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A good solid piece of police fiction and is arguably one of Joseph Wambaugh's most famous works. Bumper Morgan is a career L.A.P.D. police officer. A twenty-year man who has never done anything, but work patrol. While over-invested in his work ,and not above taking free meals from restaurants in his patrol area, he is an honest cop. Morgan views the meals as being something that the owners want to do for him. He isn't given the meals in exchange for breaking the law. For Morgan it isn't corrupti A good solid piece of police fiction and is arguably one of Joseph Wambaugh's most famous works. Bumper Morgan is a career L.A.P.D. police officer. A twenty-year man who has never done anything, but work patrol. While over-invested in his work ,and not above taking free meals from restaurants in his patrol area, he is an honest cop. Morgan views the meals as being something that the owners want to do for him. He isn't given the meals in exchange for breaking the law. For Morgan it isn't corruption and he does like to eat. Conservative (with a small c), World War II veteran (so many officers were up until the mid to late seventies), and self-taught. Bumper isn't a sophisticated man, but he isn't ignorant either. He's pragmatic, slightly cynical,likable and believes in his job even though he knows that he and his fellow officers have an almost impossible task.

The story covers the last three days of Bumper's career and it is a first person narrative. It moves rapidly and is almost stream of consciousness in how it flows. Though written over forty years ago there is much about Bumper and the fictional portrayal of his profession that still rings true in 2013. The technology has changed, but not people or the messes that they create. Wambaugh has never made his officers cardboard cut-outs. His officers are not of the Jack Webb school and I appreciate that. The fact that flawed Human beings still manage to do the work says more about them than the squeaky-clean caricatures that you see in "Adam-12" and "Dragnet". Bumper Morgan is flawed, but he's out there doing the work. Many don't appreciate him ,or like him, but he's still doing the job.

All in all a good novel. At times Wambaugh relies on stereotypes and clichés with a "shocking ending" that really isn't all that shocking. I wasn't surprised by the ending and ,actually, I expected it. However that's okay. Call it the work of new and still inexperienced author, but one with ability.

Bumper Morgan isn't a complicated character with unexplored depths. Ultimately he's just a Blue Knight which means a Human being wearing a somewhat tarnished suit of armor, but he's still wearing it.

I'll give it three stars. Worth reading if you're interested, but don't expect car chases, gun-battles and thrills and chills. Bumper Morgan is a police officer doing police work not a Hollywood stunt man.

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Fascinating snapshot of the 1970s LAPD

I've known about Joseph Wambaugh for many years, having grown up in Los Angeles, catching a few episodes of "The Blue Knight" TV series re-runs (starring George Kennedy) as a kid, and eventually embarking on a law enforcement career myself--mind you, I was Federal, not LAPD or LASD, but I've worked with (and befriended) enough SoCal municipal cops in my lifetime to be able to forge a common bond with them ("the bond of the badge," if you will).

It was one par

Fascinating snapshot of the 1970s LAPD

I've known about Joseph Wambaugh for many years, having grown up in Los Angeles, catching a few episodes of "The Blue Knight" TV series re-runs (starring George Kennedy) as a kid, and eventually embarking on a law enforcement career myself--mind you, I was Federal, not LAPD or LASD, but I've worked with (and befriended) enough SoCal municipal cops in my lifetime to be able to forge a common bond with them ("the bond of the badge," if you will).

It was one particular retired LAPD officer within my circle of friends (one of my USC Trojan football tailgating buddies) who mentioned personally knowing and working with Joe Wambaugh and thus motivated to add a couple of Joe's books to my e-reader, and I started off with "TBK."

I can now see why Mr. Wambaugh is such a popular author, with book critics and the general book-buying public alike, with cops and non-cops alike. An excellent writing style, hard-nosed, gritty, witty, and with an excellent eye for detail. Officer Bumper Morgan is a fascinating character who gives 21st century readers a very revealing insight into the mindset of L.A. cops and a snapshot of life in L.A. in general during the pre-PC days of the early 1970s. Never a dull moment, and an ending that'll hit you like a ton of bricks.

