The Onion Field

By: Joseph Wambaugh

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 18 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Hollywood. Saturday night. A broken taillight leads to a routine traffic stop. It shouldn’t have changed the lives of the four men involved, but it did. The Onion Field is the frighteningly true story of a fatal collision of destinies that would lead two young cops and two young robbers to a deserted field on the outskirts of Los Angeles, towards a bizarre execution and its terrible aftermath.

The Onion Field is the basis for the movie starring James Woods and John Savage.

©1973 Joseph Wambaugh (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“More ambitious than In Cold Blood and equally compelling.” ( The New York Times)

“Wambaugh is the best in the business.” (Kathy Reichs)

“No other writer illuminates the heart beneath the badge better or more honestly than Joseph Wambaugh" (Robert Crais)

One of the best books I have listened to in ages

A very refreshing story told in a very unusual way - starting with the childhoods of the main protagonists and working through the crime and the subsequent drama in their lives. Fascinating details of how each of them is impacted by the crime and an enthralling read. Thoroughly recommended.

This book was so good I spent more time exercising just to listen

I recommend this book to any true crime fan. Had a great time listening to this book.

Still an amazing story

I read this book when it first came out decades ago. It still is an amazing story. Some of the characters are so bizarre that it seems like a crime novel, rather than nonfiction. The author Joseph Wambaugh did a great job.

A Compelling Listen

This was a great story of what policemen do every day. They can be on an ordinary patrol one moment, and dead the next. It's a stressful job. The book was so gripping in its descriptions of the individuals. I felt so heartbroken for those 2 young policemen and the agony of the aftermath for the survivor. Well written, well read. A terrible and procedural changing tragedy in my opinion. I once was married to a policeman.

Worth the trip.

Saw the movie back in the day so I thought I knew what happens... 30 + years later I get it. What a tale... The American justice system , PTSD and bagpipes.

Police murder

I am the daughter of an LAPD police officer killed in the line of duty about 3 years after the officer in this book. It is a disturbing book no matter who you are but especially for me.
The character development is good, but the narration is monotonous, and it’s difficult to know is which character the author is talking about because of the flat narration. I think an actor with better voice distinction would help greatly. However, still a good read.

Sad.

This true story pulls at your heartstrings and will keep your attention throughout the whole audiobook.The Narrator did An excellent job kudos to him.

Inside Job

So many books are written from the standpoint of the police; this book puts you into the slippery mind of the criminal.

What a Tragically Magnificent Listen!

I’ve seen the movie several times and read the book at least twice so, the account of what happened is very known to me. This audio book does the story justice on all fronts. It’s a faithful rendition of Wambaugh’s masterpiece - well read and told with the appropriate amount of respect and humility. Our court system is truly broken .. probably beyond repair.

True crime

Fascinating true story of two policemen abducted by armed robbers.
The lives of the two criminals and the two cops are examined in detail.
The horrific night in the onion field is explained and the subsequent history of the criminal trials is covered.