated, the events being almost 20 years ago, & the police procedures & politics being a bit like reading earlier booksin Ed McBain's 87th Precient series (e.g., reading about the 50sin the late 70's, the same time gap involvedin reading 'Homicide' now). It comes across as a gritty, realistic, not completely flattering account of the officers & their job at that time. Even the postscript updates add to the enjoyment. Although changes were obviously underway evenin 1988, it still seems to involve a Force that attempts to investigate & detect crime, rather than 'spin' it. I doubt Simon could do the same again. Force politics, PR attitudes & even the effect TV images has had on the officers' presented self image would getin the way
Read this and die happy. - By: Colin D., 19 Nov 2008 
This book is so readable. The writer is a true talent. You will learn, be entertained & informed. Buy or share it with your kids, spouse , friends & grandparents. I lost my first copy on a flight & I was upset. My wife replaced it to please me, also so that she can read it. This is better than The Wire. Enjoy.
reissued,repackaged and required Reading - By: Ian Paterson, 01 Sep 2008 How do you fill the void left after watching the final episode of one of the greatest tv shows of all time ? Go back to the source & that's what this is without this book there is no The Wire. It's a remarkable book & one that hasn't really dated unlike the TV series of the same name.
The premise is well described David Simon writes about a yearin the life of the homicide department of Baltimore what suprised me was that it isn't written for the journalist point of view so instead we get informed what the detectives are thinking. It's hard to explain that for the veteran detectives we see that there is no personal crusade to solve the crimes it's a job & not a highly paid one so if it's not the money what compels these individuals to keep going especially when faced by some pretty daming statistics pointed out by Simon when it comes to actually securing convictions.
The less experienced detectives find it harder to be detached especiallyin the case of a murder of a young school girl that takes up a large amount of the book here the principal detective is haunted not so much by the crime but frustration to crack the case.
The politics, the court system , the lack of resource are all explored but without Simon preaching an opinion it shows just how much content is here when a scene from the wire season 5! Not an early season isin the book that to me showed just how much content there is that after 40 hours of tv there is still a gem to be pulled from the book
A powerful subject & probably as close as anyone is going to understand what freeman, bunk & mcnaulty would describe as true police
A must read for lovers of The Wire
Gritty and Realistic - By: J. Bryan, 07 Jul 2008 A true "no over the top" crime book told with honesty & well worth a read.
Definately worth the time - By: Chris Wright, 29 Feb 2008 I stumbled upon this book about 4 years ago whilst i was watching the tv series the wire. I didnt read it straight away but luckily i came down with flu & was bedridden for a week & thankfully because of that I read what I consider to be the best ever true crime literature ever written. This is a truly outstanding book & I couldnt recommend it highly enough, i just wish there were more books as engrossing, thought provoking & epic as this masterpeice