--p. 8: "A one-man foot beat's the best job in this or any police department. It always amuses policemen to see the movies where the big hood or crooked politician yells, 'I'll have you walking a beat, you dumb flatfoot,' when really it's a sought-after job." Haha, tell that to Jimmy Malone (Sean Connery) in "The Untouchables."

--p. 14: "Women are like cops, they sense things." Women's intuition = Cop's intuition? So, does that go double for female cops? (Contrast that with Leslie Nielsen in "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad": "It's true what they say, cops and women don't mix. It's like eating a spoonful of Drano; sure, it'll clean you out, but it'll also leave you feeling hollow inside.")

--p. 15: "'See that man,' she said. 'That's a policeman. He'll come and get you and put you in jail if you're bad.' She gave me a sweet smile, very smug because she thought I was impressed with her good citizenship. Frankie, who was only a half head taller than the kid, took a step toward them and said, 'That's real clever, lady. Make him scared of the law. Then he'll grow up hating cops because you scared him to death.'" Reminds me of my maternal cousins who gave me an abnormal fear of cops as a 4 y/o kid, claiming that police arrested babies for crying.

A cigar aficionado! Way to go, Bumper!

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Dec 15, 2010 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

This book was on a list of recommended mysteries, and was found in the mystery section--yet I don't think it really belongs there--both because this is no whodunnit, but also because it transcends that genre. We follow "Bumper" Morgan through the last three days of this beat in 1970s Los Angeles before he retires after 20 years on the police force.

And it's a great voice for a great character. Bumper is both cynical and idealistic--a knight with slightly tarnished armor--he feels very real. He's

This book was on a list of recommended mysteries, and was found in the mystery section--yet I don't think it really belongs there--both because this is no whodunnit, but also because it transcends that genre. We follow "Bumper" Morgan through the last three days of this beat in 1970s Los Angeles before he retires after 20 years on the police force.

And it's a great voice for a great character. Bumper is both cynical and idealistic--a knight with slightly tarnished armor--he feels very real. He's getting to an age where he can't do the job anymore that holds him in its grip--he's fat, he can't run, he has gas and his eyes aren't as sharp as they once were. And as his best friend and fellow cop Cruz Segovia tells him, the job is a whore, taking without giving, and his only hope is being able to accept love and a life beyond it.

I love how Bumper is not just allowed to make mistakes, but that those mistakes have consequences. There's a bit of Don Quixote and Willy Loman in Bumper. In his introduction, Michael Connelly says a great work of crime fiction tells not of how a cop works his cases, but how the cases work him, and by any measure this is a great work of crime fiction on those terms that made me think all through about what it must be like to be a cop.

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Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Joseph Wambaugh fan. His books are almost always funny, touching, and very entertaining, but this one I found lacking. We work the streets with William 'Bumper' Morgan, an L.A. cop on the verge of retiring. Throughout his twenty years, he has been a decent cop, but regrets that he hasn't done more. Bumper is engaged to a professor and has plans to move to San Francisco. For me, there was a lot of rambling on as the story unfolds through Bumper's viewpoi Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge Joseph Wambaugh fan. His books are almost always funny, touching, and very entertaining, but this one I found lacking. We work the streets with William 'Bumper' Morgan, an L.A. cop on the verge of retiring. Throughout his twenty years, he has been a decent cop, but regrets that he hasn't done more. Bumper is engaged to a professor and has plans to move to San Francisco. For me, there was a lot of rambling on as the story unfolds through Bumper's viewpoint on his last few days as a policeman. True to Wambaugh form, there was a twist at the end, but it wasn't enough to salvage the storyline, which seemed to be lacking. Bumper was not always a likeable character and it was hard to sympathize with him. I guess in the end, this book just wasn't for me, but I am still a huge Joseph Wambaugh fan! I would recommend his books to anyone--just maybe not this one! ...more

Apr 15, 2018 Teri rated it really liked it

What an interesting book. This book is set around the last three days of a street cop's beat before retiring and marrying the woman of his dreams. He is unapologetic and hungry in both appetites and justice. It was not what I was expecting from Wampaugh but was delighted nonetheless.

