Departments Books

First, let me say that I was a member of the OPD from 1966 to 1979; as such I did not have the privilege of knowing the author during my tenure. When I learned of the book, I ordered it immediately and read it through from front to back. I applaud Matthew Lyons for making the effort to research and collect the historically significant information contained in the book, it is an important story that needs to be documented and made available to others. Matthew tells his story mostly through the use of historical photographs with text descriptions, as a result there are important stories that likely just could not be included, and half or more of the pages are devoted to people, places and occurrences prior to 1960, an interesting period of rapid changes in the city and the police department. I would encourage the author to explore additional sources of historical information and consider a sequel portraying in more detail the more 'modern era' OPD. Anyone interested in historical information about early southern California law enforcement, and a police department facing substantial challenges will like this book.

There are a number of positions that are being used these days that do not appear to be mentioned in the book.

This book is out of print and very dated, but it still is chock full of useful information on where the Untied States and Canada produce their regional economies. I've had this book since I took a geography course at the University of Minnesota twenty years ago. Nearly every map is in serious need of revision and updating, but the concept of the atlas is sound and valid.

The maps range from physical to dot maps indicating tomato and cotton production, non-ferrous metal mining, transportation, and climate. No geographer should be without something that supplies this essential information.

Again, the information presented here has its limitations, but if this is available at a garage sale or used bookstore, its worth the dollar or so charged.

Reviewed by Sophia McElroy (age 5.75) for Reader Views (11/08)

I thought this book was funny. The pictures were very interesting and made me laugh. My favorite part of the story is when Paddington and his family go on the sleigh ride. They come to a part of the tour where Paddington is mad at the display because a plastic reindeer was laying on its side and all the stuff was a mess. This really made me laugh; Paddington didn't think it was funny at all. I think he is a really cute bear. I liked when he at the marmalade from Santa.

Parent's Note:

Sophia was so taken with the pictures she wouldn't even really talk to me about the story itself. I kept asking her and she just kept showing me her favorite pictures. I would have to say that for her, the illustrations told the story for her more than the words in "Paddington and the Christmas Surprise" by Michael Bond.

I was actually with the Fort Worth PD during this time and wanted to read the information in it as I was told I was mentioned in it.Great read,
Dave King /Texas

This book is really good for those who want to pursue their higher education in U.S. .It helps those students who have very little access to the internet,as it covers information about all the colleges and gives information about the applying process,which could be obtained in the internet but only after an extensive search of the internet..This book is a must read for all those who are determined to pursue their higher studies in U.S

how to install a police record system in a small department?

Reviewed by Ellen Hogan for Reader Views (8/06)

Jason Cutter has just buried his wife. He has also made a decision that will alter his and his daughter's lives. A group of people called the Founders approached Jason and asked him to lead their plan to choke the government to death. It would mean that Jason Cutter will exist no more, and in his place, would be Preston Fisk. So, Jason makes a contingency in his will that his daughter Angel be adopted by his best friend Harry. The Founders make Jason disappear, and Angel is left an orphan.

Several years later Preston Fisk appears after having extensive plastic surgery and indoctrination to the Founder's way of thinking. Two of his friends from his former life came with him and became his bodyguard and his trusted confidant. When Fisk's new chauffer is hired, he tells him that "My name is Preston Duquesne Fisk, and I am, in fact, the point man for what you'd call a conspiracy. For the last ten years, we've been helping every unscrupulous politician we can find. We make sure they have the backing they need to get into office. The plan is to choke the federal government to death with its own greed and corruption."

One of the people that Fisk helped get elected is President Madeline Hill. She, however, decides that she doesn't need Fisk anymore and makes several attempts on his life. Somehow Fisk's team is always able to get him out of the trickiest situations. Now Fisk has found the perfect person to head the second phase of the Founder's plan and his name is Bill Garrison. Bill doesn't understand why he has been chosen, but he goes for his training anyway. During this time, the President calls a meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury and tells him that she plans to fix the country's debt. The Secretary opposes the plan and tells the President so. After he leaves, President Hill tells Fisk to take care of him. Fisk's plan fails; he tries to reason with the Secretary but it falls on deaf ears. A little while later the Secretary's boat is blown up with him, his wife and bodyguard on board.

Angel Cutter is the Press Secretary for the President. She wanted to get close so that she could destroy her in revenge for her father's death. She enlists the help of a newswoman to leak things to the media and she hopes this will bring down the President.

The day has come for Fisk to end phase one of the plan. He goes to a private clinic and is to have surgery to remove the implants the Founders required him to have. While there he learns that the Secretary and his bodyguard did not die in the explosion, but that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. His handlers frantically try to find a way to get him out of there, but each escape route is blocked with police. So Fisk decides to turn himself in and when he reaches the car a bomb goes off.

Bill Garrison is told that it's time to start phase two and he is sent back to Washington.

"Politics and Patriotism - The Fisk Conspiracy" is a good political thriller, but I would have liked to see some of the unfinished story lines resolved. Hopefully this means that Mr. Oldham will write a sequel. Still the story is very good and the characters are diverse. It makes you think this could really happen one day.

Well, having finished my masters I decided on some light reading until I found a decent job in London. I soon took an interest in Sociology and read in great depth on criminology. This book was one of the best when it came to offering what sociologist would called the 'Anomic Apprach'- and yes that is as in Durkheim's theory. This book is generally considered as one of the best if you are looking for something realtd to the theory of anoie, in the context of differential association (Sutherland's main theory). I would also draw comparisons with Cloward and Ohlin who, in the 60's wrote 'Delinquenct and Opportunity'- a masterpeice in the peicing together of these very difficult concepts.

I always find it a shame that more people do not read book such as these aqs they really con offer a valued insight to the way society works, and more importantly, how it can go wrong.

I woudl be interested if anyone else should have any thoughts on this subject. Please feel free to email me on olie_sharp@hotmail.com

The quality of the used book was great. The only problem I had with it was that it was not my professor's personal selections of articles. So now I have a book that I cannot even use; I had to go to my bookstore and purchase the right one.