The Onion Field

eBook

English language

Published April 29, 2008 by Random House Publishing Group.

ISBN:
978-0-307-48912-8
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
518219054

View on OpenLibrary

4 stars (5 reviews)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A fascinating account of a double tragedy: one physical, the other psychological.”—Truman Capote

This is the frighteningly true story of two young cops and two young robbers whose separate destinies fatally cross one March night in a bizarre execution in a deserted Los Angeles field.

“A complex story of tragic proportions . . . more ambitious than In Cold Blood and equally compelling!”—The New York Times

“Once the action begins it is difficult to put the book down. . . . Wambaugh’s compelling account of this true story is destined for the bestseller lists.”—Library Journal

6 editions

Review of 'The Onion Field' on 'Storygraph'

3 stars

A canonical true crime book that's more important than it is enjoyable. Can feel a bit homework-y at times when you realize a) it was written by a cop who hadn't written nonfiction before and b) it was being written as the story was unfolding so Wambaugh is building the road and driving on it at the same time.

If you want to know where true crime writing in America came from, you must read this. But read it alongside In Cold Blood and Fatal Vision and Stranger Beside Me to help it go down a bit smoother.

avatar for Lixi

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Anders_S

rated it

3 stars
avatar for amerpie

rated it

5 stars
avatar for TheKimmy

rated it

5 stars