Like sitting in a bar being regaled with old cop yarns - given that Wambaugh was still on the beat when he wrote this, it's safe to assume a lot of them are rooted in truth. Like a crack crazed burglar - hard to put down. Like sitting in a bar being regaled with old cop yarns - given that Wambaugh was still on the beat when he wrote this, it's safe to assume a lot of them are rooted in truth. Like a crack crazed burglar - hard to put down. ...more

Jun 03, 2017 Patrick rated it liked it

Blue Knight captures life and policing Los Angeles in the 1970s, and the end of beat police through Bumper Morgan's story. Blue Knight captures life and policing Los Angeles in the 1970s, and the end of beat police through Bumper Morgan's story. ...more

Mar 30, 2012 Bruce Snell rated it really liked it

This is something of a companion piece to Joseph Wambaugh's The New Centurions which told the story of 3 officers at the start of their careers. In this, the second of Wambaugh's books about the LAPD we meet Bumper Morgan a beat cop with three days left to retirement. The story is told as a first person stream of consciousness by Bumper as he goes thru his last days as a cop.

For me Bumper is a difficult person to like. It would be easy to say he is not a very good cop - he takes something from

This is something of a companion piece to Joseph Wambaugh's The New Centurions which told the story of 3 officers at the start of their careers. In this, the second of Wambaugh's books about the LAPD we meet Bumper Morgan a beat cop with three days left to retirement. The story is told as a first person stream of consciousness by Bumper as he goes thru his last days as a cop.

For me Bumper is a difficult person to like. It would be easy to say he is not a very good cop - he takes something from virtually everyone on his beat - free meals, shopping, services, or whatever they have that he can use. He is lazy - he takes three meal breaks during every shift, and then rests for a while after eating. He refuses to write traffic tickets; he lies on arrest reports; and thru it all, he believes he is doing a good job because he makes arrests.

On the other hand, as we get deeper into Bumper's life, we discover that Bumper really does care about the people on his beat. He knows all of them by name - he stops and talks to them, letting them know that they are being protected. He has no overt prejudices - he likes everyone on his beat, Asians, blacks, Hispanics, Arabs, Jews, everyone.

And from the beginning it was clear that the story must end in tragedy. We can only guess at the nature of the tragedy (and I was mostly wrong), but when it comes, it is everything a book like this deserves. Another reminder that Wambaugh was as good as it gets in his prime.

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The author was still working as a policeman when this book was published so I felt like I was getting the true inside story of walking a beat in L.A. during the early seventies. "Bumper" Morgan is a larger than life character and this chronicle of his last few days walking a beat before retirement really showed both the highs and lows of police work. The author was still working as a policeman when this book was published so I felt like I was getting the true inside story of walking a beat in L.A. during the early seventies. "Bumper" Morgan is a larger than life character and this chronicle of his last few days walking a beat before retirement really showed both the highs and lows of police work. ...more

Feb 10, 2017 Ed rated it really liked it

After author Wambaugh's debut novel of a class of police rookies, The New Centurions (1970), he followed it up with this 1972 novel of a police veteran about to retire.

Police Novels - Twenty and two. Those are the numbers turning in the mind of William "Bumper" Morgan: twenty years on the job, two days before he "pulls the pin" and walks away from it forever. But on the gritty streets of L.A., people look at Bumper like some kind of knight in armor--they've plied him with come-ons, hot tips, an

After author Wambaugh's debut novel of a class of police rookies, The New Centurions (1970), he followed it up with this 1972 novel of a police veteran about to retire.

