The Job

Steve Osborne's memoir chronicles his twenty years as a New York City police officer, from rookie patrolman to lieutenant. Through a series of stand-alone stories, he recounts experiences from his career working the streets of Manhattan's 9th Precinct. The narrative follows Osborne through foot chases, arrests, investigations, and encounters with both criminals and civilians across the city. His accounts cover the spectrum of police work, from mundane patrols to life-threatening situations, including his experiences during 9/11. Each chapter functions as a self-contained episode that builds a larger portrait of life in the NYPD. Osborne writes in a direct, unfiltered style that mirrors the frank communication style of police officers. The book captures the complex relationship between police officers and the communities they serve, while examining themes of duty, fear, and the human elements that emerge in law enforcement work. Through his personal lens, Osborne documents both the daily realities and extraordinary moments of police life in New York City.

Readers found Osborne's stories from his NYPD career authentic, gritty and often humorous. The book reads like sitting with a cop at a bar hearing their best stories. Liked: - Raw, conversational writing style - Balance of serious cases with lighter moments - Insights into daily police work beyond typical crime drama - Personal reflections on 9/11 and its impact Disliked: - Some repetitive storytelling - Occasional rambling passages - A few readers felt stories were embellished - Rough language may put off sensitive readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (850+ ratings) "Like having a front row seat in a police car" - Amazon reviewer "His matter-of-fact approach makes the dramatic moments hit harder" - Goodreads review "Stories feel honest, not sanitized for PR" - Goodreads review

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🚔 Author Steve Osborne served 20 years in the NYPD, rising from rookie patrol officer to lieutenant before retiring in 2003. 📚 The book evolved from Osborne's powerful storytelling performances at The Moth, a renowned live storytelling venue and radio show in New York City. 🗽 Many of the book's stories take place during the dramatic transformation of New York City in the 1980s and 1990s, when crime rates fell significantly. 🎭 Before becoming a police officer, Osborne worked as a creative professional in the theater industry - a background that helped shape his engaging narrative style. ⭐ The audiobook version is narrated by Osborne himself, bringing an extra layer of authenticity to his firsthand accounts of life as an NYPD officer.