Strong of Heart: Life and Death in the Fire Department of New York

Rating:
Summary: Insincere...
Review: First allow me to say that I am not Union type guy who would automatically dislike anything that Mr. Von Essen said or did. However his rise to Commissioner of the FDNY from the position of firefighter and Union President is subject to question. It is difficult to believe that he was the most qualified member of the entire FDNY to be named Commissioner. That aside, I found his comments to be insicere and it is clear that his view of Mayor Guiliani may be slanted to his current position with Mr. Guiliani's business organization. No question that the Mayor did a wonderful and heroic job on 9/11 but I don't think he is flawless. Mr. Von Essen did offer some insights into the inner workings of the FDNY which were very interesting, but he just came off as an insincere individual trying to capitalize on the horror that was 9/11.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book
Review: Following the conclusion of Thomas Von Essen's (the former New York City Fire Commissioner) book, I was deeply touched in the way Commissioner Von Essen honors the men he was worked with, the New York City Firemen. His recollection of his own experiences on September 11th identified the great challenge New York City faced, as well as the entire country.
I have always been impressed by the unique characteristics of our countries leaders, Strong of Heart gives us a clear view of what it took to lead New York City back to where it was before 9/11. I strongly recommend this book to those who enjoy learning about the sacrifice and dedication each NYC Firemen practices through their job.

Rating:
Summary: Good Job!
Review: Great book I always think of people I see on TV as big shots!
I found out reading this book that we are all just people and some have a great deal of grief to deal with God bless all who were lost on 9-11 WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

Rating:
Summary: One Man 343 Deaths
Review: How does a man with 30 + years on the job and countless friends lost in the tragedy of 9-11 even have the composure to tell us his story? God bless Tom Von Essen and the Heros of 9-11....
Ganci,Downey,Judge,Feehan and all the rest of the BRAVEST lost that day. What hurts is the SORRY attempt by guys with far less time trying to say bad things about Von Essen. Here is a guy who paid his dues (in the BRONX when the city was burning)went on to protect his men with Bunker Gear as President and get more work for them when the city was looking to cut back.This book was a great read for me and I recommend it to anyone who likes true no nonsense reading and true factual happenings in New York after the Sept.11 attacks

Rating:
Summary: A Fine Young Man
Review: I am a veteran of world war two and I also am a New Yorker.
I can relate to this mans early days in the FDNY I thought the City would burn to the ground!I respect his courage and drive.
In a time when men ran to Canada he submerged!In the US Navy!
In a time our city was burning he raced in to put it out!
In a time our firefighters needed protective gear he got it!
In a time our CITY needed a LEADER he stood FAST!
I loved this book because it brings all the GOOD I remember as a kid in New York to bear. A regular kid makes good and pays a Heavy Emotionl price but goes on! Thats a New Yorker!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: A Good Book
Review: I found this book to be both interesting and sad. A real tribute to the brave souls lost on not only 9-11 but during the Fire Commisioners term in office.I cant imagine being in his place!
I thought this book read fast and am glad I read it.God Bless the souls lost on 9-11 and God Bless America

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I thought this book was great.I have read other books that tie into Sep. 11 and found this one to be a real tribute to so many people who were a part of that historical day.I also got to know what goes thru a mans mind who has to deal with such tragedy.There are lite moments in this book that I felt made it so very real and honest and tragic moments that made it the same.I am very glad I read it!!

Rating:
Summary: Leaders Lead!
Review: I was so touched by this book by our former Commisioner I could not put it down. Mr Von Essen has given such a tribute to the men of the FDNY and such insight to us as to what He had been thru post 9-11 that I feel I now know this fine man. I found it disheartining to read some of the reviews of some saying bad things about him and his book. The book is a tribute to so many GREAT MEN that I am bewildered by some of this pages reviews.
To say this book is garbage is to say the HEROS LOST and thier stories are the same! SHAME ON YOU!! Laura

Rating:
Summary: Could have been more.......
Review: I will make this review short and to the point. Commissioner Von Essen had the potential for a great book, but something was lost along the way. For one thing, there is really no mention of the '93 WTC bombing in here. Even if he may have had a small part to play in it, that is a pretty significant part of the history of the FDNY. I would have liked to have seen the Commish write a little more about Ray Downey and some of the other people he talks about in the book, but that is my personal preference. I was disappointed with the inclusion of the Commish's notes from the days following September 11th......I was not sure what to make of them, but I mostly thought the publishers needed to fill some space. This may or may not be true. If you want to read another account of the FDNY response to September 11th, then please get this book.

Rating:
Summary: the running man
Review: Tom von essen was the only member of the Fire Dept to run away from the disaster of 9/11. He is seen on national TV with his cerimonial turnout coat and helmet. three days later he is seen , with the President in a battered helmet and coat showing burn marks of a real firefighting veteran.
This book ,like that vision is filled with half truths and lies from a man who has no shame.
A man who has always capitalized on the working heros of the FDNY and tried to run a Department when he addmits that he couldn,t pass the fire Lt. test. We question what happened to all the unfavorable reviews sent to amazon.com