- Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
- Publisher: Bantam (April 1 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0553582437
- ISBN-13: 978-0553582437
- Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 2.5 x 17.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 204 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#412,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #15 in Books > Professional & Technical > Law > Procedures & Litigation > Witnesses
- #15 in Books > Law > Procedures & Litigation > Witnesses
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Earley, an Edgar fact-crime award winner for Circumstantial Evidence, and Shur present a fascinating third-person account of Shur's 25-year career with the Department of Justice. Starting out as a federal attorney who recruited witnesses to take down the New York crime syndicate, Shur immediately saw the need to protect those who might testify against organized crime. After years of ardent advocacy, Shur created what would become the Witness Protection Program (WITSEC). As this book shows, WITSEC's 30-year history has been anything but tranquil. Some witnesses started up new crime syndicates or haplessly revealed their true identities. Others, wanting to remain in the spotlight, presented false testimony at congressional hearings. Still others took their indispensability as witnesses to mean they were to live forever on government subsistence checks. Additionally, Shur and WITSEC faced infighting among the federal agencies that most used the program, notably, the FBI, IRS and DEA; and the physical protection of witnesses and their families was often badly handled by a poorly organized U.S. Marshals Service. Yet WITSEC has managed to protect thousands of witnesses from certain death for having offered incriminating testimony to authorities. Since the book brazenly cheers Shur's every contribution to WITSEC, it is not the well-rounded work that it should be; nevertheless, this is an eye-opening account of a significant government program, with firsthand testimony by a woman identified only as "Witness X," who has been relocated by the program. (Feb. 4)Forecast: This BOMC alternate selection has plenty of drama and action to satisfy true-crime fans. The dramatic cover photo of a man in the dark, his outline silhouetted by light, will draw attention.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.From Library Journal
WITSEC, or the Witness Protection Program, has alternately been praised as the key to the destruction of organized crime and damned for "buying" testimony and setting vicious criminals loose on unsuspecting communities. Here Shur, the driving force behind WITSEC for over 30 years, and journalist Earley present the history of the program, warts and all. Conceived as a way to help mob informants, WITSEC was underfunded, understaffed, and foisted on the unwilling U.S. marshals. But over the years it became much more organized and professional, even as it began to draw controversy. Some relocated criminals continued their criminal careers, families were broken up, and some noncriminal witnesses felt like criminals themselves. Included is a first-person account of the relocated wife of a mobster, who describes the terror and devastation of leaving her old life behind. While Shur's perspective is foremost, the authors bend over backward to present dissenting opinions. Overall, the impression is of a program that works staggeringly well despite its shortcomings. For all true-crime collections. Deirdre Root, Middletown P.L., OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Balanced view of a controversial Government Program,
By Gene Coon (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Witsec: Inside the Federal Witness Protection Program (Hardcover)
Gerry Shur's unique story telling ability is expertly enhanced by Pete Earley's easy flowing writing style.This book, which reads like a novel, provides the reader with and in depth look into why and how this Program was developed. Facts are laced with the right amount of anecdotal information, affording a balanced, accurate and fair portrayal of a controversial Government Program. At times the reader may wonder if the main character of the book is Shur or Howard Safir but you quickly learn that without the leadership and innovative thinking of Safir, Shur's brainchild may have dwindled on the vine. Pete Earley's inclusion of a mobster's wife's perspective on the Program is brilliant. It comes at just the right time in the sequence of events to allow the reader to more clearly understand the impact that this extremely effective law enforcement tool can have on the lives of those on the peripheral. Once you begin, you won't want to put this one down.
4.0 out of 5 stars
The inside tale of witness protection...,
By
This review is from: Witsec: Inside the Federal Witness Protection Program (Hardcover)
I enjoyed this book for the most part. The stories of people who have been accepted into the Witness Protection Program (WITSEC) are interesting, sometimes frightening, and frequently funny. However, at times the book bogs down into the story of how the Washington beauracracy has at times tried to bring down the program. I suppose it is not possible to tell the story of the program without discussing internal politics, but I felt that it detracted from the story and made the book less readable. Regardless, the majority of the book is fascinating, and the book is recommended.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A program you hope you never have to enter...,
By
This review is from: Witsec: Inside the Federal Witness Protection Program (Mass Market Paperback)
WITSEC is a fine and rather quick read. Despite the fact that some may argue that the book skewed because one of the co-authors is the founder of the program, the book is balanced. It discusses the mistakes and the successes. There is some fascinating stuff here: the early fight against the mob, the Witness X tragic story (a woman who tells her own story), and a funny sequence exposing the ... "reporting" of Geraldo Rivera. Schur is a hero...anyone with MS who can do what he does is. The book seems to a bit rambling at times, but the stories keep you coming back for more. There was a lot history on the US Marshals and that was a bit dry at times. The book, overall, crackles with some fine stories. In the end, the the light shed on this program makes it a great read for fans of law enforcement and the true crime genre.
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