Norco '80 - 06/19/21

 Hello thrill seekers, 

 Book 30: Norco '80: The True Story of the Most Spectacular Bank Robbery in American History (7/10)

Premise: A bank robbery gone wrong, a long and violent car chase, blood, shattered glass, and PTSD. 

In the 1970's, four young men decided to rob a bank in downtown Los Angeles. Some were doomsday preppers, some were just following along. All of them had an important roll to play. 

The beginning of this book focuses on the police officers and robbers leading up to the shoot out and following it through. The police cars destroyed, the bullets fired and taken, the helicopters chasing overhead, and the eventual surrender in a national park. It's edge of your seat action from any perspective the author has access too (mostly police officers). 

The second half of the book takes you through the trials of the robbers who were still alive, several died in the pursuit or from wounds. Then follows the life of several officers after the main event. It describes how PTSD was just being recognized as something that wasn't just gotten on a battle field. How many officers stopped their police work. It also delves into how this event, where the police were severally outgunned was one of the main reasons that police are now so heavily armed. 

Overall I enjoyed the story. I felt like it dragged on a bit at parts. But court cases are rarely my favorite parts of true crime. It is a fascinating look into the past and why so many robberies and other crimes were happening around this time period. 

So get ready for the ride of your lives, 

and remember dear readers, Stay Vivid.