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.

Just too long

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No - not worth 18 hours!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Abridged it

What does Jonathan Davis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Conversational style brought it to life

Was The Onion Field worth the listening time?

No. It was 5 hours before the central event took place, and that took about 15 minutes to describe. 9 hours in the trial had already taken place, the verdict was in. I have no idea what filled the next 9 hours because I finally decided to cut my losses and move on to something more lively.

Any additional comments?

I think Joseph Wambaugh has been a giant in the field of true crime, but I didn't feel that this event merited the meticulous detail in which it was described.

The narrator

The book was really good, but the narrator might have been the best I have ever listened to. The guy was amazing.

I wanted to like this

I have read more true crime stories than any other genre and so looked forward to this critically acclaimed book. I had seen the movie years ago but had only the faintest recollection of it.

The book overshot it’s mark. Perhaps it was going for an In Cold Blood feel but there was too much on the two rather boring criminals. Their life story before and after the crime was bland.

A big yawn for me 🙁

Onion field

Best read novel I’ve ever listened too amazing story. If you’re thinking of getting this do it you won’t regret it

Beautiful & Tragic

Beautifully written, poignant and tragic. The author (and the narrator) put their heart & soul into every word.

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.