Street Justice: A History of Police Violence in New York City

‘Johnson … has taken on a formidable and sensitive subject and has largely conquered it, thanks to indefatigable research and a rigorous, unblinking analysis … a well-written, intelligent and at times even colorful examination of one of the perennial problems of urban life … an invaluable contribution to the histories both of New York and of American law enforcement in general.’ -Kevin Baker, New York Times Book Review ‘A masterfully crafted chronicle … The pages are sprinkled with fascinating episodes and anecdotes, uncovering the ‘story behind the story’ for such police practices as ‘the third degree’ and ‘sweatboxes.” -James Alan Fox, Boston Globe

‘This fascinating, highly detailed historical survey, beginning with the NYPD’s founding in 1845, reads like a true-crime page-turner … [Johnson] provides a sensitive and insightful look at the range of social, political and economic changes that have affected how police brutality has been repeatedly redefined.’ -Publishers Weekly

“Street Justice gives the reader pause to seriously reconsider the caliber of many of the people who’ve worn badges and carried guns on our streets.” New York Resident

Marilynn S. Johnson is Associate Professor of History at Boston College.

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