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Steve Fritsch -  Publisher

Cincinnatus Standard Book Review: Peter Bronson's Behind the Lines

Like the September 11 terrorist attacks the 2001 Cincinnati race riots (which happened five months previous to 9-11) were a series of events that no person involved in them can ever forget. For seven days Cincinnati was immersed in the drama of the worst riots seen in the United States since the Los Angeles riots in 1992. Approxitmately 600 people were arrested that week, innocent white pedestrians and drivers were savagely beaten by groups of angry black residents simply because of their skin color, and it ended up causing the city an estimated $14 million in direct and long-term damages.

At the same time, and also similar to that of post-9-11, the aftermath of the riots has produced a mixture of self-serving politicians, bureaucrats, law enforcement officials, and special interest groups (all generally with something either to gain or hide in the outcome) that has prevented real progress from occurring to giving precise answers to two crucial questions: Why did this happen and how can this be prevented from happening again?

With the fifth anniversary of the April 2001 riots approaching, Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Peter Bronson provides in his newly released book, Behind the Lines: The Untold Stories of the Cincinnati Riots, an important second look into exactly what happened during those frightening, chaotic days and how the public leaders in charge of finding remedies to the situation have failed miserably. The end result: Cincinnati remains today at point in which the riots can easily happen all over again.

Bronson, who self-published the book under the name "Chilidog Press," interviewed a wide array of people directly involved in the riots and has put together an amazing retelling of one of the darkest moments in Cincinnati's history.

Similar to his columns, Bronson writes Behind the Lines with much of his trademark style. There are many of his off-the-wall analogies and comparisons that conservative readers will laugh at more than liberal readers, and at times, though not often, there is a twist of Bronson's own views on the subject matter that makes you feel like the book is an extension to one of his op/ed columns.

In the end, however, Bronson scores big with his vivid detailing of the stories that were told to him by public officials, community leaders, and policemen. His ability to put the reader right into the heart of the intensity of each situation allows the reader to feel like an actual participant. (This made the book especially hard to put down.)

In addition to providing insider accounts of infamous events such as the beating of a white elderly couple at the hands of rioters, and the Law and Public Safety Committee  meeting (which saw City Council barricaded in by loud, angry protestors), Bronson also fittingly applies a historical background on the city and certain public officials which is both enlightening, and at times, very surprising. There will certainly be parts of the book in which even Cincinnatians in "the know" will think, "Wow, I didn't know that about him."

The book is predominantly written in chronological order, but many chapters are focused on certain individual's reevaluations of the riots and the decisions they made during them. Bronson has in depth interviews with Cincinnati Police Chief Thomas Streicher, former Mayor Charlie Luken, former City Manager John Shirey, former FOP President Keith Fangman, current City Council members Jim Tarbell and Cecil Thomas, and attorney Ken Lawson (who represented the mother of Timothy Thomas, the young man shot and killed by police officer Steven Roach which precipitated the riots).

Bronson also interviewed many of the policemen that were involved in attempting to reestablish order out of anarchy. Many of their stories are extraordinary.

One of the more inspiring parts of the book deal with Bronson's interview with Michael Howard, a former "feared" drug gang leader and Golden Gloves boxer from the West End who is now director of Justice Watch, a halfway house for paroled convicts. Howard, who is now a committed Christian who walks the walk by practicing what he preaches, (he regularly offers help to his "street family" made of ex-cons, drug abusers, and prostitutes) is very critical of other African-American "leaders," such as Rev. Damon Lynch III. "People in these neighborhoods have no respect for Lynch," he says. "They know he's never around when you need help. He just shows up for the photo ops."

There are also many insider observations in Behind the Lines regarding our city's most prominent people, which will make it required reading for Cincinnati politicos, bloggers, and news-junkies. There is much in Bronson's book that will fuel debate and dialogue across partisan lines (and may even bring some of the most partisan people together on certain issues).

That being said, whether you are a fan of Peter Bronson or not, you will most likely truly enjoy this book.

Inside are revelations and information about local prominent figures that are too good to pass up. These include:

*  The distraught nature of police officer Steven Roach after shooting Timothy Thomas and how he kept repeating to arriving officers, "Oh my God, it just went off. My gun just went off."

*  How the leaders of the Cincinnati business community threatened to "boycott" the Cincinnati Enquirer for their anti-police coverage during the riots, and the Enquirer's hidden agenda to win journalism awards through that coverage.

*  How Ken Lawson, Damon Lynch, Alicia Reece and the radio station WDBZ "Da Buzz" played a crucial role in inciting the anger necessary to provoke the longevity of the riots.

*  How the Cincinnati Police Department's slow response to communicate to the public the details surrounding the shooting allowed time for tempers to fester and spark the beginnings of "unrest."

*  The incompetent leadership skills of former Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Twitty, former City Manager John Shirey, and City Councilman John Cranley (chairman of the Law and Public Safety Committee).

*  The confusion, frustrations, and efforts of Mayor Charlie Luken and Police Chief Thomas Streicher to hold the city together as both battled the calls for their resignations.

*  The courage of City Councilman Jim Tarbell, who didn't shy away from protestors and potentially very dangerous situations, and former FOP president Keith Fangman, who helped prevent unjust punishments on police officers involved in using force during the riots.

*  How the appearance of Governor Bob Taft at the funeral of Timothy Thomas put undue complications and stress on the Cincinnati Police Department, which ultimately caused the end of several law enforcement officers careers.

*  The inside story of John Ashcroft and the U.S. Justice Department's attempts to "hang" the Cincinnati police officers involved in the "use of force" against protestors to give Ashcroft and the Bush Administration a better image nationally towards minorities and Democrats.

With its insider accounts, historical background, detailed information of events, and never-before released stories, Peter Bronson's Behind the Lines is a must read for all who want to understand what really happened in April 2001, and is required reading for all of America's city governments to learn what not to do in attempting to prevent civil unrest and dangerous riots.

Behind the Lines: The Untold Story of the Cincinnati Riots by Peter Bronson. 2006, Chilidog Press

www.peterbronson.com