As the longest serving NYPD commissioner, Ray Kelly diversified the department, created a world-class anti-terrorism operation, and oversaw a proactive program of community policing that contributed to a dramatic reduction of violent crime. In a lively memoir, Kelly recounts his long career and answers his critics. It is a compelling read that reminds us that safety and liberty are counterweights that public officials must balance and periodically adjust to preserve our character as a free people.
Born in 1941 in Manhattan, Kelly is the youngest of five children. The book entertainingly describes the Upper West Side neighborhood of his youth, his education in the Catholic schools, summers in Island Park, and even his first mugging in Central Park.
