Title: Variety, the Spice of the Job: Thoughts and Experiences from 31 Years of California Police Work
Author: David W. Donovan
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 9781524600693
Pages: 239
Genre: Biography & Autobiography

Reviewed by: Ella Vincent

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Pacific Book Review

Variety, the Spice of the Job chronicles the different adventures of David W. Donovan, a retired California police officer. This autobiography details the variety of encounters he had as a cop on the beat in Oakland and other cities in California from 1969-2000. This book is an insightful look at one of the most difficult jobs in America.

Donovan details some of the most harrowing interactions he had with suspects as a police officer. He tells stories about big drug busts, catching criminals, and helping crime victims. He writes about catching criminals on the “bunco”, or fraud, division. Donovan caught numerous con artists that perpetrated frauds like the pigeon drop on unsuspecting victims that swindled people out of money. He notes the tense situations that arise when confronted with armed suspects and how he calmly dealt with those circumstances. Donovan also writes unflinchingly about how as a policeman, he encountered a lot of senseless crimes in the crime-ridden streets of Oakland, from assault to murder.

While Variety, the Spice of the Job can be intense, there are some surprisingly lighthearted moments in the book as well. Donovan writes about a time when he had to settle a dispute between two women around one Thanksgiving about a pivotal item: a can of cranberries. He also writes about a time when he was called for a mundane task: screwing in a light bulb.

Variety, the Spice of the Job is a three-dimensional look at the life of a police officer. While there is controversy concerning police officers’ interaction with civilians, Donovan, who’s Irish-American, showed respect to the minority residents of Oakland that he encountered as an officer. This book shows that while the criminal justice system has flaws, police officers like Donovan are part of the solution, not the problem.

This book shows the often-forgotten roles a police officer must take on- psychologist, negotiator, even confidant. Donovan’s stories are conversational and relatable. Readers will feel an immediate kinship with Donovan through his writing style. Variety, the Spice of the Job should be given to rookie police officers to prepare them for the unpredictability of being a cop. This book would be perfect for any person who wants to learn more about the intricacies of law enforcement. Donovan’s writing shows that he’s not only a great cop, but also a gifted writer. Variety, the Spice of the Job is a book that will entertain and educate readers that want to know more about being a cop on the beat.