Fire on the Levee

The Murder of Henry Glover and the Search for Justice after Hurricane Katrina

By: Jared Fishman, Joseph Hooper

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

“A riveting tale told with care and expertise.” —David Simon, creator of The Wire

The former federal prosecutor and founder of Justice Innovation Lab tells the story of his struggle to unravel the cover-up of a police shooting, and subsequent incineration of the shooting victim, in Hurricane Katrina–era New Orleans.

In 2009, Jared Fishman was a young prosecutor working on low-level civil rights cases in the Justice Department when a file landed on his desk. That folder contained two items: a story from The Nation magazine examining a mysterious death in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and an autopsy report for a man named Henry Glover, whose charred remains were found in a burned-out car two weeks after the storm. The autopsy report, bafflingly, listed no cause of death. But according to The Nation story, a gravely wounded Glover had last been seen in a car driven by a New Orleans police officer.

Intrigued despite the lack of evidence, Fishman set out to learn what happened to Glover. He flew to New Orleans and teamed up with a rookie FBI agent, and together they started to track down anyone with information about what had happened to Glover on that day.

Fire on the Levee tells the story of a young idealistic prosecutor determined to bring the truth to light. The case would lead to major reforms in the New Orleans Police Department and ultimately change our understanding of race, policing and justice in post-Katrina New Orleans and beyond.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

An unbelievable story, told unbelievably

In the best of ways. I’m a fan of FBI and legal dramas, and Fire on the Levee is written like the very best of them. It is heartbreaking that it depicts a true story, but the narrative, unfolding of facts, characters and complex situations are described with artful care. The book is captivating from its first pages, and continues to pull your heart, mind and stomach into the atrocity. Yet it doesn’t neglect to expose the writer’s perspective, which is full of faith and goodness and a true belief in justice.

Incredible story

An incredible story about tragedy, police, and the justice system. The story flows in a way that makes it hard to stop.

An inside look at how police abuse can thrive

This book gives a rarely seen look at how it is possible for a citizen to be killed and burned by the police. The story show both the best and the worst of what humans are capable under the right circumstances, and paints a picture of what is necessary if we will ever build a better world.

Still so relevant today and a page-turner, despite being non-fiction

I loved the character development and the interwoven stories, but also loved the lessons about the American justice system, the inner working of so many parts of our government, and ultimately, the hopeful message

Great pacing

Approachable true crime. Well written informative story with great pacing on how the details are revealed.