- Hardcover: 240 pages
- Publisher: Mainstream Publishing (15 Mar 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1840184183
- ISBN-13: 978-1840184181
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.5 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,062,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
"You go to work, and you might be shot dead. You imagine being horribly maimed in a bomb blast. You come home and wonder if you'll be shot at the front door. You go to bed with a revolver on the bedside cabinet. At times you wonder if this is really part of the UK." This was the world inhabited by Richard Latham during his service with the Royal Ulster Constabulary - a force that remains an institution of contradictions and intrigue to many outside observers. Considered by some to be one of the finest police forces in the world, its officers are looked upon by others as evil storm-troopers of Unionism and the British Government. The RUC is now a force undergoing sweeping change in response to Republican demands, yet for 30 years it stood alongside the British Army in a war that killed over 300 policement and injured thousands more. For 14 years, Latham, an Englishman, served as a police officer, both in England and in Northern Ireland, before transferring from the English Special Brance to the RUC in 1991. This is his story, giving his insight into the grim reality of policing Ulster. The book brings to light incidents of racism and religious bias experienced by the author himself. It looks behind the scenes to reveal the extremes of behaviour, alcohol abuse, womanizing and petty corruption that happened.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Richard Latham appears in this book as a ordinary young man who yearns for a little bit of excitement - and boy does he get it !
The Book takes you through his joining of Sussex Police where his initial fears are that his posting ( Worthing ) will be dull and his first steps all the way to him joining Special Branch.
The Story then takes you " Across the Water " to the author joining what was then the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the trials and tribulations he suffered as a Englishman without any firm sense of religon in a land where you are looked upon,as in some cases a oppressor and also where the concept of being a Atheist is just not a option.
Mr Latham explains some of the more unpalatable truths of being a policeman and tells a exciting story full of Terror and also the problems the RUC had trying to deal with a Car Accident when every call could be a set-up.
It tells of lying in wait with a rifle in a bush - Not the Dixon of dock green i remember !
The Author is clearly frustrated with the current political process and also the Criminal Justice system and it seems has now retired from the Police in disgust having returned to Sussex Police
This Book is interesting in itself as a Biography but well worth a read for anyone interested in Policing as a whole or with a interest in the " Troubles"
The Book takes you through his joining of Sussex Police where his initial fears are that his posting ( Worthing ) will be dull and his first steps all the way to him joining Special Branch.
The Story then takes you " Across the Water " to the author joining what was then the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the trials and tribulations he suffered as a Englishman without any firm sense of religon in a land where you are looked upon,as in some cases a oppressor and also where the concept of being a Atheist is just not a option.
Mr Latham explains some of the more unpalatable truths of being a policeman and tells a exciting story full of Terror and also the problems the RUC had trying to deal with a Car Accident when every call could be a set-up.
It tells of lying in wait with a rifle in a bush - Not the Dixon of dock green i remember !
The Author is clearly frustrated with the current political process and also the Criminal Justice system and it seems has now retired from the Police in disgust having returned to Sussex Police
This Book is interesting in itself as a Biography but well worth a read for anyone interested in Policing as a whole or with a interest in the " Troubles"
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Anyone who likes reading real life accounts of policing will not be able to put this book down until it is finished.
Richard Latham tells it how it is, in his terminology 'warts and all', to be a police officer in Northern Ireland during the height of the troubles.
Richard Latham tells it how it is, in his terminology 'warts and all', to be a police officer in Northern Ireland during the height of the troubles.
No review can do this book justice, it literally has to be read to be believed. Anyone who reads it and does not at times feel tears in their eyes, or their fists clenching in anger, must not be human.
When you put the book down, I guarantee you will know that the police officers of the RUC are brave and incredible people.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an excellent book. Latham was an RUC officer and tells the story of the heroism of this valliant force well.
His account is factual and he does not try to dress it up. Not only does he highlight the great qualities of the RUC he also highlights some of their flaws.
I would recommend thsi book to anyone who really wants to know what surving in the RUC was like during and after the troubles.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Food for thought
For the first time in a long time I began to read more slowly as as I came close to the finish. It was a great book and i didn't want it to end. Read more
Published 3 months ago by cumbriankid
mozza
this is a excellent written book by a ruc officer on the frontline fight against terrorism it tries to explain life has a ruc man not knowing what anyday you could be shot or blown... Read more
Published 4 months ago by mozza
deadly beat
A good book to read very informative of a Cruel conflict and just shows how Murderers get away with it to keep the Politians happy
Published 6 months ago by jim
Deadly Beat
Interesting personal viewpoint on the 'Troubles'. Would recommend this book to anyone wanting a hard hitting,unbiased account based on experience.
Published 10 months ago by G. Howe
Deadly Beat
A good read and unusual to hear from the RUC for a change.
Published on 4 Nov 2004 by Alan J Caulfield
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