Police Novels - Twenty and two. Those are the numbers turning in the mind of William "Bumper" Morgan: twenty years on the job, two days before he "pulls the pin" and walks away from it forever. But on the gritty streets of L.A., people look at Bumper like some kind of knight in armor--they've plied him with come-ons, hot tips, and the hard respect a man can't earn anywhere else. Now, with a new job and a good woman waiting for him, a kinky thief terrorizing L.A.'s choice hotels, and a tragedy looming, Bumper Morgan is about to face the only thing that can scare him: the demons that he's been hiding behind his bright and shiny badge.

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Good story but...

The story was good ... Sometimes sad, sometimes funny and sometimes annoying. I understand how these kind of things happen in the life of a cop ... And the things we go thru deciding on retirement. Here's the but ... The ending left a bit too much to the imagination of the reader. Very open ended when I believe that the Author intended for the reader to grasp what comes next on their own. I could not make that jump without reading prior reviews and blurbs about this book. I gave

Good story but...

The story was good ... Sometimes sad, sometimes funny and sometimes annoying. I understand how these kind of things happen in the life of a cop ... And the things we go thru deciding on retirement. Here's the but ... The ending left a bit too much to the imagination of the reader. Very open ended when I believe that the Author intended for the reader to grasp what comes next on their own. I could not make that jump without reading prior reviews and blurbs about this book. I gave it 4 stars but really it's more like 3.25.

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Jun 12, 2021 Doug rated it really liked it

With all the controversy surrounding policing in the U.S., I thought a re-read of a Wambaugh novel might be interesting. I read many of his early novels (and non-fiction) in the 1970s and remember finding them honest and somewhat startling. They remain so. The language is dated (not so PC as today's writers), but officer Morgan, a 20 year veteran of the LA PD, remains a multi-dimensional character who seems to reflect many of both the positive and negative traits and attitudes of current police With all the controversy surrounding policing in the U.S., I thought a re-read of a Wambaugh novel might be interesting. I read many of his early novels (and non-fiction) in the 1970s and remember finding them honest and somewhat startling. They remain so. The language is dated (not so PC as today's writers), but officer Morgan, a 20 year veteran of the LA PD, remains a multi-dimensional character who seems to reflect many of both the positive and negative traits and attitudes of current police officers. Glad to have experienced this classic again. ...more

This has the feel of a sort of dramatised documentary. The novel has almost no discernible plot - it is a set of loosely linked episodes in the life of an LA policeman preparing to retire from the force. I was unsure how to rate it because, in terms of structure, pace and development, it leaves much to be desired. However, I enjoyed the vigorous and descriptive writing so overall I think it is just about worth 4 stars.

This was great, very anecdotal, also kind of its time, but connected via the very human character of Bubanski whose reactions and abilities to handle all the crazy people he comes into contact with via his job as beat cop are never not entertaining. Very much made me wanna read more Wambaugh tho I suspect i won't like any of his other novels as much as I liked this one since it feels like it'd be hard to replicate the feel of, tho I'd love to be proven wrong! This was great, very anecdotal, also kind of its time, but connected via the very human character of Bubanski whose reactions and abilities to handle all the crazy people he comes into contact with via his job as beat cop are never not entertaining. Very much made me wanna read more Wambaugh tho I suspect i won't like any of his other novels as much as I liked this one since it feels like it'd be hard to replicate the feel of, tho I'd love to be proven wrong! ...more

May 22, 2019 Matt rated it liked it

Desperately in search of a story. Read 60 pages of perfectly fine description of an average 70's LAPD beat cop - but unfortunately nothing ever seems to happen to him except going around collecting free things and occasionally arresting people who rub him wrong. 'Baretta' had far more story line than this, and you sir are no Baretta Desperately in search of a story. Read 60 pages of perfectly fine description of an average 70's LAPD beat cop - but unfortunately nothing ever seems to happen to him except going around collecting free things and occasionally arresting people who rub him wrong. 'Baretta' had far more story line than this, and you sir are no Baretta ...more

