The Brass Wall

Abridged
Author: David Kocieniewski
Narrator: Greg Salata
Genres: True-Crime
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Date: October 2003
Length: 6 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 4.5/5
Formats:
  • CD

Overview

In 1993, Vincent Armanti, Undercover Detective #4126 agreed to infiltrate a branch of the Luchese family responsible for the homicide of a beloved fireman. Already a legend for successfully posing as a hit man and arms smuggler, Armanti transformed himself into Vinnie “Blue Eyes” Penisi—a veteran hood with an icy stare. Yet, once under cover, Armanti found that the wise guys he was chasing had access to classified police information. Stakes accelerated when the informant was revealed to be the son of the commander of NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau. Again and again, IAB’s detectives compromised Armanti, to protect the powerful man’s son, but even the Police Commissioner ignored the situation. But, like the fireman who takes an oath to serve, Armanti stayed on the job, even when it was clear his life was endangered.
David Kocieniewski, former New York Times Police Bureau Chief, reveals every moment of Armanti’s effort to break through the wall enforced by the cops’ top brass. Here, with all its compromises, is the city of New York. Here, in all his humanity, is an unforgettable hero, battling for his honor and survival. Here is a remarkable story that ranks with the greatest police classics.

Reviews (4)

The Brass Wall

Written by Douglas Carney on December 21st, 2007

  • Book Rating: 3/5

Enjoyable all the way through till the end. I was left a bit hanging. Trying too hard to be the next Serpico. A good story though and worth listening to.

Hope you like police stuff

Written by Shane Nixon from Burlington, NC on March 24th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 2/5

I do like a good police story and even so, this one was to much for me. It wasn't horrible, but I got lost SEVERAL times in the mountains and mountians of characters. It is, again, not horrible. But it is to detailed to listen to in "segements" like I do on my drives. It is the typical sit down and read cover to cover, kind of story, if you like police drama, and you have the time!

GREAT!

Written by Nicole from Sharon Springs, NY on October 6th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Loved it! you can feel the tension and frustration of the characters throughout this book!!!! Good for LEOs

Brass Wall

Written by M. Irons, from Hyde Park, MA on April 6th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 3/5

David Kocieniewski's "Brass Wall'' takes us deep inside police corruption in the New York Police Department, but sometimes it seems we are drawn in too far in the internal squabbles of police affairs. While the premise itself is intriguing: the good undercover outed by a bad cop, who happens to be the son of of the commander of the Internal Affairs Bureau, the minutia sometimes reads like police jargon, rife with villains and heros. I sometimes forgot Armanti was trying to find the killer of a beloved fireman. He seemed more at ease with being on the "set" and playing his role. For a novice like myself trying to find interest these police thrillers, "Brass Wall" read like a long tale. I never bought the good cop, bad cop story. There are always shades of gray though I sympathized with Vincent Armenti, whose cover was betrayed by a fellow officer.