Law & Order

A comprehensive, yet entertaining, examination of the Law & Order juggernaut.

Over the course of more than 20 years, nearly 500 episodes, and six spinoffs, Law & Order changed the way we view police procedurals, the American justice system, and the men and women of the NYPD. The ubiquity of the show — from its iconic dun-dun sound to its all-star cast of characters and A-list special guest stars — has not only made it part of the pop culture zeitgeist but has made society smarter about “law and order” in the United States.

In the first-ever book of its kind, author & pop culture critic Bernadette Giacomazzo celebrates the show and its creator, Dick Wolf, while providing a conscientious examination of the stories of the criminal justice system, and the “two separate, yet equally important groups” that represent the people. But more than just follow the evolution of the show from its old New York grit and grime to the 21st century high-tech surveillance in a more sterile Manhattan, Giacomazzo explores how United States law evolved over the years and how the show evolved with it, and how America’s fascination with the show helped give birth to the true crime genre.

Law & Order was — and is — more than just a police procedural. It is one of the few shows that effectively tackled the social, political, and economic issues that lead to a life of crime. Moreso than its predecessors Dragnet and Hill Street Blues, Law & Order gave a first-hand, inside look into the police who investigate crime, and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders. In so doing, it removed their mystique and gave them a humanity not seen before. This cultural history finally gives the show and its creator the recognition they deserve for their role in changing the face of both law and order — and true crime television.