An interesting slice of life from late 1960s police work in Los Angeles by a veteran of that force. It's helpful to hear from different perspectives; so often those in uniform that serve us are looked at from a warped perspective. This story shows the humanity of someone who sees society at their worst on an ongoing basis. An interesting slice of life from late 1960s police work in Los Angeles by a veteran of that force. It's helpful to hear from different perspectives; so often those in uniform that serve us are looked at from a warped perspective. This story shows the humanity of someone who sees society at their worst on an ongoing basis. ...more

A very interesting look at a week in the life of a 20 year beat cop. This book is not for everyone because it is a literary drama not a mystery or a crime novel. I would hate to think this book is a realistic portrayal of how police do their job. It is a quick entertaining read. For me the ending was projected and unoriginal.

This book is showing its age. A cop who.breaks all the rules to do the right thing. Except we don't think it's the right thing anymore. I also had a problem with the gluttony. Bumper stuffing himself with food and self-righteousness just wasn't a very sympathetic character. This book is showing its age. A cop who.breaks all the rules to do the right thing. Except we don't think it's the right thing anymore. I also had a problem with the gluttony. Bumper stuffing himself with food and self-righteousness just wasn't a very sympathetic character. ...more

A look be late police work ( police life) in Los Angeles . Simple and direct prose.

A good read. It supp!emsnts.my reading of the Harry Bosch stories by Michael Connelly. There is a darker side to police work, to Los Angeles and to life for us in genera!

I haven't read a Wambaugh since the 80's Choir Boys and The Onion Field. Marvelous stories so am really enjoying getting back into this genre.

I was disappointed with the ending - a) I didn't want anything to happen to Cruz and b) I really wanted Bumper to leave on friday. But I guess... that's life and people and shit happens!

I haven't read a Wambaugh since the 80's Choir Boys and The Onion Field. Marvelous stories so am really enjoying getting back into this genre.

I was disappointed with the ending - a) I didn't want anything to happen to Cruz and b) I really wanted Bumper to leave on friday. But I guess... that's life and people and shit happens!

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Disappointing book. If Bumper Morgan is a typical copper then there would be a lot of food outlets in L.A. He does just about nothing but eat for free breakfast lunch and dinner that's about all he thinks about. A lot of food description takes up a lot of the book. I do not recommend this one. Disappointing book. If Bumper Morgan is a typical copper then there would be a lot of food outlets in L.A. He does just about nothing but eat for free breakfast lunch and dinner that's about all he thinks about. A lot of food description takes up a lot of the book. I do not recommend this one. ...more

Worst Wambaugh book I've ever read. Very neaderthal main character cop. Love Hollywood Wambaugh series. Worst Wambaugh book I've ever read. Very neaderthal main character cop. Love Hollywood Wambaugh series. ...more

With three days to go until his retirement, a cop reflects on his morally ambiguous career.

As gritty as it was melodramatic.

Feb 21, 2019 Cherie Palmer rated it really liked it

I read this in the 80's. What an introduction into the life of the police!

I first read this over 40 years ago. It still holds up as true today. A Classic.

Kinda boring

Three days in life of cop about to retire. Not very interesting. He is kinda a screwup. Don't recommend it.

Crisp writing, but the corruption takes the tarnish off of this dated masterwork.

I know the author has had a very successful writing career but after reading this novel all I can say is that I was not impressed.

Joseph Wambaugh, a former LAPD detective sergeant (1960-1974), is the bestselling author of twenty-one prior works of fiction and nonfiction, including The Choirboys and The Onion Field. Wambaugh joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1960. He served 14 years, rising to detective sergeant. He also attended California State University, Los Angeles, where he earned Bachelor of Arts and M Joseph Wambaugh, a former LAPD detective sergeant (1960-1974), is the bestselling author of twenty-one prior works of fiction and nonfiction, including The Choirboys and The Onion Field. Wambaugh joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1960. He served 14 years, rising to detective sergeant. He also attended California State University, Los Angeles, where he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees.

In 2004, he was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. He lives in southern California.

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