Robert Daley
Encyclopedia
Robert Daley is an American novelist. He is the author of 28 books, five of which have been adapted for film.
Daley graduated from Fordham University
in 1951 and served in the Air Force during the Korean War
. He spent six seasons as publicity director for the New York Giants
of the National Football League
in the days of Frank Gifford
, Charlie Conerly
and Sam Huff
. He then worked on the foreign staff of The New York Times
for six years.
In 1971–72 he served as Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Police Department
(NYPD). It was a particularly tumultuous period in the department's history: two Mafia don
s were killed, the city's biggest-ever jewel heist took place, the Knapp Commission
investigation into police corruption caused great upheaval in the department, and several police officers were killed by assailants associated with the Black Liberation Army
. Daley recounted these events and others in the nonfiction book Target Blue. He said later that when he agreed to take the job, he got more than he bargained for.
Daley's award-winning 1978 nonfiction work Prince of the City was hailed by The New York Times Book Review: "The policeman as flawed hero, a recurrent and enormously popular figure in contemporary writing, has never been done better." Daley's books, which have been translated into 14 languages, include Year of the Dragon
, Tainted Evidence (filmed as Night Falls on Manhattan
), and Prince of the City
. Most of his books grew out of immersing himself deeply in people and subjects that fascinated him, from Grand Prix racing to opera to bullfights to treasure diving—and of course the NYPD. He and his French-born wife divide their time between a house in Connecticut
and an apartment in Nice
, France.
Daley graduated from Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
in 1951 and served in the Air Force during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. He spent six seasons as publicity director for the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
in the days of Frank Gifford
Frank Gifford
Francis Newton "Frank" Gifford is a Hall of Fame former American football player and American sportscaster.-Early life:Gifford was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Lola Mae and Weldon Gifford, an oil driller....
, Charlie Conerly
Charlie Conerly
Charles Albert Conerly, Jr. was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the New York Giants from 1948 through 1961. Conerly was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966.-College career:Conerly attended and played college football at the University of...
and Sam Huff
Sam Huff
Robert Lee "Sam" Huff is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982....
. He then worked on the foreign staff of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
for six years.
In 1971–72 he served as Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Police Department
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
(NYPD). It was a particularly tumultuous period in the department's history: two Mafia don
Crime boss
A crime boss or boss is a person in charge of a criminal organization. A boss typically has absolute or near-absolute control over his subordinates, is greatly feared by his subordinates for his ruthlessness and willingness to take lives in order to exert his influence, and profits come from the...
s were killed, the city's biggest-ever jewel heist took place, the Knapp Commission
Knapp Commission
The Knapp Commission stemmed from a five-member panel initially formed in April 1970 by Mayor John V. Lindsay to investigate corruption within the New York City Police Department...
investigation into police corruption caused great upheaval in the department, and several police officers were killed by assailants associated with the Black Liberation Army
Black Liberation Army
The Black Liberation Army was an underground, black nationalist-Marxist militant organization that operated in the United States from 1970 to 1981...
. Daley recounted these events and others in the nonfiction book Target Blue. He said later that when he agreed to take the job, he got more than he bargained for.
Daley's award-winning 1978 nonfiction work Prince of the City was hailed by The New York Times Book Review: "The policeman as flawed hero, a recurrent and enormously popular figure in contemporary writing, has never been done better." Daley's books, which have been translated into 14 languages, include Year of the Dragon
Year of the Dragon
Year of the Dragon can refer to:* Dragon , Chinese Year of the Dragon zodiac sign* Year of the Dragon, 2000 album by Modern Talking* Year of the Dragon , 1981 novel written by Robert Daley...
, Tainted Evidence (filmed as Night Falls on Manhattan
Night Falls on Manhattan
Night Falls on Manhattan is a 1997 American crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet, set and filmed on location in New York City. Its screenplay is by Lumet, based on a novel by author Robert Daley entitled: Tainted Evidence...
), and Prince of the City
Prince of the City
Prince of the City is an American crime drama film about an NYPD officer who chooses to expose police corruption for idealistic reasons. The character of Daniel Ciello was based on real-life NYPD Narcotics Detective Robert Leuci and the script was based on Robert Daley's 1978 book of the same name...
. Most of his books grew out of immersing himself deeply in people and subjects that fascinated him, from Grand Prix racing to opera to bullfights to treasure diving—and of course the NYPD. He and his French-born wife divide their time between a house in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
and an apartment in Nice
Nice
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
, France.
Novels
- The Whole Truth (1967)
- Only a Game (1967)
- A Priest and a Girl (1969)
- Strong Wine, Red as Blood (1975)
- To Kill A Cop (1976) - filmed as a TV movie by Gary NelsonGary NelsonGary Nelson may refer to:*Gary Nelson , American film director*Gary Nelson , NASCAR crew chief and inspector*Gary Lee Nelson , American composer and media artist*Gary V. Nelson , Canadian pastor...
in 1981 - The Fast One (1978)
- Year of the Dragon (1981) - filmed by Michael CiminoMichael CiminoMichael Cimino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer and author. He is best known for writing and directing Academy Award-winning The Deer Hunter and the infamous Heaven's Gate. His films are characterized by their striking visual style and controversial subject...
as Year of the DragonYear of the Dragon (film)Year of the Dragon is a 1985 film directed by Michael Cimino, starring Mickey Rourke, Ariane Koizumi and John Lone. The screenplay was written by Cimino and Oliver Stone and adapted from the novel by Robert Daley....
in 1985 - The Dangerous Edge (1983)
- Hands of a Stranger (1985) - filmed by Larry Elikann as Hands of a Stranger in 1987
- Man with a Gun (1988)
- A Faint Cold Fear (1990)
- Tainted Evidence (1993) - filmed by Sidney LumetSidney LumetSidney Lumet was an American director, producer and screenwriter with over 50 films to his credit. He was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Director for 12 Angry Men , Dog Day Afternoon , Network and The Verdict...
as Night Falls on ManhattanNight Falls on ManhattanNight Falls on Manhattan is a 1997 American crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet, set and filmed on location in New York City. Its screenplay is by Lumet, based on a novel by author Robert Daley entitled: Tainted Evidence...
in 1996 - Wall of Brass (1994)
- Nowhere to Run (1996)
- The Innocents Within (1999)
- The Enemy of God (2005)
- Pictures (2006)
Non fiction
- The World Beneath the City (1959)
- Cars at Speed (1961)
- The Bizarre World of Europen Sport (1962)
- The Cruel Sport (1963)
- The Swords of Spain (1965)
- A Star in the Family (1971)
- Target Blue: An Insider's View of the N.Y.P.D. (1973)
- Treasure (1977)
- Prince of the City: The True Story of a Cop Who Knew Too Much (1978) - filmed by Sidney LumetSidney LumetSidney Lumet was an American director, producer and screenwriter with over 50 films to his credit. He was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Director for 12 Angry Men , Dog Day Afternoon , Network and The Verdict...
as Prince of the CityPrince of the CityPrince of the City is an American crime drama film about an NYPD officer who chooses to expose police corruption for idealistic reasons. The character of Daniel Ciello was based on real-life NYPD Narcotics Detective Robert Leuci and the script was based on Robert Daley's 1978 book of the same name...
in 1981 - An American Saga - Juan Trippe and his Pan Am Empire (1980)
- Portraits of France (1991)