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Title: Big Ralph: Reflections of a Black Police Chief by Carl A. Patton ISBN: 0-9656467-0-X Publisher: Psyche Pub Pub. Date: December, 1997 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95

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Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (2 reviews)

Rating: 2
Summary: Where's Ralph?
Comment: The title of this book suggests that it is a story of a Black Police Chief, his rise in ranks, and his views on various political issues. Although the book does briefly outline Ralph's life, this seems to be the secondary focus of the book. As soon as you begin reading, it quickly becomes apparent that this book first and foremost serves as a platform for the author, Ralph's brother-in-law, to put his own political views in print. The author does this to such an extent that at times Ralph's story is overshadowed by verbose historical and political discussions that were quite loosely related. In addition, the reader is faced with the challenge of weeding through lists of people who knew Ralph at various points in his life. The introduction of these additional people would have been less tedious had the author linked those persons to Ralph in a more meaningful way, for example, re-telling a story that demonstrated their relationship.

The most refreshing portions of this book were the letters scattered throughout the book that Ralph had written to his wife. Ralph wrote these letters while serving in the military or while away for job training. The letters gave a true sense of Ralph's personality and his strong commitment to his family, friends and excellence.

Ralph Cothran appears to be a man who overcame tremendous economic challenges to eventually rise to the position of Police Chief. He seems to have been a man of great character and personal strength. It is unfortunate that this book didn't put more of a focus on the life of the man for whom it was named. I was disappointed that Ralph never had a chance to write his own story before he died. If you can weed through the lengthy historical discussions, you will find a sketch of an inspiring man that you will want to learn more about.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

Rating: 5
Summary: The Censored Truth About The Civil Rights Movement
Comment: The biography of Ralph (Big Ralph) Cothran is the exciting and revealing story of a foot patrolman who rose to be Chief of Police in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Big Ralph reveals his true feelings on many social problems of our day.

For example the following questions are just samples of the questions Big Ralph seeks to answer: Who set the precedent for Black leadership? Did busing Black children render them quality education? Why did Thurgood Marshall conclude that declaring Black people inferior would persuade the Supreme court to vote to desegregate public schools in America? Has the Back intellectual community sold out the Black community? Are there any independent Black Studies Departments in any University in America? Who controls the NAACP, the Urban League and SCLC? How can the word of God be best understood? What is the relationship between independent thinking, academic freedoms and freedom of expression and those lost in a dilemma of dependency?

Did Integration, Civil Disobedience Cause Crime? Is there a relationship between civil disobedience and crime? Did civil disobedience cause a distrust for authority and society's basic institutions? This book seeks to answer many questions that have caused a dilemma for the American people. Big Ralph is a book that tells the story of a man who fought against the odds. Big Ralph was a man who gave his life for his city and is remembered for the peace and harmony he brought to his beloved city, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Ralph Henry (Big Ralph) Cothran joined the Chattanooga Police Department in 1964. By 1989 Big Ralph was appointed Chief. Thus, he became the first Black Chief in the history of the Chattanooga Police Department. As an intellectual law enforcement officer Big Ralph developed various theories over the years. These theories related to law enforcement and the social problems of society. Crime and it's relationship to Civil Rights were some deep concerns for the Chief. He also took a serious look at welfare, the removal of prayer from the schools, busing, family values and the respect for authority. Thus, the book to logically deal with these questions seeks to historically review the Civil Rights movement. For example the historical development of Black leadership styles and Black organizations are brought up for review. The book Big Ralph: Reflections of a Black Police Chief seeks to fill a void in the literature. There is a need to evaluate all aspects of society. This includes the Black experience. Many questions and concerns relating to the Civil Rights Movement have not been evaluated. This book seeks to evaluate concerns like, what is integrationist philosophy? Also did the conclusions by the Thurgood Marshall legal team cause more Black inferiority?