MWSA Book Review

Book: Stars & Shields: Cop Stories
Author: Edward T. Cook
Publisher: Publish America
Genre: Non-fiction Memoir


Reviewer: Bill McDonald--MWSA Founder

Plenty of Cop Stories!

Author and retired police officer Edward T. Cook provides readers with an insider view of what police work was like for him in his short, but entertaining book “Stars & Shields: Cop Stories”. It must be said that this is not a politically correct book but his stories reflect the world where he lived. In California, some of the things he writes about could not happen without lawsuits, civil actions and a major investigation. I reference this to two of his stories about police roughing up or not giving medical aid and assistance to transgender people. It is certainly not something modern police departments would engage in without problems. But aside from those two stories, the rest of the book reflects some sensitivity and compassion and at times, it is even humorous.

The stories are easy to read and flow right along. You get to see what makes the job of being a police officer one of the hardest jobs in the world; lots of dangers, and lots of strange people that they have to deal with. The stories are like a snap shot of his experiences and that of some other police officers. It does captures the mind-set of law enforcement officers and makes for some good reading.

The book would be a nice gift for those who have loved ones in law enforcement or are a police officer themselves. I think since my son is a California Highway Patrol Officer I can relate to some of the stories. The book is 73 pages long and would make a great little book for someone at the airport waiting for a flight. A quick, non-taxing read!
 

Other titles by Edward T. Cook