EDITORIAL REVIEWS
TOUGH STREETS, ROUGH SKIES, and SUNDAY SIDELINES
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating story: the FBI, American Airlines and the Dallas Cowboys
by a Man inside of all three!
Forget what the Dos Equis guy says, Larry is truly “the most interesting Man in the world”, and the book is filled with insights from his career in law enforcement and his amazing career from a man who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Great stories about some of the characters on America’s team as well. An easy book to enjoy in a conversational tone. Not to be missed as a great Summer read!
—Judge Eric V. Moye. Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars What a life and inspirational story.
What a fabulous career and an amazing life. How a man from a small town became a world-renowned security expert. This book takes you from this small town where job prospects were limited to the quarry. First came the Marine Corps, then a Police Office, FBI Special Agent, the Dallas Cowboys, Whitney Houston, American Airlines, and then back to the Dallas Cowboys. He accomplished all this with a wonderful family and to top it off was the Father of the Year in Dallas. What a life and inspirational story.
—Kindle Customer
The Murder Memo – True Crime Blog – May 22, 2025 – Danny R. Smith
Terrific Reads!
It’s been a while since I’ve recommended books and authors to you, so without ado, here is a terrific read I’ve enjoyed,
Tough Streets, Rought Skies, and Sunday Sidelines – Written by Larry Wansley, this book is a fascinating biography. To say he’s lived an exciting and challenging life would be the understatement of all times.
the Grapevine, FBI Retired Magazine – April/May 2025
Reading Tough Streets, Rough Skies, and Sunday Sidelines, readers may need to be reminded that it is a true story. From Larry Wansley’s days as a young police detective, dodging bullets while attempting to calm the Compton (CA) race riots to his leadership of a staff that identified the 9/11 hijackers, this globally respected security figure has written an action packed recollection of his foot-to-the-pedal career.
As one of the FBl’s first long-term undercover Agents, Wansley aided with the search for kidnapped Patty Hearst and once organized a sting operation that resulted in the recovery
of $42 million in stolen property. He used so many aliases that, at times, he had trouble
remembering who he was supposed to be. While serving as Global Security Director for American Airlines, he coordinated the numbing turmoil that came in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy and walked among those searching Ground Zero. He dealt with drug cartels, arms smugglers, a shoe bomb, and more than a few Mafia wiseguys.
During his tenure as Director of Security and Counseling Services for the Dallas Cowboys, he shielded legendary Cowboys coach Tom Landry from a potential sniper hidden in the Monday Night Football crowd and spent a summer serving as pop singer Whitney Houston’s bodyguard during her European tour.
Written with two-time Edgar Award winner Carlton Stowers, Wansley’s autobiography runs the emotional gamut from terrifying to heartbreaking to laugh-out-loud funny with the dangerous and high drama situations that are often only found in fiction.
“Larry has had three storied careers – with the FBI, American Airlines, and now the Dallas Cowboys. This true story of those careers is a fascinating read and highly recommended”
—Executive Director Nancy Savage
5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable life story of this living legacy
Larry Wansley had many high-profile professions and life experiences all in one lifetime. Upon reading all he has done, you learn how he is such an amazing United States patriot. The book summarizes so many stories that he experienced firsthand explaining scenarios that seem to be an action-packed Hollywood movie. Larry states the funny parts putting light on such somber and eye-opening situations that he found himself in. The numerous stories he shares put you on the edge of your seat with wonder how he solved a case. This is his 2nd book, each full of surprises. This book goes deep into the truths of crime, insight into major historical events, and his abilities to cope with them.
—Jeaneal Bell, Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting!
Excellent read!
—Kathy Lord-Jones, Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars What a Ride
This is a phenomenal non-fiction thriller. As an avid fan of police protocols and suspense novels, I give this one a 10! Larry Wansley’s background is like no other person I’ve ever known. He served in a variety of unique and usually dangerous jobs – the Marine Corps, a city police detective, an undercover FBI agent, Security Director for American Airlines and the Dallas Cowboys, bodyguard for Whitney Houston and even was among those who searched the devastation of Ground Zero. This book is REAL, shocking, heart pounding and at times even humorous.
—Joyce Raineri, Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars The remarkable life of Larry Wansley
This is the remarkable life of Larry Wansley, a man once told he’d never amount to anything.
With charm, cleverness, hard work, humor, sacrifice, and a little serendipity, Larry’s career winds through some of America’s most iconic institutions. He became an undercover FBI agent, helped clean up the NFL, ran security for Whitney Houston, and helped steer American Airlines through 9/11. Tough Streets, Rough Skies and Sunday Sidelines is a wild, deeply human ride—told by the man who held it all together when it mattered most.
—Justin S. Smith, Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Memories and life experiences
There are a lot of books regarding law enforcement and life experiences. Larry Wansley has a way to tell his story and makes you feel like you are there living it with him. He keeps it to the facts and the strange events that take place with each. Real true-life stories, thank you for the ride…
—Richard, Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Great stories and all true!
Amazing story of one man’s career accomplishments that have you shaking your head, but it’s all true. Great stories and a chance to gain some insight into places and events very few folks will ever experience. Worked the same “rough streets” as larry, but after he had moved on to his next adventure. Stirred up some memories. Glad he survived it all!
—Tom M., Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Had me from the first page!
Tough Streets, Rough Skies and Sunday Sideline is a great choice. The author shares his real-life stories from the beginning to adventures and sports, balancing real truth with some laughter and hope. It’s engaging from the first page. An excellent read for fans of personal and motivational storytelling! Thank you for an exciting read!
—FBGEdith, Reviewed on April 28, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read page-turner!
Compassionate, nail-biting, and eye-opening page-turner of life behind the scenes of three industries everyone in the US knows-the NFL (especially the Cowboys), aviation, and federal law enforcement (FBI). From the sidelines of the Dallas Cowboys to the jungles of Colombia and debris-ridden streets of Manhattan in September 2001 to the life amongst dangerous criminals, Wansley engagingly presents the human side of these off-maligned parts of the American fabric of life and the risks taken behind the scenes and often in front of the cameras when things go wrong. As a lover of cerebral crime dramas, I can see this book as a launchpad for a great streaming series.
—BlucheGirl, Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars A Life Purposefully Lived
A life’s journey filled with one unexpected turn after another. From smalltown Midwest roots to the streets of Compton, the intrigue and danger of FBI Special Agent undercover, the spotlight stage of the Dallas Cowboys and Whitney Houston, and the far-reaching responsibilities of airline safety with American Airlines, Mr. Wansley gives us an insider’s view. An engaging ride that exposes the dangers, hardships, near-misses and successes of a career that is book worthy. This is one of those compelling reads that is hard to put down and has you asking, “who gets to do this”? I think everyone needs a Larry Wansley in their life!
—mcihome, Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
I couldn’t put down this book! It is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Fast paced, poignant and humorous. Get this book––I promise you won’t be disappointed!
