Prince of the City

Prince of the City tells the true story of NYPD detective Robert Leuci, who worked undercover in the 1970s to expose corruption within New York City's criminal justice system. Daley follows Leuci's journey as he agrees to work with federal prosecutors to investigate fellow officers in the Special Investigating Unit. The book details the complex relationships between police, prosecutors, drug dealers, and informants during a turbulent period in New York City's history. Through extensive interviews and research, Daley reconstructs the high-stakes operations and psychological toll of Leuci's undercover work. The narrative examines the moral uncertainties faced by police officers and the thin lines between law enforcement and criminality in America's largest city. Beyond its account of one detective's experiences, Prince of the City reveals systemic issues within law enforcement institutions and raises questions about loyalty, betrayal, and the personal costs of exposing corruption.

Readers praise Daley's deep research and insider access to the NYPD corruption investigations of the 1970s. Many note the book reads like a thriller while maintaining journalistic integrity. Multiple reviews highlight how it captures the moral complexities faced by police officers who chose to expose corruption. Readers appreciated: - Detailed portrayal of police department inner workings - Complex examination of loyalty vs ethics - Clear explanations of legal proceedings - Character development of Bob Leuci Common criticisms: - Dense legal/procedural details can be hard to follow - Large cast of characters becomes confusing - Some sections move slowly Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (384 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) One reader noted: "Shows how good cops can be corrupted by a broken system." Another wrote: "The level of detail is amazing but occasionally overwhelming." The book maintains strong review scores decades after publication, with readers consistently praising its authenticity and depth.

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🔹 The book is based on real NYPD detective Robert Leuci, who worked undercover with federal prosecutors to expose corruption within the department's Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in the early 1970s. 🔹 Author Robert Daley spent a year as Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD before writing the book, giving him unique insider access and perspective on police operations. 🔹 The story was adapted into a critically acclaimed 1981 film directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Treat Williams as Daniel Ciello (the character based on Leuci). 🔹 During the actual investigation that inspired the book, approximately 50 NYPD officers were indicted, and several prosecutors were convicted of criminal conduct. 🔹 The real-life detective, Robert Leuci, initially cooperated with Daley for the book but later expressed regret about his role in the investigation, feeling that it destroyed the lives of fellow officers who had been his friends.